Darren Pattinson made an immediate impact on his Nottinghamshire debut, his career-best 5 for 22 skittling Kent for 162 at Canterbury. Nottinghamshire are predicted by many to struggle back in the top flight, but following the coach Mark Newell's lead they set out to prove people wrong. Pattinson was born in Grimsby before leaving to play for Victoria in Australia and isn't classed as an overseas player. He struck the first blow, having Joe Denly caught behind, and added two more quick wickets as Kent sank to 13 for 4. Robert Key held firm while all around him fell, battling to 79 before becoming one of Charlie Shreck's four wickets. Nottinghamshire struggled early on in reply and were 55 for 3 when Adam Voges fell to Martin Saggers. Mark Wagh and Samit Patel steadied the innings with Wagh reaching his half-century before the close.
For a full report from The Oval, where Andrew Flintoff made his comeback for Lancashire against Surreyclick here.
Division Two
Northamptonshire fought their way to a respectable 280 against Essex but suffered from batsmen not building on starts at Chelmsford. Lance Klusener's unbeaten 72 held the latter part of the innings together after Rob White had struck 60 at No. 3. White was one of three victims for Ravi Bopara, who is trying to prove he can fulfill an all-round role for England after a tough winter, while Andre Nel also claimed three on his return to Essex, taking to the field less than four hours after touching down at Heathrow.
Rikki Clarke's career as Derbyshire captain didn't get off to a flying start against Gloucestershireat Bristol as his new team were shot out for 124 inside 48 overs. It will be an early trip for the pitch inspectors, too, after 16 wickets fell during the day on a well-grassed pitch. After being asked to bat it was looking alright for Derbyshire at 62 for 1 but the wheels quickly came off. Steve Kirby, who recovered from being knocked out by a Luke Wright bouncer at Lord's last week, took four wickets and the former Zimbabwe quick Anthony Ireland chipped in with three. A last-wicket stand of 30 edged the total into three figures but it was a fairly miserable start for Derbyshire. They showed some spirit to reduce Gloucestershire to 72 for 4 - Clarke taking two quick wickets - but a rollicking stand of 121 between Marcus North (87) and Chris Taylor (68 off 73 balls) built a useful lead.
Owais Shah laid down his marker for the season and sent an early signal to the England selectors with 116 for Middlesex as the new-look Leicestershire struggled at Grace Road until a late flurry of wickets levelled the contest. He added 145 with Ed Smith (56) as Middlesex built a solid foundation after play had been delayed by a wet outfield. Shah reached his hundred off 152 balls, but was one of three wickets to go for 17 towards the close when he tamely chipped to point.
Stephen Moore carried his bat for an unbeaten 109 to hold Worcestershire together on a bowler-dominated first day against local rivals Warwickshireat Edgbaston. After choosing to bat Worcestershire steadily lost wickets and fell to 113 for 6 with Jonathan Trott's medium pace the surprise package. The lower order provided vital support for Moore with Kabir Ali making 36. Moore took 228 balls over his hundred as Worcestershire fell one run short of another batting point. However, they were quickly into the wickets as three fell before the close, including an early strike for Simon Jones as he starts life with his new county after an injury-plagued two years.