Former- Warwickshire all-rounder Graeme Welch enjoyed a day to remember to put Derbyshire in control of their Frizzell County Championship clash with Essex at Chelmsford.
First the 33-year-old hit only the second Championship century of his career to help the Second Division bottom side to a total of 462. Then he left the Essex reply in disarray by capturing a wicket in each of his first two overs and catching Grant Flower at first slip as the hosts, facing the task of having to reach 313 to avoid the follow-on, slumped to 31 for four.
But thanks to captain Ronnie Irani (58 not out) and Andy Flower (25no), Essex steered clear of further setbacks as they reached 123 for four at the close.
Kevin Pietersen was dismissed for a second-ball duck on his return to former club Nottinghamshire with Hampshire.
The England hopeful was one of five victims for Andrew Harris as Notts claimed the initiative in the battle between the top two in Division One at Trent Bridge.
An England and Wales Cricket Board pitch panel will decide overnight if Kent are to be docked points after 18 wickets fell on the second day against Gloucestershire in Maidstone. A green-tinted pitch at The Mote was left pock-marked by the seam of the ball.
