England’s No 6 showed some glimpses but questions remain over his ability at top level

Cook admits to  first Test nerves –and excitement

Picnic tables were already occupied on Murray Mount

News comes just days from the start of the Ashes

Batsman of the day

Durham 259 & 37-0 Middlesex 196

Durham 259 Middlesex 11-2

There is less than a week until what for many is the true start of the cricketing summer, the first Test Match of the year, and yet there is still some uncertainty about the composition of England's batting lineup.

Nottinghamshire 320 Durham 297-6

Ashes watch part one: Australia will begin this summer's Ashes series in England with a new vice-captain after Shane Watson, left, quit yesterday following a turbulent stint as Michael Clarke's deputy. The 31-year-old all-rounder was suspended during Australia's disastrous tour of India for failing to submit a written self-critique to coach Mickey Arthur. Watson stood in for Clarke as India completed a 4-0 series win with a six-wicket victory in Delhi. His own form has been patchy and he cited that as a reason for resigning. "I want to be the best Test player I can be and think I can do that by focusing my attention on scoring runs and taking wickets."

Batsman of the day

Bowler of the day Steve Magoffin, the 33-year-old Australian seamer, feared his career was over when Western Australia dropped him from their roster two years ago. Rescued by Queensland, he accepted an offer to return to county cricket with Sussex last season, took 7 for 34 on debut against Lancashire and went on to claim 57 Championship wickets. Now he has helped to burst Yorkshire's early optimism by completing a five-wicket haul at Headingley to clinch an innings victory for Sussex. Magoffin wrapped it up with the wicket of Gary Ballance, the last line of some limp resistance by Yorkshire, whose first innings of 96 was labelled "unacceptable" by coach Jason Gillespie. It is their first Championship defeat for 20 months.

Sussex have their sights on knocking Warwickshire off the top of the First Division table after Monty Panesar added second-innings figures of six for 77 to go with Wednesday's career-best seven for 60 as Somerset were bowled out for 195.

Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire director of cricket, had an idea some weeks ago that this match rather than the two to come against Warwickshire would be what defined his side's season. Regrettably for him, the way it is unfolding is cruelly proving the wisdom of his judgment.