Title race hots up

Mark Ramprakash watches the ball closely during his 180

View photo story

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash left LV County Championship leaders Lancashire frustrated as he steered Surrey towards a decent first-innings total at the Brit Oval.

The 38-year-old was 180 not out at stumps, with 28 fours and a six as the hosts reached 374 for six.

England bowler Sajid Mahmood took 3-62 for the Red Rose county, who went into the final round of matches six points ahead of defending champions Sussex as they go in search of their first outright title since 1934.

Sussex were going well at home to already-relegated Worcestershire.

Openers Chris Nash and Richard Montgomerie managed 89 and 82 respectively while Mike Yardy struck 52 to keep them in the hunt to retain their title and they were 287 for four at stumps.

Third-placed Durham made a poor start in their reply to Kent’s first-innings 212.

They were 92 for four at one stage as Mark Stoneman slipped to a second-ball duck, though Kyle Coetzer did add 44 and Dale Benkenstein’s unbeaten 22 steered them to 126 without further loss at stumps.

Richard Montgomerie helped Sussex keep up the pressure on Lancs © Getty Images

Earlier Ottis Gibson, Graham Onions and Mark Davies all took three wickets as Ryan McLaren (54 not out) was one of few bright spots for Kent.

Yorkshire and Hampshire, who both have outside hopes of the title, met at Headingley Carnegie and the visitors grabbed the initiative by reducing Yorkshire to 161 for seven.

James Bruce took 3-60 as Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 51 was the best the hosts mustered on day one.

In Division Two, Nottinghamshire secured promotion with a bowling bonus point against Somerset at Taunton.

Andre Adams took the wicket of James Hildreth for a duck to secure their place in the top flight against a side already assured of promotion.

Nottinghamshire were all out for 158 as Charl Willoughby took 4-39, while Somerset were 194 for four in reply with Marcus Trescothick unbeaten on 76.

Middlesex, the only team who had even a mathematical chance of catching Notts, were playing Essex at Chelmsford.

The hosts were 345 for seven at stumps, thanks largely to an unbeaten 145 from Grant Flower, while wicket-keeper James Foster added 96 before he was run out. Robbie Williams took 4-99 for the visitors.

Derbyshire were 93 for three at home to Northamptonshire when bad light stopped play, with 19-year-old Paul Borrington hitting 50 for the hosts.

Gloucestershire made a solid start against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens, reaching 262 for four at stumps on day one.

Hamish Marshall fired 121 off 123 balls to lead the way in the batting.