Round-Up: Loye resistance blunts Sussex's title charge

The top-of-the-table First Division clash between Sussex and Lancashire proved to be an excellent advert for the domestic game. Sussex skipper Chris Adams declared overnight setting a target of 392, and his pace bowlers were on top with Yasir Arafat and Jason Lewry leaving Lancashire reeling at 226 for 8 but Mal Loye ensured a draw by scoring a rearguard century.

In contrast, Kent and Hampshire played out a dull draw while the same fate was unavoidable in the Second Division match between Gloucestershire and Leicestershire.

Essex, pushing hard for promotion to Division One, needed less than 24 overs to finish off Somerset at Southend. In only his second Championship match of a promising career, the 18-year-old fast bowler Mervyn Westfield ended with bowling figures of 4 for 72

Glamorgan were crushed by Worcestershire after being bowled out for 191 suffering a 311-run defeat. Matt Mason and Roger Sillence took seven wickets between them.

Recent overseas signing Anil Kumble bowled Surrey to victory at the expense of Northants at The Oval. The leg-spinner took eight wickets leaving Surrey needing a paltry 65 runs to win.

In Colombo, South Africa were 46 runs in front after bowling Sri Lanka out for 321 on the second day of the Second Test.