Ravi Bopara continued his superb start to the season with the bat as he struck a second consecutive century to rescue Essex on day one against Derbyshire.

England opener Alastair Cook fell cheaply as Derbyshire reduced Essex to 76-5, Jon Clare taking three wickets for three runs in just 23 balls.

But Bopara strengthened his claims for an England recall with a top knock on a slow pitch, reaching 100 off 115 balls.

He finished the day unbeaten on 136 as Essex rallied to close on 269-9.

It ruined Derbyshire's chances of dismissing Essex for under 150 after they had put the visitors in on a green pitch following rain, which delayed the start until 1215 BST.

The seamers wasted the new ball despite the early removal of Jason Gallian, but Tom Langley ran out Tom Westley with a fine throw from third man and Clare then took over with his medium-fast right-armers.

The 21-year-old trapped England opener Cook plumb in front, had Mark Pettini edge a thin one behind and then saw Ryan ten Doeschate play on.

With wicketkeeper James Foster ruled out by a bruised thumb and replaced by debutant Adam Wheater, Derbyshire had a great chance of exposing the tail.

But Bopara and James Middlebrook hit back with a stand of 105 in 23 overs - Middlebrook scoring only four of the first 50 - before Wheater scored 22 in a stand of 71.

Derbyshire claimed a new ball with four overs remaining and Lungley forced Chris Wright to play on, while Wagg trapped David Masters lbw, but the day belonged to Bopara.