With out the rested Chris Woakes, each Bears opening bowlers struck early.
Olly Hannon-Dalby compelled Haseeb Hameed to edge to second slip the place Rob Yates held on, and Freddie McCann emulated his captain’s 10-ball duck when Bamber hit his off stump.
At 17-2, Martindale, deputising for the injured Ben Slater and enjoying solely his second first-class match, wanted to remain robust – and he did.
Bolstered by three fours in a Bamber over, he placed on 88 in 23 overs with Clarke earlier than falling within the final over earlier than lunch.
Dan Mousley referred to as upon to produce the compulsory over of pre-interval spin, flighted a ball onto the 23-year-old’s toe to win an lbw choice.
Jack Haynes quickly edged Bamber to supply Yates his twenty sixth catch of the season and Kyle Verreynne was unfortunate to be adjudged lbw to an Ed Barnard supply which seemed leg-side.
That left the reigning champions on an uneasy 148-5 however James settled in alongside Clarke, whose 89th ball took the 30-year-old former Shropshire and Worcestershire participant to 1,000 runs for the season – for under the third time.
The sixth-wicket partnership added 72 from 23 overs, largely in average gentle, earlier than James feathered a pull at Michael Sales space to wicketkeeper Alex Davies earlier than a full of life unbroken late stand of 43 with debutant New Zealand quick bowler Fraser Sheat (27 not out).
Report by ECB Reporters’ Community, supported by Rothesay.
