Smethurst smashes Hampshire

Lancashire appeal for a wicket at Liverpool

County Championship Division One

Hampshire 95 all out - Lancashire 54-3

Hampshire suffered another batting disaster as Lancashire took control on the first day.

Robin Smith's side, who are bottom of table, crumbled from 26-0 to 95 all out after being put in to bat.

Shane Warne top scored with 19, with young paceman Mike Smethurst leading an impressive Lancashire bowling display with 4-15 off just 11 overs.

The home side started well in reply but then lost three wickets without scoring to end the day on 54-3.

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Kent 261 all out - Somerset 47-0

Indian batsman Rahul Dravid hit 90 as Kent were all out for 261 against Somerset at Bath.

England bowler Andy Caddick claimed six wickets for just 57 runs.

Somerset closed the first day on 47 without loss.

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Division Two

Essex 263 all out - Glouc 5-0

Gloucestershire took a gamble against Essex by resting four senior players ahead of Saturday's Benson & Hedges Cup final - and it paid off.

The hosts bowled Essex out for 263, although it could have been better for them as Mike Cawdron took three wickets in 25 balls to leave Essex on 161-5.

Paul Prichard, Ronnie Irani and Barry Hyam all made half centuries as Essex's last four wickets lasted 56 overs.

Gloucestershire faced one over at the end, finishing the day on 5-0.