Gloucestershire collapse but gain lead

Ramnaresh Sarwan fell one short of his second century for Gloucestershire, who ended the day on 181 for 6, leading Surrey by 181 with four wickets in hand. Surrey resumed on 409 for 7, and although Mark Ramprakash only added seven to his overnight 185, Tim Murtagh smashed his way to 66, his second half-century of the season. Sarwan and Kadeer Ali put on 151 for the second wicket, wiping out their first-innings deficit of 113. Sarwan's wicket triggered a mini collapse, however, with four wickets falling for 59. Gloucestershire's lead is only 181 with four second-innings wickets in hand, but rain is forecast for London tomorrow.

Division Two

Points Table

Another hundred from Andrew Symonds put Lancashire in a strong position against Yorkshire. Click here for a full report.

A stabilising innings by Ronnie Irani, useful lower-order runs from Darren Gough and more excellent bowling from Danish Kaneria put Essex on top against Derbyshire at Derby. Irani hit 99, one short of what would have been his second hundred of the season. Having lost Grant Flower, who only added one to his overnight score of 60, Irani was involved in partnerships of 104 with James Middlebrook and 77 with Gough, who made an enterprising half-century from just 38 balls. Derbyshire, in reply, slumped to 34 for 4 before Jono Moss (74) and Luke Sutton (38*) checked the slide with a stand of 121. Kaneria took 4 for 53, giving him ten wickets in the match so far. Derbyshire, who lead by 314, are seeking their first win of the season.

Somerset were on the verge of defeat against Worcestershire, with just two second-innings wickets remaining at the end of the third day at New Road. Worcestershire's imposing first innings finally came to a close as they declared on a massive 696 for 8. Ben Smith's excellent season continued, as he went on to a season's-best score of 172. Steven Davies, 19 and playing in only his sixth first-class game, hit a magnificent 148 - his maiden first-class century - and became his side's third centurion of the innings. In reply, Matthew Wood struck a solid 72 but Worcestershire never allowed Somerset to settle. Gareth Batty and the Zimbabwean Ray Price bowled in tandem for most of the afternoon, picking up seven of the eight wickets to fall. Somerset still trail by 158 runs with just two second-innings wickets in hand.