Phillip Hughes fired an immediate warning to England ahead of the Ashes by scoring an unbeaten hundred on his Middlesex debut.

ECB chiefs were believed to be furious with Middlesex for signing Australia's new batting sensation on a six-week deal, as it represents the perfect opportunity for him to become accustomed to English conditions ahead of the five-match Test series starting in July.

And their fears appear to have been justified after Hughes, who scored two centuries against South Africa in Durban last month in only his second Test match, ended the second day 100 not out as Middlesex reached 174 for one at Lord's, in reply to Glamorgan's 505.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan is desperate to face Hughes and his team-mates later in the summer but he did his cause no favours by scoring only 24 for Yorkshire against Durham yesterday.

County championship: Div One - The Riverside: Durham 362 v Yorks 264-6, Edgbaston: Warwicks 224-4 v Hants 379, Trent Bridge: Notts 505 v Worcs 354 & 24-3 (following on). Hove: Sussex 289 & 148-5 v Lancs 299. Div Two - County Ground: Derbys 274 v Surrey 131 & 213-3, Lord's: Midd'x 174-1 v Glamorgan 505, Bristol: Essex (177 & 101-3) beat Gloucs (155 & 119) by seven wickets. Canterbury: Northants 355 & 148-2 v Kent 417.