Berkshire v Cheshire Day 1: Front foot Cheshire call the shots on day 1

Photo: debutant wicket keeper Owen Feakes and Chris Sanders

Cheshire 381 (87 overs), Berkshire 55-3 Scoreboard

After the disappointment of a three day washout at Alderley Edge against Herefordshire, Cheshire got their Western Division 1 programme up and running in style as they took on reigning champions, Berkshire at Finchmpstead.

It was a whirlwind day with Chris Sanders - now back with Alderley Edge - continuing where he left off against Yorkshire in the ECB Showcase match last week. He smashed  80 not out with eight 4s and six 6s at the end of the innings as the visitors amassed 381 and took maximum batting bonus points.

David Wainwright won the toss for Cheshire and decided to bat first but with Ali Chughtai bowled by Tom Nugent off the first ball of the game, there was work to do.

Up stepped the top and middle order with Henry Dobson hitting 70, Joe Cooke 53 and Luke Young 51.

Andy Jackson and debutant wicket keeper Owen Feakes managed 32 each in the run spree as Sanders upped the ante. Toby Greatwood was the pick of the Berkshire bowlers with 3-69.

A short rain delay didn't hold up play for too long and Cheshire were able to cap a memorable first day as they restricted the hosts to 3-55 by the close with Jackson dismissing openers Archie Carter and Johnny Connell and Feakes taking his first catch to see off Euan Woods from the bowling of Cooke.