A wrap of the final day in the latest round of LV= County Championship fixtures, with Divison One leaders Nottinghamshire losing to Warwickshire and Worcestershire beating Gloucestershire to go top of the second tier.
By Callum Dent, Rob Barnett & Matt Somerford
5.45pm - Here is a round-up of the final day in the five championship games:
Division One
Warwickshire revived their title ambitions with an enthralling three-wicket win over Division One leaders Nottinghamshire. Tim Ambrose steered the Bears over the line with an unbeaten 82 at Edgbaston.
Half-centuries from Usman Khawaja and Steven Croft ensured Lancashire batted through the final day at Taunton to confirm a drawagainst Somerset.
Northamptonshire ended a run of seven championship defeats with a comfortable draw against Middlesex at Lord’s after finishing the day on 82 for three.
Division Two
Saeed Ajmal’s seven wickets inspired Worcestershire to a 249-run win over Glamorgan, who were bowled out for 105 at New Road, to send the Pears to the top of the Division Two table.
Essex stayed in touch with the promotion race thanks to a 10-wicket win over Gloucestershire at the Essex County Ground. Openers Tom Westley and Nick Browne knocked off the nine runs they required in nine balls.
Handshakes at Lord's as the game is drawn. Middx 12 points, Northants 10. #middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) July 2, 2014
5.27pm - RESULT! Northamptonshire (384 & 82/3) have drawn with Middlesex (488/9d & 199/5d) at Lord's - It perhaps arrived a little later than we might have expected but the draw has been agreed upon. Northants will be the happier as they end a run of seven consecutive championship defeats since the opening round.
5.18pm - We've just one game still going and that is a Lord's where a draw has all but been agreed upon. Northants are 81 for three and with a maximum of just over 10 overs to go, we might not even get that.
The Captains shake hands and settle for the draw. Lancashire finish on 251/5. We finish with 11 points and Lancashire get 9.
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 2, 2014
5.01pm - RESULT! Lancashire (266 & 251/5) have drawn with Somerset (484) at Taunton - I can confirm Trego bowling leg-spin is a sign that a draw is forthcoming. The captains call it a day with Lancs 33 runs ahead.
4.58pm - Peter Trego is bowling leg-spin at Taunton. You get the feeling they are preparing to shake hands.
Northants have moved on to 69/3 with Spriegel (21*) and Newton (5*) at the crease for the visitors.
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 2, 2014
That's another fifty for Croft off 119 balls with 8x4s. Lancs 236-5, lead by 18. #SomvLancs
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014
4.35pm - RESULT! Warwickshire (343 & 289/7) have defeated Nottinghamshire (406 & 225) by three wickets at Edgbaston - Keith Barker hits the winnings runs and Warwickshire claim a win that has thrust them back into the title picture. Ambrose finished unbeaten on 82 and with Barker put on 55 after the Bears had lost three for six.
4.22pm - Ambrose carves Siddle away for another boundary. The new ball is to his liking and Warwickshire are 10 runs away from a win that will catapult them back into title calculations.
4.18pm - Middlesex have only an outside chance of victory over last-placed Northants at Lord's, but the early dismissal of James Middlebrook after tea helps. The opener edges Toby Roland-Jones to Eoin Morgan at second slip. Northants are 54 for three.
6 for Ambrose off Siddle leaves the Bears 20 for victory. 269-7 #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014
Lancs draw level at 218-5. Croft 38, Horton 28.
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014
4.04pm – The action resumes. Notts take the new ball straight away.
12 - @WorcsCCC are unbeaten in their last 12 @LV_Cricket matches (W6 D6), their longest unbeaten run since 2002/03 (16 matches). Buoyant.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 2, 2014
3.47pm – It’s tea in all three remaining games.
Warwickshire are 261 for seven, needing another 28 to beat Nottinghamshire with three wickets left at Edgbaston.
Lancashire are 212 for five, six behind Somerset in their second innings at Taunton.
Northamptonshire are 45 for two as they bat for a draw with Middlesex at Lord’s.
3.30pm – Ambrose is still going and Warwickshire want 33 more with three wickets left.
8 - Essex lost their first 2 C'ship matches vs. Gloucestershire at Chelmsford (1928 & 1930), but are unbeaten in eight since (W3 D5). Fort.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 2, 2014
We are delighted to announce that .@kiesy_22 has signed a new 3 year deal, keeping him at Taunton until at least 2017 http://t.co/REa32QAfKR
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 2, 2014
3.17pm – RESULT! (Essex 541 & 10/0) thump Gloucestershire (224 & 325) by 10 wickets at the Essex County Ground. The hosts need just nine balls to complete victory, the second of Nick Browne’s two fours doing the job.
WICKET - Kettleborough (5) has been bowled by Tim Murtagh that leaves Northants 30/2 from 12 overs. 274 to win with eight wickets remaining.
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 2, 2014
3.04pm – Rouse and Taylor move Gloucestershire ahead with a fifty partnership shortly before Ryan ten Doeschate traps the former in front for 49, leaving Matt Taylor unbeaten on 32. That means Essex need nine runs for victory.
3.01pm – Notts surge back into the reckoning when Samit Patel breaks through twice in three balls, Chris Woakes and Rikki Clarke the men to go. It’s suddenly a tall order for Warwickshire, who want 55 more with three wickets left.
England squad 1st Investec Test Cook Ali Anderson Ballance Bell Broad Jordan Plunkett Prior Robson Root Stokes Woakes pic.twitter.com/2cpvd1GVGK
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) July 2, 2014
2.56pm – RESULT! Worcestershire (352 & 299/7d) thrash Glamorgan (297 & 105) by 249 runs at New Road. Worcestershire usurp Hampshire atop Division Two. Ajmal, with stunning figures of 7-34, makes it four strikes in seven balls as the hosts romp to victory.
2.49pm – Ambrose goes to a half-century, keeping Warwickshire on course to win.
Glam 100/7 as Bragg is caught behind against Ajmal.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) July 2, 2014
2.40pm – Sam Hain falls to Samit Patel for 63, ending his alliance with Ambrose on 108. Warwickshire need 71 more to win with five wickets left.
2.29pm – Thomas has two wickets in two overs, snaring Tom Smith caught behind. Somerset are on a victory charge now.
100 partnership up between Hain 51* and Ambrose 43*. Warwickshire 220-4 with 69 required for victory #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014
2.16pm – Worcestershire have a sixth scalp and it’s that man Saeed Ajmal with his third, having Jim Allenby caught at backward square-leg for 35 to end a stand of 53 with Will Bragg. The New Road hosts need four more wickets to go top of Division Two.
Alfonso Thomas has his former team-mate Jos Buttler cheaply caught behind as Somerset boost their hopes of beating Lancashire, who trail by 63 with six wickets left.
2.08pm –Middlesex declare on 199 for five, setting Northants 303 to win although the visitors will realistically be batting for a draw. Morgan is unbeaten on 81. There are 56 overs left in the game.
Adam Rouse and Matt Taylor are holding up Essex, but it’s surely a mater of time before James Foster’s side complete victory?
Sam Hain fifty and Warwicks are 200-4. Should win from here.
— CulleyCricket (@CulleyCricket) July 2, 2014
1.57pm – Middlesex look like they’re setting up a declaration as Eoin Morgan and Joe Denly attack. The latter falls to Maurice Chambers.
George Dockrell strikes an important blow for Somerset, having Ashwell Prince stumped for 22.
1.47pm – Jesse Ryder strikes twice in three balls to put Essex a wicket away from victory. He had Jack Taylor caught behind and bowled David Payne, making Gloucestershire 274 for nine, still 43 behind. Matt Taylor survived the hat-trick ball, getting a leg-bye from it.
1.08pm - As promised, here is the state-of-play in the five matches:
Division One
Warwickshire are 176 for four at Edgbaston, requiring another 113 runs to defeat Nottinghamshire.
Usman Khawaja made 60 of Lancashire’s141 for two at Taunton. The Red Rose need 77 more runs to make Somerset bat again.
Middlesex, on 151 for four, lead bottom-placed Northamptonshire by 255 courtesy of Eoin Morgan’s unbeaten 53 at Lord’s.
Division Two
Worcestershire are five wickets away from dethroning Hampshire at the top of Division Two. Glamorgan, in pursuit of 355, are struggling on 46 for five after 30 overs at New Road.
Essex are in pole position to defeat Gloucestershire, reducing the visitors to 273 for seven, still 44 in arrears at the Essex County Ground.
1pm - Somerset strike on the stroke of lunch through George Dockrell. The spinner collects the key wicket of Khawaja, dropped earlier in the over, for 60, ending a 72-run partnership with Ashwell Prince.
We will round-up the lunchtime scores for you in a few minutes.
50 partnership up between Hain 37* and Ambrose 22* in 13 overs. Warwickshire 173-4 with a further 116 required for victory #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014
Live Action:Usman Khawaja reaches 50 http://t.co/eRZ9OwAzHG
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014
12.53pm - Crook snares a second scalp at Lord's. This time he dismisses Neil Dexter for 16, leaving Middlesex 250 in front on 146 for four.
12.47pm - Morgan replicates Khawaja by moving to a fifty at Lord's.
Glamorgan are falling fast in Worcester, losing a fifth wicket when Chris Cooke finds short extra-cover off Ajmal.
12.44pm - Usman Khawaja is trying his best to help Lancashire bat out the final day at Taunton, reaching a half-century from 129 deliveries. The Red Rose are 101 runs behind Somerset.
Dockrell has bowled unchanged this morning. 44 overs gone and Lancs are 108-1 - 110 behind. #SomvLancs
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014
12.37pm - Moeen and Ajmal combine to claim a fourth Glamorgan scalp at New Road. The former takes the catch at square-leg off the Pakistan spinner to remove Ben Wright for 10. The visitors are struggling on 30 for four off 22 overs.
12.31pm - Tom Smith fails to play a shot to Jesse Ryder and is bowled for 16. Essex are three wickets from victory with Gloucestershire still 59 runs away from making the hosts bat again at the Essex County Ground.
Dropped - Wessels puts down Hain at slip off Patel. Warwickshire 149-4 requiring a further 140 to win #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) July 2, 2014
12.16pm - Glamorgan are rocking at New Road as overseas star Jacques Rudolph goes. Morris does the damage again, having the former South Africa batsman caught at midwicket by Richard Oliver. The visitors are 17 for three.
A third-wicket stand of 68 between Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan ends when the former hands a catch to Andrew Hall off Muhammad Azhar Ullah. Middlesex, on 110 for three, lead by 214.
Close call for Prince, who has just survived a missed stumping from Kieswetter against Dockrell. He was on 5. 90-1 after 36 #SomvLancs
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014
Wicket: Luke Fletcher finally accounts for Chris Wright, caught behind by Chris Read. Warwickshire 120-4, needing 169 #WarksvNotts
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) July 2, 2014
12.05pm - Another nightwatchman, Andrew Salter, lasts 51 balls before he becomes Morris' second victim for two. Glamorgan look to be happy to bat for a draw, with the score 12 for two in the 15th over at New Road. That could be a dangerous tactic with spin duo Saeed Ajmal and Moeen Ali in the hosts' ranks.
WICKET Monty Panesar traps Will Gidman lbw for 40. 218 for 6. #EssvGlo
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 2, 2014
11.49am - Nightwatchman Chris Wright is frustrating Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston. Fresh from his first-innings 65, the right-hander has 40 of Warwickshire's 109 for three, 180 runs away from victory.
11.35am - Essex are on the victory trail. Ian Cockbain cannot repeat his heroic efforts from the recent draw with Surrey today. He departs to Ryan ten Doeschate to leave Gloucestershire trailing by 109 on 208 for five.
Davies gone! He's been caught behind off Thomas for 41. Prince on his way to the crease. 65-1 in the 23rd. #SomvLancs
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) July 2, 2014
11.14am - Yesterday's centurion Steven Crook continues his fine match against his former employers at Lord's. Middlesex batsman Neil Gubbins, who compiled a maiden first-class fifty in his first dig, hits the seamer to James Kettleborough to depart for 15.
11.11am - Charles Morris accounts for Tom Lancefield for the second time in the match at New Road, leaving Glamorgan one for one chasing 255.
11.08am - Jonathan Trott fails to add to his overnight 19 as he fends a Peter Siddle bouncer to James Taylor at short-leg.
Here they come... #middlesex150 pic.twitter.com/YH4vu0FfiE
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) July 2, 2014
10.50am - Northamptonshire receive a double injury blow with the news that David Sales and Rob Keogh are expected to be sidelined for some time. Read more here.
10.45am - While we wait for the action to start, why not read how Division Two leaders Hampshire batted out the final day at the Kia Oval to secure a draw against third-placed Surrey.
A walk down the wicket before Day 4 https://t.co/WgtSYk8Oa7
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 2, 2014
10.40am - Good morning and welcome to our LV= County Championship blog, with five matches reaching their conclusions today. Below is how things stand on the final day:
Division One
Warwickshire, on 61 for two, require another 228 runs to beat Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston. Jonathan Trott is unbeaten on 19 for the hosts.
Middlesex are 30 for one at Lord's, leading bottom-placed Northamptonshire by 134.
Lancashire, trailing Somerset by 159, are 59 without loss at Taunton.
Division Two
Gloucestershire are 194 for four, still 123 runs in arrears, against Essex at the Essex County Ground.
Glamorgan are nought without loss after one over in their pursuit of 355 to defeat Worcestershire at New Road.
Ripley on Keogh injury - "Rob has dislocated a finger, which has shown to be broken. An operation won't be needed". pic.twitter.com/80Hpz0BQBh
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 2, 2014