Division One leaders and champions-elect Surrey had to work hard to separate the last Warwickshire pair of Mohammad Sheikh and Mel Betts. They put on 66 for the last wicket before Betts fell to Jimmy Ormond for 47. Then Betts accounted for Jon Batty early before Ian Ward and Mark Ramprakash took Surrey into a dominant position. Ward went on to 114, while Ramprakash was out for 99 after the pair had put on 204 fro the second wicket. At the close, Surrey were still 26 runs behind but have seven wickets in hand.

Shaun Udal reminded everyone, selectors included, that he is fit and in form with a return of five for 69 as Yorkshire were bowled out for 280 at the Rose Bowl. Top scorer for Yorkshire was Matthew Elliott with 92 as Yorkshire took a slender first innings lead of 11. However, even without the injured Chris Silverwood, Yorkshire reduced Hampshire to 91 for six in their second innings and appear set for a second victory straight after their first.

Promising pace bowler James Anderson finished with six for 41 as Somerset were bowled out by Lancashire for 140. That gave Lancashire a lead of 111 on first innings and with David Byas contributing 81 and Chris Schofield coming in at number seven in the order to hit 77 despite Andrew Caddick returning to form with a six wicket return. With Somerset 21 for the loss of Jamie Cox in their second innings, they still need another 386 to win.

Leicestershire took a first innings lead of 31 against Sussex, largely thanks to Iain Sutcliffe's 75. Devon Malcolm swung the bat to hit three sixes in his 18-ball 24. He was not out as James Kirtley claimed four wickets. Sussex have fared badly in their second innings at 56 for five and only lead by 24.

In Division Two, South African Gerard Brophy scored an undefeated 61 as Northamptonshire got with four runs of Durham's first innings total. Steve Harmison was another to remind the selectors of his ability with four wickets. However, Carl Greenidge took four wickets in Durham's second innings to reduce them to 129 for eight – a lead of 133.

Nottinghamshire's innings folded quickly after Jason Gallian was out for 171 against Glamorgan. There were four wickets for left-arm spinner Dean Cosker as the innings ended on 464. Matthew Maynard got a fifty for Glamorgan, but it was captain Steve James who led the reply with an undefeated 143 as his side built up a lead of 216 with seven wickets remaining.

Middlesex went on to 531 all out against Worcestershire. David Nash reached his hundred and Ashley Noffke made a valuable 76. Promising seamer Kabir Ali took five wickets. Anurag Singh reached exactly fifty before he was out, but Graeme Hick is still there with a century to his name as Worcestershire closed on 231 for two.

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