WEST Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul continued his fine run of form in the LV County Championship with 92 as Lancashire put themselves in a strong position on the opening day against table-topping Nottinghamshire.
The 36-year-old looked set for his third century in five matches for the Red Rose before he was lbw to Ryan Sidebottom, ending a third-wicket stand of 151 with Mark Chilton – Lancashire’s highest partnership for any wicket this season.
Chilton himself made an obdurate 61 not out to follow half-centuries from openers Paul Horton and Tom Smith, but a late burst of wickets gave Nottinghamshire renewed hope as the visitors reached 303 for six.
Sidebottom (three for 74) and Andre Adams (three for 68) were the main threat all day, with Adams poised on a hat-trick when play begins on day two.
Marcus Trescothick took his run tally in his last five championship innings to 551 with a superb 128 on a rain-delayed opening day against Durham at Taunton.
The former England opener followed up scores of 188 not out against Kent and 228 not out against Essex with another powerful exhibition as Somerset ran up 287 for four. Arul Suppiah made 54 and Nick Compton 45.
Yorkshire declared on 322 for nine as England hopefuls Adam Lyth and Adil Rashid scored half-centuries when play finally got under way on day two.
Rain washed out day one at Scarborough, but yesterday Lyth made a stylish 63 and all-rounder Rashid later stemmed a batting collapse with an elegant 76, while Hampshire’s 39-year-old captain Dominic Cork claimed five for 58 runs.
Mark Ramprakash scored the 113th century of his career as Surrey recovered from 66 for three to reach stumps on 353 for four against beleaguered Leicestershire in the day’s only Division Two fixture at Grace Road.
Home captain Matthew Hoggard put off-field matters to one side and claimed two early wickets after winning the toss, but Ramprakash (179 n.o.) combined with Gary Wilson (94 n.o.) to add an unbroken 217 for the fourth wicket.