In a remarkable display, James Anderson led Lancashire to an unexpected win on the final day against Derbyshire, taking four wickets for 18 runs. Now 43 and two seasons into his retirement as England's record Test wicket-taker, Anderson's intervention was instrumental in securing a 20-run victory for the Red Rose at Emirates Old Trafford. Chasing a target of 138, Derbyshire were dismissed for 108, with Anderson claiming the wickets of Martin Andersson, Anuj Dal, Ben Aitchison, and Shoaib Bashir, before running out Zak Chappell to seal the win. This victory, Anderson's first as permanent Lancashire captain, lifts the team to second place after two matches in the Division Two season.
Meanwhile, in Division One, Surrey's England duo, Jamie Smith and Ollie Pope, found form in a high-scoring draw against Leicestershire, posting first-innings centuries and adding 89 and 83 not out, respectively, when the match ended in a draw. Defending champions Nottinghamshire secured their first win, defeating Glamorgan by 192 runs at Trent Bridge. Sussex achieved their second consecutive win, chasing down 328 against Warwickshire with Jack Leaning scoring an unbeaten 120. Yorkshire, however, suffered a 214-run loss to Hampshire, while Kent managed a draw against Northamptonshire, thanks to Ben Compton's unbeaten century.