Langer hits two half-centuries in two days

Despite the exodus of Australian players from county cricket in the past few weeks, those who remain are still making their mark as the season slowly comes to a close. Justin Langer's strong form continued as he lifted Somerset to the top of the Pro40 division two table with half-centuries two days in a row.

Langer's productive week began at Canterbury on Monday when he turned around Somerset's poor start with 92 from 105 balls before a run-out denied him a century. However, his efforts were enough to take the team from 2 for 6 in the early stages to 8 for 214, a total that was fractionally too high for Kent.

The home side wobbled to 5 for 45 - the medium-pacer Peter Trego claimed the first five wickets - before a remarkable fightback was led by Ryan McLaren. His unbeaten 78 nearly pushed Kent over the line but they fell two runs short, finishing their 40 overs at 7 for 212.

The next day at Taunton, Langer followed with 53 from 47 deliveries in Somerset's impressive 6 for 287. Leicestershire never looked like reaching the target and were dismissed for 177, allowing Somerset to edge one point clear of Durham with two rounds remaining.

While Durham's Pro40 form has been good, they sit right in the middle of the County Championship division one table. However, they could jump towards the top if they can beat Worcestershire at Chester-le-Street this week and thanks partly to Michael Di Venuto that is a strong possibility.

Di Venuto, who averages 74.66 this season, made 50 as Durham closed day one at 7 for 201, having already passed the visitors' 182. Seventeen wickets fell in the day and the stars of the first innings treated the Riverside Ground like a fountain of youth. Ottis Gibson, 38, continued his age-defying season with 7 for 46 and the main resistance for Worcestershire came from Graeme Hick, 41, who slapped a quick 64 from 65 balls.

Stuart Law's Lancashire were also hoping to edge towards the top of the division one table in their clash with Kent at Canterbury. Law made 66 to help Lancashire close day two at 8 for 316, just short of the home side's 327, which had been set up by Matt Walker's 142. With a line-up boasting Law, Muttiah Muralitharan, VVS Laxman and, earlier in the tournament, Brad Hodge, Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson, Lancashire would be disappointed to have only three wins from their 13 matches so far.