COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: The overseas pair stepped up for their respective sides as Middlesex and Lancashire enjoyed the better of their first days against Gloucestershire and Glamorgan
Cheltenham (day one of four): Middlesex 232-3, Gloucestershire
Kane Williamson bit the hand that once fed him with an unbeaten century for Middlesex on a curtailed opening day of the County Championship Division Two match against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.
Given a life on 29, the prolific New Zealander hit 104 not out, off just 112 balls, against his former county as the visitors ran up 232 for 3 after winning the toss. Josh De Caires contributed 58 and Leus du Plooy 42 not out, before bad light and drizzle ended play at 4.50pm.
Left-arm seamer Matt Taylor was the pick of the Gloucestershire bowlers with 2 for 47 from 12 overs, but it was a largely disappointing day for the hosts in front of a sparse Festival crowd, no doubt resulting from the unsettled weather.
The start was delayed until 12.15pm by rain, and when the covers were removed, a two-tone pitch was revealed, green for the most part, but shaved at both ends. In deciding to bat first, Middlesex presumably anticipated it would turn as the match progressed.
Chris Green took six wickets for Lancashire at Old Trafford (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Old Trafford (day one of four): Glamorgan 260-8, Lancashire
Australian spinner Chris Green managed to take six wickets on the much-criticised Old Trafford pitch as Lancashire had the better of the first day of their County Championship Division Two clash with Glamorgan
After just four wickets fell during the last day and a half of the recent Test match between England and India, the home side's bowlers looked to be facing another uphill task in Manchester until the introduction of Green turned the proceedings the Red Rose's way, with the Welsh outfit 260 for 8 at the close of play.
For Glamorgan, half-centuries from opener Asa Tribe (61) and Kiran Carlson (77) had put them in a relatively good place and from a position of 199 for 3 after winning the toss and electing to bat, they will be rueing their inability to cope with Green's off spin, which claimed 6 for 82 off 34 overs.
Related: Wondrous Scarborough prepares to welcome Sussex for mid-summer scrap
Martin Andersson made his third century of the summer (Getty Images)
Northampton (day one of four): Derbyshire 348-8, Northamptonshire
Martin Andersson led a Derbyshire fightback with a spirited 105, his third century of the summer, as his side rallied to 348 for 8 on day one of the County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.
It came after Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal struck three times in 11 balls to tip the morning session firmly in Northamptonshire's favour; the visitors ruing their decision to bat as they slipped to 98 for 5 at lunch, despite 39 from Luis Reece.
But Andersson then dominated a 102-run partnership with Aneurin Donald (37) during the afternoon, before sharing a further stand worth 61 with all-rounder Zak Chappell (32).
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.