LONDON, April 20: Lancashire’s Australian import Stuart Law hit a majestic 169 as he helped his team to a huge 599 all out against champions Surrey on the second day of the new English County Championship season on Saturday.

The 34-year-old from Brisbane extended his third wicket partnership with new recruit Mal Loye (126) to 282 before both fell to Rikki Clarke.

However England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff piled on the misery at The Oval with two sixes in a quickfire 43 off just 34 balls.

Yorkshire’s Richard Blakey became the first double centurion of the new season with an unbeaten 223 in the second division match against Northants at Headingley.

Yorkshire finished the day with a lead of 489 after they declared on 673-8 with Matthew Wood hitting 157.

Northamptonshire had managed a paltry 184 in their first innings before their South African bowler Andre Nel endured a torrid debut finishing with 1-120 as Yorkshire piled up the runs.

Saturday’s scores:

(Second day of four):

Division One:

At Chelmsford: Middlesex 214 (J. Dakin 4-57); Essex 356-7 (D.D.J. Robinson 83, R.C. Irani 69, W. Jefferson 56).

At Trent Bridge: Warwickshire 222 (M.A. Wagh 73; C. Shreck 4-33) and 162-5 (D.P. Ostler 58 not out); Nottinghamshire 349 (B.M. Shafayet 97, D.J. Bicknell 61; A. Richardson 4-85).

At The Oval: Lancashire 599 (S.G. Law 169, M.B. Loye 126, I. Sutcliffe 70, A. Swann 57; I.D.K. Salisbury 4-116) v Surrey.

Division Two:

At Derby: Derbyshire 420 (M.J. Di Venuto 121, L. Sutton 120; S.D. Thomas 4-69); Glamorgan 181-5 (M.P. Maynard 85 not out, R.D.B. Croft 52 not out).

At Bristol: Gloucestershire 203 and 209-5 (J.N. Rhodes 55, M.G.N. Windows 53 not out); Somerset 289 (R. Johnson 118, R.J. Turner 59 not out; J. Lewis 6-58).

At Worcester: Worcestershire 396 (B.F. Smith 104, G.A. Hick 72, S.D. Peters 52; E.S.H. Giddins 4-88); Hampshire 267-5 (N. Pothas 110 not out, J.P. Crawley 93).

At Headingley: Northamptonshire 184 (J. Cook 74) and 20-1; Yorkshire 673-8 declared (R.J. Blakey 223 not out, M.T. Wood 157, C.E.W. Silverwood 53).—AFP/Reuters