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Nottinghamshire make ideal start in quest for title

24/09/2008

Nottinghamshire boosted their title hopes after leaving Hampshire on 199-9 on day one at Trent Bridge.

Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson took three wickets apiece in a match Notts needed to win to clinch the Division One title in the County Championship.

After being put into bat, Dimitri Mascarenhas hit 41 while Nic Pothas made 44 for the visitors before bad light suspended play.

Elsewhere, Lancashire ended the day 146 runs behind Somerset at Taunton.

With both sides challenging for the title, 14 wickets fell with Somerset skittled out for 202.

Peter Trego hit 81 while Marcus Trescothick (0) lasted just three balls, while Oliver Newby finished with 4-72.

Lancashire were on 56-4 at stumps with Mal Loye unbeaten on 26 from 35 deliveries.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire's quest for survival has started badly after ending on 84-6 against Sussex at Hove.

Without Darren Gough, the visitors have failed to make any inroads in their first innings with Mohammad Sami doing the damage with 3-39.

In Division Two, Warwickshire edged closer to the title after ending day one against Glamorgan on 270-7 at Edgbaston.

England wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose remains at the crease on 86 while Jim Troughton made 54.

Elsewhere, Andrew Strauss is unbeaten on 164 as Middlesex closed on a mammoth 291-1 against Northamptonshire at Northampton.

Strauss has hit 25 boundaries and two sixes while England team-mate Owais Shah is on 69 not out.

Elsewhere, Kent's survival hopes look bleak after they ended day one against Durham on 199-9 at Canterbury.

Steve Harmison took 4-72 while Ben finished the day on 2-34 before bad light came to Kent’s rescue.

Skipper Robert Key hit 58 before being dismissed by Harmison while Darren Stevens managed 41.

Elsewhere, Varun Chopra hit a century as Essex closed on 318-5 against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Chopra hit 155 off 246 balls while James Foster is on 68 not out.

Elsewhere, Leicestershire closed on 31-1 after skittling out Derbyshire for 194 at Grace Road.