Fortunes swing on a dramatic second day

LONDON // The fortunes of the four county clubs in search of the Championship title swung back and forth on a dramatic second day yesterday. By the tea session, the table leaders Nottinghamshire had self-destructed from a comfortable 173-3 to just eight runs more than Hampshire's total of 203. With Hampshire making a game of it against Nottinghamshire, Somerset are by no means out of reckoning for the title. But the complicated permutations also involve Durham, who were building a strong position against Kent.

Lancashire were down at 112-6 before the tail put up another 136 runs to deny Somerset the batting points and which meant that a Nottinghamshire defeat alone wasn't going to be enough to give them the title. There were no hiccups for Durham, though, as they rode on the opener Michel di Venuto's knock of 90 to move within easy reach of crossing Kent's total of 225. Will Smith and the ICC Player of the Year Shivnarine Chanderpaul ensured Durham lost their fourth wicket at 219 soon after tea.

The equations were equally tight for Lancashire at the bottom, with Yorkshire's fightback causing them a few flutters. Adil Rashid's second first-class century (111) and an unbeaten 91 from the No 10 batsman Dale Wainwright meant Sussex were still smelling leather with Yorkshire on 369-9. * Agencies