Michael Lumb - half century for Yorks Photo CricInfo

An incisive spell of bowling from Pakistan international Azhar Mahmood has brought Surrey back into contention on the second day of their top-of-the-table match with Lancashire at The Oval. Mahmood took all Lancashire's second-innings wickets as they reached 124 for five, a lead of 228, before bad light forced an early close. Earlier Alex Tudor (61) and James Ormond (35*) put on 52 for the last wicket to take Surrey to 216 all out – rather better than they might have expected when they were 92 for seven yesterday evening.

The game at Taunton between champions Yorkshire and last year's runners-up, Somerset, is also heading for an intriguing finish. In their second innings Yorkshire closed on 280 for 9, a lead of 261, thanks mainly to Craig White (61) and Michael Lumb (62). This after Ian Blackwell was dismissed for 114 this morning as Somerset were eventually bowled out for 232.

Kent will be hard pressed to avoid defeat at the Rose Bowl after Hampshire forced them to follow on, dismissing them for just 118 in reply to the home side's 345. Dimitri Mascarenhas took four for 49 as Hampshire ran through the Kent batting, Andrew Symonds top-scoring with 39. Despite an unbeaten half-century from Ed Smith, Kent are struggling in their second innings as well, closing on 148 for four, still 171 behind.

Darren Stevens (125) piled on the agony for Warwickshire's bowlers at Grace Road as Leicestershire, 292 for four overnight, finished on 523. Michael Bevan reached 146 and in reply Warwickshire were 36 for three at the close of a truncated day, with Leicestershire's two veterans Philip DeFreitas and Devon Malcolm taking a wicket apiece.

In Division Two, Northants have a mountain to climb at Derby, after the pre-season outsiders took huge strides towards making it three wins out of three. After Derbyshire completed a total of 538, there was a spectacular collapse by the visitors. Dominic Cork (four for 29) and Kevin Dean (three for 28) were again the destroyers, as Northants were reduced at one point to 25 for seven. Six batsmen failed to trouble the scorers, who were probably more bothered by the pace of the dismissals. Graeme Swann (44) and Carl Greenidge (46) eventually took Northants to 131 all out. Although they have done rather better following on, at 100 for no wicket they are still adrift by 307 runs.

An all-round contribution from Greg Smith helped Nottinghamshire consolidate their grip at Trent Bridge against Essex. Smith made an unbeaten 35 to take Notts to 213 all out, a lead of 83, and then took five wickets as Essex ended the day on 215 for seven, just 132 runs ahead. Paul Grayson was Essex's top scorer with 89.

A draw looks likely at New Road after Worcestershire failed to capitalise on an excellent start to their innings. They bowled Glamorgan out for 286 this morning, and Anurag Singh (81) and Stephen Peters (71) then put together an opening stand of 156. However once they were parted wickets fell at regular intervals. Darren Thomas took five for 77 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 298. Glamorgan closed on 38 without loss, a lead of 26.

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