Ten Doeschate punishes Derbyshire

Ryan ten Doeschate again underlined his liking for the Derbyshire attack by leading Essex to a healthy 365 for seven on the opening day of their LV County Championship Division Two match at Chelmsford.

On the day before his 28th birthday, the right-hander struck an unbeaten 118 to follow the 132 he scored when the sides met at Derby towards the end of last season.

In collecting only the fifth championship century of his career, ten Doeschate helped himself to 14 fours and a six.

His effort upstaged that of Alastair Cook, who, in one of his rare appearances for the county, failed by just five runs to reach three figures for the first time this summer.

Cook’s season-best score helped Essex overcome a poor start in which they lost Jason Gallian and Neil Dexter cheaply, both to Charl Langeveldt.

Ryan ten Doeschate helped Essex take charge on the opening day at Chelmsford

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And when Ravi Bopara was magnificently caught at third slip by a jumping Jake Needham from a Jon Clare delivery that leapt off a length, Essex found themselves in deeper trouble at 42 for three.

But Cook, who prospered with several punishing strokes off the back foot, and captain Mark Pettini launched a recovery that sent the total beyond 100.
The partnership was worth 81 before Pettini's entertaining knock of 40 was cut short by off-spinner Needham when he departed leg before.

Soon afterwards the same bowler snared Cook as Clare held on to a fine catch at short midwicket.

The England opener's 95 contained 13 fours and spanned 43 deliveries, and his departure allowed ten Doeschate to take centre stage.

He was soon to lose James Foster and James Middlebrook as the persevering Needham continued to make inroads into the innings, but ten Doeschate was to find a solid and reliable partner in Alex Tudor.

After a cautious start, Tudor opened his shoulders to penetrate the field with some eye-catching drives.

The eighth-wicket pair have added 126 in 31 overs, Tudor completing his half-century with a six over extra cover at the expense of medium-pacer Wavell Hinds. He has also struck seven fours and will resume on 53.

Needham has proved Derbyshire's most successful bowler to date with 4-81 from 25 overs on a day when Essex were able to celebrate their first batting points in four matches.