Nottinghamshire continued their preparation for the new Vitality County Championship season with a strong showing in the field on the first day of their final pre-season friendly against Northamptonshire.
Brett Hutton, Liam Patterson-White, Lyndon James and Calcin Harrison all collected wickets as the away side concluded 161/6 at Trent Bridge, with rain limiting the possible play to 54.5 overs.
It marked an impressive bowling display across the board from the Green and Golds with Northants limited to fewer than three runs an over despite small square boundaries.
Emiliano Gay and Luke Procter retired for the visitors having amassed 39 and 28 respectively, while James proved the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets for the concession of eight runs from his five overs.
Hutton was the first to strike when play got underway after lunch, with just his fourth ball wrapping Jamie Broad on the back pad, while Dillon Pennington proved economical alongside first changes Toby Pettman - who bowled three straight maidens to begin his spell - and Tom Loten.
Procter and Gay’s watchful rearguard took them through to the 26th over when Saif Zaib and George Bartlett were introduced, the former facing 14 balls before he was smartly caught by Harrison at third slip to give James his first.
Lewis McManus followed as leg-spinner Harrison trapped him in front for one before James Sales (2), George Bartlett (12) and Angus Miller (25) became the victims for James, Harrison and Patterson-White respectively.
Broad and Zaib were reintroduced to weather the storm for the remainder of the day, a task smartly out steadily by the Division Two outfit.