Consistent top-order batting has put Surrey in yet another dominating position on the second day of their championship match against Hampshire at The AMP Oval. Ian Ward (87), Scott Newman (99) and Ali Brown (103*) were the stars as the Championship leaders reached stumps on 410 for five, a lead of 220. With Brown unbeaten overnight and Jonathan Batty in a position to add to his 36, the work isn't over yet for the Hampshire attack.

An injury scare for Steve Waugh didn't prevent second-placed Kent from making a respectable reply to Leicestershire at Canterbury. Waugh had a precautionary x-ray after being hit on the hand by a delivery from Devon Malcolm, but returned to complete his innings after no serious damage was revealed. Ed Smith (87) and Paul Nixon (74) were the main architects of the hosts' 217 for four. At the close they were just 42 runs behind Leicestershire's first-innings total. Javagal Srinath took three for 40 for the visitors.

An innings of 147 from Stuart Law has enabled Lancashire to take command against Sussex at Hove. The Australian hit 15 boundaries and added 130 with David Byas (71). Robin Martin-Jenkins (three for 67) was the hosts' most successful bowler. After reaching 425, Lancashire compounded Sussex's misery as Glen Chapple trapped Murray Goodwin lbw for one just before the close. At 12 for one, Sussex are 173 runs behind.

Somerset are the more strongly placed going into the final day of their match against Warwickshire at Taunton. Another blistering knock from Ian Blackwell, who made 81 off 93 balls, combined with Matthew Wood (68), Jamie Cox (44) and Michael Burns (80) to propel the hosts to 394 in their second innings, leaving Warwickshire 499 to win. They lost their captain, caught by Blackwell off Bulbeck for seven, and at stumps were 42 for one, needing another 456 for victory.

Spinner Stuart MacGill was in awesome form as Nottinghamshire inflicted an innings and 84 run defeat over Gloucestershire at Trent Bridge. Resuming on 91 for five, Greg Smith had Matt Windows trapped leg before for 40 and after that MacGill span his way to four crucial wickets. Jack Russell (45*) remained defiant as his fellow team-mates were tormented by the Australian. Gloucestershire, 219 all out, were outplayed by a greatly improved home side who took maximum points to go third in the table.

Glamorgan's spirited fightback was too little, too late as they lost to Northamptonshire by eight wickets at Northampton. Despite tail-end resistance, mainly from Michael Kasprowicz, who remained unbeaten on 72, and Dean Cosker (32 off 25 balls), they were eventually out for 312. Carl Greenidge, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann were all among the wickets. The home side raced to the 81 needed for victory in just over 17 overs, thanks to a brisk 60 from Robert White. They lost Mal Loye and David Sales, but that proved to be merely a blip. Northamptonshire leapfrog Gloucestershire, and are now third from bottom.

Michael Di Venuto seems certain to claim the man-of-the-match accolade after he powered his way to another hundred for Derbyshire against Middlesex at Lord's. He scored 113 before he fell to Phil Tufnell, who has five wickets so far. Earlier Ed Joyce (129) and Ed Joyce (36) added just a few runs to their overnight scores as the home side stumbled to 304 all out. Kevin Dean and Graeme Welch took four wickets each. At the close Derbyshire were 259 for six, 369 runs ahead.

Essex could move up to second if they can finish off bottom-placed Durham at Colchester tomorrow. Half-centuries from Australia-born Ashley Thorpe and the brothers Pratt rescued the visitors after they were reduced to 141 for five. Graham Napier claimed three wickets, but then came Nick Phillips' tail-end slogging. He reached his 50 (40 balls) with the last ball of the day. The visitors, on 323 for eight, lead by 311 runs.

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