County Championship: Essex made to pay by Ben Duckett century

Ben Duckett's brilliant 189 saw Northamptonshire close on 376-5 on day one of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match with leaders Essex at the County Ground.

Ryan ten Doeschate opted to field first after an uncontested toss, although the Essex skipper would have been wishing he had first use of the pitch as the home team's openers put on 167 for the first wicket.

And it took Ravi Bopara to separate the pair as the medium pacer had Rob Newton dismissed for 75 on his way to returning impressive figures of 4-64, including the prize scalp of Duckett after a stay of 255 balls lasting more than five hours.

However, Josh Cobb will begin the second day unbeaten on 49, the Northants skipper hitting nine fours as his side, without a win so far this season, took control of the contest.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Sussex took full advantage of good bowling conditions to reduce Derbyshire to 142-9 on day one of their rain-interrupted match at Hove.

After a delayed start in Hove, the home team had no hesitation in opting to bowl first after winning a crucial toss, and it proved to be the right decision by captain Ben Brown as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

Shiv Thakor top scored for the visitors with an unbeaten run-a-ball 44, while Stu Whittingham and Ajmal Shahzad each captured three wickets to leave Sussex in charge heading into day two as both sides look to record their first wins of the season.