Essex paceman Andy Bichel took seven of the 20 wickets to fall on day one at Derby as the visitors dominated.

Batting first, Essex made 272 in 66.2 overs thanks largely to James Middlebrook's unbeaten 81.

The home side were then skittled for 139, Bichel taking 7-36 including the wicket of top-scorer James Pipe (40).

Essex, looking for a win to boost their outside chance of promotion, closed on 9-0 in the second innings in a game looking unlikely to last four days.