It looked very much as if reigning champions Yorkshire would finally get their 2002 season under way with their first win. They declared when their second innings total had reached 458 for eight, setting Sussex 322 to win and although Sussex never threatened that target, they held out for the draw. Matt Prior was the hero with an undefeated 70 and even one of the game's natural number elevens, Mark Robinson, survived for 11 balls. Earlier, Michael Lumb had just missed out on a century when he was caught by Prior off the bowling of Billy Taylor for 92.

Kent had a comfortable six-wicket win against Lancashire at Aigburth. Set 360 to win, Kent could thank their captain, David Fulton, who scored 116, while Andrew Symonds was undefeated on the same score at the end.

Despite a partnership of 55 between Rob Turner (83 not out) and Richard Johnson (38) for the last Somerset wicket, Warwickshire won by 88 runs at Edgbaston and took just over 25 overs on the final day to do so when Somerset were bowled out for 357.

In Division Two, Glamorgan not only made Middlesex bat again, but set them a target of 84 to win. Middlesex won by eight wickets. Robert Croft with 75, Mark Wallace with 59 and 47 from Darren Thomas extended the Glamorgan innings before Dean Cosker claimed the wickets of the openers before Middlesex reached their target.

An innings of 175 from Darren Robinson and 82 from Aftab Habib took Essex to an unlikely three-wicket victory over Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire had declared on 322 for seven in their second innings after Jack Russell and Ian Fisher had both recorded centuries. Essex were set 380 to win and, although Ian Harvey had figures of six for 89 for Gloucestershire, Essex just had enough time and wickets to force the win.

Mal Loye continues to be in terrific form for Northamptonshire. After the Nottinghamshire innings had ended on 172, Northamptonshire were set 242 to win. Loye had scored a century in the first innings and followed it up with another as Northamptonshire won by six wickets. Loye was 104 not out at the end, while Jeff Cook (68) helped him add 135 for the fourth wicket.

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