Familiar ground brings out the best in North

The Australian batsman, who scored a century in the Ashes Test at the same ground in 2009, was in sparkling form and struck 116 as Glamorgan reached 302-5 to claim a 31-run lead after Leicestershire were all out for 271.

North, who had previously scored three half-centuries in four innings for the county, shared in 103 and 91-run partnerships with Gareth Rees (66) and Ben Wright (44) respectively, with Leicestershire captain Ramnaresh Sarwan using eight bowers.

Glamorgan’s overseas star was out just two overs before the close, with his 148-ball knock containing 11 fours.

The other two games were in their first day, Will Gidman claiming four wickets and David Payne three as Gloucestershire dismissed Derbyshire for 95.

Alex Gidman was on 72 not out as Gloucestershire closed on 182-5 in reply, a lead of 87.

In Division One, Lancashire’s Luke Procter returned figures of 5-17 as 18 wickets fell on the opening day of their match with Durham at Chester-le-Street.

Proctor put the defending champions in a strong position as they dismissed the hosts for 102.

Kyle Hogg also took 3-23 with Paul Collingwood, one of just four Durham batsmen to reach double-figures, top-scoring with 25.

But England seamer Graham Onions dragged the home side back into contention with four top-order wickets as Lancashire slipped to 19-4 before recovering to 141-8, a lead of 39.

Opener Paul Horton was unbeaten on 31.

Ed Joyce made 77 and Ben Brown’s 70 helped Sussex recover from 66-5 to reach 242-8. The pair put on 81 for the sixth wicket after Tim Murtagh had taken 3-13 in the opening session at Lord’s.

Murtagh ended the day with four wickets, also removing Naved Arif after his useful 38 down the order.

Vikram Solanki made an unbeaten 82 to help Worcestershire finish the first day of their match against Somerset on 270-3.

The former England limited-overs batsman built on the impressive start from openers Daryl Mitchell, who made 80, and Phil Hughes (53).