Ramprakash undefeated 199 Photo CricInfo

Mark Ramprakash made it a day of misery for Somerset and consolidation for the Frizzell County Championship leaders as he made an unbeaten 199 for Surrey, including 26 boundaries, at Taunton. Ramprakash was supported by Nadeem Shahid (51) Adam Hollioake (87) and Rikki Clarke (60*) as Surrey reached 448 for five at the close. On a difficult day for the bowlers Simon Francis excelled for Somerset, with three for 80.

Elsewhere the opening day of the latest round matches was badly hit by the weather. In Division One, Sussex reached 30 for two against Hampshire in the ten and a half overs possible at The Rose Bowl, while there was no play at all at Grace Road or Maidstone.

Division Two leaders Essex performed creditably in the 79 overs that were possible at Swansea. Acting captain Darren Robinson made 72, putting on 95 for the first wicket with William Jefferson (43). Essex closed on 208 for three, with Robert Croft taking two of the wickets.

An unbeaten partnership of 80 between Phil Weston and Graeme Hick took Worcestershire to 95 for one against Middlesex at Lord's. Only 26 overs were possible at Derby, but that was enough to get Gloucestershire deep into trouble against the hosts' customary tormentors, Dominic Cork and Kevin Dean. They shared the wickets as Gloucestershire subsided to 79 for five. And in the twelve overs possible at Northampton, Durham reached 35 without loss.

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