County c'ship: Nottinghamshire set early pace with win

Nottinghamshire was top of the First Division after winning its opening County Championship match on Wednesday, a day when several matches ended in rain-affected draws.

Jake Ball took 5 for 98 in the second innings to help Nottinghamshire collect a three-wicket win.

Nottinghamshire was top of the First Division after winning its opening County Championship match on Wednesday, a day when several matches ended in rain-affected draws. Set 169 in its second innings at Trent Bridge, host Nottinghamshire reached its target in 42.4 overs for the loss of seven wickets.

Surrey was bowled out, on the stroke of lunch, for 389 in its second innings, with Arun Harinath out for 137, including 18 fours and a six. Jake Ball led Nottinghamshire's attack with five for 98. Elsewhere Liam Dawson and Adam Wheater helped Hampshire salvage a draw with Warwickshire at Southampton after the visitors' Ian Bell bolstered his hopes of an England recall by extending his overnight century to 174.

Durham's match against Somerset at Chester-le-Street was abandoned shortly after the scheduled 1000 GMT start with no play possible over the last two days.

Cook stars for Essex

In the Second Division, Essex hammered Gloucestershire by 10 wickets at Chelmsford. England captain Alastair Cook was there at the finish for Essex, the opener making 35 not out to go with his first-innings 105.

No play was possible on the final day at Wantage Road either, leaving Northamptonshire's Ben Duckett stranded on 282 not out against Sussex.

Meanwhile Worcestershire's Second Division match against Kent at New Road was abandoned without a ball being bowled on any of the four days, a soggy outfield putting paid to any hopes of play despite the ground being bathed in sunshine.