Smith and Sami put Kent in charge against Notts

Kent 362 v Nottinghamshire 137 for 5 at Maidstone
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A blistering century from Ed Smith and a late burst from Mohammad Sami put Kent in command against Notts at Mote Park. Smith overshadowed Daniel Vettori's Championship debut for Notts with a blistering 149 from only 143 balls as Kent raced to 362 all out in 61.3 overs. Smith spanked 22 fours in his second successive century, and shared a stand of 178 with the other man in form, Geraint Jones (82). But Kent's progress was pegged back when Vettori, who finished with 4 for 74, took three quick wickets for only nine runs. Jason Gallian then hit back for Notts with 51, but Sami undid all that good work when he blasted out three batsmen for just eight runs.

Middlesex 382 for 5 v Leicestershire at Southgate
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Andy Strauss played a captain's innings of 147 as Middlesex piled on the runs against Leicestershire at Southgate. Strauss crashed 21 fours and a six, and put on valuable partnerships with Ben Hutton (40) and Ed Joyce, who was still there at the end with 81 not out. Leicestershire used eight bowlers in all, but only David Masters had much to shout about with 3 for 71.

Essex 305 for 8 v Sussex at Arundel
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A typically stubborn 95 from Nasser Hussain, and a buccaneering 62 not out from Graham Napier at No. 9, saved Essex from a below-par score against a frustrated Sussex at Arundel Park. Essex lost wickets regularly, and after they crumbled to 115 for 5, a low total was on the cards, especially when Hussain fell five short of his century to make it 203 for 7. But Napier chanced his arm, and put on a valuable 90 for the ninth wicket with Ryan ten Doeschate (26*) to guide Essex past 300. Jason Lewry took 4 for 57, but it wasn't the best of days for the division's leading wicket-taker Mushtaq Ahmed, who finished with 1 for 102.

Surrey 355 v Warwickshire 85 for 1 at Edgbaston
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Adam Hollioake and Alec Stewart were in the runs for Surrey as they posted another large Championship total. Hollioake hit 88 from only 89 balls, with 14 fours and a six, while Stewart was more sedate with a stylish 74. All the top four got starts but didn't go on, and there was a late charge from No. 11 Jimmy Ormond, who crashed a quick 33. All eyes were on Waqar Younis, playing against his former club, but he was overshadowed by Neil Carter, who took 5 for 75. Tony Frost, Warwickshire's wicketkeeper claimed a hat-trick of sorts, with three catches off successive balls (from two different bowlers). Warwickshire had reached 85 for 1 by the close, with Nick Knight 37 not out.

Derbyshire 89 v Gloucestershire 214 for 6 at Derby
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Gloucestershire emerged as firm favourites to win this match after only one day as Derbyshire collapsed to a meagre 89 all out, then Craig Spearman hammered home the advantage. Jonathan Lewis took 6 for 48 and Ian Harvey 3 for 18 as only four Derbyshire bastmen made double figures. Spearman then didn't hang about, with a sparkling 85 as Gloucestershire ended their dominating day with a lead of 125 and four wickets intact.

Durham 325 for 9 v Northamptonshire at Chester-le-Street
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Gary Pratt led a solid Durham batting display with a career-best 150 against Northants at the Riverside. Pratt was at the crease for over five hours and hit 24 fours. Despite Mike Cawdron's sterling efforts of 6 for 87 - another career-best - Pratt received useful support from the middle and lower order as Durham closed on 325 for 9.

Glamorgan 337 for 9 v Somerset at Cardiff
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Robert Croft came to Glamorgan's rescue against Somerset at Cardiff with 111 not out, only the fourth century of his career. Nixon McLean (4 for 69) and Ian Blackwell (3 for 91) had shot out the Glamorgan top order to leave them reeling at 93 for 5, but Croft rolled up his sleeves and showed some of that Welsh pride to battle out a stubborn hundred. And that inspired the tailenders to get in on the act too, with Alex Wharf biffing 45 at No. 10.

Lancashire 169 for 0 beat Scotland 168 for 7 by 10 wickets at Edinburgh
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Scotland's bright start to the season feels like a distant memory now as they crashed to another heavy defeat, this time at the hands of Lancashire. John Wood took 4 for 22, including Rahul Dravid for 26, as Scotland managed only 168 for 7 from a rain-reduced 39 overs. Openers Mal Loye (88*) and Mark Chilton (69*) then had no trouble in wrapping up the win. They raced past the post with 10 overs to spare, and got their own back on their loss to Scotland earlier in the season.