Bopara on fire for Essex

Ravi Bopara finished with 4-33 against Derbyshire

Ravi Bopara claimed four wickets in the space of nine deliveries as Essex finished the day with a 192-run lead in their clash with Derbyshire at Chelmsford.

The four wickets came at a cost of just three runs as the visitors were bowled out for 271 in response to Essex’s total of 404.

By the close the home side had reached 59 for three in their second innings.

Bopara's deeds with the ball were bad news for James Pipe.

He had looked all set for a repeat of the century he scored when the sides met in the LV County Championship on the same ground last season, but in the end he was left unbeaten on 95.

At least Pipe had the satisfaction of steering Derbyshire clear of the follow-on.

That had seemed remote when he walked out to do battle with Greg Smith with half the side back in the pavilion for 120.

But his positive attitude allied to Smith's more cautious approach saw them add 140 in 33 overs for the sixth wicket.

Smith did have a slice of luck on the way when Danish Kaneria put down a catch at deep mid-on when driving off-spinner James Middlebrook.

He had 32 of the 202 on the board at the time and went on to make 53 from 106 deliveries, seven of which he despatched to the boundary, before leg spinner Kaneria had him caught by Ryan ten Doeschate in the same position.

Smith's departure paved the way for Bopara to make his dramatic impact. He dismissed Jon Clare, Graham Wagg, Jake Needham and Charl Langeveldt for ducks as Pipe was left stranded five short of his century having struck 13 fours and three sixes in an innings spanning 108 deliveries.

Bopara returned the figures of 4-33 from seven overs while Kaneria provided the main backup support with 3-58 from 20 overs.

Earlier in the day Essex lost their remaining three wickets for 39.

Ten Doeschate was lbw to Needham without adding to his overnight 118, that including 17 fours and a six, but Alex Tudor went on to make 68 before he was caught behind. His knock contained 10 fours and a six.

Once again Essex got off to a bad start when they went in a second time, losing their first three wickets for 34.

Among them was England opener Alastair Cook whose unsightly swish against Langeveldt at a rising ball outside his off-stump ended up in the hands of Rikki Clarke at second slip.

But Bopara steered clear of such an indiscretion and will resume in the morning on 32.