LV= Opening Day 2012

The LV= Championship 2012 starts just 24 hours after snow was falling across great swathes of Northern and Midland England. 


With drought restrictions coming into place in southern and eastern areas today - there might be something of a contrast in surfaces to contend with over the season.




TUMBLING WICKETS at most games


At Trent Bridge, Worcester won the toss and inserted Notts.


After an hour or so of the season, Notts were leading the country, having lost the most wickets at 34/5.

Tricky Dickie

Notts all out before they come out to play at Taunton for 118. Six wickets for Richard Jones. Worcester fared little better in their first innings and were bowled out for 130, the wickets being shared by the 4 seamers.


Play started at Taunton just as Notts were bowled out and it was 118 that Middlesex would end their day on but with the loss of just 4 wickets. Joe Denly not out 64


At the Oval a reasonable start to their Division One campaign , compared to Notts, only losing their 3rd wicket in the 25th over. Tom Maynard top scorer with 86 out of the total 264. Sussex concluded the day on 105/5


In the depths of Division two, Leicestershire became the first county to lose a wicket and they became the first county to lose two wickets - from the first two balls bowled by Huw Waters. They lost a third wicket to the same bowler in the third over. Ramnaresh Sarwan (41) however, dug in and held the remains of the innings together and with Claude Henderson (57) managed to post 249. Glamorgan closed on 25/5


At Derby, the Sheep lost early wickets too against Northants but Dan Redfern (110) and Ross Whiteley (83) lead a recovery to a total 286. Northants were 28/3 at stumps.


At Chelmsfords, Essex lost three early wickets against Ian Saxelby's Gloucester, before Adam Wheater went after James Fuller with 4 successive 4s to bring up his 50. Essex were 364 all out - Billy Godleman top scoring with 130.


The new look Kent side made a solid start at Headingley with a century opening stand (Key/Newman). Newman was first out with 64 but Rob Key was eventually run out on 97. Kent ended the day on 345/5










In warmer climes, England continue to build on their overnight total and now have a lead.
Kevin Pietersen, switch-hitting himself to 151, the only player in the game so far, to go on a sustained attack. 


Latest 460 all out - Samit Patel was last man out for 29. 


Sri Lanka Second Innings 4/0 at stumps - England lead by 181 runs

In Townsville, Australia Sam Wood with 3/24 helped England U19 beat Australia U19 by 3 wickets and with 21 balls to spare in a 50 over contest.