Anderson and Joyce share honours

Ed Joyce marked his Sussex Championship debut with a vital innings as he held his new side together against Lancashire at Hove. He ended the opening day on 89 after James Anderson had threatened to give the visitors control with three wickets in an impressive display of pace and accuracy. Anderson, in his one Championship outing before the Tests start, made the first breakthrough when Chris Nash was superbly caught off an inside edge, then returned to remove a stubborn Michael Yardy after lunch. Glen Chapple claimed two key scalps as Murray Goodwin was held low at third slip and Matt Prior edged a drive to first, but Joyce held firm throughout the setbacks. Although Luke Wright didn't last long, well held by Anderson off his own bowling after an inside edge ballooned into the off side, Robin Martin-Jenkins provided solid support until the close. He reached his half century in the final over of the day after dominating an unbroken stand of 87.

Adam Voges and Samit Patel both fell agonisingly short of centuries, but Nottinghamshire still enjoyed a profitable day against Worcestershire at Trent Bridge as they finished on 334 for 5. Voges was caught down the leg side for 99 after a 224-ball innings while Patel, given one life when dropped at slip, was run out for 95 when he chanced a single to Vikram Solanki. Patel has to prove himself all over again at the start of the season after he was dropped by England for being unfit and he played fluently in front of selector James Whitaker during his 137-ball innings until the misjudgement. Nottinghamshire's openers departed early as the visitors' patch-up pace attack - at least boosted by Ashley Noffke's arrival - made inroads, but Voges and Patel combined to add 140. Voges and Chris Read then added 114 until Michael Mason struck late to shift Voges. Read ended the day on 69 and Nottinghamshire, with Stuart Broad in next, have plenty of batting left.

Bowlers ruled the opening day at Bristol with 13 wickets falling as Essex slipped to 60 for 3 in reply to Gloucestershire's disappointing 155. Ryan ten Doeschate claimed 5 for 62 after the top order was dispatched by David Masters and Chris Wright. When ten Doeschate opened his haul with Chris Taylor, the home side were 38 for 4 before a New Zealand alliance brought some stability. Hamish Marshall and James Franklin added 55 and Marshall top-scored with 64 off 149 balls as ten Doeschate wrapped up the innings. Gloucestershire, though, hit back with the ball and Franklin led the way by trapping both Essex openers leg before.

For a full report from the opening day between Kent and Northamptonshire click here.