CHRIS LEWIS'S rich vein of form continued as he helped Nottinghamshire maintain their Championship challenge with a fine all-round performance against Worcestershire at Kidderminster yesterday.

Lewis, who hit a double hundred last week, struck 77 off 169 balls with 11 fours to steer Nottinghamshire, who resumed at 278 for 7, to 331 all out and three batting points.

Lewis then got to work with the ball and was rewarded with four wickets to restrict the home side to 276 for 8 by the close. Gavin Haynes, with 98, hit his highest score of the season. Haynes shared stands of 88 with David Leatherdale (35) and 58 with Damian D'Oliveira (19) but, after hitting 19 fours off 149 balls, he chipped Andy Pick to mid-on.

Another England discard, Martin McCague, staked a persuasive claim for a recall by claiming 8 for 83 to put Kent in charge against Derbyshire at Derby.

The paceman, who won two Test caps against Australia last summer, bowled with hostility and accuracy to take the first six wickets as Derbyshire battled to avoid the follow-on and then added two more in his fourth spell before the close.

McCague, who was handicapped by a bruised foot, displayed stamina and character to undermine Derbyshire's leading batsmen on a slow pitch after Kent had been bowled out for 392. Derbyshire's pursuit of 243 to make Kent bat again quickly became a retreat as McCague reduced them to 99 for four. Dominic Cork (56) and Colin Wells (36) then added 98 to reduce the danger as Derbyshire closed on 284 for 9.

Alan Fordham and Rob Bailey shared an unbroken 205- run stand as Northamptonshire replied strongly to Middlesex's 398 at Northampton. Fordham hit 17 fours in his undefeated 123 off 250 balls - the opener's third Championship century of the season - and Bailey (85 not out) supported well, helping Northamptonshire to 269 for 2.