Lancashire and Warwickshire take charge

Division One

Matthew Walker celebrates his century at Lord's © Getty Images

Lancashire's depleted attack put in a determined performances to leave their team with a healthy advantage over Durham. Without the services of Dominic Cork, who injured his ankle batting late on the first day, the remaining bowlers produced a concerted effort. Tom Smith again put in a commendable show following his three wickets on Championship debut last week and three more in the C&G Trophy. Here he claimed four important strikes including Dale Benkenstein, who was looking dangerous on 37. Gordon Muchall provided the major obstacles as he also continued fine early-season form by following his 213 against Kent with 102. But he was removed by Glen Chapple, who chipped in with three wickets, leaving Durham trailing by 144 runs.

The Rose Bowl continued its reputation of aiding the seamers as Hampshire and Sussex traded blows. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan paceman, claimed 5 for 63 as Sussex established a vital lead of 43. Robin Martin-Jenkins helped out with two wickets during an exceptionally tight spell as he conceded just 19 runs in 14 overs. However, the Hampshire attack struck back as James Bruce continued his encouraging start to the campaign although Chris Adams remains unbeaten and Sussex have a significant advantage of 192.

Warwickshire took a firm grip on their clash against Yorkshire by claiming a 100-run lead. All the Warwickshire bowlers chipped in but Heath Streak led the way and set the ball rolling as he removed both openers. However, the key wicket of Darren Lehmann fell to the unheralded figure of Timothy Groenewald, a 22-year-old South African seamer making his Championship debut, who also removed Michael Lumb. Jason Gillespie, whose last innings was his unbeaten 201 against Bangladesh, came in at No. 10 and was left stranded on 6. With a healthy cushion behind them, Warwickshire built confidently with Neil Carter smashing 36 off 27 balls. Nick Knight and Jonathan Trott consolidated and stretched the lead towards 250.

Middlesex against Kent at Lord's. For a full bulletin by Will Luke click here.

Division Two

Essex continued to enjoy a run-fest against Glamorgan following the record-breaking efforts of Ravindar Bopara and Andy Flower on the first day. Flower fell early on, trapped lbw by Simon Jones, but the runs stilled flowed through Ronnie Irani and then Ryan ten doeschate, who brought up Essex's third ton of the innings off 143 balls. There were some painful figures for the Glamorgan attack, although Ryan Watkins gave them something to smile about. His unbeaten 76 set up the Glamorgan reply after Darren Gough claimed an early scalp.

Tim Murtagh and Nayan Doshi claimed three wickets apiece to hand Surrey a 126-run lead over Leicestershire. At 126 for 6, Leicestershire were facing the prospect of the follow-on but John Maunders averted that possibility with a fighting 87. Stuart Broad enjoyed a fine all-round day, firstly confirming the potential of his pace bowler with a maiden five-wicket haul, as Surrey lost their last six wickets for 35, before showing that some of his father's batting skills had rubbed off with an 83-ball 24. He is certainly one to keep an eye on, but has a huge task to keep Leicestershire in this match when he takes the ball for a second time.

In contrast to the run-filled opening day when Somerset racked up 406, today was dominated by the bowlers as Worcestershire slumped for 161. The clatter of wickets continued after Somerset declined to enforce the follow-on and crashed to 97 for 7, although they hold a commanding lead of 342. From 79 for 1, Worcestershire crumbled as Andrew Caddick claimed five. When Somerset batting again Marcus Trescothick suffered his fourth Championship failure in four innings, trapped lbw by Kabir Ali. Zaheer Khan, the Indian pace bowler, scythed through the order with four wickets, but it is probably too late for Worcestershire.

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