It seemed to be mainly a bowler’s day as most sides struggled to find any form with the bat.
Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire
Nevil Road
Close of play: Gloucestershire 197, Northants 107-3.
It was a poor day for Gloucestershire on day one as Northants’ David Willey continued in his rich reign of form with four more wickets.
The hosts lost four top order batsmen for less than ten runs each as Willey finished with figures of 4-71 and Steven Crook took 3-47.
Luckily for the home side wicket-keeper Cameron Herring and bowler Jack Taylor were in no mood for rolling over and managed 43 and 31 respectively.
Herring was the last man out before Northants fared a lot better and made it to 107-3 at close.
Hampshire v Worcestershire
Rose Bowl
Close of play: Hampshire 366-6.
Captain Jimmy Adams led from the front for Hampshire, batting for the entire day and finishing on 151 not-out.
He was supported by half-centuries from Michael Carberry and James Vince at the crease as the home side seized control.
Moeen Ali took 3-77 for the visitors as the Worcestershire bowlers struggled to get any grasp on the game, although spinner Alan Richardson did pin the batsmen down for his figures of 1-45
Yet it was Adams’ day as he recorded his 17th first-class century and showed resolve and stamina with a consistent innings that will continue on day two.
Lancashire v Kent
Old Trafford
Close of play: Kent 216-8.
Lancashire took control of the first day as two late wickets from England seamer James Anderson left Kent perilously close to a low total.
Anderson’s 2-48 was assisted by a great spell from Kyle Hogg who ended the day with figures of 3-32.
Although Brendan Nash (50) and Mike Powell (57) looked as if they were going to give the visitors a fighting chance, Nash’s dismissal with the side on 130 signaled a mini collapse.
The middle-order never really got going and when Anderson bowled Powell for the penultimate wicket of the day, the result started to swing Lancashire’s way.
The home side will be wanting to finish the tail off quickly so they can get into bat as soon as possible on day two.
All matches resume at 11.00 BST today.
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