Although Essex were well served by a vigilant 61 from Darren Robinson, it was the visitors that enjoyed the better of the opening day's play.

Robinson reached his half-century with a scintillating cover drive having received 115 deliveries and struck seven boundaries including one six. But soon after reaching this landmark, he was caught at silly point pushing forward.

Darren Cousins justified his captain's decision to field after winning the toss when he struck twice in an aggressive opening spell to remove openers Paul Prichard and Nasser Hussain to return figures of 2-19.

The England skipper had started confidently hitting two cover drives but his hopes of a substantial score were terminated when he shouldered arms to a delivery from former Essex bowler Cousins – utilising the helpful seaming conditions - which hit the off stump.

Cousins might have had another victim when Stuart Law was dropped at third slip when still trying to get off the mark but the Australian recovered to put on 64 for the third wicket with Robinson before he followed a loose delivery down the leg side and was caught by the wicket-keeper.

Cousins, though did strike again when he induced an edge from Ronnie Irani that was superbly caught at slip by Michael Hussey and when Barry Hyam ran himself out attempting an impossible run, the balance had swung firmly in favour of last year's Division Two champions on a rain interrupted day which saw the loss of 48 overs.

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