All six teams of Group 2 were in action on Day 1 in the tenth round of the County Championship 2021. Let us have a look at how it went for them.
Gloucestershire v Hampshire, Cheltenham
Gloucestershire 214/6 (Phillips 47; de Grandhomme 2-21) vs Hampshire
Gloucestershire closed a rain-affected opening day against Hampshire at Cheltenham on 214/6. After opting to bat, Gloucestershire stumbled from 61/0 to 72/3. Both Miles Hammond and George Scott fell to Colin de Grandhomme (2-21) in this period, for 31 each.
Glenn Phillips (47) and Jack Taylor (34*) then recovered Gloucestershire innings before rain ended play two overs after the Tea break.
Middlesex v Leicestershire, Northwood
Middlesex 280/3 (Robson 138*; Mike 1-43) vs Leicestershire
Sam Robson notched up his second hundred of the season to help Middlesex reach a decent position against Leicestershire after Day 1. Robson batted through the day to reach stumps on 138 not out, with Middlesex closing on 280/3. He hit 13 fours so far in his innings.
Robson put on a 73-run opening stand with Josh de Caires, who fell to Ben Mike for 17 after playing 74 balls. While batting on 23, Stephen Eskinazi was forced to retire after pulling up an injury. Robson was then well-assisted by Max Holden (28) and Daryl Mitchell (38) to keep the scoreboard ticking before the close of play.
Surrey v Somerset, The Oval
Somerset 280/6 (Hildreth 107; Clark 3-55) vs Surrey
James Hildreth hit his first century for two years in Somerset’s fixture against Surrey at Oval. Hildreth made 107 to guide Somerset reach 280/6 at stumps against a spin-heavy Surrey bowling attack, led by R Ashwin (1-70).
Hildreth added 144 runs with Lewis Goldsworthy (48), while Steve Davies and Tom Lammonby both departed for 42. Jordan Clark was the pick of the Surrey bowlers, with 3-55.