County Roundup

Details of all today's matches on our County Scoreboard

Division 1

On a day when the runs flowed freely across the country with centuries galore (seven first-class centuries plus a double-hundred), the most surprising result was at Durham. Last season's champions fell to ignominious defeat, and most of their batsman had difficulty reaching two figures, let alone three. Surrey already had a stern task ahead of them after conceding a big first innings lead, but Katich (last out with 65) assisted by Betts added another 50 runs in the morning and Surrey were set 318 to win. For an hour or so this seemed within the bounds of possibility as Butcher and Ward put on 41 for the first wicket, but the fall of Ward's wicket triggered a dismal procession. The internationals Thorpe, Brown, Hollioakes A and B and Salisbury managed a total of 5 runs between them. Durham bowled well, particularly Simon Brown and Killeen, but only Alex Tudor offered even token resistance as Surrey, 85 all out (beating their own record for lowest total against Durham, set in the first innings) were defeated by the huge margin of 231 runs. This was Durham's first victory over Surrey in any competition, and Surrey's first championship loss since their final match of the 1998 season

Peter Martin grabbed his 7th wicket as Kumble and Ormond were unable to extend their last wicket partnership (Martin's 7/67 being the best first-class figures so far this season). It looked to be another bowler's day at Old Trafford as Lewis and Ormond took a wicket each, removing Atherton and Crawley to leave Lancashire at 15/2. This brought together Flintoff and Ganguly who steadied the ship, and Ganguly's 30 indicated that he is adjusting somewhat to English conditions. The star however was Flintoff, who combined responsible defence with his trademark powerful hitting to reach 119. Fairbrother took up where he left off, and also had reached an unbeaten century by the close. Lancashire lead by 77, with 5 wickets in hand, and look to have the match well in control.

Vaughan and Byas extended their opening stand to 119 as Yorkshire enjoyed themselves against the Derby bowling at Headingley. Vaughan went on to 155 before retiring hurt - a cruel blow, as he may have broken a finger after being struck by a bouncer from Cassar. Lehmann contributed an entertaining 95, and Yorkshire lead by 168 at the close with 6 wickets left.

Somerset, who had lost two quick wickets the previous evening, might have been concerned when Warne took his first championship wicket immediately on resumption. Jamie Cox, however, had little problem with his countryman's bowling, and none of the other Hampshire bowlers for that matter as he reached an accomplished 153. Half centuries in support from Turner and Bowler saw Somerset to a 77 run lead, Warne taking 1/83. The innings ended in comedy as the last two batsmen both were assisted by runners. Forgetting this, Mathew Bulbeck took off for a single along with his runner, and was run out, understandably slow between the wickets given he cannot bowl due to his injury. Hampshire negotiated 3 overs without loss before close of play.

Division 2

The highest innings of the day belonged to Nick Knight, whose disciplined 233 (the first double hundred of the season) sent a strong message to the England selectors. 120* overnight, he enjoyed himself against unpenetrative Glamorgan bowling, and with assistance from Penney, took the Warwicks total to a mammoth 551 before Neil Smith halted the massacre by declaring. Only Watkin of the Glamorgan bowlers emerged with any credit, taking three of the six wickets to fall, and unlike three of his colleagues, conceding less than one hundred runs. The Glamorgan openers, however, found the pitch equally friendly and took them to 64 without loss at the close, Matty Elliot looking comfortable with 37*.

Essex's hopes of a decent total were dashed when Law fell from the fourth ball of the morning without adding to his overnight total, but the tail wagged, and in the circumstances 274 was respectable. Usman Afzaal's poor form continued as he fell for a duck to Irani (the best of the Essex bowlers with 3/34). Irani had Gallian caught shortly afterwards but Bicknell (59), apparently enjoying life with his new county, and Johnson had a good 3rd wicket partnership. The evergreen Johnson went on to exactly 100 before being caught off Mason, and at the close the match is evenly balanced, with Notts trailing by 34 runs with 4 wickets left. Krikken tried 8 bowlers, but only Aldred was successful, capturing all four wickets to fall.

Middlesex continued to pile on the runs against Northamptonshire, with a fine 76 from Shah allowing Langer to declare at 427/8. Matty Hayden must be rueing his decision to bowl after winning the toss, and his woes continued when Fraser trapped him in front for 20. Rollins had compeleted an unbeaten half-century by the close, but tight bowling by Middlesex, led by Tuffnell with two late wickets, means that Northants will struggle to avoid the follow-on tomorrow.

The Universities

Cambridge declared at their overnight total, and Worcestershire responded by declaring themselves after putting on a quick 130. The students were set 276 to win, unrealistic given the strength of their batting. Rhodes chose not to bowl McGrath, and the University, thanks to a fifty from Hughes, saw out the draw comfortably.

Kim Barnett completed a century before Alleyne called a halt with Gloucestershire amassing 541/6 against Oxford. The University bats however performed creditably, with 'keeper Smalley leading the way with 83, and at 153/4, they may be able to salvage a draw tomorrow.