Friday's County Championship wrap

• Cricket365
• April 17, 2010

James Foster hit the second century of Essex's innings to put them in a strong position against Durham in the County Championship Division One.

James Foster hit the second century of Essex's innings to put them in a strong position against Durham in the County Championship Division One.
Wicketkeeper Foster shared in a county-record partnership of 339 for the fifth wicket with Jaik Mickleburgh before the youngster, who had been 103 not out overnight, was bowled by Liam Plunkett (four for 112) for 174 at Chester-le-Street
The stand was not only Essex's best for the fifth wicket but equalled their record for any wicket, set by Ravi Bopara and Andy Flower against Glamorgan in 2006.
Foster moved on to 169 before he was well caught by Dale Benkenstein off the bowling of Callum Thorp (four for 79), and his side finished up 484 all out. Australian Michael Di Venuto fell for 21 as two-time reigning champions Durham reached 83 for one in reply.
Nottinghamshire forced Kent to follow on as they took control at Trent Bridge.
Paul Franks (73) guided the hosts from their overnight 396 for eight to 456 before Kent were bowled out for 200, Andre Adams taking four for 63 and Ryan Sidebottom three for 31 as Azhar Mahmood top-scored with 52.
Having been reinserted, Kent reached 51 for the loss of James Tredwell (20) and Rob Key (15).
Andrew Gale made his first century as Yorkshire captain to transform his side's fortunes against Somerset at Headingley.
Yorkshire slumped to 142 for five, still trailing by 130, despite Joe Sayers' 51 but the arrears were cleared in a sparkling 149 stand between Gale and all-rounder Tim Bresnan.
The pair had moved the score on to 291 when Gale was out for 101 off 157 balls with 16 fours, Bresnan departing soon afterwards for 61 as Yorkshire closed on 320 for seven, a lead of 48.
Lancashire hold the advantage against Warwickshire at Old Trafford thanks to a solid day with bat and ball.
Warwickshire fell from their overnight score of 13 for one to 28 for four in the 13th over but recovered to 254 all out, a first-innings lead of one, as Ian Bell (47), Jim Troughton (44) and Rikki Clarke (43) all made useful contributions.
Opener Stephen Moore (43 not out) then helped Lancashire reach 84 for two from 25 overs.
In Division Two, a Bristol wicket which saw 23 Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire wickets fall on day one settled down to yield 294 runs for nine wickets today.
A ninth-wicket stand of 82 between keeper Paul Harrison (44) and Jack Brooks (53) saw Northants to 243 in their second innings as Gemaal Hussain took four for 62 for match figures of nine for 98.
Chasing 344 having been routed for 86 first time around, the hosts reached 85 for two by the close with opener Kadeer Ali 29 not out.
Sussex took control against Surrey after reaching 278 for seven at Hove, having bowled the visitors out for 205 as Chris Schofield added just two to his overnight 44.
Captain Mike Yardy (68), Murray Goodwin (74) and Luke Wright (63) starred for the hosts.
Glamorgan bowled Middlesex out for 160 but endured a difficult day with the bat themselves at Lord's.
Mark Wallace finished 79 not out as the Welsh county's first innings ended at 315 early in the morning session, but David Harrison took five for 62 – his first five-wicket haul for four years – and Jim Allenby added to his 57 runs with four for 29 as England captain Andrew Strauss (44) top-scored for Middlesex.
Glamorgan, though, slipped to 119 for six and also saw opener Mark Cosgrove retire hurt as they built a lead of 274.
Derbyshire were bowled out for 207, despite 54 apiece from Greg Smith and Robin Peterson, to concede a first-innings advantage of 72 to Leicestershire, Nathan Buck taking four for 44.
The Foxes then reached 83 for two, with Matthew Boyce 40 not out.