Symonds streaks to third consecutive century

Andrew Symonds posted his third century in as many County Championship games since joining Lancashire, but his sustained brilliance could not grab a Division Two victory over Yorkshire. While the sides contested the 253rd Roses match, Symonds made some history of his own at Old Trafford by adding 146 to his earlier scores of 134, 45 and 121.

Lancashire, the red roses, had lost 3 for 10 when Symonds arrived at 243, and with Stuart Law (0) and Marcus North (2) also falling quickly he sensibly dug in for his half-century, which came in 106 deliveries. However, he upped the pace soon after and his remaining runs came at around a run a ball in an innings including 19 fours and one six.

After Lancashire reached 537 the high-scoring encounter continued as Yorkshire, the white roses, added 6 declared for 323 to their first-innings 417, with Phil Jaques contributing a pair of 14s and bowling his first three overs of the season. The draw means Yorkshire are third with a 2.5-point lead over their rivals in the race for promotion.

At Derby, the home side's win-less season was added to by Essex, who scooted to their target of 337 late on the final day. Michael Di Venuto made small contributions of 27 and 4 in Derbyshire's 426 and 216, but Jon Moss improved on his first-innings 21 with 74 off 91 balls as his side struggled to set a total. The gap between Derbyshire and Leicestershire at the bottom of the table is 34.5 points.

Stuart Clark, who was called into the Australia Test squad before Old Trafford, returned to Middlesex and must have wished he had stayed with the national team. As Sussex rattled to 522, including a century from the Pakistan bowler Naved-ul-Hasan, Clark picked up an unflattering 1 for 109 in 22.4 overs before Middlesex crashed for 128 and 162 to lose in two days. Sussex lead the Division One while their opponents are trying to avoid relegation.

Hampshire cruised into the final of the C&G Trophy with an eight-wicket thrashing of Yorkshire at Southampton on Saturday, but it was a quiet match for the three Australians on show. Jaques collected 31 to start the day as Yorkshire made 9 for 197 in 50 overs, Andrew Bichel picked up a wicket and Shane Watson was 11 not out when the winning runs were hit.

In the other semi-final Law made 47 as Lancashire folded for 137 chasing Warwickshire's 236 at Edgbaston on Saturday. Symonds took 1 for 43 off his ten overs but scored only 8 in their disappointing reply.