Gooch heads good day for openers

Another day, another Graham Gooch century and he only left the crease to accompany his father to hospital for a series of tests at lunch with his score on 170 - his eighth century of the season and the 128th of his career - at Chelmsford yesterday.

The 43-year-old hit 27 fours and a six in what could prove to be his last innings for Essex. Although he has agreed to a new one-year contract, he has indicated he will give up playing if he succeeds Ray Illingworth as England's chairman of selectors.

When Glamorgan replied to Essex's 367, Ashley Cowan removed Steve James and Hugh Morris in his first five overs, but David Hemp and Matthew Maynard carried the total to 55 for 2 before bad light brought play to a close.

Derbyshire's hopes of finishing off Durham in two days was denied. After establishing a first-innings lead of 114 Derbyshire reduced Durham to 138 for 5. The opener , Stewart Hutton, then passed 50 for the first time since the end of June, batting for 246 minutes for an unbeaten 85 and when bad light ended play early, his side were 92 runs ahead.

Yorkshire's Michael Vaughan equalled his career-best with 183 against Northamptonshire. The 21-year-old opener struck a six and 27 fours to help the visitors to 478 all out. Northamptonshire reached 83 for 2 in reply when bad light stopped play.