Stephen Peters made an unbeaten 63 on day one of the pre-season friendly with Nottinghamshire.
The new County four-day captain shared an unbroken stand of 98 with Matthew Spriegel in the 30 overs that the visitors batted.
This was in reply to the hosts’ 250-4 in their 60 over allocation, England internationals Alex Hales and James Taylor doing the damage with scores of 96 and 100 respectively.
The County will resume their innings on the second and final day where they will bat for two sessions before the home side face the last 30 overs.
Later in the week, Peters’ side will face Middlesex at the County Ground on Thursday and Friday.