Hussey's milestone

Mike Hussey's unbeaten 163 made him the first batsman to pass 1,000 first-class and County Championship runs this season as Northamptonshire took control against Worcestershire at New Road yesterday.

The visiting captain hit 29 fours in his 278-ball stay to carry his team to 339 for 7 in the Second Division game.

Essex's Ronnie Irani hit an unbeaten 109 to keep his team afloat against the leaders, Middlesex, at Southgate. Earlier, an unbeaten 81 from David Nash had seen the hosts convert their overnight 376 for 6 into 538 all out. By the close Essex had advanced to 239 for 4, having been 7 for 3 at one stage.

Michael Di Venuto, with 91, and Andrew Gait, who hit 76, shared a first-wicket stand of 147 in Derbyshire's first-day 324 for 7 against Nottinghamshire at the Racecourse Ground. Chris Bassano added 83, but slow left-armer Nicky Boje nipped out both Di Venuto and Bassano on his way to figures of 4 for 45 as Derbyshire fell away, having reached 220 for 2.