Australians 396-4 dec Worcestershire 246-7

Australia have a spring in their step and a song in their heart. This is not only because they have arrived in Worcester where, in days of yore, their tours traditionally began and Don Bradman usually scored a hundred beneath the cathedral.

An early term report on Australia’s progress might say: “Good, room for improvement, none for complacency.” The tourists are steamrollering Somerset in the first match of the Ashes tour but Somerset have suffered similar crushings already this season by their Championship peers.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has urged his team-mates to move on from their recent troubles and focus on preparing for the Ashes against England.

Samit Patel's first one-day century for three years guided Nottinghamshire to a six-wicket victory over Warwickshire on Sunday and maintained their 100 per cent start to this season's Yorkshire Bank 40 competition.

They stood to secure a £123,000 life insurance payout and a half-share of a £137,000 two-bedroom house

Batsman of the day

Stephen Parry claimed his first five-wicket haul in one-day cricket to help Lancashire beat Surrey in the Yorkshire Bank 40 Group B at Old Trafford. The left-arm spinner claimed five for 17 as Lancashire, who at one point were 59 for 5, took a seven-run win, the county's first YB40 win of the season.

Nottinghamshire powered their way to an 83-run victory over Northamptonshire in the first full round of Yorkshire Bank 40 fixtures thanks to a 149-run partnership between England hopefuls James Taylor and Samit Patel.

One person has died after a train hit a car on a level crossing in Somerset, British Transport Police said.

In a Sunday League game against Essex he bowled eight overs without conceding a run

Increasing numbers of stricken birds are washing up on the south coast after being covered in a mysterious substance.

Heavy snow has closed the M6 motorway in both directions after lorries jacknifed across carriageways while flooding in other areas of the country has led to various traffic problems.

At the time, it seemed tempting to doubt the form. After all, the runners had splashed over a course that might sooner have staged a regatta than a Grade One bumper. As things have turned out, however, the last two horses still afloat in the straight at Punchestown in April have amply confirmed their calibre since switching to hurdles. This weekend, both seek a place towards the top of different novice divisions either side of the Irish Sea. Champagne Fever, the winner, steps up to two and a half miles at Naas on Sunday; while Melodic Rendezvous contests a Grade One over two miles at Sandown on Saturday.