Leicestershire off and running

Leicestershire made a bright start to the new campaign at Canterbury yesterday, taking control of the First Division match against Kent.

The hosts – also in action for the first time – were dismissed for 245 as Charles Dagnall struck for three wickets on a slightly-grassy looking pitch. The former Surrey left-hander Michael Carberry followed his century last week against Cambridge University with an impressive performance on his Championship debut with 55, before Dagnall had him caught at point by Jeremy Snape. The visitors, under the leadership of Phil DeFreitas, reduced the overall deficit to 144 runs by the close as they moved to 101 for 3.

In the Second Division, Somerset bowled out Durham for 185 at Taunton with the paceman Richard Johnson taking five wickets. Somerset finished the day on 125 for 4.