There were only a handful of overs possible at The Ford County Ground, as Essex were unable to make much headway yesterday on the second day of their LV County Championship division two clash against Derbyshire.

Rain and bad light meant the players were in and out of the pavilion, while spectators were given little cricket to watch.

A total of just 46 balls were possible in the first two sessions, but the hosts were still able to pick up two wickets to leave their opponents on 324 for nine.

Jonathan Clare (two) was first to go, caught behind off the bowling of David Masters, while Tim Lungley followed off the bowling of Chris Wright for a duck.

Wright finished with the impressive figures of 4-86 from 29.4 overs, as he and Masters did the bulk of the bowling.

When Essex came out to bat, they were soon back in the dry, as the weather meant only 13 overs were possible before play was called off for the day.

Jason Gallian and Varun Chopra came off with their wickets still in tact, as Essex closed on 29 for no wicket.

They will be hoping to go past Derbyshire’s total today, or declare to set up the possibility of a result