Leicestershire amass 471 for 5 against Essex

Essex v Leicestershire 471 for 5 at Southend
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It's not often a side racks up over 400 in a day, but bottom-placed Leicestershire took advantage of an inexperienced Essex attack and a flat pitch to race to a whopping 471 for 5 - the most runs scored in a day this season. Darren Stevens smashed 24 fours in his 149, and he put on 108 with John Maunders (44) for the first wicket. Darren Maddy continued the assault with 41 followed by a rasping 74 from Brad Hodge, and that was just a taste of things to come for the hapless bowlers. Trevor Ward joined in the fun with a crucifying 103 not out from only 89 balls and Paul Nixon rubbed things in with an easy 30. Essex's Zoheb Sharif, on his Championship debut, had a sobering day, as did all the bowlers. While James Middlebrook finished with 2 for 99, Sharif went for 80 from 14 overs, but he at least collected three hard-earned wickets.

Lancashire 384 for 5 v Warwickshire at Old Trafford
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Stuart Law hit his 59th first-class century as Lancashire ended the day in a strong position against Warwickshire. Law scored a commanding 150 not out including 20 fours and two sixes, as Lancashire closed on a comfortable 384 for 5. Ian Sutcliffe set things up at the top of the order with 86 before he was bowled by Dougie Brown (2 for 70). And after Mark Chilton (30) and Carl Hooper (35) chipped in, Glen Chapple cashed in with 37 not out. Waqar Younis returned to the Championship side after a break, and although he only picked up one wicket, he was the most economical of the Warwickshire bowlers, conceding 58 from 19 overs.

Surrey 375 for 9 v Middlesex at Guildford
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An unbeaten fifty-partnership from last pair Saqlain Mushtaq (40*) and Jimmy Ormond (32*), coupled with a rescuing 85 from Rikki Clarke overshadowed a bright start from Middlesex, who will be kicking themselves after having Surrey on the rack at 131 for 5. Simon Cook, who was overlooked for Middlesex's last two Championship games, took three early wickets to put Surrey - who were without the injured Adam Hollioake and Azhar Mahmood - on the back foot. But Clarke showed his international class when he hit back with a classy knock featuring 13 fours. Graham Thorpe, who many expected to be warming up with England at Edgbaston today, had earlier notched up another first-class fifty before he was one of Cook's victims. Cook finished with 3 for 60, and Chad Keegan and Ashley Noffke picked up three wickets each, but they let Surrey off the hook and suffered the prolonged frustration of Ian Salisbury's quickfire 40 from 48 balls, not to mention Saqlain's and Ormond's last stand.

Gloucestershire 271 v Worcestershire 48 for 1 at Cheltenham
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Worcestershire's Nantie Hayward and Matthew Mason took three wickets each as Gloucestershire were bundled out for a spluttering 271, and that thanks mainly to a enterprising knock from last man Jonathan Lewis, who top-scored with 47. It was a valuable effort from Lewis, as even though all the batsmen bar one reached double figures, none could go on to the big score needed. Mason (3 for 48) was the pick of the bowlers, and he eventually got Lewis, as well as Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan all-rounder making his debut. Worcestershire, who are boosted by the return of Graeme Hick, then finished off a good day's work as they reached 48 for 1 at the close.

Northamptonshire 325 v Somerset 26 for 2 at Northampton
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Two late wickets from Ben Phillips gave Northants the edge against Somerset at Wantage Road. Northants scored a sprightly 325 in which Ian Blackwell took 5 for 96 and removed the top four Northants batsmen, who all made contributions. Tim Roberts, in his Championship debut, hit an impressive 83, including 11 fours and a six, while Phil Jacques (41) and David Sales (38) kept the momentum going. And the lower-order put in their bit too. Graeme Swann scored 44, Adam Shantry, another debutant, hit 38 not out and Andre Nel chipped in with 22 on his return from the South African squad. In their reply, Northants were quickly shot down to 15 for 2 as Phillips removed Peter Bowler for 14 and James Bryant first ball.

Yorkshire 326 for 5 v Hampshire at Scarborough
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Matthew Wood led from the front for Yorkshire with a dominating 155 against Hampshire, who made a late fightback inspired by Dimitri Mascarenhas. Captain and top of the order, Wood led by example with 19 fours in his five-hour innings, and with contributions from Victor Craven (47) and Michael Lumb (64), Yorkshire were riding high. However, when Wood was trapped lbw to Mascarenhas with the score on 303 for 3, Mascarenhas then removed Lumb and Craig White first ball with no score added to haul Hampshire back in the game.