The Cricketer wraps up the best of the action during day one of the first round of Vitality County Championship matches in 2024
Derby (day one of four): Derbyshire, Gloucestershire - no play due to rain
The start of the new cricket season at Derby ended in a washout with no play possible on the first day of the Vitality County Championship match between Derbyshire and Gloucestershire.
Heavy overnight rain left the outfield at the Incora County Ground saturated and it was no surprise when the decision to call play off for the day was taken shortly after 10am.
Although the forecast is better for tomorrow, the ground is so wet after weeks of rain that the prospects of the Division Two fixture starting on time on day two already look slim.
Jayden Seales was among the wickets for Sussex [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]
Lord's (day one of four): Glamorgan 370-3, Middlesex
Sam Northeast became the summer's first County Championship centurion on the opening day of the season in Glamorgan's Division Two clash with hosts Middlesex at Lord's.
The Glamorgan skipper passed the landmark for the 30th time in his career, sharing century stands with Billy Root, 67, and Kiran Carlson, 77, finishing unbeaten on 186 as the Welsh county reached 370 for 3 by the close in a game marking the 100th first-class encounter between the two counties.
Glamorgan have won only 10 of the previous 99 matches, but Northeast's cultured effort, notable for crisp, powerful drives both straight and through cover has given them a dominant position from which to dictate affairs at the Home of Cricket.
Middlesex, relegated from Division One last season, were left to rue skipper Toby-Roland-Jones' decision to bowl first on a biscuit-coloured surface which proved drier than expected and offered little to their five-man pace attack. Ethan Bamber (2 for 66) was the only bowler to take more than one wicket on a chastening day for the Seaxes.
Related - Nick Friend: Lord's displays both sides of Kookaburra debate as Sam Northeast's timeless class shines through
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Hove (day one of four): Northamptonshire 95-2, Sussex
Northamptonshire had the better of the half day's play that was possible on the opening day of the County Championship match at Hove.
They lost the toss but their batters battled hard and reached 95 for 2 when bad light – with no option for floodlights – drove the players from the field just after 6pm.
Play started four hours late, at 3pm, with 51 overs scheduled but there were only 38.1 bowled.
The good news for Sussex – and England – is that Ollie Robinson, in only his second first-class game since last July - bowled with an easy rhythm and some pace and carry from the Cromwell Road end.
Related - Huw Turbervill: Ollie Robinson returns on a truncated day at Hove
George Hill picked up three quick wickets for Yorkshire [Stu Forster/Getty Images]
Headingley (day one of four): Leicestershire 164-5, Yorkshire
Seamer George Hill claimed three key wickets, including Australian opener Marcus Harris for 56, as Yorkshire had the better of a shortened opening day of the County Championship season against Leicestershire at Headingley.
Heavy overnight rain meant a wet outfield and a delayed start until 3.40pm, with Division Two title favourites Yorkshire opting to bowl upon winning the toss.
The Foxes, led by fringe Test left-hander Harris, started brightly as they reached 89 for 1. But skilful Hill set about changing the course of proceedings and left the close of play score at 164 for 5 from 46 overs.
Hill finished the day with 3 for 25 from nine overs, while Matt Milnes and left-arm spinner Dan Moriarty also struck.
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