Lehmann strikes Roses ton

Darren Lehmann cracked a fine century as the honours were shared between Yorkshire and Lancashire on the opening day of the Roses clash at Old Trafford. Mark Chilton made the surprising decision to bowl first and Yorkshire were just one wicket down at lunch. However, Glen Chapple and Tom Smith fought back after the break as Yorkshire slipped to 164 for 5, although no one could shift Lehmann. He added 103 with his South Australia team-mate, Jason Gillespie, and support from the lower order helped him push the total past 300 as he reached his fourth Championship century of the season.

Three half-centuries ensured Middlesex formed a useful first-innings total against Hampshire at Lord's. Owais Shah led the way with 91 before he became one of Shane Warne's three victims. Dimitri Mascarenhas had struck twice with the new ball, leaving Shah and Ed Joyce to steady the innings with a stand of 103. Jamie Dalrymple struck an aggressive 40 then Scott Styris took over with 63 off 104 balls. Warne used seven bowlers and ended the day with the best figures, but Hampshire really need to force a win in this match to stay in touch with Lancashire and Sussex at the top of the table.

Luke Parker hit his first Championship half-century of the season as Warwickshire fought back against Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston. Despite 81 from Ian Westwood, Warwickshire slipped from 142 for to 180 for 5 with Mark Ealham and Ryan Sidebottom in the wickets. But Parker and Tim Ambrose joined forces to lead the fightback as they added 106 for the sixth wicket. Parker missed the chance to convert his 73 into a century when he was trapped lbw by Graeme Swann shortly before the close.

Chris Rogers struck an electric career-best double-century as Northamptonshire flayed the Gloucestershire attack all over Northampton. He and Stephen Peters added 179 for the first wicket but that was only the start of the carnage. With Usman Afzaal playing the anchor role, he and Rogers then added 203, with Rogers sailing past the 200 mark. The Gloucestershire bowlers had a day to forget, especially Will Rudge who went at nearly seven-an-over, although at least he picked up one of the rare wickets on offer.

Anil Kumble followed his eleven wickets against Northamptonshire last week with another bag of five as Surrey bowled Worcestershire out for 304 at Worcester. The home side were well placed at 138 for 1, with Phil Jaques in typically flamboyant form, when Kumble removed Vikram Solanki. His leg-spinning partner, Ian Salisbury, then removed Jaques and Worcestershire stumbled 192 for 5. Daryl Mitchell held the lower order together with a fighting half-century, but given Surrey's batting power they will expect to overhaul the total.

Steve Stubbings held Derbyshire together on the first day against Somerset at Derby but fell three runs short of a century. Travis Birt also hit a 63-ball 50 and the home side were well placed on 222 for 3. However, Cameron White and Charl Willoughby cut through the middle and lower order as Derbyshire fell to 316 all out. But after a brief stoppage for bad light, Steffan Jones hit back to remove Matthew Wood and leave the match interestingly poised.