County Championship D1, New Road, day one (stumps): Northamptonshire 311 v Worcestershire 14-2 Martin Love hit his first century in Northants colours on a see-saw opening day against Worcestershire at New Road.
Australian Love, in his second match as a short-term replacement for Martin van Jaarsveld, struck an unbeaten 133.
From 251-2, though, the visitors crashed to 311 all out with two more Australians, Andy Bichel (5-87) and Matt Mason (3-37) doing the damage.
But the balance swung back late in the day as Worcs lost two wickets in four overs, finishing on 14-2.
Gareth Batty, released early from the England squad for the third Test, went wicketless in in 16 overs, conceding 49 runs.
For Northants, wicket-keeper Tobin Bailey was replaced by Gerry Brophy, while pace bowlers Chris Goode and Craig Jennings made their first-class debuts.
Worcestershire: S D Peters, S C Moore, G A Hick, B F Smith (Capt), V S Solanki, A J Bichel, A J Hall, G J Batty, Kabir Ali, S J Rhodes (Wkt), M S Mason.
Northamptonshire: T W Roberts, R A White, M L Love, D J G Sales (Capt), U Afzaal, G P Swann, G L Brophy (Wkt), C M Goode, J Louw, C G Greenidge, C J R Jennings.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version