County Championship Division One roundup: Ethan Bamber and Kemar Roach shine under grey skies

The Cricketer wraps up the best of the action on day one of the fourth round of LV= Insurance County Championship matches in 2023

Lord's (first day of four): Kent 113-6, Middlesex

Ethan Bamber spearheaded a potent Middlesex bowling performance with three wickets as they reduced Kent to 113 for 6 on a rain-affected opening day in the LV= Insurance County Championship.

Seamer Bamber, who caught the eye with a six-wicket match haul in last week's win against Nottinghamshire, impressed again with figures of 3 for 26 to give the home side an early advantage at Lord's.

He was backed up by player-coach Tim Murtagh, who collected the scalps of England opener Zak Crawley and Sam Billings, while Tom Helm was unlucky to remain wicketless after a fiery spell of bowling.

Ben Compton was the only Kent player to enjoy any degree of success, batting through for a patient undefeated 38 when bad light and rain curtailed play midway through the afternoon session.

Ethan Bamber picked up three wickets to give Middlesex an early advantage against Kent [Clive Rose/Getty Images]

Edgbaston (first day of four): Warwickshire 143-8, Surrey

Surrey showed the intent and incision of champions as they reduced Warwickshire to 143 for 8 on a truncated opening day of their County Championship tussle at Edgbaston. 

Warwickshire have started the season brightly but there was nothing bright about a damp day in Birmingham with the cloud low and the floodlights on. It was seam-bowling heaven and Surrey's seamers, led by Kemar Roach (3 for 31) took full advantage. 

Dan Mousley underlined his immense potential with a skilful unbeaten 55 (125 balls) but, despite the loss of almost half the day to the weather, Surrey made swift enough progress to feel confident of advancing to another victory to follow last week's hammering of Hampshire.