There are several close and exciting games in what is becoming the most gripping round of cricket yet. It's weeks like this that make me want to see five day cricket! That is not an option however and so I'm hoping that there will be a few deals done in those matches that may otherwise head for a draw.
One game has already finished though and we begin there.
Day 3
Derbyshire v Glamorgan - Derbyshire win by 8 wickets
Gla - 236 & 188
Der - 355 & 71-2
Derbyshire were finished off quickly in the morning but still had Glamorgan under huge pressure. Madsen finished 130 not out as the hosts took a 119 run lead. Glamorgan's openers only lasted five overs but Bragg scored 78 to lift the visitors. Wickets fell in clusters and Wainwright helped wrap the innings up with figures of 5 for 51.
Derbyshire were left needing 70 to win with an hour still to play, but they didn't need all that time as Guptill (30 off 23 balls) gave them the perfect start. Two wickets fell, but Glamorgan were never in the contest, meaning that Derbyshire are still yet to lose this year, and further their lead at the top of Division 2.
Derbyshire take 23 points, while Glamorgan get 4.
Warwickshire v Lancashire
War - 557-6d
Lan - 197 & 122-3 (f/o)
Warwickshire successfully enforced the follow-on as they dismissed Lancashire in 67.5 overs. Moore lasted just 16 balls second time round but Horton (56*) and Brown (45) gave the visitors some hope. However they still trail by 238 and they need a miracle if they are to avoid a fourth defeat. Warwickshire, meanwhile, are chasing a fourth victory.
Surrey v Somerset
Som - 512-9d & 154-7
Sur - 388
Surrey avoided the follow-on with tenth man Lewis scoring 42. They have fought back excellently after Somerset's early dominance, although the visitors still hold the upper hand. With a lead of 124 Somerset began their second innings but soon lost wickets. Compton (50) and Kieswetter (43) put on 92 together but five wickets from Meaker has leveled the game.
Leicestershire v Essex
Lei - 372 & 148-3
Ess - 409
Extras notched up 50 runs but no batsmen reached 100, despite Essex racking up over 400 runs. Meanwhile wicket-keeper Eckersley picked up 5 catches to match White's 5 wickets. Leicestershire soon knocked off the 37 run defecit and have now built up a lead of 111. They will try to bat hard in the morning to set a big total, with time to bowl Essex out, although, judging by the first innings, that may not be too easy. This is a very close and exciting game.
Worcestershire v Sussex
Sus - 315 & 143-0
Wor - 259
Worcestershire added 28 runs in the morning to reduce the defecit to 56, but Sussex soon restored their advantage. Panesar took three wickets to give the visitors the lead and Joyce (70*) and Nash (69*) quickly began to build on that. Worcestershire bowled tightly but couldn't make any impact as the openers took the lead up to 199. Sadly the last session was ruined by rain, but the game is nicely poised going into the final day.
Yorkshire v Hampshire
Ham - 427 & 21-1
Yor - 399-9d
Yorkshire batted steadily to avoid being dismissed cheaply and owed a lot to McGrath who finished 106 not out. Runs down the order left the two sides very evenly ballanced. The home side declared to have a bowl at Hampshire before the close and were rewarded with the wicket of Dawson for 8.
Will Hampshire be able to set a target tomorrow, or will this game turn into a hard fought, but inevitable, draw?
Kent v Northamptonshire
Nor - 418
Ken - 280-6
Some time was lost today and this game is now seemingly heading for a draw with less than two innings completed. Kent batted very slowly and managed to avoid a collapse as every batsman has reached double figures. Powell (61) and Stevens (57) put on 101 for the fifth wicket and by the close the visitors had reduced the defecit to 138, with four wickets in hand. I hope for interest's sake that a deal may be reached with Northamptonshire setting a target in the morning.
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