Ian Ward - top scorer for Surrey Photo CricInfo

Andrew Caddick asked constant questions of the Championship leaders Surrey as another round of matches got under way today. The Somerset opening bowler took five for 66, including England colleagues Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe and Alec Stewart after Surrey won the toss. Ian Ward was Surrey's top scorer with 62 as they were bowled out for just 220 at The Oval. Caddick was well supported by the young left-arm seamer Matt Bulbeck, who took four for 60. At stumps Somerset were 10 without loss in reply.

Caddick's new-ball partner for England Matthew Hoggard took three wickets at Headingley as John Crawley continued his excellent run of form for his new county. Crawley made 79 and William Kendall 67 as Hampshire reached 273 for seven at stumps.

At Horsham, where play didn't get under way until after lunch, a century partnership between Vince Wells and Darren Stevens revived Leicestershire after Sussex had reduced them to 111 for four by tea. Stevens departed for 50, but Wells went on to reach an unbeaten 85 as the visitors closed on 257 for seven. Robin Martin-Jenkins took four wickets for Sussex.

At Chester-le-Street Durham's decision to bat first reaped rewards as their top four batsmen put in a sterling performance against Gloucestershire. Martin Love made 78, Gary Pratt 66 and Paul Collingwood an unbeaten 47 to take the home side through to 238 for three at The Riverside.

Tony Penberthy revived Northants after they lost wickets regularly on choosing to bat at Trent Bridge. Andrew Harris took three wickets for the hosts, with only Russell Warren (42) and Mal Loye (37) providing much initial resistance. But Penberthy then weighed in with an undefeated 83 to enable Northants to close on 249 for nine.

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