On a rain-interrupted first day at Trent Bridge, Middlesex raced to 210 for 3 from 52 overs against Nottinghamshire with fifties from Owais Shah and Nick Compton. After reaching 31, having oozed five boundaries, Ed Smith was caught behind off the bowling of Mark Ealham. Ben Hutton didn't last much longer, either, when Paul Franks trapped him for 22. Shah (66) and Compton (54*) were defiant, however, putting on 103 for the third wicket before Shah became Franks' second wicket of the day. The heavens opened, though, calling an end to the day's proceedings.
At Stockton, Durham bowled Kent out for 179 and then reached 76 for 2 at the close. A full report is available by clicking here.