Warwickshire recovered from losing skipper Michael Powell for a duck to reach 295 for four after winning the toss against the Frizzell County Championship leaders Leicestershire. Phil DeFreitas had Powell caught by Darren Stevens, but Ian Bell (72) and Nick Knight (47) steadied the ship. Dominic Ostler then made 81 and Jamie Troughton an unbeaten 65 to take the home side to an impressive total by stumps.

There was a landslide of wickets after the first session of play was lost to rain at The Oval. After putting Kent in Surrey bowled them out for 153, with Martin Bicknell taking six for 42 and James Ormond three for 56. Paul Nixon made a battling 54 for the visitors. Surrey found life no easier when they batted, although a swashbuckling, unbeaten 49 from Ally Brown helped them to 111 for five at the close.

Sussex recovered from a poor start against Yorkshire at Headingley, after being reduced to 70 for four in the first session. A stand of 191 between Timothy Ambrose (146*) and Matthew Prior (83) took the visitors to 375 for six after they were put in this morning.

After a delayed start at Bath, Hampshire ended the day on 149 for three after being put in by Somerset. William Kendall was the mainstay for the visitors, with an unbeaten 70, and there were two wickets for Simon Francis.

In Division Two, Nottinghamshire captain Jason Gallian's decision to bat first at Trent Bridge against Division Two leaders Derbyshire paid handsome dividends. Notts were bowled out for 393, with Paul Johnson making 96, Nicky Boje 84 and Gallian himself 69. Derbyshire closed on 18 without loss.

Ronnie Irani continued his sparkling run of form as Essex fought back from 22 for three after being put in to bat by Northamptonshire at Ilford. William Jefferson (59) and Andy Flower (85) initiated the revival, which was completed by an unbeaten 121 from the Essex skipper. The hosts ended the day on 322 for five.

Nicholas Hatch took three wickets for Durham after another delayed start at Chester-le-Street. Worcestershire, after winning the toss, were reduced at one point to 90 for five, but David Leatherdale (32*) and Gareth Batty (27*) had pulled them back from the abyss by the close, when they were 153 for five.

There was no play on day one between Middlesex and Glamorgan at Lord's, where the outfield was waterlogged.

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