In Division One of the Frizzell County Championship, Kent duly completed their expected victory over Sussex by four wickets at Tunbridge Wells. Three more batsmen fell in scoring the 58 runs required from their overnight position. Ed Smith was caught and bowled by James Kirtley for 82, Paul Nixon was caught behind of Mark Davis for 32 and Mark Ealham gave the wicket-keeper another catch when facing Kirtley. However, only 19 runs were required at that stage and Matthew Walker and Min Patel took their side past the winning post without further alarm.

Having set Lancashire 435 to win at Old Trafford, Surrey were frustrated by wet weather that allowed only 26 overs to be bowled in the day. Lancashire lost three wickets in that time while scoring 112.

There was a late start at Grace Road where Leicestershire were chasing a target of 204 to beat Yorkshire. Having lost three early wickets, Darren Maddy and Michael Bevan put on 135 for the fourth wicket before Maddy was out for 58. Bevan went on to 76 not out and Leicestershire were home with five wickets in hand.

Warwickshire declared on 329 for eight with James Troughton 131 not out to set Hampshire 303 runs to win. Hampshire never looked likely to achieve that target, but managed to hold on for a draw, finishing on 142 for seven.

In Division Two, Middlesex were forced to follow on by Durham after they had been bowled out for 465 in their first innings. Second time around, Middlesex had at least got to a position whereby Durham would have had to bat again to win, but at 194 for five, the match was left as a draw. Ed Joyce was top scorer with 71 in the Middlesex second innings.

What will go down as one of the victories of the season saw Essex take the honours at Northampton by five wickets, and that after Northamptonshire had scored 632 in their first innings. They only managed 155 in their second innings, with John Stephenson taking four wickets, setting Essex 291 to win. There was not much time to spare, however, and Essex went at nearly six an over to reach that target. Once again, Andy Flower masterminded the run chase to finish 92 not out, and there was a fifty from Jon Dakin.

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