Gibson runs through Worcestershire

Stephen Fleming sweeps during his 110 at Lord's © Getty Images

Ottis Gibson continued his age-defying season with 7 for 46 as Durham and Worcestershire traded blows at Chester-le-Street. Seventeen wickets fell in the day, but thanks to half-centuries from Michael Di Venuto (50), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (54) and Gordon Muchall (62 not out) , Durham edged into the lead as Gareth Batty grabbed five. Worcestershire were in early trouble against Gibson and slumped to 50 for 4. Graeme Hick (64) and Steven Davies (26) added 60 before Paul Wiseman broke Gibson's monopoly on wickets. But Gibson was soon back into it, ending Hick's counter-attacking 65-ball innings. Nadeem Malik began Worcestershire's fightback, but the key wickets fell to Batty. Any runs that Muchall and the tail can add in the morning could prove vital.

Glen Chapple revived Lancashire with a rapid 88 at Canterbury after Kent threatened to take a significant lead. Lancashire slipped from 127 for 1 to 179 for 5 before Chapple joined Stuart Law (66) in a sixth-wicket stand of 118. Chapple dominated by clubbing five sixes and 10 fours in his 81-ball innings, a season-best for the allrounder. With a century in sight he was bowled by Martin Saggers, who led Kent's attack with 4 for 43 off 25 overs, and two further wickets leaves the game shaping as a one-innings contest.

Stephen Fleming struck his third century of the season as Nottinghamshire enjoyed a profitable first day against Middlesex at Lord's. He reached his hundred off 142 balls and added 188 with Mark Wagh, who struck 92 before falling to Tim Murtagh. Middlesex's bowlers stuck to their task and fought back as Nottinghamshire went from 245 for 2 to 346 for 7 either side of tea. However, Chris Read's jaunty 47 held the lower order together and guided his side towards 400.