Round-up: Lancashire collapse to Carter on his belated start to season

Neil Carter showed what Warwickshire had been missing during his absence with a pelvic injury by taking a wicket with his first ball of the season in Championship cricket and ending with a career-best 6 for 30 as Lancashire were out for 189 in the clash of title contenders at Liverpool.

The 36-year-old South African-born left-armer had a fortunate start when Stephen Moore, whose 76 was the standout innings in an otherwise modest showing from the home side, was caught behind attempting to glance a ball that was drifting harmlessly down the leg side.

But there was nothing lucky about what followed as Carter exploited humid conditions that helped the ball swing, taking the last six wickets as Lancashire collapsed from 131 for 4. He was on a hat-trick after Glen Chapple sliced to gully and Saj Mahmood was leg before offering no shot.

In the Second Division, Middlesex gained a seven-wicket win over Derbyshire at Lord's to move within five points of leaders Northamptonshire.