Flintoff's Fire Singes Langer

Andrew Flintoff brought some comfort to the England selectors and a great deal of discomfort to an old Australian adversary, Justin Langer.

Even though he failed to take a wicket in two spells, Flintoff generated the sort of early-season, post-injury pace in Lancashire's drawn match against Somerset at Old Trafford that suggests he could be a potent force again for England. He has made promising comebacks before, of course, so optimism should be tempered.

Directing his fire at two formidable left-handers, Langer and Marcus Trescothick, Flintoff repeatedly ripped the ball past the outside edge. He then pinged one on to the point of Langer's elbow, which meant a hold up while Somerset's captain took a few deep breaths and the physio applied some balm.

Flintoff's miserliness - his figures were 8-2-13-0 - was one of the reasons Somerset never achieved the momentum for Langer to contemplate a declaration. The visitors batted throughout the final day.

Only two results from the first seven First Division matches - Nottinghamshire's last weekend and Yorkshire's yesterday - is either an inescapable consequence of the English weather or a consequence that would be perfectly escapable if county championship matches did not start so early. You takes your pick.

Mind you, Sussex did not help their chance of beating Kent at Hove by batting out their second innings to leave the visitors a target of 337 in a minimum of 78 overs. Kent's acting captain Martin van Jaarsveld scored an unbeaten 82 to secure the draw.

Surrey, pursuing 270 to beat Durham at the Riverside, were wobbling at 45 for three after Steve Harmison struck twice. But then the grand old men of Surrey batting, 38-year-old Mark Ramprakash and 35-year-old Mark Butcher, stuck it out until the rain arrived.

The Second Division produced more merriment than the top flight with Warwickshire and Derbyshire completing successful run chases at Northampton and Derby.

Warwickshire's was particularly exhilarating as they passed a target of 383 to scrape home against Northamptonshire by two wickets. Darren Maddy, 33, who played for England in three Tests between 1999 and 2000 but has never achieved the consistency since to deserve a recall, batted with guile and purpose for a match-winning 130.

Chris Rogers, Derbyshire's Australian opener, reacted to Essex's challenge to score 266 with a solid 77, but it was explosive hitting by seventh-wicket pair Jamie Pipe and Graham Wagg that guided the home team to a four-wicket victory. Pipe hit an unbeaten 36 from 24 balls and Wagg struck 25 from 18.