Essex given late revival by Irani

Derbyshire 158 and 73-5 Essex 168

Three late wickets from Ronnie Irani gave Essex the scent of victory after the third day of their rain-affected County Championship match with Derbyshire here yesterday.

Irani's performance after tea helped Essex make up for the frustration of a lengthy rain delay and build on Ashley Cowan's impressive all-round display earlier in the day.

Cowan made 40 with the bat to help Essex recover from a middle-order collapse and secure a first-innings lead of 10 runs. The 27-year-old then took two early wickets as Derbyshire made a shaky start to their second innings and Irani took over to leave the visitors in trouble on 73 for 5 at the close.

However, Essex will have to do without Richard Clinton should they get the chance to bat again on the final day. The opener has a fractured right wrist, which will be pinned tomorrow, and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

The home side resumed yesterday morning on 93 for 3 but lost the opener Darren Robinson for 43 just six runs later.

Wickets fell in a flurry thereafter with Kevin Dean taking three in seven balls, but James Middlebrook and Cowan managed to stem the flow with a 48-run eighth-wicket partnership that took Essex into the lead, before Middlebrook (15) was caught behind by Karl Krikken.