Sussex, who are defending champs this year, could feature as many as three Pakistani players this season. There's Mushtaq Ahmed of course, and Rana Naved, but I had almost completely forgotten that Saqlain Mushtaq had transferred from Surrey to Hove too.

Been ages since these guys played together on the international scene. Saqlain didn't play in Sussex's opening game this week, where Rana and Mushy alone, have done enough to take Sussex on the brink of their first win, but as Mushy says in this interview to The Argus (quoted in by Dawn) Saqlain returning to cricket (he's been in and out a lot in the recent past with a wonky knee, amongst other things) is a great sign, for him personally, and for county and cricket lovers in general everywhere.

Do read that interview, Mushy also speaks of his struggle to come to terms with Woolmer's death and how returning to the field to play may be the only way left for him now to escape it all; its touching read.

And also just for the record, Mushtaq's match figures are 10-219 in 62.4 overs, Rana Naved took 5-170 in the match, and another Pakistani, all rounder Yasser Arafat, playing in the same match, though for the opposition Kent, is also doing quite respectably with 73 runs (33 in the first innings, 40 in the second) and 2-104 (in 28.4 overs so far) which given Sussex piled up 510 in their first innings isn't all that bad.

Elsewhere, in another division one match between Yorkshire and Surrey, more Pakistanis were on show. Azhar Mahmood took 3-73 as Yorkshire put on 594-9 declared, Younis Khan only making 4 of these runs. In reply Surrey got bowled out for 334, Azhar getting 32 batting from the No.8 spot. Younis had another failure with the bat during the 2nd innings, this time scoring just four. Nevertheless his team are in a fantastic position with Surrey already 47-1 by close of play on the 3rd day chasing 517 runs for victory.

Down the 2nd division, Danish Kaneria took 5-152 for Essex as Derbyshire too piled on a 500+ score in their first innings. The match it self is interestingly poised though. Essex replied well through Ronnie Irrani who got an 80 odd but their lower order fell away and they eventually they got bowled out for 407, giving Derbyshire a first innings lead of 144 which by the end of the third day they had already expanded to 284 runs

For a complete round up of from Day 3 all the County Championship matches today, click here.