Most games appear to be heading towards draws although some captains have made interesting decisions in attempts to snatch victories. For once no game has been completed in three days, leaving some exciting prospects for tomorrow.
Day 3
Worcestershire v Surrey
Wor - 285
Sur - 113 & 216-4 (f/o)
Surrey were skittled in their first innings. For once Richardson was the bowler to miss out, picking up only 2 wickets, while his fellow seamers Lucas and Jones, collected 4 each. Rudolph was the only batsman to hold the side together as he was last man out for 68. Worcestershire, though, took a 172 run lead to put them in a strong position. It should have been much higher, after they had the visitors 43-8, but then let them put on 60 for the ninth wicket.
Unsurprisingly they enforced the follow-on but Surrey applied themselves much better second time around. Ironically Rudolph fell first this time for just 7, but Kevin Pietersen (who scored 11 in the first innings) made 69, while Hamilton-Brown (50*) and Maynard (63*) have batted the visitors into a lead. Jones has had a good day with the ball, picking up another four (all of the wickets to fall so far in the second innings).
It is unclear where this match will go. Surrey have a 44 run lead but will struggle to turn that into a big enough target to put Worcestershire under pressure. The home side will hope to take more quick wickets and knock off the runs, but if they can't the game may peter out to a draw.
Nottinghamshire v Middlesex
Not - 423 & 22-3
Mid - 300-9d
Night-watchman Rayner had a day to remember as he hit a personal best 143 not out to made up for the rest of his team. He then took two late wickets to possibly turn this game for Middlesex. He and Malan (46) put on 119 for the fifth wicket, but Rayner went on to take the visitors to a third batting point. They declared with a deficit of 123, which Nottinghamshire will try to build on before a final scrap for the victory on the last day. The innings hasn't started well, however, with Hales, Edwards and Night-watchman Swann (who couldn't follow in Rayner's shoes) all departing early.
Gloucestershire v Yorkshire
Glo - 351-9d & 48-0d
Yor - Forfeit & 30-1
Exciting developments at Bristol have left an intriguing final day's play ahead. Gloucestershire were finally dismissed, after Williamson had reached 111 and Saxelby and Carter had put on an unbeaten 53 for the last wicket. Bresnan picked up five wickets, while Patterson, who took two in two balls as part of a collapse that saw Gloucestershire slip from 290-4 to 299-9, finished with four.
The captains then came together and made an arrangement, that Yorkshire would conceed their first innings (and any bonus points), Gloucestershire would bat again and set a target, leaving the visitors just over a day to reach it. Yorkshire didn't give any easy runs and the home side struggled to 48 off 27 overs, setting a total of 400. This has to be in Gloucestershire favour and they looked even more likely for the win when Sayers was caught behind with the score on 14.
Who knows what the last day will bring? Almost certainly a victory, but which way?
Essex v Kent
Ken - 225
Ess - 94-2
Kent's batting was almost as astonishing today as it was on Wednesday. Then they were 17-5 but Stevens (119) and Jones (88) changed the look of the innings completely, putting on 194 for the sixth wicket. Essex's bowlers, so effective on the first day, looked poor and went unsuccessful for 52 overs. However things changed suddenly again, as the innings was then wrapped up in less than nine overs. The final five wickets fell almost as quickly as the first five (for just 22 runs) giving the scorecard a bizarre look, with only two batsmen making it past 6. Willoughby finished with 5 for 70.
Essex then began equally as badly, finding themselves on 3-2, but Godleman (27*) and Pettini (61*) have batted them out of trouble. This game is one of several that looks to be heading for a draw, unless a deal can be reached.
Leicestershire v Northamptonshire
Nor - 352-7d
Lei - 38-2
Coetzer (120) and Wakely (63) took Northamptonshire into a good position with a stand of 120 for the fourth wicket, however with only one day left of play a draw seems the most likely outcome at the moment. Knowing they could get no more batting bonus points the visitors declared and then knocked over Smith and Ali to give them a glimmer of hope. Leicestershire though, made it through to the close without further trouble. Northamptonshire will attempt to bowl the home side out for fewer than 202 and enforce the follow-on, while Leicestershire will hope to pick up as many batting points as they can.
Hampshire v Derbyshire
Derbyshire won the toss and decided to field.
Ham - 352-8
Play finally got underway today, but Derbyshire may be regretting choosing to field. After Dawson fell for 6, Adams (122) and Shafayat (93) dominated the bowling to put on 164 for the second wicket. This game has become all about bonus points, with no chance of a result (unless Hampshire could take 20 wickets tomorrow). With fourteen overs left in the first innings to collect points, Hampshire will try to get to 400 and Derbyshire should pick up at least one more wicket.
Durham v Somerset
Dur - 125
Som - 220-8
No play due to rain
Sussex v Lancashire
No play due to a waterlogged outfield.
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