Essex v Yorkshire
Glamorgan v Surrey
Lancashire v Kent
Somerset v Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire 469 for 9, Somerset 224 for 2 Taunton
Points so far Northants 5, Somerset 4
Who needs what Northants, lying seventh, need to gain six more points than Lancashire to avoid relegation. Somerset need five points to be sure of staying second.
Story of the day The west country was still enjoying summer even if the rest of England wasn't. Northants made the most of a placid pitch to extend their first innings until lunch. Mike Hussey (208) passed 2000 runs for the season before falling to Richard Johnson (4 for 90) while Rob Turner took seven catches. Needing two bowling points to move above marooned Lancashire, Northants' hopes of escape were dented by Cox (82) and Wood (102*), who put on 163 for Somerset's first wicket. Penberthy removed Cox and Burns in successive overs but Wood and Lathwell (33*) ploughed on.

Glamorgan 258, Surrey 140 for 1 Cardiff
Points so far Glamorgan 2, Surrey 3
Who needs what Glamorgan, already relegated, are fighting only for pride. Surrey, fifth, need four points to be safe from the drop.
Story of the day Play finally got underway at 3.30pm and England reject Ian Ward made his intentions clear with a rapid 63. Although the soon-to-retire Steve Watkin bowled him when the score was 89, Carberry (44*) and Butcher (30*) took Surrey to within 60 runs of the point which will guarantee them safety.

Kent 117 for 3 v Lancashire Old Trafford
Points so far Kent 0, Lancs 1
Who needs what Lancs, sixth, need to stay five points ahead of Northants to avoid relegation. Kent, third, need 17 more points to overtake Somerset and two points to remain ahead of Leicestershire.
Story of the day Rain washed out any chance of play, leaving Lancashire anxiously watching Northants' progress at Taunton. The Old Trafford groundstaff will be moving heaven and earth to get some play in the next couple of days.

Essex 99 for 3 v Yorkshire Scarborough
Points so far Essex 0, Yorkshire 1
Who needs what Essex, demoted and demoralised, just want the season to end. Yorkshire have already won the Championship.
Story of the day Play was abandoned early on in a match which is unlikely to be mourned.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd