Lancashire edge ahead while batsmen struggle

Throughout the country batsmen have struggled today to match some of yesterday's high scoring. Kent's hopes of a touch of Indian magic from Rahul Dravid against Somerset's formidable 475 runs total at Maidstone were justified .... up to a point. For when the Test Match player was out for 88 the "hop county" had slumped to 171-6 from a healthy platform of 145-1.

There was much the same picture at Darlington where Durham had declared overnight at 479-9 and took two early wickets before Derbyshire achieved some measure of stability.

Surrey had the runs on the board - 331 on the first day at Southampton - with Martin Bicknell pushing home the point with two early wickets against hosts Hampshire as they moved to 62-2.

The Division One top-of-the-table between traditional "Roses" rivals edged Lancashire's way as they overtook Yorkshire's first innings total and went on to 201-6 with Chris Schofield and Warren Hegg unbeaten.

Nor is in pace alone which has been the downfall of the batsmen. Off-spinner Peter Such, enjoying a successful spell of form, restricted Middlesex' lead over Essex at Chelmsford with three wickets.

And where the batsmen did prosper it was most welcome. Glamorgan bottom in Division Two could thank Michael Powell and adrian Dale, with 70 and 46 not out respectively, that their total of 202-4 at Swansea put them 224 runs ahead of Worcestershire, the Division's leaders.

Rain at Birmingham caused the start of play between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire to be put back until 12.30.