It has been a surprising third day with resilient batting and dogged bowling and two matches completed. Games have twisted and turned and already the season is getting very exciting. We begin with those games that have reached their conclusion.
Day 3
Essex v Gloucestershire - Essex win by an innings and 38 runs.
Ess - 364
Glo - 180 & 146
Essex were the first team to complete a win of the 2012 County Championship season as Gloucestershire were bowled out for just 146 following on. Early wickets cost the visitors and they were never going to recover. Napier finished with 5 for 58 as his side picked up 23 points against Gloucestershire's 3.
Leicestershire v Glamorgan - Leicestershire win by 52 runs
Lei - 249 & 110
Gla - 124 & 183
Leicestershire were pushed hard by Glamorgan despite seeming to have the game in the bag early in the final innings. The visitors were all but finished at 46-5 but Allenby (22), Wallace (47) and Wagg (33) provided some resistance to take the game well into the afternoon session. Nothing though was going to stop the form bowler, and clear man of the match, Joseph who bagged another 6 wickets taking his total in the match to 12. Leicestershire take 20 points while Glamorgan get just 3.
Surrey v Sussex
Sur - 264 & 273
Sus - 196 & 240-8
Lower order resistance has given Sussex hope of an unlikely victory at the Oval. Set 342 to win they were in deep trouble at 133-5 and 173-7, but double figure scores from almost every batsman and a gritty 96 not out, from 307 balls, by young player, Luke Wells, has set the game up for an enthralling final day. Surrey still hold the upper hand but Sussex have already shown that they will not lie down and if they begin well in the morning there could be a fascinating conclusion.
Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Not - 118 & 403
Wor - 130 & 258-6
A century from Worcestershire captain Mitchell as part of a stand of 174 with Ali (94) has given the visitors a chance of an amazing victory at Trent Bridge. In the first session Nottinghamshire added to their lead, eventually leaving their opponents 392 to win. This task was made even harder when Solanki was caught with the score on 61-2. Then began an astonishing partnership that took Worcestershire into the better position.
However in the closing overs of the day Nottinghamshire struck back. Firstly two wickets fell for six runs, then Fletcher took the crucial wicket of Mitchell, who's stump was knocked out of the ground. Finally with his very next ball he bowled Scott to leave Worcestershire on 253-6. At the close they still need another 134 to win.
Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
Der - 286 & 213-0
Nor - 264
A painfully slow but stunning opening partnership has given Derbyshire a chance of beating Northamptonshire. Earlier the visitors were bowled out for a 22 run deficit but they could do nothing with the ball to restrict Guptill (131*) and Borrington (66*). The lead overnight is 235 and Derbyshire will want to score quicker in the morning to give themselves time to bowl their opponents out.
Yorkshire v Kent
Kent - 537-9d
Yor - 316-6
This match is surely heading for a draw unless the captains feel like cooking something up early in the season. Bairstow hit a steady 107 to prevent Kent from taking a strangle hold on the game. Indeed the visitor's bowling attack appears to be a little weak as they toiled away for few rewards. Kent's lead is still 221 but it will take a different day entirely and many more wickets for that to mean anything.
Somerset v Middlesex
Mid - 246 & 38-1
Som - 350
Compton fell one short of a century as Somerset gained a first innings lead of 104, Middlesex made it through to an early close for the loss of just one wicket. Earlier they'd done well to take the home side's last four wickets for only 17 runs and as long as they bat sensibly tomorrow they should avoid defeat.
Pre-season friendlies
Day 2
Durham v Durham MCCU
Dur - 315-4 & 193-7
Dur MCCU - 117
Warwickshire v Cardiff MCCU
Car - 119 (Clarke 3 for 7)
War - 261-6
Hampshire v Loughborough MCCU
Ham - 445-7 & 11-1
Lou - 166 (Wood 41 for 5)
Cambridge MCCU v Lancashire
Lan - 348-7 & 134-1
Cam - 123 (Mahmood 38 for 4)
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