Rees ton rescues Glamorgan

Gareth Rees stroked a fine 126 for Glamorgan on the first day against Derbyshire at Derby, pushing the visitors to a respectable 257 for 8 at stumps. Rees aside, however, there was little else from Glamorgan, apart from a typically gutsy 37 from Robert Croft. It could have been so much better for Derbyshire had Tom New held onto a straightforward catch off Jon Clare, the pick of the bowlers, when Rees was on 25. Nevertheless, Derbyshire's seamers probed consistently and once Tom Lungley held onto a fine catch to dismiss Jamie Dalrymple, Glamorgan were tottering on 84 for 4. Rees found good support from Mark Wallace, and later Croft, as he moved to his third hundred against Derbyshire from 242 balls. He finally fell to Graham Wagg, bowling offspinners in the late-afternoon gloom.

Half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Vikram Solanki gave Worcestershire hope that they will cope with life after Graeme Hick, on the first day against Warwickshire at New Road. Hick, who announced his retirement today, was ruled out owing to an elbow injury but the home side fought hard in his absence, with Mitchell and Solanki putting on 129 for the second wicket. Solanki, who avoided the ignominy of three successive Championship ducks, was dropped by Darren Maddy at second slip but kept his resolve to register the pair's hundred partnership. Mitchell, meanwhile, had played neatly for his 79 before pushing forward tentatively to Neil Carter. And Carter fought back for Warwickshire to remove Ben Smith and Moeen Ali in the same over, but Solanki remained unbeaten on 86 at stumps to leave Worcestershire in command.