Centuries from Mark Butcher and Ali Brown ensured an imposing start for Surrey, as the Championship leaders' latest match got under way at Leicester. Butcher made a steady 116, while Brown batted with his usual gusto to reach 104 off just 97 balls with two sixes and 14 fours. Skipper Adam Hollioake made a fluent 80, and Rikki Clarke chimed in with an unbeaten 52 as the visitors closed on 454 for six.

Mark Wagh made life difficult for second-placed Kent at Edgbaston. Wagh made 109 (207 balls, 18 fours) as Warwickshire cruised to 387 for five by stumps. Nick Knight (67) Dominic Ostler (80) and Jamie Troughton (64*) were the day's other main contributors.

An innings of 83 by the Australian Matthew Elliot shored up Yorkshire's brittle batting in the Roses Match at Old Trafford. Glen Chapple and James Anderson then took three wickets each, and a captain's innings from Richard Blakey (68*) took Yorkshire to 272 for eight at the close.

Alan Mullally took four for 58 as Somerset were bowled out for 278 in the relegation clash at The Rose Bowl. Somerset were indebted to Keith Parsons (51), Rob Turner (57) and Richard Johnson (61) for reviving them from the perils of 102 for five. Hampshire ended the day on 15 for no wicket in reply.

In Division Two, an unbeaten 232 from Kevin Pietersen ensured that life was less than a bed of roses for leaders Middlesex. Pietersen scored his runs at more than a run a ball, with three sixes and 30 fours to entertain the Trent Bridge faithful. Following a rather more austere century from Darren Bicknell (108, 309 balls, 13 fours) Pietersen ensured a forgettable day for the visiting attack.

Fourth-placed Derbyshire didn't enhance their promotion cause by being bowled out for 190 by Worcestershire at Derby. Alamgir Sheriyar was destroyer-in-chief, with six for 71 as only Chris Bassano (85) and Graeme Welch (64) kept the visitors at bay for long. At stumps Worcestershire were just a run behind with five wickets in hand, thanks primarily to Ben Smith (49) and Anurag Singh (41).

© CricInfo Ltd.