Knight shines with first ton of season

Warwickshire 345 for 5 dec (Knight 115) v MCC
Scorecard

Nick Knight drives on the way to his century, the first of the season © Getty Images

Nick Knight scored the first first-class century of the new season, as Warwickshire's batsmen made excellent use of a sunny day at Lord's when their match against MCC finally got underway on the second day after yesterday's washout.

Knight and Mark Wagh opened the innings with a stand of 130, as MCC's seamers struggled for consistency. Jon Lewis, Sajid Mahmood and David Harrison are all trying to catch the selectors' eye ahead of the summer internationals, but it was the opening batsmen who made their presence felt. John Stephenson was given a harsh reminder of why he retired from cricket: his three overs cost 32 runs.

Unusually - given that this was April in England - the breakthrough came through spin, as Graeme Swann had Wagh caught by David Harrison. Ian Bell intended to put another tick next to his name for England selection, but could only manage 14 before being dismissed by Harrison. Knight reached his ton from 157 balls, before becoming Swann's second victim but Michael Powell and Jonathon Trott continued to pile up the runs.

Having taken the total past 300, Powell and Trott fell in quick succession to the impressive Harrison. Trott made an aggressive 75 from 98 balls to lay a marker for the season ahead and, after Dougie Brown had blazed five boundaries in his rapid 27, Knight declared. However, the light closed in before Warwickshire could have a crack at MCC's openers, but after the rain on the opening day the season is finally up and running.