A round-up of the latest round of LV= County Championship games on a day Gloucestershire claimed a rare win at New Road.
By Will Jackson & Matt Somerford
7.25pm - We have some exciting finishes set up for tomorrow. Here is a round-up of the state of play in the games across the country.
Title-chasing Nottinghamshire require 211 on the final day to beat Northamptonshire after they negotiated the final over of the day to be none for none.
Leaders Yorkshire are on top against Sussex at Scarborough, but head into the final day with time also a factor. Sussex are 98 for fourand 27 runs adrift.
Somerset are one without loss against Warwickshire after the Bears declared with a lead of 404 in a game where the loser’s title bid will almost be over.
Durham are 59 for one in their second innings against Lancashire and, with a deficit of 22 runs, head into the final day knowing a draw will keep them above their rivals in the relegation zone.
Leaders Worcestershire suffered their first defeat of the season, despite Richard Oliver’s career-best 179, as Gloucestershire quickly chased down a victory target of 177 with seven wickets to spare.
Essex need two wickets to complete victory over Glamorgan who survived the extra half hour to be 237 for eight in their pursuit of 348.
Kent will start the final day on 98 for two and looking to bat through for a draw after Hampshire set them a giant chase of 501.
Surrey skipper Gary Wilson must decide whether to declare overnight with his side on 217 for four - with a lead of 324 - and needing victory to boost their promotion bid against Leicestershire.
Kane Williamson speaking to the media after his magnificent 189 has put #YCCC in a strong position. pic.twitter.com/BPakCjHeUk
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
6.50pm - Nottinghamshire see out the final over the day to be none for none. They will need 211 on the final day against Northants.
Close day 3 & Durham 2nd inns 58-1 (Jennings 17 Borthwick 5) trail @LancsCCC by 23 runs #LanvDur
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) August 17, 2014
6.35pm - A few stumps scores are starting to roll in now.
Glamorgan are the most relieved county to see the umpires flick the bails as they've negotiated the extra half-hour taken by Essex to try and win the game. It may be a stay of execution, but they are 237 for eight - chasing 348 - at Swansea.
Kent are 95 for two chasing an unlikely 501 against Hampshire while Sussex are 98 for four against Yorkshire. Somerset did get through that tricky period of four overs. They're one without loss.
WICKET - Willey skies one to cow corner and is well taken by Franklin off Fletcher for 28. Northants finish 338 all out a lead of 210 runs
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) August 17, 2014
6.32pm - Luke Wright has clubbed a half-century from 54 balls as Sussex look for quick runs to accelerate the contest against Yorkshire up at Scarborough. Sussex are 93 for four, in the 29th over, but still trailing by 32 runs.
Wicket Watch: Stoneman out caught by Croft http://t.co/BNRbIYsV6z
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) August 17, 2014
6.21pm - They are off for the sixth time since tea at Grace Road. This time it might be for good as bad light sets in. Surrey are 217 for four and hold a lead of 324 that might just about be worth declaring on overnight if they can't get back on this evening.
Warwickshire have declared against Somerset at Taunton on 322 for seven and, more importantly, with a lead of 403 runs. I believe the correct vernacular is to suggest Somerset have been left with a "tricky period" before stumps now.
WICKET - Hall edges one behind off Fletcher for 67. Northants now 329/8 leading by 201 runs #GoSteelbacks
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) August 17, 2014
Essex take the extra half-hour with Glamorgan on 228/8
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) August 17, 2014
5.57pm - 100 for Rory Burns! The Surrey left-hander's century has put his side in a great position in this game.
5.55pm - Yorkshire are on a roll tonight. Tim Bresnan gets his first of the innings as Craig Cachopa goes and Sussex are 48 for four.
WICKET Greg Smith reintroduced at pavilion End and gets the wicket of James Harris. LBW for 22. 221 for 8. Graham Wagg 49*. #GlavEss
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) August 17, 2014
5.46pm - RESULT! Gloucestershire (378 & 178/3) beat Worcestershire (194 & 360) by seven wickets at New Road. Alex Gidman's 146 set up an excellent win against top-of-the-table Worcestershire for Gloucestershire.
5.34pm - Lancashire take a first innings lead of 81 after Ben Stokes gets the final wicket of Glen Chapple. Unless something drastic happens, it would appear that that game is heading for a draw.
5.30pm - Matt Spriegel has been removed by Steven Mullaney for 11, as Nottinghamshire close in on the Northamptonshire tail.
Wicket! Tom Bailey edges behind to Mustard off Hastings for 10. @LancsCCC 417-9 lead Durham by 77 runs #LanvDur
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) August 17, 2014
5.28pm - A third wicket falls at New Road, but Gloucestershire are just 18 runs away from claiming a win.
5.16pm - The first-innings centurion Ed Joyce is the latest man to go at Scarborough. He's gone lbw to Sidebottom and Yorkshire are rampant. Is that the straw that breaks the camel's back?
5.08pm - Chance for Yorkshire as Chris Nash is put down at slip, later in the same over however...
Nash gone! Brooks gets him caught behind for 15. It's 20-2 in the 10th.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
4.58pm - It looked a long way off to start with, but it's just got a whole lot worse for Kent as their skipper Rob Key departs for seven to former Kent man Matt Coles.
Ashwell Prince has fallen four balls after reaching 100, Lancashire lead by 53.
4.53pm - Chris Dent reaches 50 but is out just an over later. Gloucestershire still need 75 runs to win.
4.46pm - Tillakaratne Dilshan motored to 35 but he's been caught out by Jigar Naik, and Niall O'Brien completes the stumping. Andrew Salter is the latest Glamorgan man to go, and Glamorgan are teetering on the brink.
WICKET Monty again, this time Mark Wallace is lbw looking to play into leg side. He made 8 and Glamorgan 144 for 6 #GlavEss
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) August 17, 2014
4.37pm - Yorkshire's march towards victory is on now as Ryan Sidebottom bowls Luke Wells for a duck. Sussex face a tricky period before the clsoe of play tonight, and are still 117 runs behind.
5.35pm - Tom Westley gets a key wicket for Essex with the first over of a new spell. The dangerous Jim Allenby is caught at leg slip by substitute fielder Tim Phillips and the home team face a huge task of chasing down 348 now.
Adam Rossington's fine match with the bat comes to an end, he's edged Fletcher behind for 80.
5.27pm - Gloucestershire have made a good start to their run-chase at New Road. They have however lost Will Tavare for 33, with 110 still needed.
5.24pm - Enough is enough for Hampshire, who have declared to set Kent a target of 501 after Adam Wheater is bowled by Cowdrey.
Brooks gone! Caught at backward point off Tredwell for 15. Yorks 493 all out. That's a 125-lead with 30 overs left in the day.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
4.04pm - They're back on at the Spitfire Ground, and Liam Dawson has fallen for six in the pursuit of quick runs, becoming Fabian Cowdrey's second scalp.
Big blow for Glamorgan who have lost Cooke for 53 straight after the tea break, still 228 runs shy of their target.
Williamson gone! Another c&b for Wells, 189, and it's 466-9, which is a lead of 98.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
3.45pm - Gloucestershire are 36 without loss after eight overs as they take tea at New Road. It is a confident start in pursuit of 177 to beat leaders Worcestershire.
3.43pm - It is tea at Swansea and Glamorgan are 119 for three. Chris Cooke brought up his half-century just before the break. He's still got plenty of work to do though with the hosts needing another 229 runs.
Yorkshire are 459 for eight as Steven Patterson falls lbw to Luke Wells. The White Rose are 91 runs ahead with 40 more overs still to be bowled today.
3.41pm - Tim Ambrose reaches his fifty and two balls later he falls for 54. Johann Myburgh is brought into the attack for the first time and strikes with his fourth ball, caught by Tom Abell at short leg, to leave Warwickshire 169 for five and 250 runs ahead.
And now we are off as the rain starts to get heavier...Surrey 111-2 Burns 60*, Dilshan 2* and that is tea - lead by 218
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) August 17, 2014
3.32pm - After a hailstorm at Old Trafford the umpires have wisely decided now is a good time to have tea. Lancashire are 380 for seven with Ashwell Prince two away from his ton.
Naik has a second wicket at Grace Road with Vikram Solanki caught driving to Charlie Shreck. Surrey are 111 for two.
Panesar traps Goodwin l.b.w. Glam 111/3
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) August 17, 2014
3.10pm - The rain has prompted an early tea at the Spitfire Ground with Hampshire 233 for two. That's a lead of 422 runs.
Surrey's century opening stand is broken. Zafar Ansari is trapped lbw by Jigar Naik for 43.
3.07pm - Worcestershire have been bowled out for 360. Norwell knocks over Mitch McClenaghan to complete his good session and return figures of 4-69. Gloucestershire therefore need 177 to beat the leaders.
Bresnan gone! He's been caught and bowled by Wells' leg-spin for 61. It's 449-7, which is an 81 lead.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
2.53pm - They've returned at Old Trafford and Stephen Parry's handy 37 is ended aims he aims a hook at John Hastings only to edge behind to Phil Mustard. It was just what the doctor ordered for Lancs though as his runs have steered them into a 40-run lead.
Glamorgan are 83 for 2. Goodwin 38, Cooke 29 Monty Panesar has switched ends and bowling in tandem with Greg Smith. #GlavEss
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) August 17, 2014
2.49pm - Norwell strikes for the third time in the afternoon session to drag the momentum back Gloucestershire's way. Jack Shantry is caught by Dent and Worcestershire are 164 ahead with two wickets in hand.
2.38pm - Williamson reaches 150 for Yorkshire shortly after Bresnan brings up his half-century as they continue to pile up the runs. Yorkshire are 63 runs ahead.
Joe Leach becomes Norwell's second victim at New Road and Worcestershire are 346 for seven.
Rain has forced the players off at Old Trafford and the Spitfire Ground. There was a brief delay at Grace Road, but the players have returned.
WICKET - Middlebrook is caught in the slips by Wessels off Adams for 41. Northants are now 151/5 leading by 23 runs #GoSteelbacks
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) August 17, 2014
2.17pm - Hampshire skipper Jimmy Adams falls three runs short of a century. Adam Riley bowls him and Hants are 197 for two.
Ben Cox is bowled by Liam Norwell at New Road and Worcestershire are 137 ahead with four wickets up their sleeve.
2.07pm - Kane Williamson and Tim Bresnan have brought up their century stand for the seventh wicket at Scarborough. They've also ticked Yorkshire past 400 for all the batting points.
Northants have snuck intop the lead aganist Notts. They've six wickets left to try and set the title-chasers a difficult victory target.
1.59pm - Andre Adams strikes twice in two balls and Nottinghamshire are in firm control now. Rob Keogh is the Kiwi's first victim, after making 59, before Ben Duckett falls first ball offering Riki Wessels the catch. Northants still trail by six runs with four wickets in hand.
Wicket Carberry c Harmison b Riley 81. Hampshire 181/1 (61.4 overs) #KENvHAM
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) August 17, 2014
1.55pm - Richard Oliver's brilliant innings is over on 179. The Worcestershire opener has steered his side away from near-certain defeat to a position wher they might even win the game. Chris Dent gets his first wicket of the game as he has Oliver caught by Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick.
1.49pm - They have had the briefest of delays for rain at Emirates Old Trafford. Four balls after lunch the players were sent scampering, but the sun poked its head out immediately and the umpires turned around.
Back-to-back boundaries for Bresnan against Hatchett gains a first innings lead. Then six no balls. 14 off three balls in this over. 377-6
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
1.35pm – Lunch arrives at Taunton with Warwickshire77 for three in their second innings, 158 ahead of Somerset.
1.12pm - There is still play at Taunton, after rain delayed play this morning.
1.11pm - With lunch being called around a country, here's a look at how the eight games are going at the break:
Division One
Kane Williamson struck his first century for Yorkshire as they reached 362 for six at Scarborough. The league leaders are still six runs behind Sussex's first-innings total.
Northamptonshire recovered from a shaky start to reach 107 for two, 21 behind Nottinghamshire, after the visitors were dismissed for 388 earlier in the day.
Lancashire made steady progress to reach 332 for six at Emirates Old Trafford. Ashwell Prince remains unbeaten on 83 as the hosts inch up towards Durham's first innings total of 340.
Division Two
Hampshire have cruised to 136 without loss at the Spitfire Ground. They lead Kent by 325 on the third day.
Worcestershire are 269 for four, but with a lead of just 85 against Gloucestershire thanks to Richard Oliver who is currently not out on 160.
Glamorgan suffered an early blow after being set 348 by Essex. Jacques Rudolph was dismissed just before lunch to leave the hosts on 13 for one.
Surrey secured a first-innings lead of 107 and added a further 33 runs to that total after Leicestershire's lower-order batsmen frustrated them.
12.54pm - Warwickshire, who are 121 in the lead, have lost their third wicket as Jonathan Trott is caught behind for 14 to give Peter Trego a first scalp.
Wicket! Tom Smith on 44 drives at Rushworth and is really well caught low down by diving MacLeod at gully @LancsCCC 316-6 (104.5ov) #LanvDur
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) August 17, 2014
12.33pm - Ryan ten Doeschate, who only retired hurt around 10 minutes ago, has come back to the crease after Monty Panesar made just four. The Essex all-rounder collided with Saj Mahmood mid-pitch, injuring his shoulder earlier.
His partner Matt Salisbury is caught and bowled by Allenby, however, and Glamorgan will need 348 to win.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore has also gone; he has also perished to Craig who is doing a good job at New Road.
12.25pm - Leicestershire have conceded a first-innings lead of 107, after being bowled out for 373. Niall O'Brien was the man stranded on 89.
At Scarborough Yorkshire are racing along and are closing in on the Sussex total, the new ball has finally been taken however.
Ten Doeschate retires hurt for 63. Essex 208/8 and their last pair at the wicket
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) August 17, 2014
12.17pm - Somerset are on a bit of a roll this morning. Alfonso Thomas has got Will Porterfield caught behind for just two, leaving Warwickshire 15 for two.
Saj Mahmood and Alexei Kervezee are two other batsmen who have fallen, with New Zealander Mark Craig picking up his first wicket for Gloucestershire.
WICKET | Freckingham caught behind off Linley for 6, 355-9
— Leicestershire CCC (@leicsccc) August 17, 2014
12.08pm - Napier's innings doesn't last long as he is bowled by James Harris. At Taunton Ian Westwood's first innings heroics can't be repeated as he is dismissed for seven.
12.02pm - Gurney has the second breakthrough for Nottinghamshire, who are closing in on a win that would put huge pressure on Yorkshire at the top of the table.
Graham Napier the new batsman with Ravi Bopara as his runner. Ryan ten Doeschate 59*. 196 for 6. #GlavEss
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) August 17, 2014
11.50am - Chris Tremlett breaks a frustrating partnership for Surrey, trapping Nathan Buck in front for 26.
Greg Smith has gone at Swansea; he made 58 before becoming Jim Allenby's seventh victim of the match.
11.46am - It's a good day to be a Yorkshire fan:
You beauty! Two #YCCC players have become century-makers today - good work @joeroot05& Kane Williamson. Proud. pic.twitter.com/N7iPOfFOB0
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
Kane's first Yorkshire hundred! It's come off 187 balls with 12x4s. Yorks are 298-6 in the 72nd over.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) August 17, 2014
11.41am - Adil Rashid made his intentions clear from the off, but his enterprising knock has come to an end on 28.
Richard Oliver has reached his first first-class hundred! In just 137 deliveries, the left-hander, plucked from minor counties cricket earlier in the season, has turned the game around for Worcestershire.
11.24am - Nottinghamshire were in a bit of trouble yesterday morning after losing four quick wickets. However, despite being dismissed cheaply this morning, Luke Fletcher has an early breakthrough.
11.22am - Play is due to start in about 10 minutes at Taunton, after the earlier rain has cleared up.
Muhammad Azhar Ullah has got the final wicket for Northants, bowling Harry Gurney to dismiss the visitors for 388, a lead of 128 runs.
11.05am - There's a very early wicket at Wantage Road, where David Willey has picked up his fourth and the ninth of the Nottinghamshire innings.
10.54am - Not great news from Taunton:
Light rain is currently falling at the County Ground - forecast is for showers. It will be a delayed start so we will update you shortly.
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) August 17, 2014
10.36am - There has been a fair bit of overnight rain but it all seems to be clearing up on time and as of yet, we have no delays.
10.30am - Good morning and welcome to our LV= County Championship blog. All games look set to start on time - let's crack on!
For a round-up on yesterday's play, click here.