Michael Di Venuto tormented his old county Sussex with a career-best 254 not out, before LV County Championship leaders Durham were made to toil themselves in the evening session on day two at the Riverside.

After a delayed start on a day when rain curtailed several matches around the country, Di Venuto moved from his overnight 141 and hit 35 fours and a six from 368 balls in Durham's 473 for four declared shortly before tea.

Dale Benkenstein chipped in with 69 in a fourth-wicket stand of 173 with Di Venuto.

Sussex then lost Chris Nash cheaply, but captain Mike Yardy made an unbeaten 54 as the visitors finished the day on 119 for one.

However, in a worrying development Ed Joyce was struck on the right elbow and retired hurt on 32 towards the end of play.

Somerset and Nottinghamshire are the two teams most likely to have a chance of preventing a second successive title for Durham - and after a late start and further interruptions at Taunton, the hosts advanced from 316 for five to declare on 401 for eight, with Peter Trego unbeaten on 66. Zander de Bruyn (74) was the chief contributor.

Veteran Andy Caddick took two quick wickets as Nottinghamshire were reduced to 77 for three.

White Rose misery extended into Yorkshire Day at Old Trafford, where hosts Lancashire sneered at their rivals' annual celebrations by marching from a start-of-play 106 for none to 219 for two in reply to a paltry 181 all out.

Australian-born opener Paul Horton made 84, and Mal Loye added 61 not out.

Bad weather prevented any play in the other derby match, between Warwickshire and Worcestershire at New Road - where the home side were two without loss in response to 309 all out at stumps on Friday night.