Sutcliffe ton leads Lancashire

Iain Sutcliffe drives during his century at Blackpool © Getty Images

Iain Sucliffe's second century of the season handed Lancashire a solid base in their crucial clash against Warwickshire at Blackpool. Sutcliffe added 108 for the third wicket with Stuart Law after Warwickshire struck twice before lunch. Law stroked 12 boundaries in his 97-ball 61 and Sutcliffe reached his ton off 101 balls. However, Lancashire progress was halted when rain washed out the final session and there was a poor forecast for tomorrow. Moments before tea, a water bomb and held up proceedings for a few moments after landing on a length.

Paul Weekes, who has on the verge of leaving Middlesex midway through the summer, hit his first century of the season as they recovered from a difficult position against Yorkshire at Scarborough. Weekes arrived with Middlesex 115 for 4 after Deon Kruis had taken the first four wickets and turned the innings around. He lost Scott Styris for 64 - the first success for Matthew Hoggard - but formed important stands with David Nash and Chad Keegan. Kruis picked up five, but Hoggard was restricted to two scalps on his return to county action.

Lou Vincent pulls as Worcestershire take the Essex bowlers to the cleaners © Getty Images

Northamptonshire are in a fine position after the opening day against Derbyshire at Derby. Matthew Nicholson led an impressive bowling performance with 4 for 12 and his first spell off six overs consisted entirely of maidens. At 79 for 2, Derbyshire had nearly weathered the early storm, but Nicholson removed Chris Taylor and the rest crumbled as Greg Smith and Ant Botha followed on the same score. Monty Panesar chipped in with two, including Travis Birt who top-scored with 63, and Ben Phillips wrapped up the innings. Chris Rogers led a positive start to the Northants innings and the deficit is already down to just 45.

The Essex bowlers were put to the sword at New Road as three Worcestershire batsmen slammed centuries. Lou Vincent set the ball rolling with a 101-ball effort at the top of the order, adding 121 for the second wicket with Vikram Solanki. After Vincent fell to Alex Tudor, Solanki went to three figures from 163 balls, his fourth of the season, as he passed 1000 Championship runs for the summer. Graeme Hick then joined the part to grind Essex into the dirt as they conceded nearly five-an-over.

Mark Butcher and Azhar Mahmood led a Surrey fightback at The Oval with a stand of 192 against Glamorgan. James Franklin took four wickets, including Mark Ramprakash for 77, and Surrey slipped to 198 for 5. However, Butcher and Mahmood counter-attacked with their fourth and first tons of the season respectively. Butcher took 153 balls and carried on past 150 as Surrey approached maximum batting points. Mahmood struck 15 boundaries before falling to David Harrison late in the day.