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[FIle photo] Colin Ackermann hit 20 fours in his 268-ball stay © Getty
Leicestershire vs Middlesex, Leicester
Colin Ackermann’s century helped Leicestershire end the first day on 353 for 8 against Middlesex after opting to bat. Ackermann’s ton and a 110-ball 66 from Neil Dexter gave Leicestershire some respectability after a poor effort from the other batsmen. Reduced to 25 for 2 and then to 65 for 3, the duo got the team out of trouble with a 129-run stand before Dexter was dismissed by Tim Murtagh. Ben Raine put in a handy contribution of 37 before Ackermann ended the day unbeaten on 151.
Brief scores: Leicestershire 353/8 (Colin Ackermann 151*; Tim Murtagh 5-52) vs Middlesex.
Kent vs Warwickshire, Tunbridge Wells
In a fast moving day at Nevill Ground, a total of 20 wickets fell as Warwickshire could manage just 125 after keeping Kent to 197. Kent, in their second essay, ended the day at 4 for no loss. Heino Kuhn (39) and Joe Denly (59) made handy contributions as Keith Barker ran riot with a five-wicket haul. For Warwickshire, there wasn’t much respite as all Kent bowlers chipped in wickets, and Harry Podmore picking up a four-wicket haul. Jonathan Trott made unbeaten 51 before Warwickshire handed a 72-run lead.
Brief scores: Kent 197 (Joe Denly 59, Keith Barker 5-32) & 4/0 lead Warwickshire 125 (Jonathan Trott 51*; Harry Podmore 4-26) by 76 runs.
Sussex vs Durham, Arundel
It is on days like these that glances collectively turn towards the captain like at an inquisition. “Why did you elect to field?” Paul Collingwood opted to do just that on a fine morning at Arundel and (probably) rued his decision for the rest of the day as hosts Sussex scored 439/5 in 96 overs on Day 1 against Durham. Phillip Salt (130) and Tom Haines (124) scored wonderful hundreds while Harry Finch and Ben Brown scored half-centuries to keep the foot on Durham’s throats.
Luke Wells fell in the fourth over of the morning for 8, incidentally the only player to score less than 30 on the day. That was followed by the 244-run stand between Salt and Haines, who scored 37 boundaries and a six between them. Harry Finch took over thereafter and had a brisk Luke Wright for company. The day ended with an unbeaten 75-run stand between Brown and Michael Burgess. Long second day ahead for Durham, who had only Matt Salisbury’s 3 for 102 to hang on to on a largely forgettable day.
Brief scores: Sussex 439/5 (Philip Salt 130, Tom Haines 124; Matt Salisbury 3-102) vs Durham
Glamorgan vs Derbyshire, Swansea
Tony Palladino took four wickets as Glamorgan’s decision to bat first against Derbyshire backfired catastrophically at Swansea. The hosts ended Day 1 of their encounter at a sorry 175 for 7 with only Chris Cooke’s timely 69 saving the blushes in what was an insipid batting show. Glamorgan were steady for the opening 10 overs of the day with Nicholas Selman and Jack Murphy adding a patient 27. Then both were dismissed in the space of six deliveries, exposing the middle-order to the wily Palladino. The medium pacer dismissed Owen Morgan and then cleaned up Usman Khawaja while Ravi Rampaul added the wicket of Kiran Carlson and David Lloyd.
Andrew Salter and Prem Sisodiya ensured there were no further setbacks at the end of the days play. Much work remains to be done.
Brief scores: Glamorgan 175/7 (Chris Cooke 69; Tony Palladino 4-49) vs Derbyshire
Northamptonshire vs Gloucestershire, Northampton
Northamptonshire opening batsman Luke Procter was involved in two crucial partnerships that went a long way to determine the total his team put on, after being put in to bat first,on Wednesday (June 20). Procter scored a fine 70, combining in a 99-run opening partnership with Ben Duckett who scored a fifty himself before Northants lost three quick wickets for just 13 runs with Matt Taylor accounting for two of those.
Not long after, Procter then found an able ally in the big-hitting South African batsman Richard Levi who scored briskly for his 80-ball 63 to help the team recover from the sudden jolt. But once Taylor came back to remove Procter for a well-made 70, Northants slipped as they lost regular wickets before being bowled out for 282 in just over 80 overs.
In reply, Gloucestershire started steadily with both their openers, Benny Howell and skipper Chris Dent, before Steven Crook trapped the skipper plumb in front to dent the tourists in what was the last over of the opening day. They finished the first day with 25 for 1 on the board, failing to avoid any early incision in their innings.
Brief Scores: Northamptonshire 282 (Luke Procter 70, Richard Levi 63; Matt Taylor 4-70, Ryan Higgins 3-52) lead Gloucestershire 25/1 by 257 runs.
