Surrey consolidated their lead in the Championship with a comprehensive three-day win over Leicestershire at Grace Road. Forced to follow on after being bowled out for 290 this morning, Leicestershire fared no better in their second innings, although Darren Maddy once again shone like a beacon in the gloom. He made 94, adding 156 for the second wicket with Iain Sutcliffe, but there was precious little else forthcoming from the hosts. Alex Tudor took four wickets and Mushtaq Ahmed three as Surrey were left just 40 to win. Although Devon Malcolm managed a brace of scalps, Ali Brown and Mark Ramprakash saw Surrey home by seven wickets.

Surrey's position is further enhanced by the parlous state of second-placed Kent, who face certain defeat at Edgbaston. Ashley Giles was Warwickshire's hero, finishing with five for 74 as Kent were forced to follow on 313 runs behind. Giles then took six more as Kent ended the day on 304 for nine, still nine runs behind. But for a stubborn ninth-wicket partnership of 108 between Mark Ealham (83) and David Masters (60*) the game would already be over.

At Old Trafford, Lancashire were set 299 to win the Roses Match after a gallant fightback by the beleaguered visitors. Anthony McGrath (86) and Gary Fellows (109) rescued Yorkshire from the precipice of 82 for five, seeing them to a much more respectable 305. The hosts closed on 36 for two; tomorrow could be an intriguing day.

Hampshire shouldn't take long to polish off Somerset at The Rose Bowl, after a lacklustre second innings by the visitors left them needing just 233 for victory. Chris Tremlett (three for 42) and Shaun Udal (three for 74) were the bowling beneficiaries as Somerset subsided for 190. At stumps Neil Johnson (57) had set Hampshire on their way; they need another 96 with eight wickets standing.

In Division Two, Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill added another six wickets to the eight he claimed yesterday to end Middlesex's unbeaten record with a 73-run defeat. MacGill finished with season-best match figures of 14 for 165. Middlesex skipper Andrew Strauss was dismissed for 110 this morning, and MacGill then claimed a career-best eight for 111 as Middlesex slipped from 180 for three to 259 all out.

Worcestershire moved into second place after cruising to a nine-wicket win over Derbyshire. Steve Selwood, 99 not out overnight, was caught behind off Kabir Ali without addition. Kevin Dean ended unbeaten on 54 as the hosts were all out for 243, leaving Worcestershire needing just 114 to win. Vikram Solanki hustled them to the target with 81 off only 56 balls (four sixes, 12 fours).

An unbeaten double century from Mike Hussey has put Northants in front of Gloucestershire on the second day at Bristol. David Sales (70), Tony Penberthy (61) and Graeme Swann (58) helped Hussey take the visitors to 471 at stumps – a lead of 49.

Michael Kasprowicz (six for 47) and Darren Thomas (four for 23) played havoc with the Durham batting on day one at Chester-le-Street. Only Andrew Pratt and Michael Gough reached double figures as the hosts crumbled to 124 all out. Not that Glamorgan's reply was exactly plain sailing - Andrew Davies took four for 44 as the visitors closed on 196 for eight.

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