Clark and Di Venuto in form in England

Michael Di Venuto and Stuart Clark made the most of their county outings this week but widespread rain washed out a string of one-day matches. Di Venuto became the leading run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship with his unbeaten 204 for Durham against Kent at Chester-le-Street.

It was his second century of the season and he followed up in the second innings with 58 to continue the outstanding form he showed during the Australian summer in the Pura Cup. Di Venuto scored his double-century quickly but safely - he took only 241 balls to reach the milestone and offered only one chance, on 156.

His effort set up a 157-run victory for Durham, despite an impressive reply from Kent's Robert Key, who made 169. Steve Harmison's nine-wicket match confirmed the win.

Clark has wasted no time making his mark in his first season at Hampshire. He claimed 7 for 82 against Lancashire at The Rose Bowl and among his victims were Brad Hodge (4) and Stuart Law (20).

Lancashire struggled to 207 but escaped with a draw in the rain-affected match. The biggest news to come from The Rose Bowl was an ankle injury that put Lancashire's Andrew Flintoff in doubt just days before England's first Test against West Indies.

The runs kept coming for Simon Katich, who led Derbyshire to victory over Leicestershire at Derby. In a low-scoring affair, Katich made 94 in the first innings to give his side a 50-run lead and then steered them home in the second innings with an unbeaten 45. He was without his prolific team-mate Ian Harvey, who was forced out of the side when Tasmania's Travis Birt became available. Birt had little impact, making 25 and 1.

Justin Langer confirmed his position as the top run-getter in Division Two of the County Championship when he made 86 for Somerset against Northamptonshire at Northampton. However, his was only a supporting role as Marcus Trescothick again reminded everyone of his capabilities with a sensational 284 in just over eight hours.

Jason Gillespie played a small part in Yorkshire's comprehensive win over Worcestershire at Leeds. After Yorkshire rattled up 521, Gillespie took 3 for 56 as the visitors were bundled out for 129. He was barely required in the second attempt, when Worcestershire managed only 132 and lost by an innings and 260 runs. Phil Jaques, opening the batting for the visitors, made 38 and 21 and was one of only three men to reach double-figures in each innings.

At Kennington Oval, Matthew Nicholson snared 3 for 68 as Surrey dismissed Warwickshire for 329. The match was drawn but Surrey took the first-innings honours when Mark Ramprakash and Jonathan Batty each made centuries in an unbeaten 283-run stand.

David Hussey, who is captaining Nottinghamshire, helped his side stay on top of the Division Two table. Hussey made 48 and was one of several Nottinghamshire batsmen to get a start as they racked up 336 against Middlesex at Trent Bridge. Middlesex were dismissed for 176 but Andrew Strauss made up some ground in the second innings when he made 120, which was his first century since last August.