Sussex spin to defeat against Kent

Kent eased to a comprehensive 236-run victory over Sussex on the fourth day at Canterbury, thanks to a penetrative spin assault from Min Patel and Alex Loudon. Sussex were never in the hunt for an elusive target of 515, but while Richard Montgomerie was anchoring the innings with 80 not out, they were fully expecting to cling on for a draw. But when Patel trapped both Murray Goodwin and Chris Adams lbw in the space of two runs, Sussex's lower-order was exposed, and Loudon rushed out the tail with three quick wickets.

At The Oval, Gareth Batty celebrated his recall to England's one-day squad with his maiden first-class century, as Worcestershire gave Surrey a scare before succumbing to a 68-run defeat. Their target of 410 seemed out of the question at the start of the day, when they resumed on 27 for 4, but Vikram Solanki, another England returnee, made 86, and Steve Rhodes 59 not out to run Surrey close. But Jimmy Ormond (6 for 62) and Azhar Mahmood (4 for 69) wrapped up the win.

The day's other remaining match, Middlesex v Gloucestershire at Lord's, petered out to a draw, as Gloucestershire opted for batting practice on the final day. Craig Spearman (100) and Chris Taylor (91) were the mainstays of their second-innings 400 for 7 declared.

Gloucestershire 347 and 400 for 7 dec (Spearman 100, Taylor 91) drew with Middlesex 253 for 8 dec (Shah 103) at Lord's
Scorecard
Day 1 report: Agarkar makes triple strike - The Daily Telegraph
Day 2 report: Gloucestershire in control after Weston's toil - The Independent
Day 3 report: Shah sets up Hutton retort - The Guardian

Kent 527 and 319 for 7 dec (Walker 100) beat Sussex 332 and 278 (Montgomerie 80, Patel 4-75) by 236 runs at Canterbury
Scorecard
Day 1 report: Smith cashes in as Kent pull away from stuttering Sussex - The Guardian
Day 2 report: Prior sparkles as Sussex suffer - The Daily Telegraph
Day 3 report: Walker doubles up to boost Kent - The Times

Worcestershire 295 and 341 (Ormond 6-62, Azhar 4-69) lost to Surrey 375 and 329 for 5 dec (Ramprakash 100*) by 68 runs at The Brit Oval
Scorecard
Day 1 report: Ramprakash rides the lightning - Wisden Cricinfo
Day 2 report: Tudor leads the survival bid - Wisden Cricinfo
Day 3 report: Ramprakash gives Surrey a winning chance - Wisden Cricinfo

Somerset 394 and 164 for 2 (Bowler 55) beat Glamorgan 262 and 294 (Blackwell 7-90) by eight wickets at Taunton
Scorecard
Day 1 report: Ponting piles the pain on Jones - The Guardian
Day 2 report: Jones bags five with true pace - The Guardian
Day 3 report: Blackwell excels - The Daily Telegraph

Essex 416 (Jefferson 222) and 294 for 7 dec beat Hampshire 177 (Adams 4-46) and 149 (Adams 3-23) by 384 runs at the Rose Bowl
Scorecard
Day 1 report: Imperious Jefferson makes Warne pay for false wisdom - The Times Day 2 report: Adams rips heart out of Hampshire - The Daily Telegraph
Day 3 report: Humbling defeat for Hampshire - The Times