Tony Palladino, Matt Critchley and Alfie Gleadall took two wickets each on Day One of the Second XI Championship game against Northamptonshire.
There were also wickets for Nils Priestley and Josh Lacey, but centuries from Said Zaib (136) and Emilio Gay (125) powered the visitors to a score of 353-8 before they declared.
Tom Wood finished the opening day unbeaten on 17 for Derbyshire, while Jack Redman was not out on ten as Derbyshire closed on 43-0 at Hem Heath.
Having won the toss and electing to bowl, a strong attack containing Palladino (2-18) and Gleadall (2-70) made the perfect start to the match, with each bowler claiming an early wicket, leaving Northamptonshire 4-2.
Despite the loss of early wickets, Gay and Zaib helped the visitors to stabilise their innings, before powering on and putting on a 272-run stand for the third wicket, with both batsman reaching three-figures.
Zaib struck 11 fours and five sixes in his century, while Gay managed 14 boundaries in 178 balls. Each batsman added more than 20 further runs to their total before the partnership was finally brought to an end by Gleadall.
Critchley claimed two quick wickets to dismiss Brett Hutton (20) and Harry Gouldstone (12) before Northamptonshire declared on 353-8 on Day One.
Derbyshire’s opening duo of Wood and Redman had to see out the final 15 over of the day, putting on 43 runs without loss at the close of play, with pair set to resume on Day Two at Hem Heath.
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire host a hat-trick of Twenty20 matches at The Pattonair County Ground in August. Buy in advance to save. Call 01332 388 101 or buy online.
[twentyticket]
