Division One favourites Surrey bowled relegation-threatened Hampshire out for 190 at The Oval. Saqlain Mushtaq claimed five priceless wickets and Ian Salisbury three, as the County Championship favourites looked to extend their lead at the top of the table. South-African born Nic Pothas (58) produced a brave batting display to resist the ample spin the Surrey bowlers found. Will Kendall was the other main contributor, but apart from his 36, the visitors endured a nightmare day at the crease.

Leicestershire were indebted to Iain Sutcliffe for a valiant century after Martin Saggers (three for 57) and Mark Ealham (three for 37) made life difficult at the crease at Canterbury. The bowlers shone on their home ground, but Sutcliffe was the batting star. He remains undefeated on 119, and without his efforts the visitors would have been in the field. At the close of play, Leicestershire are 240 for nine.

Murray Goodwin and Tim Ambrose both struck half-centuries as Sussex hosted Lancashire at Hove. The home side were were dismissed fairly easily after Glen Chapple claimed four for 61. Peter Martin and Chris Schofield both struck three times as the home side were dismissed for 240. They lost their last five wickets for a mere 11 runs. Lancashire are well set in reply, mainly due to a poor bowling display (Jason Lewry ended with figures of 0/52 off seven overs). Mark Chilton is unbeaten on 39 and David Byas 20, but the extras column recorded 34 needless runs, including 19 wides to leave Lancashire firmly in control on 116 for one.

Nick Knight was in the runs yet again, with 98 for Warwickshire after they claimed the last Somerset wicket in the third over of the day at Taunton. The home side had made 408 when Giles Wagg claimed his fourth wicket. The Midlanders began brightly. Knight found the going easy and was helped by his captain, Michael Powell, and Neil Smith. England hopeful Ian Bell scored 31 as everyone pitched in with a few runs. Then came the hosts' spirited fightback. Jamie Francis claimed five for 73 as the visitors were dismissed for 304. Somerset then built on their lead to end the day on 35 for 0.

On day two of their Division Two clash with Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire went from strength to strength as the in-form South African, Kevin Pietersen scored 116 on his home ground. Usman Afzaal (61) was the first victim of the day with the score at 230-4. Pietersen then followed, leg-before to Mark Alleyne, but a 141-run stand for the fifth wicket between Peter Johnson (83) and wicket-keeper Chris Read (80) kept up the pace of the game. Read was the first of four wickets to fall for 14 runs as the home side made 476. Greg Smith and Richard Logan then ripped into Gloucestershire again, who lost five wickets before the close of play. The home side continue their late season revival and lead by 212 runs. Only a miracle can spare the visitors, 91 for five, from an innings defeat.

Stumps were drawn early as bad light stopped play at Northampton with Glamorgan on the verge of defeat. The Welsh failed to make a solid start in their second innings after losing their captain and Ian Thomas in consecutive overs with the score on 26. Earlier Alan Penberthy had contributed 99 (16 fours, one six) in a fifth-wicket partnership of 150 with Matthew Cassar (68) before the last six wickets fell for just 20 runs. Northamptonshire made 375 all out with Michael Kasprowicz and Alan Davies picking up four wickets each. The visitors struggled in reply and when they lost Mark Wallace and Adrian Dale within the space of a few balls to Graeme Swann, their fate had almost certainly been sealed. On 164 for six, they need 67 more runs to make their hosts bat again.

Middlesex eventually bowled Derbyshire out for 414 after Michael Di Venuto had carried his bat for 192. Ashley Noffke claimed his sixth wicket of the innings when David Nash held on to an edge from Kevin Dean for 24. Dean then used the new ball to devastating effect, dismissing Andrew Strauss, Sven Koenig and Ben Hutton to reduce the Division Two leaders to five for three. Owais Shah managed only nine but Ed Joyce (126*) and wicket-keeper Nash rallied with a 120-run stand for the sixth wicket. At stumps, Middlesex trailed by 139 runs, on 275 for six.

Essex resumed on 25 for three but lost wickets at regular intervals, until 48 from Ravinder Bopara and a 52-ball 54 (five fours, three sixes) from Graham Napier helped them to a lead of 12 after being bowled out for 271. Neil Killeen claimed four for 49. Michael Gough was the only victim (caught Robinson bowled Napier) in his side's second innings before bad light ended play early. Durham have a 53-run lead going into day three, closing on 65 for one.

© CricInfo Ltd.