There was a good workout for Rory Kleinveldt this week, playing a major role in Northamptonshire’s 92-run win over Leicestershire at Leicester in the English County Championship.

He hammered a rapid 56 off 34 balls to put his team into a commanding position going into the final day, offering the host a target of 376. Then he took four wickets for 87 off 23.5 overs on Wednesday, helping to close off the innings at 283.

Alviro Petersen helped Lancashire to a nine-wicket win over Kent at Old Trafford, scoring 22 off 27 balls while chasing down a target of 104 in 23 overs.

Paul Horton, who once played for the Tuskers in Bulawayo, provided the impetus with an unbeaten 67 and he and Petersen put on 60 together to cross the finish line.

They were put in this commanding position by another fine show by Zimbabwean paceman Kyle Jarvis , who took 4-67 to go with his first-innings effort of 4-50. Kent fought well to 295 after being asked to follow on, 192 behind Lancs’ 444.

No play was possible at the Oval, where Kevin Pietersen, on eight, was hoping to launch himself at Essex’s bowling attack. Rain ruled the day.

Up in Chester-le Street, Keaton Jennings‘ Durham cruised to a six-wicket win over Sussex. They had a target of 262 and were 115-2 at the close on Tuesday, aided by Jennings’ 38.

Riki Wessels was not able to add to his score as rain ruined the day for Nottinghamshire. Only nine overs were bowled in the day.

Derbyshire captain Wayne Madsen got the quick victory he was looking for as his bowlers wrapped up  Gloucestershire for 411. It was an admirable fightback after Derbys scored 545, but the target of 142 was never going to be enough. Madsen added 20 to the total of 142-3, giving him a seven-wicket win.