Cricket: Irani in the Runs

Ronnie Irani made a career-best 218 and Ryan ten Doeschate did likewise with 148 as the Essex pair added 313 until, four short of the county's fifth-wicket record, the Dutchman swung a full toss to the boundary and was caught by Robert Croft inside the ropes.

It was that sort of day on a feather-bed Chelmsford pitch, with 396 runs made for the loss of only four wickets as the home side took their overnight 329 for four to 584 for seven declared. Glamorgan responded with 141 for one.

Irani's innings was spread over 347 deliveries during which he struck 30 fours and one six. Ten Doeschate, whose only other championship century came when the counties met in Cardiff last summer, managed 18 boundaries.

Middlesex closed on 81 for three in their rain-delayed second innings at Lord's, 128 ahead of Northants. The visitors were bowled out for 211 after resuming on 70 for four, Alan Richardson's four for 44 doing most damage.

Gloucestershire's match against Nottinghamshire in Bristol was also hit by rain and at stumps the home side, on 267 for eight, were close to conceding a first-innings deficit. They took the last four Nottinghamshire wickets for 17 runs but after a 146-run partnership between Kadeer Ali (48) and Craig Spearman (100) the reply fell apart.

Somerset where 22 for no wicket and only six runs behind Leicestershire at Grace Road, where Charl Willoughby's five for 97 restricted the home side to 385, with Darren Robinson making 122.

In the First Division Nic Pothas made an undefeated 85 and then took two catches as Hampshire moved into a good position against Surrey at a rain-affected Oval. Shane Warne made 48 before declaring on 481 for nine and Surrey reached 127 for two, with Mark Ramprakash 71 not out and Mark Butcher undefeated on 49.