Key strengthens his England claims

Robert Key pushed his claims for an England recall as he top-scored with 90 for Kent in an otherwise disappointing batting display against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. Key held the top order together with his 134-ball innings, but after he was trapped leg before by Andrew Hall, Kent lost their last seven wickets for 74. However, for Key, the timing couldn't have been better even if he did miss out on three figures. Monty Panesar, also vying for a recall, picked up two wickets - including former Northamptonshire man Martin van Jaarsveld, caught in the covers when the ball bounced off silly point's leg - and Johan van der Wath collected two important middle-order scalps when he removed Sam Northeast and Darren Stevens. Kent did manage to hit back before the close, though, with Simon Cook removing Stephen Peters for 9.

Promotion-chasing Derbyshire took control against Leicestershire at Grace Road as they dismissed the home side for 177. The problems began early when Steffan Jones removed Matt Boyce and Boeta Dippenaar for ducks - both to acrobatic catches - to leave Leicestershire on 9 for 2 and the innings struggled to recover. James Taylor top-scored with 45, but Greg Smith's three wickets went through the middle order and Mark Lawson collected two with his legspin. Nathan Buck offered late resistance with an unbeaten 24, but Jones returned to clean up the tail and ended with 4 for 43. Derbyshire started solidly in reply, losing only Wayne Madsen before the close as they reached 67 for 1.

Click here for Andrew McGlashan's report from Lord's, where Sam Robson hit his maiden first-class hundred for Middlesex against Essex.

Just like spare batsmen, there aren't many names jumping out to fill the allrounder's role for England but Luke Wright will be one of those mentioned. He claimed a timely five-wicket haul for Sussex as they dismissed Worcestershire on a greener-than-usual surface at Hove. His first wicket came when Vikram Solanki dragged on and he returned to take out the tail, ending some stubborn resistance from Gareth Batty who at least gave the scoreline some respectability. He also benefited from some safe catching with Andrew Hodd producing a diving take to remove Stephen Davies, while Gareth Andrew was well held at third man. It was another disappointing display from Worcestershire, with nine batsmen reaching double figures but no one passing Batty's 46. However, the visitors fought back late in the day when Chris Nash pushed outside off stump and Ed Joyce played on against Andrew.

Hampshire slipped from a strong position against Yorkshire in tricky batting conditions at Basingstoke as Ajmal Shahzad took three wickets in an over. The in-form Michael Carberry was caught in the gully after a positive start, but Jimmy Adams (79) and Michael Lumb (51) took the score to 119 for 1. Tim Bresnan broke through when he trapped Lumb and both James Vince and Liam Dawson were caught in the slips. Adams could make the most of being caught off a no-ball and fell at 220. Then Shahzad got to work, removing Dimitri Mascarenhas, Chris Tremlett and Tim Burrows in six balls as Yorkshire took the momentum.

Click here for a full report from Nottinghamshire's match against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge, where Chris Read hit a hundred.

Click here for John Ward's report from Old Trafford on the opening day between Lancashire and top-placed Durham.