Cricket Round-Up: Thorpe's power puts Surrey in command

Graham Thorpe maintained his fine run of form with an unbeaten 158, his third century in six innings, as he steered Surrey to an imposing 382 for 7 against Derbyshire at The Oval yesterday.

Three Surrey batsmen - Mark Butcher, Alec Stewart and Adam Hollioke - reached 50 but failed to go on against a Derbyshire attack handicapped by the temporary loss of Dominic Cork with a muscle spasm in his back.

Three wickets lost on 200 at the end of play took off the gloss of Kent's day. Sussex dismissed for 142 fought back after Trevor Ward (51) and Carl Hooper (72) put on 127 for the third wicket. In the space of five overs both were dismissed along with nightwatchman Nick Preston and Graham Cowdrey.

Graeme Hick hit one of the slowest centuries of his career - but it rescued Worcestershire from a shaky start, at 6 for 2, in their match against Hampshire at New Road. Hick took five-and-a-half hours and 79 overs to compile the 87th first-class ton of his career, including 15 fours, as Worcestershire reached 254 for 5.

Durham's Sherwin Campbell, who has not had the best of starts to the season, finally came good against Nottinghamshire at Trent bridge, with 118. However the West Indian opener was upstaged by his team-mate Darren Blenkiron, who hit 130 - his second century of the week - as Durham notched up 333 for 5.