Dippenaar and Nixon save Leicestershire

Leicestershire had two experienced heads to thank after surviving a tough final day against Northamptonshire at Grace Road. Boeta Dippenaar and Paul Nixon guided them through the final session after the second innings slipped to 104 for 4 in the follow-on. The home side were asked to bat again once their first innings was wrapped up for 183, although the final two wickets hung around for 14 useful overs, and Johan van der Wath was in the wickets again when he bowled Tom New. Two strikes by Andrew Hall rattled the middle order as HD Ackerman and Josh Cobb departed in quick succession before Dippenaar and Nixon prevented a collapse. Monty Panesar went wicketless in both innings, which won't have done his England chances much good even though early-season conditions are made for the seamers.

Surrey were forced to follow-on by Gloucestershire at The Oval, but came out of their opening Championship match unscathed after Usman Afzaal's half century extended their first innings long enough into the final day. Starting the morning on 18 for 3, Surrey soon slumped to 46 for 6 when Chris Jordan edged James Franklin into the slips. Safety was by no means assured, but Afzaal found support from the lower order to finally bring some stability to the innings. The last four wickets helped to add 114 with Afzaal, who was last out for 65. They were put straight back in by Alex Gidman and soon lost Laurie Evans, gloving a short ball from Jon Lewis, and Matthew Spriegal fell to Chris Taylor's offspin but stand-in captain Michael Brown remained unbeaten on 34.

Essex comfortably played out a draw at Chelmsford after Derbyshire decided against gambling in the opening game of the season. The visitors batted on until after lunch before setting Essex 312 off 45 overs and an opening stand of 88 between Varun Chopra and Jason Gallian ensured there wouldn't be any nerves in saving the match. Ian Hunter continued his impressive match with two more wickets to add to the five he took in the first innings. Derbyshire's eventual declaration was set-up by half-centuries from Greg Smith (59) and Jamie Pipe (64 not out) after the top order fell early. Pipe clubbed three sixes as he upped the tempo, but there was too much time to make up after rain on the second day.