Moore paves way for Hick

Graeme Hick reached 40,000 first-class runs at Edgbaston

Graeme Hick completed 40,000 first-class runs but it was Worcestershire opener Stephen Moore who played the leading role in earning his side a first-innings lead against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Hick became only the 16th player to achieve the landmark in the LV County Championship Division One clash when he reached 49 - a tally he failed to add to before falling to South African paceman Dale Steyn.

He left the ground to a standing ovation but the foundations for Worcestershire’s 399 all out in reply to the Bears’ 343 had already been laid by Moore.

The 26-year-old made a grafting 112 from 270 balls with 17 fours - but a draw beckons after the loss of more than 100 overs to bad weather.

Ajmal Shahzad’s career-best four for 22 helped Yorkshire fight back and then take the upper hand against defending champions Sussex.

Sussex lost all 10 wickets for 101 runs at swing-friendly Headingley in only 48 overs - the same number Yorkshire took over their 139 all out on Saturday.

The leaders then put some daylight between themselves and their closest pursuers as Anthony McGrath (58) and Craig White shared a second-wicket stand of 103 in 129 for three by stumps on day three of this match which lost its first four sessions to rain.

Kent pair Joe Denly and Geraint Jones did their best to repel a Lancashire side seeking only their second win of the season.

Ajmal Shahzad starred with four wickets for Yorkshire

Denly hit a steadfast 75 before Jones hit a similarly determined 70 as Kent replied to Lancashire’s 451 for five declared on day three at Old Trafford.

But unfortunately they could not find anybody else to stick around with them under a barrage of short-pitched bowling from James Anderson and Dominic Cork and a torrent of spin from Muttiah Muralitharan.

Anderson picked up three wickets for 64, while Cork got two to add to four from Muralitharan and one from Gary Keedy as Kent closed day three following on with seven without loss in their second innings - a deficit of 172 runs after being bowled out for 272 in their first.

Tailender Chris Tremlett led a stirring Hampshire revival to leave the match with Durham in the balance at the Rose Bowl.

Tremlett, batting at number nine, hit an unbeaten 62 - two runs short of a career-best - to leave Hampshire in a far healthier position than they had been soon after lunch on the third day.

Durham were all out for 283 in their first innings, a precious lead of 51 which was improved by a further five runs when Hampshire were punished for a slow over rate. The teams go into the last day with Hampshire 253 ahead on 309 for nine.

Somerset roared to the top of Division Two as Andrew Caddick and Charl Willoughby destroyed Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Needing 289 to avoid an innings defeat, the home side crashed to 138 all out in their second innings, Caddick taking 5-41 and Willoughby 5-56.

Andy Caddick's 12 wickets propelled Somerset to victory

That gave Caddick career-best figures of 12-71 and Willoughby 7-121 as Somerset won by an innings and 151 runs.

Somerset had earlier extended their first innings from an overnight 158 for three to 410 for seven declared, with Neil Edwards (85), Cameron White (65), Peter Trego (73 not out) and Ian Blackwell (72) excelling.

Nottinghamshire’s Charlie Shreck claimed 7-35 - his fourth five-wicket haul of the season - to dismiss Derbyshire for 108 in just 35.3 overs at Trent Bridge.

The hosts then raced past the Derbyshire total to finish 96 runs ahead, with Jason Gallian and Mark Wagh both posting fifties, in an attempt to set up an unlikely victory on the final day.

Leicestershire captain Darren Robinson’s brave decision to declare on 131 for four left his side’s match against Northamptonshire hanging in the balance.

A draw seemed to be on the cards after the home side were finally bowled out for 251 after two rain-affected days at Wantage Road.

But Robinson, who returned to the side after missing day two with a migraine, opted to have a second bowl at Northamptonshire in a bid to get the Foxes their first win of the season.

And late wickets from Stuart Broad, David Masters and Nick Walker gave the away side hope as Northamptonshire finished on 99 for four - a lead of 219.

Martin Saggers took 5-39 as Essex forced Middlesex to follow on on the third day in the LV Championship Division Two game at Lord’s.

On-loan Kent bowler Saggers helped Essex bowl the hosts out for 177, a lead of 199. By the close Middlesex had reached 198 for two with Owais Shah 80 not out and Billy Godleman making 68.