Harmison to the fore

Zander de Bruyn was the mainstay of Somerset's batting with an innings of 76

Steve Harmison blew apart Somerset’s hopes of claiming the advantage in the LV County Championship Division One title race with a five-wicket haul for Durham at Taunton.

Harmison - perhaps buoyed by his inclusion in England’s squad for the lucrative Stanford Super Series - claimed 5-84 as the second-placed hosts were reduced to 224 all out after the total washout of day one.

Zander de Bruyn, with 76, was the only Somerset batsman to record a half-century as they lost their last eight wickets for 109 runs.

Durham, who have title hopes of their own, reached the close of day two on 45 for one after recovering from the early departure of Mark Stoneman for one.

Hampshire boosted their chances of survival but edged bottom county Surrey closer to the trapdoor at the Brit Oval as they reached 480 for eight in their first innings.

England all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas (99) and Nic Pothas (137) were the chief assassins as they put on 165 for the seventh wicket - a record for the fixture.

Shoaib Akhtar struggled on his Surrey debut and could only record figures of 1-54 as the hosts toiled after putting Hampshire into bat.

Runaway leaders Worcestershire's march towards promotion from Division Two was held up after the first day of their clash against Glamorgan at Cardiff was abandoned without a ball bowled due to heavy rain.

Northamptonshire raced to 304 all out against Essex at Wantage Road as they looked to boost their flagging hopes of promotion to the top division.

David Sales top-scored with 59 as the hosts sought to make up for the loss of the whole first day, while openers Stephen Peters (41) and Niall O’Brien (45) made useful contributions, along with Nicky Boje (37) and Andrew Hall (34 not out).

Ravi Bopara, James Middlebrook and Graham Napier all took three wickets for Essex, who reached 18 without loss by the close.

Gloucestershire openers Kadeer Ali (113) and William Porterfield (66) gave their side hope of a first victory of the season against fellow strugglers Leicestershire at Grace Road.

The pair put on 186 for the first wicket as the visitors eventually reached 223 for three by the close in another match which saw the washout of day one.

Occasional leg-spinner Joshua Cobb took 2-11 in just two overs for Leicestershire.