Hussey slays Essex as Glamorgan lose points

A strong performance from Durham's middle order has put them in control against local rivals Yorkshire at Chester-le-Street. Kyle Coetzer hit 91, adding 131 with Dale Benkenstein, as they closed within 100 of Yorkshire's total when bad light came. Jason Gillespie and Darren Gough struck with the new ball, but Coetzer hit 14 fours and a six to settle the innings. Benkenstein and Phil Mustard then added an unbeaten 79, Mustard hitting an aggressive half-century. Earlier, Ottis Gibson ended with 7 for 81 as Yorkshire's last four wickets fell for 34. Jacques Rudolph was bowled for 111 and they finished seven short of full batting points.

The bat began to rule at Canterbury following 16 wickets on the first day and Kent fought back impressively after conceding a lead of 73 to Hampshire. Stuart Clark struck in his first over to remove first-innings hero Joe Denly for a duck, but Robert Key and Martin van Jaarsveld carried their side into the lead with a stand of 223. van Jaarsveld reached his first Championship century of the season while Key finished four short of his second. Dimitri Mascarenhas had earlier boosted Hampshire's total with a composed 90, adding 103 with Tim Burrows until the latter was run out. Shane Warne was clearly unhappy when given out lbw to Ryan McLaren by Tim Robinson, lingering at the crease and then turning round to stare at Robinson as he slowly trudged off. As he entered the pavilion he underlined his unhappiness with an audible obscenity, and he may hear more about the incident.

Murray Goodwin's fine form continued as his 112 put Sussex in a strong position on the opening day against Worcestershire at New Road. Following his match double of 119 and 205 not out against Surrey he smashed 15 boundaries as he went passed 500 Championship runs for the season. He added 119 for the third wicket with Carl Hopkinson (83) and 115 for the fourth with Chris Adams who closed on 90. Goodwin was eventually trapped lbw by Kabir Ali as he and Nadeem Malik shared the bowling honours on a tough day for the home side.

Middlesex routed Glamorgan inside two days at Swansea and Glamorgan were docked eight points, for preparing a poor pitch and because of excessive turn, following the 21 wickets which fell on Wednesday. Glamorgan showed slightly stronger resistance second time around, but couldn't withstand the spin duo of Jamie Dalrymple and Chris Peploe as they took five of the first six wickets to fall. Alan Richardson followed his first-innings 4 for 7 with three more to take away the tail and Michael Powell's unbeaten 39 wasn't enough to make Glamorgan bat again.

David Hussey gorged himself on a depleted Essex attack with a majestic career-best 275 as Nottinghamshire built a lead of 347 at Trent Bridge. The home side plundered 558 runs in the day with Hussey the chief architect. He launched 13 sixes being particularly harsh against the spinners. Chris Read helped him add 359 for the fifth wicket, finishing unbeaten on a career-best 165 the week after his international hopes took another severe blow with Matt Prior's debut ton at Lord's. Stephen Fleming's first innings of the season ended on 31 when he was caught off Danish Kaneria, but the legspinner conceded more than four-an-over.

Even at the batting paradise that is Taunton, Gloucestershire couldn't avoid the follow-on against Somerset leaving them fighting to stave off defeat. Charl Willoughby took 5 for 39, the best figures by a Somerset bowler this season, as the visitors fell away from 123 for 3. Hamish Marshall was the only batsman to contribute a significant score with an aggressive 85-ball 86 before being trapped lbw by Willoughby. Andrew Caddick chipped in with the first three to fall, including Marcus North second ball, but Gloucestershire made a better start second time around with Kadeer Ali and Grant Hodnett opening with 107 in 27 overs.

Stephen Peters' 107 helped Northamptonshire take a lead of 205 against Derbyshire at Northampton although the home side gave themselves a fighting chance with a solid start to their second innings. Peters and Usman Afzaal carried their second-wicket stand to 111 but the middle couldn't capitalise on the platform. Lance Klusener, Niall O'Brien and Steven Crook chipped in with useful knocks while Wayne White claimed a career-best 5 for 87.