Spinners call the tune

While pace may have dominated play in the Test Match at Lord's the spinners called the tune in several of the county championship matches. Division One leaders Yorkshire, who were already conceding a 105 runs first-innings deficit to Lancashire at Manchester, could do little against the wiles of Gary Keedy - who, to add salt to the wound, was born in Yorkshire - and Gary Yates. Their 130-7 total puts them only 25 runs ahead of their Roses' rivals.

Openers Robert Key (53 n.o.) and David Fulton (65 n.o.) pulled Kent together with an unbroken 124 runs stand against Somerset at Maidstone just when it seemed they were going down to a third consecutive championship defeat. The home side flattered to deceive while Rahul Dravid (88) was at the crease and, out for 261 runs, had to bat again 214 runs behind their rivals.

Durham overwhelmed Derbyshire by an innings and 79 runs at Darlington. The home side declared at 479-9 (their overnight total) and with left-armer quick bowler Simon Brown (6-40) particularly effective bowled out the visitors for 249. Steve Titchard's unbeaten 87 in five and a half hours was in vain as. Durham took the full 20 points and moved off the foot of the division.

Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mustaq (6-51) spun Surrey into the ascendancy over Hampshire at Southampton. In spite of his team achieving a first-innings lead of 164 runs Adam Hollioake declined to enforce the follow-on. Mark Butcher took advantage of the situation by hitting 60 not out and sharing an opening stand of 92 runs with Ian Ward as Surrey increased their lead to 298 - and still two days remain. In view of the failure of the opening order at Lord's the Surrey left-hander has given himself a fighting chance of getting back his former place.

Keith Dutch of Middlesex was another off-spinner to enjoy success: he took 6-62 in 16 overs in bowling Essex to defeat by 237 runs at Chelmsford. His career-best with the ball came immediately after he had achieved the same with the bat. Following his first innings half-century Dutch hit 91 runs in 146 overs sharing a 108 runs ninth-wicket century stand with Richard Johnson (69). Fellow-offspinner Peter Such took 7-167 (match figures 12-218) for Essex.

Worcestershire face a stiff test on the last day of their match against Glamorgan at Swansea. The Division Two joint/front-runners were set a target of scoring 334 runs to win off a minimum 135 overs - taking the score to 134-4 (39 overs) by stumps with Leatherdale (47 n.o.) and Rhodes (35 n.o.) together..

Co-leaders Warwickshire were also in trouble against Gloucestershire at Birmingham. Sharing a three-figure stand Dominic Hewson (58) and Matt Windows (56) followed up a 117 runs first innings led secured primarily by the bowling of Gannon (5-58). The visitors are 349 runs ahead at 232-7.