Mike Atherton proved his OBE does not stand for ''Only Bats for England'' by making a determined, unbeaten 90 in Lancashire's 17-run defeat of Kent in the AXIA Life League at Old Trafford yesterday.

The England captain warmed up for Thursday's Ashes clash at Lord's in style, as the home side recorded 172 for three from a reduced 35 overs. Kent's batsmen never threatened the target, and wickets tumbled throughout as they slid to 155 all out, with Glen Chapple taking three for 22.

Glamorgan gained some vengeance for Saturday's dismal championship collapse to 31 all out and an innings defeat, with a welcome victory against Middlesex at Cardiff. Matthew Maynard had an unbeaten 71, as Glamorgan reached 186 for four to record a six-wicket success in 35.3 overs.

Earlier, Middlesex surprisingly opted to bat and struggled to 185 for six, captain Mark Ramprakash top-scoring with 47.

Derbyshire's high-profile woes continued in a rain-reduced clash at Edgbaston, where they were soundly beaten by 108 runs. Despite being reduced to 21 overs, Warwickshire made a remarkable 201 for six, Neil Smith setting the tone with a rapid 60 and Dougie Brown upping it further with an amazing 19-ball half-century.

Clearly shaken, Derbyshire's response never gained momentum, and they were whittled out for just 93 in 16.5 overs, with England prospect Ashley Giles taking three for 18. Stuart Law offered another powerful reminder to the Australian selectors of just what they are missing, with a sparkling Sunday best 123 to give Essex victory by eight wickets against Sussex at Hove.

Law joined Paul Prichard (68) in an opening partnership of 199 runs to surpass the home side's 216 for six, with almost 10 overs remaining. Ashley Cowan, invited to join the England party for the build-up to the Lord's Test, celebrated with three for 33 for the visitors.

Worcestershire were beaten in a thriller by Gloucestershire at Bristol, where the visitors fell just one run short of levelling the scores.

Stuart Lampitt, who had earlier snatched four for 49 in the home side's 177 all out in 38.3 overs, needed to hit a 4 off the last ball but could manage only two.

It was a sad end to a brave victory charge by the Pears, led by David Leatherdale's fighting 51, whose last-over dismissal proved crucial.

England's Graham Thorpe stroked an unbeaten 100 to guide Surrey to a five-wicket triumph against Yorkshire at The Oval.

The visitors made 198 for nine, with Darren Lehmann striking 56 and Martin Bicknell finishing with three for 27. But Surrey met their target with nine balls to spare, Thorpe putting together a run-a-ball knock with ten 4s.

Elsewhere, Somerset gained some consolation for yesterday's Championship defeat against Hampshire at Basingstoke by securing a six-run Sunday win. Jason Kerr's impressive four for 28 and Graham Rose's three for 29 haul, adding to his 37 not out with the bat, were the key performances for Somerset. Hampshire had reduced Somerset to 175 all out, Kevan James again in the wickets with three for 16, but with 169 for nine fell short in reply.