Career-best bowling figures for Andre Adams propelled Nottinghamshire into a strong position at the halfway point of their LV= County Championship match against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

The Kiwi star took 7-32, as the hosts were dismissed for just 146 in their first innings. Notts, with a lead of 23, then reached stumps on 122-2 second time around.

Adams reflected on his best-ever day with the ball: “It’s a nice feeling. I’ve always thought it a bit weird that I’ve never picked up seven before – in fact I’ve never really looked like getting seven before. It’s a nice achievement for me individually but the important thing is, it’s given us the lead.”

The 36-year old was complimentary towards Graeme Swann, who bagged the other three wickets. “It’s just great for me to be bowling at the other end to the best spin bowler in the world – it’s great to have him back in the side.”

Notts got the day off to an ideal start, despite Karl Brown running Adams to the third man boundary from the first delivery of the session.

Adams had sent back Paul Horton during an unfinished over, on the first evening. He concluded it by collecting his second wicket in four deliveries as Brown (4) lost his off stump.

Following a stand of 31 the Kiwi struck again, this time finding the edge of Stephen Moore’s bat. The opener scored a century in Lancashire’s win at Trent Bridge last summer and was looking well set on 43 when Read took the offering.

Nottinghamshire’s two returning England players, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann received differing fortunes during the session. The pace-ace, making his first appearance since leaving the Sri Lanka tour early due to injury, went for sixty runs from his fourteen overs.

In contrast, Swann has earned a useful reputation of striking early on in spells. With just his second delivery he had Ashwell Prince (23) caught, close in at short leg by James Taylor.

From a position of strength at lunch, on 129-4, Lancashire capitulated after the restart, losing six wickets for just 17 runs.

Adams sent back Croft (20) and Cross (0) to consecutive deliveries, each from edges, to Read and Hales respectively.

Tom Smith (0) batted with a runner but looked incapacitated and got into a dreadful position before spooning the ball up to Lumb in the gully. Adams followed that success by removing Chapple (9).

The Lancashire skipper had hit Swann over the ropes but only found Edwrads in the deep when he attempted a repeat off Adams.

Swann ended with 3-26 as he finished on a hat-trick after taking took two-in-two, to remove Luke Proctor (10) and Jimmy Anderson (0), a wicket that brought a leap of delight by his England team-mate.

Notts lost Alex Hales (5) as Chapple flattened his off stump but were then indebted to a fine stand of 79, the highest of the match, between Neil Edwards (40) and Michael Lumb (40 not out).

Edwards perished to another lbw decision, this time immediately after launching Kerrigan away for a maximum but his partner survived until the close, accompanied by Samit Patel (21 not out).