Wednesday's County Round-Up
Flintoff - finally showed some form with the bat.
Andrew Flintoff cracked a welcome half-century as Lancashire emerged from a frustrating rain delay to claim second place in the LV County Championship on Wednesday.
Lancashire quickly finished off Sussex's second innings for 245 at Hove this morning, Glen Chapple claiming six for 58.
That left them facing a modest target of 107 but rain wiped out the afternoon session and left them facing a race against time to wrap up the win.
England all-rounder Flintoff, having struggled for runs all season, showed the required urgency as he rode his luck for a 59-ball 62.
His innings, perhaps enhancing his claims for a Test return against South Africa next week, included three sixes and saw his side home by eight wickets - inflicting a first Hove defeat on the champions for nearly four years.
Lancashire's victory left them behind only Nottinghamshire in the First Division after the 2005 champions saw off Hampshire by six wickets at the Rose Bowl.
Resuming needing a further 134 runs, the visitors eased home with Mark Wagh (67) hitting his second half-century of the game and Samit Patel adding an unbeaten 65.
Martin van Jaarsveld completed an outstanding few days' work as Kent wrapped up a four-wicket win over Surrey at The Oval.
The South African followed up his unbeaten first-innings century, and yesterday's five-wicket haul, with another 115no as Kent knocked off the 92 they required for the loss of just one more wicket.
Second Division leaders Warwickshire were forced to settle for a draw against winless Gloucestershire at Edgbaston.
Having conceded a first innings lead of 192 to the hosts, Gloucestershire dug in for survival on a rain-shortened day with Hamish Marshall adding to his first-innings century with a stubborn 62.
Steve Snell chipped in with an unbeaten 54 as Gloucestershire recovered from 60 for three to reach 189 for four.
Middlesex were also frustrated by rain as Northamptonshire denied them a third successive win at Uxbridge.
Ben Scott finished on a career-best 164no as Northamptonshire were set 365 and the loss of three early wickets had the visitors worried.
But Lance Klusener cracked an unbeaten 94 in an unbroken stand of 143 with David Sales to ease any concerns.
Ryan ten Doeschate, having already hit 118 and 55no in the match, took four for 29 as Essex beat Derbyshire by 145 runs at Chelmsford.
Essex lost their last five wickets for 38 in 14.4 overs as they were bowled out 226.