Rain frustrates Lancashire

Just 37 overs were possible in Lancashire's crucial clash against Warwickshire at Blackpool, during which time the home side moved on to 429 for 6. Halfway through this match, and with not one innings yet completed, a draw is looking likely. Iain Sutcliffe converted his century to 159 before falling to Imran Tahir, one of four victims for the bowler. Lee Daggett bagged the other wicket, claiming Glen Chapple just after Lancashire had passed the 400-mark.

Joe Sayers struck his fifth first-class hundred to boost Yorkshire's reply to Middlesex's 376 at Scarborough. Sayers steered Yorkshire to 273 for 5, providing the glue where his team-mates came a bit unstuck: Anthony McGrath and Darren Lehmann both falling just short of their half-centuries as they were looking settled. Johann Louw was the most successful bowler for Middlesex, with 2 for 60 from 19.1 overs.

Nic Pothas rallied Hampshire with a century in a must-win game for the visitors against table-topping Sussex at Hove. Shane Warne also provided inspiration to his troops in his first Championship match in three weeks with 53 as the pair added 117 for the eighth-wicket. Sussex enjoyed the early ascendancy as Hampshire were reduced to 117-5 but Chris Benham then also offered valuable support to Pothas with a half-century. Jason Lewry, Yasir Arafat and Mushtaq Ahmed all picked up three wickets as Hampshire were eventually dismissed for 347. Sussex closed the opening day on 30-0 in reply.

Northamptonshire cemented a solid position against Derbyshire on day two at Derby. Building on their overnight 122 for 2, they moved to 379 for 7 by the close, meaning they have already carved out a lead of 257 after dismissing the home side for 167 yesterday. Lance Klusener led the charge today, bludgeoning his way to 107 not out off 149 balls, with nine fours and two sixes, while Chris Rogers posted 112.

Essex still require 28 runs to avoid the follow-on as Worcestershire built on their commanding position at New Road. The home side declared on their overnight total of 473 for 6 - thus denying Essex a bonus point as the two sides vie for the second promotion spot - and were soon among the wickets. Andy Flower's dismissal soon after lunch for a painstaking five had the visitors in trouble at 88 for 3 before vital contributions from Varun Chopra (70), Ronnie Irani (66) and James Foster (80) brought about a recovery. But the dismissals of Irani, who passed 1000 Championship runs for the season, and Foster in successive overs to soft dismissals to the spinners gave Worcester renewed hope. James Middlebrook then lost his middle stump to give Zaheer Khan his second success before bad light brought a premature close.

Surrey are now in control of their match against Glamorgan at The Oval after dismissing the visitors for 269, with wickets being shared around their bowlers. But Glamorgan's pace unit struck back in Surrey's second innings, Dean Cosker and David Harrison removing the top three, including the dangerous Mark Ramprakash, to leave them in some disarray at 45 for 3. However, the home side will be happy with their lead of 209, with seven wickets in hand.