Lancashire on top

Michael Vaughan suffers at the hands of Shane Bond

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England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff picked up two wickets as Lancashire’s bowlers took charge of their LV County Championship clash with Somerset.

Marcus Trescothick, who recently retired from international cricket, hit 77 to get promoted Somerset off to a fine start in their season opener at Old Trafford but the hosts hit back.

James Anderson and Glen Chapple also claimed two apiece while another England seamer, Sajid Mahmood, was the pick of the attack with 3-54 in Somerset’s 238.

Ian Blackwell’s 64 was the only other major contribution for Somerset, whose lead was cut as Lancashire closed on 60 without loss in reply.

Half-centuries from Andrew Gale and Jacques Rudolph lifted Yorkshire after England captain Michael Vaughan had missed out against Hampshire at Headingley Carnegie.

Vaughan, looking for runs after a disappointing tour of New Zealand - on the personal front, managed just 19 as Yorkshire slipped to 54 for three.

But Gale, who faces an uneasy night after finishing the day on 99 not out, and Rudolph (59) put on 109 in a fourth-wicket fightback.

Hampshire, with Shane Bond and Dimitri Mascarenhas taking two wickets each, remained in contention as Yorkshire closed on 270 for six.

Marcus Trescothick piles into Lancs with 77 © Getty Images

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Rain limited play to just 47 overs at the Riverside, where Durham recovered from 13 for three against Surrey to reach 144 without further loss.

Pedro Collins took two of the early wickets before Mark Stoneman and captain Dale Benkenstein led the revival, each making an unbeaten 58.

Champions Sussex struggled to 213 for seven against Kent at Hove, but Matt Prior was leading their resistance with 57 not out at stumps.

In the Second Division - perhaps ironically - New Road saw more play than elsewhere as Worcestershire reached 258 for seven against Leicestershire in the first championship game at the ground for 10 months.

Vikram Solanki hit 65 and Steven Davies (50no) added a half-century to keep the innings going. Ben Smith fell for 49 while Jim Allenby was the pick of the bowling with three for 37.

England’s Ravi Bopara scored more than half of Essex’s runs to lift his side to 269 for nine with a superb undefeated 136 against Derbyshire at the County Ground.

The all-rounder was the only player to pass 27 on a difficult day for batsmen, Lancashire-born Jonathan Clare (3-40) taking his wickets in the space of 27 balls that cost three runs.

Half-centuries from South Africans Lance Klusener (50) and Nicky Boje (58no) lifted Northamptonshire to 252 for six against Warwickshire at Wantage Road.

The pair put on 96 for sixth wicket after compatriot Monde Zondeki had taken two early wickets on his Warwickshire debut.

Middlesex were 198 for five against Glamorgan at Lord’s, David Nash unbeaten on 53.