Matt Critchley took 3-63 on a tough day in the field for Derbyshire, as Warwickshire added 343 runs for the loss of five wickets on Day Two at Edgbaston.
The all-rounder was the pick of the bowlers as the Warwickshire batsmen resumed on 32-1 and scored runs throughout the order to close on 375-6, with a first innings lead of 57.
Wayne Madsen (144) had given Derbyshire a good platform in this match, but resolute batting on a good pitch from Chris Wright (72), Matthew Lamb (79 not out) and Jonathan Trott (76) put Warwickshire in control.
Nightwatchman Wright and Will Rhodes frustrated the Derbyshire bowlers in the opening hour as they added 63 runs in a free-flowing stand which typified the morning session.
Rhodes was the only wicket the fall before lunch, caught behind by Gary Wilson off Mark Footitt for 50 as the hosts added 112 to their overnight score heading into the interval.
Once Ian Bell settled with a well-timed drive through the covers for four, he set about chasing down Derbyshire’s first innings total alongside Wright, who far surpassed his role as nightwatchman.
Duanne Olivier believed he had Ian Bell lbw on 37, but the umpire shook his head and it was down to Hardus Viljoen to remove the former England middle-order batsman three overs later, this time lbw for 44 with the score 172-3.
This started a Derbyshire fightback as Critchley first bowled Wright for 72, then had Sam Hain lbw for eight, meaning there were two new batsmen in Trott and Lamb at the crease.
Sensing the chance to seize control of the innings, Viljoen and Olivier returned to the attack, but the experienced Trott and his 21-year-old partner saw off the threat and batted nicely, attacking the bad balls and defending when necessary to build the highest partnership of the match and take the Bears into the lead.
The 157-run stand was eventually broken by Critchley with his third wicket of the innings, Trott undone by a quicker delivery and bowled for 76, to give Derbyshire renewed confidence heading into the third day.
Tim Ambrose (8 not out) came to the crease at eight, one spot lower due to the nightwatchman Wright, but he settled quickly and batted out to the close with Lamb to take Warwickshire to 375-6, with an already useful lead of 57.
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