LONDON. Aug 7 (Reuters/AFP/Int ernet): Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan signed off for

Lancashire with a seven lor 39 haul against Derbyshire on Fri-day.

His effort took Lancashire to a 192-run win at Derby and lifted them into the top half of the English County Champi-onship.

Muralitharan had taken seven wickets in an innings — his match haul was 11 for 61 — four times previously and it boosted his tally of victims to 66 in six games.

Lancashire must now do without him for the rest of the season because he goes back home next week to prepare for a one-day series but he returns to Old Trafford next summer after recently signing a new two-year contract.

Since he made his delayed bow In county cricket, he has taken 66 Championship wickets and team captain John Crawley said: "It's simply amazing. 1 don't think there's been anyone as prolific in recent

"He's done a terrific job for us. he's just outstanding really. Oversease players generally are a bit keen to look after their bodies for their countries when they go home but "muri" has been unbelievable.

"He's happy to bowl all innings from one end and there have been times in The last few games when you couldn't get the all off him.

"He's fitted in really well and although his availability may be a bit sporadic when he's here it's obvious he's going to win games for us."

Derbyshire medium pacer Paul Aldred had an even better return — six for 83 and seven for 101 — but his team fell for 135 in the chase for 328 to win.

Leicestershire’s pursuit of leaders Surrey was frustrated by bad weather at Leicester.

Surrey had beaten Glamorgan inside two days to take a 54-point advantage before second-

placed Leicestershire even began their match against Warwickshire.

Leicestershire captured three for 69. only to be held up by Dominic Ostler with an unbeaten 83 and bad light as Warwickshire reached 214 for four.

Northamptonshire lost for the fourth time in five matches, crumpling against Somerset at Northampton by an innings and 85 runs.

Matthew Bulbeck had match figures of 10 for 108.

Nottinghamshire also won with a day to spare, beating Middlesex by eight wickets at Soythgate. West Indies paceman Vasbert Drakes took 11 for 113 in the match.

At Headingley. Yorkshire defeated Worcestershire by nine wickets to move into the top three.

(M Muralitharan 7-39).

At Riverside: Sussex 231 (P Cottey 53: N Killeen 4-46) and 192 (U Rashid 55; S Brown 6-64) v Durham 141 (J Lewry 4-36) and 153-4).

At Canterbury: Kent 541 (A Symonds 132. M Ealham 80, R Key 77) v Essex 350 (R Irani 127 no. M Ealham 4-51) and 38-3.

At Southgate: Nottinghamshire (19 pts) bt Middlesex (6 pts) by 8 wkts.

Middlesex 291 (D Nash 92, B Hutton 59: V Drakes 6-64, P Ranks 4-96) and 120 (V Drakes 5-49) v Nottinghamshire 306 (J Gallian 74. G Archer 56. P Johnson 55. P Weekes 4-50) and 108-2 (U Afzaal 52).

At Northampton: Somerset (19 pts) bt Northamptonshire (3 pts) by an innings and 85 runs.

Northamptonshire 111 (M Bulbeck 5-45) and 226 (A Pen-berty 53. M Bulbeck 5-63) v Somerset 422-9 dec (K Parsons 80. J Cox 69. J Kerr 64).

At Headingley: Yorkshire (20 pls) bt Worcesterishire (4 pts) by 9 wkts.

Worcestershire 90 (P Hutchison 6-35) and 287 (V Solanki 70. S Lampitt 66 no, T Moody 56) v Yorkshire 374 (G Hamilton 94 no. D Byas 67, A McGrath 51. A Sheriyar 4-94) and 4-1.

At Leicester: Warwickshire 214-4 (D Ostler 83 no, M Powell 52) v Leieesteshire.

At Bristol: Gloucestershire 380 (R Russell 94 no. M Alleyne 75. R Cunliffe 52: S Udal 5-96, J Stephenson 5-60) v Hampshire 105-1 (J Laney 70 no).

BRIEFSCORES

At Derby: Lancashire (17 pts) bt Derbyshire (4 pts) by 192 runs.

Lancashire 224 (G Chapple 83; P Aldred 683) and 235 (G Lloyd 104; P Aldred 7-101) v Derbyshire 132 (P Martin 5-51. M Muralitharan 4-22) and 135