So the county season has finally begun, even though this is as early a start as I can remember, and what a day it was. Despite the huge number of runs amassed in the pre-season University friendlies it was the bowlers who took the credits in almost every game and certainly at Nottingham where we begin the round up.
Day 1
Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Worcestershire won the toss and decided to field.
Not - 118
Wor - 130
Trent Bridge we know can be a monster to bat on, especially early in the season, and despite the new expertise in the Nottinghamshire batting line up they were powerless to prevent a capitulation on the first morning. Only three batsmen made it to double figures (plus extras) and of all of them Paul Franks was the star ending unbeaten on 51. For Worcestershire the plaudits go to Richard Jones who took 6 for 32 to help decimate Nottinghamshire. Interestingly nine of the wickets were 'caught' perhaps suggesting some poor batting, but nothing can be taken away from Worcestershire for their superb effort.
However, having put themselves in such a strong position they failed to assert their advantage. Good bowling from the home side evened the game up by also bowling out their opponents. This time six batsmen reached double figures but none of them managed to push on. The wickets were shared with Fletcher and Phillips both taking three.
It's almost certain that there will be a result in this match.
Yorkshire v Kent
Kent won the toss and decided to bat.
Kent - 345-5
In a completely different day Kent were one of the few teams to excel in their batting. Strong first and second wicket partnerships put them in a strong position with three batsmen so far going past fifty. Key was unlucky, run out on 97. There were two wickets for Rashid but otherwise the Yorkshire bowling line up, who are looking to take their team back to the first division this year, struggled.
The game is still young but Yorkshire and going to want a better second day to level things up in Headingly.
Leicestershire v Glamorgan
Glamorgan won the toss and decided to field.
Lei - 249
Gla - 25-5
More wickets fell at Grace Road especially at the top of the order. Having been put in to bat Leicestershire soon found themselves in all sorts of trouble at 1-3 with the top three batsmen all departing without scoring and the first two falling to the first two balls of the day! The middle order steadied the ship and in the end took the home side to a half respectable score. It was another all-rounder who topped the scoring, Henderson finishing on 57 not out. Waters was the man among the wickets with four to his name.
However in the evening session Glamorgan has problems of their own as Leicestershire, through Hoggard (10-2), Joseph (15-2) and Malik (0-1), reduced them to 25-5 and looking at a tough second day.
Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire won the toss and decided to field.
Der - 286
Nor - 28-3
A similar game was played out at Derby where once again wickets fell early in the innings. Step up Dan Redfern (110), the first man to record a century in the 2012 season for Derbyshire, who, with some help from Whiteley (83), took the hosts past 200. Sadly another collapse of sorts undid some of the hard work and Derbyshire were all out before the close, as Brooks became the first bowler to pick up five wickets in an innings.
Before they could celebrate a good day however, Northamptonshire were themselves reduced to 28-3 by the close, leaving the game nicely balanced going in to day two.
Essex v Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire won the toss and decided to field.
Ess - 364
At what is now know as the 'Ford County Ground' in Essex, Gloucestershire followed the trend and elected to field, and while they did take all ten Essex wickets the hosts have put themselves in a strong position. Off the back of his 94 last week Godleman (130) went one better this time knocking up the fist hundred of the season. He was the only man not to be caught as the other batsmen all got going but failed to push on, with Wheater (56) the only other man to make it past 50.
Surrey v Sussex
Sussex won the toss and decided to field.
Sur - 264
Sus - 105-5
Back to the first division and to the Oval where once again wickets tumbled. Maynard steadied the home side with an impressive innings of 86 not out. However with little other support he couldn't take Surrey to a dominant position as Amjad Khan picked up five wickets.
There was still plenty of time left however and the game progressed further as Sussex moved past 100 but having lost five wickets. Dernbach took two with the others shared, leaving Surrey in the slightly better position at the close.
Somerset v Middlesex
Somerset won the toss and decided to field.
Mid - 118-4
In the only rain affected match of the day it's honours even at the close. Philander has taken 3 for 21 so far, while Denly is 64 not out.
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