The Cricketer rounds-up all the events of the opening day as wickets tumbled across the country...
Trent Bridge (first day of four): Yorkshire 264, Nottinghamshire 13-1
Jordan Thompson narrowly missed out on a maiden first-class hundred on the opening day of Yorkshire’s Bob Willis Trophy match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
The 23-year old left-hander was dismissed for 98 as his side made 264 before being bowled out towards the end of the day. Notts reached stumps on 13 for the loss of Chris Nash.
Grace Road (first day of four): Leicestershire 199, Derbyshire 101-1
Derbyshire enjoyed an outstanding first day with ball and bat in the Bob Willis Trophy match against Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road.
The visitors bowled Leicestershire out for 199 after the Foxes had chosen to bat first before a fine unbroken partnership of 92, compiled off only 17.3 overs, between Luis Reece and Wayne Madsen saw the Peakites close on 101, just 98 runs behind with nine first-innings wickets in hand.
Realistic Ben Slater intent on living life one day at a time
Chester-le-street (first day of four): Durham 180, Lancashire 33-0
Lancashire are on top after day one of their Bob Willis Trophy match against Durham after bowling out the home side for 180 at Emirates Riverside.
Richard Gleeson was the standout bowler for the visitors, claiming figures of 3-32, while the rest of the wickets were shared around the attack. Alex Lees provided the only meaningful resistance for the hosts with a patient half-century, while Ben Raine was left stranded on 24 not out at the end of the innings.
The Red Rose had a tricky spell to negotiate before stumps, but they closed the day 33-0, trailing the home side by 147 runs heading into day two.
Bristol (first day of four): Gloucestershire 191-8, Warwickshire
Oliver Hannon-Dalby led a tireless Warwickshire bowling performance in strength-sapping conditions on the opening day of the Bob Willis Trophy match with Gloucestershire at Bristol.
The tall seamer toiled away with precision in relentless heat to claim 4-24 from 20 overs as the home side were restricted to 191 for eight after being asked to bat first, Ben Charlesworth top-scoring with 51.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby led Warwickshire bowling effort
Northampton (first day of four): Northamptonshire 67, Somerset 166 & 15-1
Cider - the real stuff made from apples not with chemicals and large marketing budgets - can do funny things to you. That it’s sold in such plentiful supply in Somerset and that their county cricketers are involved in so many mad-cap matches can be no coincidence.
But it took more than flagon of farmhouse special to take in the opening day at Wantage Road where 21 wickets fell and Somerset wound up leading by 114.
Having won the toss on a searingly hot day, Somerset were 114 for 9, then rallied to 166 before Northants, steady at 46 for 1, collapsed to only 67. The visitors then closed then 15 for 1 in their second innings with Tom Lammonby out twice in the day.
Worcester (first day of four): Worcestershire 309-3 v Glamorgan
Jake Libby scored a hundred on his home debut for Worcestershire as he and fellow centurion Brett D’Oliveira dominated proceedings after an initial three-wicket burst by Glamorgan paceman Michael Hogan in the Bob Willis Trophy encounter at Blackfinch New Road.
The pair came together at 70-3 shortly before lunch and Libby, signed during the close season from Nottinghamshire on a three-year contract completed the sixth first-class ton of his career from 205 balls with 11 boundaries.
He ended unbeaten on 142 from 261 deliveries with one six and 14 fours.
D’Oliveira went to his century from 183 balls with 14 fours and the stand was worth an unbroken 239 in 64 overs - a new record for Worcestershire’s fourth wicket in matches against Glamorgan.
He finished on 123 from 206 balls with one six and 15 boundaries as Worcestershire closed on 309-3 from 91 overs.
Chelmsford (first day of four): Essex 253-7 v Surrey
Feroze Khushi suggested Essex’s production line is in no danger of slowing down as the academy product celebrated his maiden first-class half-century on an even opening day against Surrey.
Batsman Khushi was one of 10 homegrown talents in the Essex’s Bob Willis Trophy side to face Surrey as he struck 66 on his second appearance for the county.
Adam Wheater, who along with Sam Cook was awarded his county cap before play, also reached fifty as Essex reached close on 253 for 7.
Harry Podmore produced the goods on day one
Radlett (first day of four): Middlesex 252, Hampshire 27-2
Ryan Stevenson and Martin Andersson recorded career bests for their respective sides as Middlesex and Hampshire fought out an absorbing first day of their Bob Willis Trophy encounter at Radlett.
Devon-born seamer Stevenson recalled for only his sixth first-class game, took 4-71, doubling his first-class wicket tally in the process, but Andersson, a man with just eight first-class matches behind him hit 92 to take the hosts to 252 all out.
Liam Dawson (2-39), Keith Barker (2-44), and James Fuller (2-54) were also among the wickets, seemingly justifying Sam Northeast’s decision to bowl first, but James Harris took two wickets to leave the visitors 27-2 in reply after a seesaw day of action.
Canterbury (first day of four): Sussex 320-9 v Kent
Kent’s Harry Podmore and Marcus O’Riordan took three wickets apiece while Sussex captain Ben Brown top-scored with an unbeaten 90 as honours finished even on the opening day of this Bob Willis Trophy south group clash at a sultry Canterbury.
O’Riordan, the 22-year-old off-spinner making only his third first-class appearance, took career-best figures of three for 50 and former Middlesex seamer Podmore bagged three for 74 while Brown stood firm for over four hours to see Sussex in at stumps on 320 for 9.
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