Half-centuries from Niall O'Brien and Shiv Thakor were not enough to give Leicestershire first-day honours in their Championship match against Essex at Grace Road.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, County were 268-7 at stumps and, while all their batsmen made promising starts, Leicestershire were unable to find the major score they needed to dominate the day.
O'Brien made 67, his highest championship score to date for Leicestershire, while Thakor looked well set on 54 when he was run out four overs from the close. Michael Thornely, who had shared a sixth-wicket stand of 64 with Thakor, was unbeaten on 37 at the close and will need to add significantly to that if County are to get past the 300 mark.
