Maher stalls Lancashire

Jimmy Maher sweeps as Lancashire wicket-keeper Luke Sutton looks on © Getty Images

Lancashire found trouble in the shape of Durham’s Jimmy Maher as their Liverpool Victoria County Championship title hopes were dented on the opening day at Old Trafford.

The Australian left-hander made a stoic 95 as the visitors, who need points to stay out of the relegation fight, reached 255 for four by the close.

Lancashire went into the game trailing First Division leaders Sussex, who do not play this week, by 19 points and needing victory to give them the best chance in a dramatic season finale.

Relegation-haunted Yorkshire saw Craig White make an unbeaten 141 on day one of their match against Nottinghamshire at Headingley but struggled to build on the former England all-rounder’s efforts.

Adil Rashid, with 63, was the only other player to score more than 16 as former Yorkshire stalwart Ryan Sidebottom returned to haunt his old employers.

The left-armer took 3-61, reducing Yorkshire to 294 for eight by the close.

Ex-England Under-19 opener Joe Denly fell just short of a century for Kent in only his second championship appearance.

Denly made 86 in a first-day score of 358 for seven against Warwickshire at Edgbaston before hooking Neil Carter straight to Naqaash Tahir.

Kent, in fifth place, need points to avoid any unnecessary pressure in their final Division One fixture against Middlesex next week but made a solid start thanks to Martin van Jaarsveld’s 79.

In Division Two, James Hildreth hit 119 not out as Somerset stretched their lead over Northamptonshire to 81 with four first-innings wickets remaining on the second day at Taunton.

The 22-year-old reached his century off 94 balls, having hit a six and 17 fours.

With Arul Suppiah making 98 and Sam Spurway 83, Somerset moved from an overnight 29 for two to 407 for six by the close.