Denly relieves pressure on Kent

The Kent rookie Joe Denly narrowly missed a century at Edgbaston in only his second appearance in the County Championship. The former England Under-19 opener batted for a little over three hours to make 86 in a first day score of 358 for 7 against a Warwickshire team closing its season in the comfort zone in the First Division.

Kent, in fifth place, need points in Birmingham to avoid pressure in their final First Division fixture against Middlesex next week. Denly gave them a good start, reaching 50 from 88 balls.

James Hildreth hit 119 not out as Somerset took a grip on the First Division match against Northamptonshire at Taunton. The 22-year-old reached his ton off 94 balls as Somerset closed the day on 407 for 6, leading by 81.

An unbeaten 141 from the captain Craig White saved Yorkshire from possible disaster on the first day of their match against Nottinghamshire at Headingley. The home side struck early problems to be 42 for 3 until White was joined by Adil Rashid. The pair put on 130 in 43 overs for the fourth wicket, with Rashid scoring 63. Yorkshire closed the day on 294 for 8.

Shane Warne had a 37th birthday to remember at the Rose Bowl, being struck while batting. The Australian, having promoted himself to No 3, misjudged a hook in the Pro40 clash with Worcestershire. The ball lodged between the grill in his helmet and Warne needed three stitches in a wound above the eye.