Lancashire edge thriller at Derby

Darren Stevens struck a century to launch Kent into a strong position © Getty Images

Darren Bicknell and Stephen Fleming batted firmly for Nottinghamshire as a heavily rain-affected match edges towards stalemate. Andrew Harris took three of Sussex's final four wickets as they made 355 on the third day. Harris ended with 5 for 131. In reply, Jason Gallian fell early for 5 and Russell Warren made 25 before being bowled. But Bicknell (88) and Fleming (102 not out) stood firm to take Notts into a strong position.

Mohammad Akram took five wickets in the second innings to consign Hampshire to Surrey a heavy defeat at The Rose Bowl. Ormond had taken apart the top order - Jimmy Adams, who made just 1 for the second time this match, Michael Brown (20) and Chris Benham, who made a duck - before Akram ripped through the middle order with 5 for 41 from just 9.3 overs. John Crawley offered the best resistance for the visitors, with 67, before Harbhajan Singh penetrated his defences and Hampshire collapsed to 160 all out from just 33.3 overs.

An intriguing final day is in prospect at Southgate after Middlesex declared on 435 for 4, and Glamorgan replied with 125 for 3. In another run-fest, Ed Smith fell eight short of his century, Scott Styris 15 short of his but Ed Joyce managed to post his - and went on to stricke an unbeaten 155. Glamorgan increased their lead of 149 to 325 by the end of play, but Daniel Cherry couldn't repeat his first innings heroics: he made 16 before Alan Richardson dismissed him, the first of his three wickets. Matt Elliott (20) and David Hemp (29) were the other casualties.

Kent are strongly placed for victory after their batsmen struck 569. Warwickshire still trail by 272 with eight wickets remaining. For a full report see Match of the Day.

Dale Benkenstein followed up a good performance with the bat with four wickets as Durham took firm control of their match against Northamptonshire. Benkenstein ran through the middle order with 4 for 29 as Northants collapsed from their overnight score of 98 for 2 to 214 all out. Jonathon Lewis and Nathan Astle led the charge in reply, each striking half centuries to leave Durham with a good chance of success as they have a lead of 372 with six wickets remaining.

Lancashire edged a one-wicket win against Derbyshire. The visitors had been in firm control, requiring just 136 for victory after Muttiah Muralitharan took six wickets to shoot Derbyshire out for 185. But they didn't make it easy for themselves - and Derbyshire nearly snuck the win after Lancashire slumped from 57 for 1 to 131 for 9. Ian Sutcliffe, though, proved a hero with the bat, anchoring the innings with 62 not out as Muralitharan hit the winning runs in the third additional over.

Worcestershire are scenting victory at Grace Road after advancing to 323, with Zander de Bruyn topscoring with 67. Daryl Mitchell ended unbeaten on 63 and James Pipe added 47 to give the visitors a first innings lead of 98. Leicestershire chipped away at the deficit, but lost four wickets for 28 runs, and HD Ackerman fell for 2 later to give them a slim lead of 34, with five wickets remaining. Worcestershire will press for early wickets tomorrow.