Kent ease past Surrey

Martin van Jaarsveld completed an outstanding few days’ work as Kent wrapped up a four-wicket win over Surrey in their LV County Championship Division One match at the Brit Oval.

The South African followed up his unbeaten first-innings century, and yesterday’s five-wicket haul, with 115 not out as Kent knocked off the 92 they required for the loss of just one more wicket.

Andrew Flintoff cracked a welcome half-century as Lancashire emerged from a frustrating rain delay to claim second place in the table.

Lancashire quickly finished off Sussex’s second innings for 245 at Hove this morning, Glen Chapple claiming 6-58.

That left them facing a modest target of 107 but rain wiped out the afternoon session and left them facing a race against time to wrap up the win.

England all-rounder Flintoff, having struggled for runs all season, showed the required urgency as he rode his luck in making a 59-ball unbeaten 62.

Martin van Jaarsveld toasts an unlikely win for Kent. He finished unbeaten on 115

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His innings included three sixes and saw his side home by eight wickets, inflicting a first Hove defeat on the champions for nearly four years.

Lancashire’s victory left them behind only Nottinghamshire in Division One after the 2005 champions saw off Hampshire by six wickets at the Rose Bowl.

Resuming needing a further 134 runs, the visitors eased home with Mark Wagh (67) hitting his second half-century of the game and Samit Patel adding an unbeaten 65.

Division Two leaders Warwickshire were forced to settle for a draw against winless Gloucestershire at Edgbaston.

Having conceded a first-innings lead of 192, Gloucestershire dug in for survival on a rain-shortened day with Hamish Marshall adding to his first-innings century with a stubborn 62.

Steve Snell chipped in with an unbeaten 54 as Gloucestershire recovered from 60 for three to reach 189 for four.

Middlesex were also frustrated by rain as Northamptonshire denied them a third successive win at Uxbridge.

Ben Scott finished on a career-best 164 not out as Northamptonshire were set 365, and the loss of three early wickets had the visitors worried.

But Lance Klusener cracked an unbeaten 94 in an unbroken stand of 143 with David Sales to ease any concerns.

Ryan ten Doeschate, having already hit 118 and 55 not out in the match, took 4-29 as Essex beat Derbyshire by 145 runs at Chelmsford.

Essex lost their last five wickets for 38 in 14.4 overs as they were bowled out for 226.