Joe Clarke charms his way to a century on Nottinghamshire debut

In the Trent Bridge stands 2,387 hardy souls sat, mostly scattered around the white seats in twos or singles, dark pegs in a game of mastermind. Well before 10am they had breakfasted and were circulating the ground with flask and blanket, the long-learned behaviour of the most loyal of fans. They must be loyal, no Championship season has started earlier.

In the absence of Surrey, currently lording it against MCCU, Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire was the most appetising game of the round. Notts, who only just avoided relegation last season, have been on a shopping spree, bolstering their batting and bowling with some of the best young players around. Such is their current glut that the seam bowlers Mark Footitt and Luke Wood have been temporarily sent away on loan.