Mushtaq (7 for 11) bowls Surrey to innings win

Pakistan off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was in devastating form in bowling Surrey to victory over Derbyshire in just two days. Saqlain took seven wickets for only eleven runs as Surrey, currently heading the table, routed Derbyshire by an innings and 45 runs in the First Division County Championship match.

In arrears by 142 runs on the first innings, Derbyshire unable to cope with Saqlain's spin and guile were dismissed for 97.

Thanks to good work by their bowlers, Lancashire had Kent struggling at Old Trafford. Lancashire made only 236 in their first innings on a good batting track. But Peter Martin (two for 22) and Mike Smethurst (two for 12) hit back for third-placed Lancashire and left Kent struggling on 41 for four at the close of play.

At Taunton, Durham, resuming on 324 for six, were all out for 378 against Somerset thanks to some good bowling by Adrian Pierson, who removed the lower order to finish on three for 41. Somerset started well with Jamie Cox and Mark Lathwell putting on an unbroken partnership of 58 before rain intervened.

Gloucestershire captain Mark Alleyne was left to rue his decision not to enforce the follow on against Essex at Colchester. In reply to the visitors' score of 324, Essex were all out for 174. But opting to bat again, Gloucestershire lost two wickets for 11 runs by close.

Australian middle order batsman Justin Langer hit his fourth century of the season to help Middlesex continue their late championship revival. Middlesex finished the day on 292 for six against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Langer was eventually out for 109 but with England batsman Mark Ramprakash unbeaten on 77 at stumps, Middlesex looked set to post a formidable target.

Australian-born Jeff Cook compiled 116, his second championship century of the season, as Northamptonshire recovered from 65 for four to post 270. Cook's hundred took him just over 3-1/2 hours to compile and included were 18 boundaries.