Butcher's knock bright spot amid the showers

Mark Butcher (116 n.o.) produced one of the few bright spots as poor weather reigned throughout the morning. Almost alone of the Surrey batsmen he played Shane Warne (5-90) with confidence at Southampton. There a break in play due to rain gave Adam Hollioake the opportunity to declare at 228-6 - some 391 runs ahead of Hampshire.

When rain did allow play to get under way at Manchester in the Division One top-of-the-table clash Yorkshire were able to restrict the target set rivals Lancashire to just 47 runs.

Kent continued to make progress against Somerset at Maidstone in spite of a sizeable first innings deficit. Key (54) was out at 130-1 not long after the resumption from rain just before lunch, but Fulton (90 n.o.) pressed the attack.

Worcestershire lost early wickets in chasing a further 156 runs to beat Glamorgan in the Division Two match at Swansea. Stuart Lampitt (49 n.o.) then steadied the side. Weather held up play at Birmingham where Gloucestershire were 349 runs to the good with three second wickets in hand against Warwickshire.

Northamptonshire piled on the runs against Zimbabwe in which Adrian Rollins (75) and Mal Loye (112) shared a 218 runs first-wicket partnership.