Ervine's brilliant ton enough to take sting out of Lancashire

Round-up

(GETTY IMAGES)

Sean Ervine reached new heights for Hampshire to frustrate Lancashire's bowlers at the Rose Bowl.

The 26-year-old left-hander, who hit half-centuries in each of his final three Test innings for Zimbabwe, thrashed a Championship-best 114 off 144 balls, including 15 fours and a two sixes, one of which, a reverse sweep off spinner Gary Keedy, landed in the second-team ground.

His partnership of 50 for the last wicket with James Tomlinson undid Lancashire's work in reducing Hampshire from 263 for 5 to 287 for 9. Kyle Hogg eventually ended his assault to finish with 4 for 74 as the pick of the Lancashire attack. Tom Smith resumes on 44 this morning but a draw is inevitable.

Likewise at Horsham, where rain again played a part and Nottinghamshire, two down for 231 overnight, advanced beyond 400 for the loss of only two more wickets. Matthew Wood and Samit Patel were both denied centuries by Sussex all-rounder Robin Martin-Jenkins but not so Adam Voges, posting three figures for the first time for the county.

The once-capped England fast bowler Amjad Khan made an unbeaten 62 at number 11 but could not propel Kent to a target of 335 at Canterbury, where Middlesex completed a 47-run victory in three days, the left-arm spinner Murali Kartik taking 4 for 53. Nonetheless, Rob Key's side retain a clear lead in the Second Division.

Adam Shantry, an all-rounder with his third county, eclipsed his previous best of 38 not out with a maiden century as Glamorgan, for whom former England spinner Robert Croft made 121, reached 566 against Leicestershire, who need to score another 176 to make the Welsh county bat again.

Former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon has resigned as Leicestershire's club captain, having played in only four Championship matches and lost his place in the one-day side.