Warwickshire's slim Championship hopes won't have improved after Lancashire reached 352 for six on the first day of their encounter at Old Trafford. David Byas led the charge with 101, while Alec Swann (62) and Glen Chapple (65) made useful contributions. Neil Carter and Dougie Brown took two wickets each.

Kent, the only other county with a mathematical chance of catching the leaders, fared worse still at Taunton, where Matthew Wood made a superb 196. Wood shared a first-innings stand of 150 with Jamie Cox (62), after which Keith Parsons chimed in with 68. At stumps the hosts had reached an impressive 433 for five.

Craig White made 161 to lead relegation-threatened Yorkshire to a respectable 276 against Leicestershire at Scarborough. Only three other players reached double figures for the hosts. Leicestershire closed on 32 for one.

In Division Two, leaders Middlesex started well, with Ben Hutton (85) and Sven Koenig (26) putting on 108 for the first wicket. Owais Shah then made 47, but after he fell to Ronnie Irani Middlesex subsided to 283 for seven.

Tim Hancock made 54 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for just 192 by Derbyshire at Bristol, with Graeme Welch taking six for 60. But the hosts immediately hit back, Mike Smith taking three for 49 as the Derbyshire struggled to 153 for six at the close.

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