County matches in progress

Despite Derbyshire's position in the relegation zone and Surrey leading the championship table in the First Division, their match at the Oval is of considerable significance. Surrey's last defeat in the championship was back in June at the hands of Derbyshire but this time a reverse of that result could see Surrey pull further away at the top.

They seem to be heading in that direction, having dismissed the visitors for 118, they are compiling a substantial first innings lead. Mark Butcher led the way with a fine 78 and earlier, his brother Gary, playing in the first team for the first time this season, gave a sensational performance, taking four wickets in four balls. He is only the 32nd. bowler in first-class cricket to have achieved the feat. He finished with five for 18.

Yorkshire, who are in second position, eleven points behind the leaders, have a tough game away against fourth-placed Leicestershire who have made a fairly good start, reaching 286 for eight.

At Taunton, Nick Speak, 78, and Paul Collingwood, 74, have helped Durham to a fine first innings of 324 for six after the northern county, who are also in the relegation zone decided to bat first against Somerset. The home side are without two star players, Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick, both are at the Headingley Test.

Lancashire, without Michael Atherton, also on England duty, begin their match today against Kent who beat them on Tuesday in the National League. The two sides are at the bottom of Division One in the league which could see a bit of re-shuffle in positions in both divisions with the matches this week-end.

Middlesex, who beat Warwickshire by 15 runs in the National League tonight with Justin Langer hitting 93 of his team's 201 for nine, play them in the Second Division championship today. The leaders of this division, Northamptomshire, were skittled out for just 110 with James Kirtley claiming six for 41, in what seems to be a low scoring game at Eastbourne. Chris Adams, 82 not out, had helped Sussex to 151 for nine.

Off-spinner Peter Such had a fine spell for Essex, taking four for 54, including three wickets in eleven balls against Gloucestershire who won the toss and were 278 for 9.

In the match between Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire, both in the bottom half of the points table, at Cardiff, the home side elected to bat first and hit 288. Steve James and Matthew Maynard each made 77, but their last seven wickets collapsed for 59. Left-arm spinner Richard Stemp got some assistance from a turning pitch as he took four fot 67 from 33 overs.