Smith hits timely ton

Robin Smith weighed in with a timely reminder to the England selectors, hitting 120 for Hampshire against Sussex at Ports- mouth and sharing in a fourth-wicket stand of 259 with Paul Terry, who made 162 not out.

Mike Gatting was also in the runs after reverting to his customary No 3 position, making 94 against Essex at Chelmsford and sharing a second- wicket stand of 146 with opener Toby Radford, who hit 69 on his Championship debut.

Wayne Dessaur, meanwhile, became the fourth Derbyshire player to score a century on his debut with an unbeaten 119 against Oxford University at The Parks.