Yorkshire launch the Clydesdale Bank 40 with record stand

Andrew Gale and Jacques Rudolph both scored unbeaten centuries as Yorkshire thrashed Essex by 10 wickets to kick off the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition at Chelmsford. Responding to a total of 232 for 9, the visitors romped home with 4.1 overs to spare to inflict the heaviest defeat suffered by Essex in a limited overs match.

The previous record was also against Yorkshire, by nine wickets at Headingley in 1982. Gale, in recording his first century in limited overs, finished with 125 that came off 115 balls and included 12 fours and three sixes. Rudolph contributed 101 from 102 balls with the help of 13 boundaries. Their partnership represented their highest for any wicket in one-day league cricket.

Surrey skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown hit 92 to lead his side to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Lancashire with one ball to spare at Whitgift School. Lancashire had set Surrey a formidable target when Stephen Moore, playing in his first one-day game since joining them from Worcestershire, led them to a total of 290 for 6 with 118 off 96 balls.

Hamilton-Brown, who had never reached fifty in his 37 previous one-day games, responded by sharing a rousing opening partnership of 133 in only 15 overs with Steven Davies. Davies had made 59 off 43 balls with three sixes and seven fours when he played on heaving at Tom Smith but Hamilton-Brown, in his first one-day game as captain, kept Surrey on course in a second-wicket stand of 49 with Usman Afzaal.

A blistering innings of 141 by Jacques Du Toit and a sensational spell of bowling from seamer Wayne White helped Leicestershire to a 47-run victory over Nottinghamshire at Grace Road. South Africa-born Du Toit smashed three sixes and 14 fours as the Foxes totalled 282 for 6, with Will Jefferson also hitting a quick-fire half-century against his former county. The Outlaws made a whirlwind start to the run-chase with Hashim Amla and Alex Hales putting on 96 in 13 overs, but then White claimed career-best figures of 6 for 29 - including three wickets in four balls - as the visitors crashed to 235 all out in 37 overs

Hampshire produced a pitiful batting display against a second-string Durham attack to lose their opening Clydesdale Bank 40 match by 149 runs at the Riverside. Replying to 264 for 6, which looked little better than par for the pitch, the visitors were all out for 115.

Half-centuries from Nick Compton and James Hildreth were enough to help Somerset to a 38-run win over Glamorgan in Cardiff. When Somerset defended their 224 for 5 from their 39 overs they were indebted to Alfonso Thomas, who took three for 27 in 7.1 overs and was also responsible for a key run out and a catch as Glamorgan were dismissed for 186 with 11 balls remaining

James Franklin's first one-day century inspired Gloucestershire to a 51-run win over Derbyshire in the opening Clydesdale Bank 40 fixture at Bristol. The New Zealand all-rounder responded to his new position as opener by hitting 133 off 121 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, as his side ran up 230 for 5 after losing the toss. Alex Gidman (35) and Chris Taylor (32) offered good support. Steve Kirby (3 for 44) then took two early wickets to reduce Derbyshire to 31 for 2 and, despite 37 from Chris Rogers and 41 from John Sadler, the visitors were restricted to 179 all out. It was an important win for Gloucestershire, beaten at home in their first two County Championship games of the season. Batting frailty in those matches led to the experiment of promoting Franklin up the order and he responded with a superbly-paced innings.

Warwickshire's England batting stars Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Jim Troughton all hit half-centuries to steer the Bears to a six-wicket win over injury-hit Kent in their Clydesdale Bank 40 match at Canterbury. Chasing Kent's moderate total of 246 for 6 at a shade more than six an over, Warwickshire romped to their target with 13 balls to spare courtesy of Bell's excellent 88, a workmanlike 54 by Trott and an unbeaten 56 from Troughton off only 51 deliveries.

Former New Zealand international Iain O'Brien ensured Middlesex got their campaign off to a winning start by ripping through Northamptonshire in a low-scoring game at Trent Bridge. The 33-year-old seamer claimed figures of 4 for 41 inside seven overs at Wantage Road to help skittle out the Steelbacks for a mediocre total of 146. Only David Sales offered any resistance hitting a 75-ball 56 as Middlesex set about making up for Saturday's thrilling County Championship loss between the two sides. Panthers pair Gareth Berg and Dawid Malan made light work of the chase with unbeaten scores of 43 and 31 respectively to seal a seven-wicket victory inside 33 overs.

Sussex launched their one-day season with a five-wicket victory over Worcestershire in a successful return to New Road where they won the old Pro40 League at the end of last season. James Kirtley removed three top-order batsmen in an over as the home side struggled to make 144 for 9 and Sussex edged home by five wickets despite a similar burst by Chris Whelan.