What we learned in Round One of the Championship

Division 1

Hampshire beat Essex by an inns & 87 runs
Nottinghamshire 408 & 329/5 drew with Yorkshire 291 & 277/2
Somerset beat Kent by 74 runs

Division 2 

Durham lost to Derbyshire by 125 runs
Northants 445 & 10/0 drew with v Middlesex 271 & 316/4
Sussex lost to Leicestershire by 7 wickets

JOE ROOT IS GOOD AT BATTING

He's in good nick, you know. Following his 73 in the first innings, the England Test skipper cracked a majestic 130 at Trent Bridge as Yorkshire batted out for a draw against Nottinghamshire. Root's century was even more impressive given he was interrupted by a Stuart Broad bouncer right at the start of his knock. After a fist pump between the pair and a new helmet, Root got back down to business, elegantly compiling his 26th first-class ton with the sort of shots we've come to know and swoon over.

LAYING DOWN A MARKRAM

Start as you mean to go on, they say. And if Hampshire live by that mantra for the rest of the season, a first County Championship title since 1973 could well be within their grasp. Leading the assault with the bat was Sam Northeast, who smashed 169, but there were also important knocks from Messrs Vince, Markram, Roussow and Dawson. With the ball, Fidel Edwards grabbed five in the first innings while the ever-dependable Kyle Abbott did the same in the second. All bases covered, then. Title charge incoming?

DAY ONE WASHOUTS ARE NO BARRIERS TO VICTORY

They love a bit of final day drama down in Taunton, and having had the opening day washed out, they had to go some to break Kent hearts. George Bartlett and Jack Brooks gave it some late poke in their second innings to set the visitors 205 to win. But after Lewis Gregory got Sean Dickson with the first ball of the innings it was all one-way traffic. The skipper ended with 5/18 off his 13 overs as Somerset ran out winners by 74 runs. What a win!

EOIN MORGAN IS MORE SUITED TO BATTING

No surprise here, but with Middlesex and Northants heading firmly for a draw, England's one-day skipper rolled his arm over at Wantage Road. Safe to say he won't be bringing himself on to bowl in the group stages. Prior to that, another England man, Dawid Malan, guided Middlesex out of danger with a superb 160 not out. A timely nudge to the selectors. But seriously, track down some footage of Morgan's loopies if you can...

THERE'S FIRE IN THE SHIRES

What a fantastic opening round for Leicestershire and Derbyshire, two sides who have had lean spells of late, to put it mildly. The Foxes picked up a fine win on the road at Sussex, with Tom Taylor's 10 wickets instrumental in their success. Derbyshire triumphed at Durham after bowling the home side out for 235 in their second innings, with Matt Critchley the pick of the bowlers.