Cricket

Leicestershire's bowlers dominated the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash against Middlesex, dismissing the visitors for a paltry 86 and establishing a commanding lead of 133 runs.Ben Mike and loan signing Ben Green were the stars of the show for Leicestershire, sharing nine wickets between them. Mike, a 22-year-old seamer, claimed a career-best 5-22, while Green, a 26-year-old all-rounder, took 4-28.Earlier, Middlesex's Ryan Higgins and Toby Roland-Jones had led the way with the ball, dismissing Leicestershire for 179. Lewis Goldsworthy and Lewis Hill had shared a 65-run partnership for the third wicket, but a collapse from 82 for 2 to 126 for 8 was rescued by fast bowler Scott Currie's unbeaten 34.Middlesex's batting woes continued in their second innings, as they lost three wickets before tea and another three shortly after the resumption. Green was particularly impressive, bowling with pace and accuracy to claim four wickets.Leicestershire extended their lead to 133 by reaching the close at 40 for 1, with Sol Budinger the only batsman dismissed.The match is evenly poised heading into day two, but Leicestershire will be confident of securing a victory after their impressive bowling performance.

Surrey's Jamie Smith propelled his team to a resounding 57-run victory over Somerset in the Vitality Blast, avenging their semi-final defeat last year. Smith's blistering 87 from just 38 deliveries laid the foundation for Surrey's third consecutive win.Smith and Ollie Pope forged a formidable partnership, amassing 111 runs in 56 balls. However, Somerset's Ben Green triggered a dramatic collapse, claiming three wickets in a single over. Surrey lost their last six wickets for a mere 11 runs, slumping to 163 all out.Somerset's response was marred by a lack of partnerships. Sean Abbott and Tom Curran shared six wickets, dismantling the defending champions for a paltry 106 in the 16th over.Surrey's innings began with a shaky start, losing three wickets for just seven runs. But Smith's explosive knock, featuring seven sixes, ignited the home side's momentum. Pope provided stability, reaching 40 from 32 balls.Somerset's fightback began with Roelof van der Merwe dismissing Pope. Green then claimed three wickets in quick succession, including Smith's dismissal for 87. Riley Meredith and Jake Ball completed Surrey's collapse.In Somerset's reply, Abbott and Meredith stifled the top order, claiming the wickets of Tom Banton and Will Smeed. Tom Abell departed after mistiming a drive off Abbott. Tom Kohler-Cadmore threatened with two sixes but was run out by Abbott's direct hit.Surrey continued to chip away at Somerset's batting lineup, with Abbott and Curran taking three wickets each. Curran sealed the victory by having Jake Ball caught at mid-on.