Kent took a substantial first-innings lead over Surrey, bowling the Championship leaders out for 225 in their first innings at Canterbury. Despite another blistering century from Adam Hollioake, who made an unbeaten 122 off 103 balls, and 34 from the re-habilitated Mark Butcher, no other Surrey batsman reached double figures. Martin Saggers took five for 66 and Amjad Khan four for 91. When rain brought an early close Kent, on 172 for six, had extended their lead to 321, with Robert Key unbeaten on 61.

Darren Gough took two early wickets in his first Championship match of the season for Yorkshire in the Roses Match at Headingley, including that of his former captain, David Byas, for 15. Earlier two towering individual efforts had enabled the hosts to declare at 515 for five. Darren Lehmann made 187 and Anthony McGrath a career-best 165. At stumps Lancashire were 89 for two.

Another career-best innings, from Robin Martin-Jenkins, took Sussex to a massive 589 for seven at Taunton, a lead of 319 over Somerset. After Tony Cottey completed a century earlier in the day, Martin-Jenkins made an unbeaten 171, adding 238 for the eighth wicket with Mark Davis (91*)

Division Two leaders Middlesex go into the final day in a strong position against third-placed Essex. Although Ronnie Irani went on to complete an unbeaten 182, the visitors' total was still 97 runs short of Middlesex's effort. By the close Andy Strauss (55*) and Ben Hutton (44*) had taken them to 116 for one, a lead of 213.

Dominic Cork celebrated his England recall with three wickets as Derbyshire took control of their game against Nottinghamshire at Derby. After eventually reaching 353 in their first innings, the hosts reduced Notts to 182 for eight at stumps. Matthew Dowman also took three wickets, with Kevin Pietersen making an unbeaten 72.

An unbeaten 79 from Ian Fisher helped Gloucestershire reach 438 against Glamorgan at Cheltenham before Robert Croft ended the innings, taking his wicket tally to three. In reply Glamorgan closed on 204 for four, with Matthew Maynard unbeaten on 48.

At Worcester, an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 188 between Ben Smith (104*) and Vikram Solanki (91*) has given the hosts a good chance of overtaking Northants' 387. Worcestershire ended the day on 273 for three.

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