Mark Footitt took three wickets but Essex hold the edge after Day One of the LV= County Championship fixture at The 3aaa County Ground.
Derbyshire lost bowlers Tony Palladino and Shiv Thakor to injuries in the evening session as half-centuries from Ryan ten Doeschate (88), Dan Lawrence (87) and Mark Pettini (70 not out) helped Essex to 360-6 at stumps.
Footitt (3-88) was the standout bowler on a frustrating day for Derbyshire’s attack, with Wes Durston (1-23), Thakor (1-64) and Ben Cotton (1-76) also claiming a wicket apiece.
Captain Wayne Madsen said: “Tony landed on his right shoulder, I can’t say exactly what he’s done but he’s gone for a precautionary x-ray. He was in a lot of discomfort and I’m not sure if he will be able to play any further part in this game.
“Shiv has hurt his back although I can’t say if he will be ready to bowl in the second innings. I don’t know if it’s something that will settle down or it’s going to be longer than that.”
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Derbyshire halted a developing opening partnership of 48 when Nick Browne was clean bowled by Footitt for 18.
Essex regrouped and ended the morning session just one down but they lost their second wicket straight after lunch as Cotton had Tom Westley lbw for 21.
Lawrence brought up his half-century shortly after he had shared a fifty partnership with England international Ravi Bopara (25), but the latter then became the third wicket to fall with Thakor inducing an edge through to wicketkeeper Tom Poynton.
Spin was introduced as Lawrence looked to accelerate towards three-figures and Durston did the trick with his second delivery as the England Under-19s batsman mistimed a shot straight to Cotton at mid-off for 87.
Footitt grabbed his second wicket as he had New Zealand international Jesse Ryder caught at first slip for 10 as Essex slipped from 159-2 to 199-5.
Seam bowlers Palladino and Thakor both left the field after sustaining injuries in the evening session as Essex played with freedom against the old ball, with ten Doeschate reaching his fifty in style with six over the mid-wicket boundary.
Pettini recorded his own half-century not long after as he shared a century stand with ten Doeschate to guide Essex past the 300 mark. Footitt finally ended a sixth-wicket partnership of 145 when he had ten Doeschate caught by Durston for 88.
Pettini (70 not out) and James Foster (9 not out) saw out the final seven overs in darkening conditions as they guided their side through to the close of play on 360-6.
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Day Two of the LV= County Championship fixture between Derbyshire and Essex starts at 10.30am on Thursday 10 September, tickets are available to purchase on the gate.
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