Redfern gives Derbys slight edge

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Chelmsford:
Essex v Derbyshire
15-18 April (Play starts 1100 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Derbyshire 306-7(Essex 2pts, Derbys 3pts)

Essex v Derbyshire commentary

Essex v Derbyshire scorecard

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A half-century from Dan Redfern helped Derbyshire shade an even first day against Essex.

After being put into bat Derbyshire closed on 306-7, with Garry Park (41) and James Pipe (39) also contributing.

Redfern faced 134 balls and hit eight fours before being caught behind by James Foster off the bowling of David Masters (1-35) for 50.

Chris Wright (2-76) and Ryan ten Doeschate (2-95) also picked up wickets for the home side.

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Essex bowling coach Graeme Welch told BBC Radio Essex:

"It could have been better but for a few dropped catches, but other than that I'm quite happy with the situation.

"The wicket looked green and we thought it would do a lot more than it did.

"I think we were nervous at the beginning but the lads hit their straps later on with the second new ball."