Davis keeps Sussex in hunt against Surrey

The rain lashing down all over Britain had the inevitable effect on the Frizzell County Championship program; but there was still some intriguing action amid the showers.

A fine all-round display from Sussex's Mark Davis has left the first division encounter at Hove very well poised. He started the day by hitting 30 to stretch the overnight partnership with Kevin Innes (41) to 46 as Sussex were bowled out for 203; a lead of just 10.

A first-wicket partnership of 121 between Ian Ward (76) and Jonathan Batty (46) then helped Surrey build a useful lead. Mark Ramprakash prospered as well, with a fine 64, but an excellent spell of off-spin from Davis (6-83) kept Sussex in the game, with Surrey ending the day on 261-8 - a lead of 251.

Kent appear to have edged ahead in a tight game at Taunton despite a late start and an early finish. An unbeaten half-century from Mark Ealham glossed over the early loss of Ed Smith, who added only a single to his overnight 54. Min Patel offered Ealham sensible support and by the close the hosts had extended their score to 221-6; a lead of 265.

Meanwhile at Old Trafford, Lancashire and Hampshire were thwarted by rain, with the visitors on 84-7 in reply to the hosts 163 and Yorkshire's hopes of securing a rare win to stave off relegation were severely dented by the abandonment of the third day of their game against Warwickshire.

It was the third day of the division two clash between Derbyshire and Essex. With Essex resuming on 75-2 in their second innings, Flower and Robinson took the score to 204 before Flower fell for 75. By the time the rain returned Robinson was unbeaten on 82 with Essex leading by 194 with six wickets in hand.

Elsewhere in the second division Alamgir Sheriyar (5-40) produced a devastating spell of bowling to dismiss the top five in the Nottinghamshire batting order. Notts slipped to 42-5 in reply to Worcestershire's 201, before a partnership of 61 between the veteran Paul Johnson (31 not out) and Chris Reed (26) helped rebuild the reply. However a two-wicket burst by Matthew Mason just before the close left Notts reeling once again on 112-7.

There was no play at Cardiff, where Mike Powell was left on 94* for the second successive night with his side on 189-3 in reply to Gloucestershire's 396. The game at Lord's looks to be heading for a draw, with no play possible in the second division encounter between Middlesex and Northants.