Harmison boosts Durham bid

England paceman Steve Harmison bowled aggressively to finish with 4-72 for Durham as Kent ended the first day of the LV County Championship Division One clash on 190 for nine at Canterbury.

Kent skipper Robert Key (58) and Darren Stevens (41) were the only players to show any real resistance as Harmison and brother Ben (2-34) dominated the day.

Darren Pattinson and Charlie Shreck gave Nottinghamshire the upper hand in their match against Hampshire which helped them move a step closer to the Division One title.

The pair claimed six Hampshire wickets between them at Trent Bridge as the visitors finished on 199 for nine at stumps on the first day.

Andre Adams gave the hosts the early initiative after he trapped Michael Lumb and Chris Benham lbw for single-figure scores.

Pattinson then took over and removed the wickets of Sean Ervine (18) and Liam Dawson for a duck before he captured the crucial wicket of Nic Pothas (44) to finish with 3-43.

Shreck ended the dogged response of Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas (41) to add to the wickets of opener Michael Carberry (23) and Chris Tremlett for four as Nottinghamshire claimed maximum bowling points.

James Tomlinson is unbeaten on one and he will resume with Imran Tahir (23 not out) on day two.

Nottinghamshire will have also been buoyed by events at Taunton after title rivals Somerset were bowled out for 202 by Lancashire.

Durham's Steve Harmison has Kent captain Rob Key caught behind for 58 at Canterbury

Red Rose paceman Oliver Newby finished the pick of the Lancashire attack with 4-72 while Glen Chapple collected 3-33.

It could have been worse but for a rearguard action by Peter Trego (81) who rescued Somerset from 151 for eight after a ninth-wicket stand with Andrew Caddick (24).

Veteran seamer Caddick and Charl Willoughby then took two wickets apiece to restrict Lancashire to 56 for four at the close with Mal Loye (26no) and Gary Keedy set to resume in the morning.

Yorkshire's hopes of avoiding relegation were hit by poor batting and the weather as they collapsed to 84 for six after only 38 overs were possible on day one of their match against Sussex at Hove.

Andrew Gale (31), Jacques Rudolph (23) and Gerard Brophy (12) were the only players to make double figures as Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Sami picked up 3-39.

Elsewhere, Warwickshire claimed two of the four bonus points required to claim the Division Two title after they closed the day on 270 for seven against Glamorgan.

Tim Ambrose (86no) was their star performer and will resume with Neil Carter (42no) at Edgbaston in the morning.

Garnett Kruger took 5-51 to put Leicestershire firmly in control of their match against Derbyshire after they dismissed them for 194 at Grace Road.

The home side finished the day on 31 for one after Matthew Boyce was caught off the bowling of Wayne White for six.

England opener Andrew Strauss hit a superb unbeaten century as Middlesex dominated the first day of their match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

Strauss (164no) carried his bat and will resume with Owais Shah (69no) as Middlesex ended the day on 291 for one with Billy Godleman (41) the only wicket to fall - to spinner Monty Panesar.

Gloucestershire's hopes of ending a winless campaign with a victory look unlikely after Essex opener Varun Chopra hit 155 at Bristol as the visitors closed on 318 for five.

Chopra was trapped lbw by Steve Kirby before stumps while Anthony Ireland finished the day with 3-85 but James Foster (68no) and Ryan ten Doeschate are both unbeaten and will resume on day two.