Ollie Rayner helped put Sussex on the verge of their first LV County Championship win in two months with a fine display against Hampshire.

Somerset closed in on their third championship win of the season after setting Kent 463 to win on the third day at Taunton.

Middlesex look likely to suffer an innings defeat in the LV County Championship Division Two match against Warwickshire at Uxbridge.

Worcestershire newcomer Imran Arif exploded out of the Bradford League to take three wickets in 11 balls and put Glamorgan in trouble in the LV County Championship match at New Road.

Jonathan Clare was the star of the show for the second day running as Derbyshire dominated on day three of their LV County Championship game with Northamptonshire.

Somerset were closing in on victory over Kent at Taunton when rain cut short day three of their Division One clash.

Former England captain Andrew Flintoff enjoyed his England return today, despite making only 17 in the second npower Test against South Africa.

Andrew Flintoff's return to Test cricket was not without controversy after a remarkable day at Headingley Carnegie.

Off-spinner Ollie Rayner claimed the important wickets of Sean Ervine and John Crawley as defending champions Sussex had Hampshire struggling to avoid the follow-on at Arundel Castle.

An unbeaten 126 from Will Smith put Durham back in the driving seat on day two of their LV County Championship match against Surrey at Guildford.

Kent staged a determined fightback on the second day of their LV County Championship match at Taunton after Somerset skipper Justin Langer decided against enforcing the follow-on.

Darren Pattinson made his debut for England and Andrew Flintoff returned to the side after 18 months out in the second npower Test against South Africa, who won the toss and chose to bowl first.

James McCoy and Nathan Dumelow both sparkled with the bat, but it was not enough to stop Cheshire slipping to defeat against Shropshire in this season's Minor Counties 20/20 Challenge Tournament at Wrekin College in Wellington.

Dan Redfern has agreed a two-year professional contract with Derbyshire, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2010 season.

Michael Vaughan makes his 50th appearance as England Test captain today at his home ground - but who will join him in his milestone match will not be decided until shortly before the toss.

Graeme Smith has mixed memories of Headingley - but if the outcome in the second npower Test is the same as it was for South Africa here five years ago, he will have no complaints.

Mohammed Asif's fate will become clearer later this month after his lawyer confirmed his B sample will be tested on July 28.

There will be no panic from South Africa as they attempt to put a largely disappointing Lord's performance behind them when the second npower Test at Headingley gets under way tomorrow.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will play in the second npower Test at Headingley Carnegie, captain Michael Vaughan has confirmed.