Ed Cowan opened up his County Championship season by scoring a half-century during Nottinghamshire's clash against Middlesex at Trent Bridge this afternoon.

The 30-year-old, who has been tipped to open the batting for Australia during this summer's Ashes in England, was eventually bowled out by Toby Roland-Jones for 61.

Cowan was Roland-Jones's third wicket of the innings, the 25-year-old having earlier dismissed England's Twenty20 duo Alex Hales (20) and Michael Lumb (0).

The first Ashes Test will get underway at Trent Bridge on Wednesday, July 10.