Prior hits first century of the season

Matt Prior struck his first century of the season as Sussex made up for lost time against Nottinghamshire. Prior overcame the loss of Richard Montgomerie without a run on the board to hit 18 fours in his 134-ball innings. He was the only Sussex batsmen to kick on with their innings as Michael Yardy and Murray Goodwin both fell in the thirties. A spell of three for 12 left Sussex 195 for 5, but Chris Adams steadied the innings with an unbeaten 35.

Scott Newman made a 109-ball century but Graham Thorpe fell for 10 during an intriguing day between Surrey and Hampshire at The Rose Bowl. Newman played a typically aggressive innings, but the much-anticipated contest between Thorpe and Shane Warne was a brief affair. Thorpe fell for 10 to Chris Tremlett who was the pick of the Hampshire attack with 3 for 81. After an opening stand of 100 Surrey lost wickets steadily and it required a half-century from Dominic Thornely to take them past 300.

Glamorgan made an impressive start against Middlesex as they searched for their first Championship win of the season. David Hemp was at his expansive best, taking only 73 balls to reach 89 by the close. Daniel Cherry played the anchor role with his second Championship half-century - and added 99 for the first wicket with Matthew Elliott (59) before he was run out.

Warwickshire struggled to 178 for 8 on the opening day against an impressive Kent attack at Edgbaston. For a full report see Match of the Day.

Darren Maddy fell for 49 so honours ended even on a shortened first day between Leicestershire and Worcestershire. Maddy was out just before the close, bowled by Ray Price, having batted for nearly three hours. Darren Robinson was run out after making a positive 31 while Nadeem Malik dismissed John Maunders.

Lancashire's bowlers took charge against Derbyshire after an opening stand of 56 had proved a false dawn. Glen Chapple was the pick of the attack, his three wickets including Michael di Venuto, whose dismissal began the Derbyshire slump. James Anderson was not at his best but the rest of the Lancashire bowlers chipped in. Luke Sutton provided the only substantial resistance from the middle-order, and remains unbeaten on 29.

Durham, once again, showed their battling qualities, recovering from 9 for 2 and 73 for 4. Nathan Astle responded to the early wickets with an attacking 32, while Dale Benkenstein gritted his way to 41. Damien Wright removed three of the Durham batsmen, as he bowled 13 impressive overs. Gareth Breese has so far added 40 with Benkenstein but there is still plenty of work to be done.