Sunday 15 May 2016 21:16, UK
Former England spinner Monty Panesar took two wickets on his return to Specsavers County Championship action, as Northamptonshire limited Kent to 300-7 on day one of their Division Two match at the County Ground.
Panesar picked up the key wicket of Kent captain Sam Northeast, as well as that of Calum Haggett, to end the day with figures of 2-94.
However, a superb unbeaten century from Joe Denley ensured the visitors would head into day two with a competitive first innings total.
Kent, who are unbeaten in their first four league games this season, lost opener Tom Latham early on after the New Zealand batsman was run out for just 2.
But Daniel Bell-Drummond (47) and Denly (126*) then added 112 for the second wicket to move the visitors into a commanding position heading into lunch.
Bell-Drummond eventually fell to Azahrullah but Northeast maintained his side's scoring before being caught and bowled by the returning Panesar.
Rob Keogh then had Sean Dickson caught for 14, shortly before Rory Kleinveldt removed both Darren Stevens (21) and Adam Rouse (6), as the away side's innings start to falter.
And it was Panesar who had the final meaningful action of the day - dismissing Haggett shortly before the close of play to cap a satisfactory return to county level cricket.
Elsewhere, the division's early leaders Essex moved into a commanding position against Derbyshire at Chelmsford, largely thanks to an unbeaten century from opener Nick Browne.
Browne made 154 not out, whilst Dan Lawrence also reached an unbeaten half-century, as the hosts ended day one on 284-3.
Essex, who were without England captain Alastair Cook, began the day well and reached 61 before Jaik Mickleburgh (24) was trapped lbw by Tony Palladino.
Palladino then had Tom Westley dismissed in identical fashion for a duck as the hosts threatened to suffer a top-order collapse.
However, Ravi Bopara steadied the innings and was unlucky not to reach his half-century, falling one run short when trapped lbw by Shiv Thakor.
Lawrence arrived at the crease and continued to provide support for Browne, who passed his century with a fine shot through covers.
And with Jesse Ryder and Ryan ten Doeschate still to come, Essex will be confident of posting an imposing first innings total on day two.
Timm van der Guggten and Graham Wagg both took three wickets as Glamorgan bowled out Gloucestershire on day one at Bristol.
George Hankins was the only Gloucestershire batsman to make a half-century as the home side made 262 all out.
Jacques Rudolph and Will Bragg then guided the Welsh county to 82-1 at the close of play, 180 runs behind.
Gloucestershire started the match poorly and lost openers Chris Dent and Cameron Bancroft for six and five respectively.
Graeme van Buuren, playing for his county for the first time since arriving last month, was then caught at second slip after making 33.
Gloucestershire captain Gareth Roderick (14), Hamish Marshall (18) and Kieran Noema-Barnett (1) soon followed as the hosts looked unlikely to pass 200.
However Hankins, who had arrived at the crease at 69-4, showed his composure and added 42 for the seventh wicket with Jack Taylor, who was later tapped lbw on 24 by Michael Hogan.
Hankins passed his half-century off just 55 balls but was then clean bowled by Van der Guggten six balls later, before Craig Miles and David Payne put on 90 for the ninth wicket.
Van der Guggten then removed Payne for 39, whilst Josh Shaw added just one more run before being bowled by Rudolph, to leave Payne stranded on 49.
Glamorgan made the worst start to their reply and lost opener Mark Wallace for a duck in the second over.
However, Bragg (45*) and Rudolph (33*) saw out the remainder of the day's play to move their side into a commanding position in the match.
Meanwhile, Brett D'Olivera fell one run short of his century as Worcestershire dominated day one of their match against Sussex at New Road.
The 24 year-old opening batsman continued his fine form this season to make 99, as Worcestershire reached 382-4 at the close of play.
D'Olivera shared an opening stand of 113 with Daryl Mitchell before the later miscued a pull shot off Stuart Whittingham to Steven Magoffin for 43.
D'Olivera looked set for third century of the season but fell one run short when caught trying to cut Luke Wells
Alexei Kervezee added 29 before he was bowled by Whittingham, whilst Joe Clarke made a quick-fire 88 before caught and bowled by Wells.
Sussex failed to make any further inroads however and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (43*) and Ross Whiteley (54*) were able to add a further 101 runs before the end of the day's play.
