Pothas and Bichel blast record stand

Nic Pothas and Andy Bichel added a Hampshire record 257 for the eighth wicket as they staged a stunning comeback against Gloucestershire. Hampshire were in deep trouble at 81 for 7 with Steve Kirby and Jon Lewis tearing through the top order. But Bichel immediately put bat-to-ball, scoring a nearly a run-a-ball, while Pothas was no slouch. Bichel reached his ton from 104 balls and Pothas 165 as they hit 43 fours and three sixes between them. Their stand broke the pervious Hampshire record of 227, held by Kevan James and Tim Tremlett, from 1985. Malinga Bandara eventually wrapped up the innings but Bichel and James Bruce grabbed a wicket each before the close to leave Hampshire in a position they wouldn't have dreamt of earlier in the day.

Darren Stevens hit a career-best, unbeaten 173 to enable Kent to take control against Glamorgan. He received superb support from Andrew Hall, who reached his ton just before the close. The pair had come together with the innings at a crucial stage following a stand of 101 between Stevens and Justin Kemp. But Glamorgan's attack couldn't break the vital sixth wicket partnership and Stevens was at his attacking best as he stroked 26 boundaries. Kent's innings had a rocky start, as they stuttered to 99 for 3, but Glamorgan couldn't sustain the pressure and the innings quickly ran away from them.

Surrey threw away a promising position to allow Sussex to take the opening day honours at Hove. Despite losing both openers early, Mark Ramprakash and Jon Batty pushed Surrey along to 157 for 3. Robin Martin-Jenkins then struck twice in an over to remove Batty and Alistair Brown and when Ramprakash fell for 97 the slide was well in motion. Azhar Mahmood prevented a total capitulation, striking 57 in 58 balls, and received some support from Mohammed Akram. The Sussex attack bowled as a unit with Mushtaq Ahmed and Luke Wright taking three apiece. Richard Montgomerie and Carl Hopkinson then gave Sussex a solid start with a stand of 67 but, Surrey at least had the boost of removing them both late in the day.

Paul Weekes was at the centre of a Middlesex fightback as Warwickshire ended the day in trouble after being on the verge of dominance themselves. Makhaya Ntini struck with his first ball for Warwickshire but Ben Hutton and Owais Shah scored freely to take Middlesex to 117 for 1. That soon became 139 for 6 as Ntini struck two more blows before Weekes began his rescue act. Paul Trego, Chris Peploe and Melvyn Betts all offered solid support - Betts helped Weekes add 71 for the last wicket. Stuart Clark, the Australian paceman, then nipped out three wickets and Betts one in the 25 overs Warwickshire faced to leave the defending champions in trouble.

The bowlers held sway at Southend with Andre Adams leading the way for Essex before Mick Lewis fought back for Durham. Adams took 5 for 60, his best figures of the season, as Durham's batsmen were guilty of wasting a number of good starts. Gordon Muchall and Dale Benkenstein both fell in the thirties and three wickets for Danish Kaneria meant Durham couldn't register any batting points. But, Essex will have to battle to register many themselves after Lewis took four wickets. Alistair Cook held firm with 47 and he will be vital as on the second day as Essex search for a lead.

Leicestershire's attack fought back impressively to halt a threatening Lancashire innings. Iain Sutcliffe laid the foundations with an obdurate 93, adding 86 with Andrew Symonds. When both fell within a run of each other Leicestershire sensed their chance and grabbed it. Claude Henderson removed Paul Horton and Dominic Cork and after a few defiant blows the tail folded. Darren Maddy and Tom New safely negotiated the closing overs.