Derbyshire remain in the hunt for place in the final

DERBYSHIRE’S batsmen kept the North Group leaders in contention for a place in the final on the third day of their match against Durham at Emirates Riverside.

A century for Luis Reece and fifties from captain Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen helped Derbyshire pocket four batting points as they closed on 355-4 in reply to Durham’s 337-9 declared.

Godleman passed 9,000 first-class runs and some late acceleration from Leus Du Plooy (40) and Matt Critchley (46 not out) completed a productive day for Derbyshire.

Captain Colin Ackermann led Leicestershire’s resistance as Nottinghamshire pushed for victory at the Fischer County Ground.

Ackermann finished the day unbeaten on 58, the Dutch international’s fourth halfcentury in eight innings in the competition this season, as the Foxes finished the day leading by 22 runs on 143-3.

Nottinghamshire hit 122 runs but lost six wickets in an exciting morning session before declaring with a lead of 121.

John Simpson and Martin Andersson led Middlesex to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Sussex inside three days at Radlett.

Wicketkeeper Simpson and young all-rounder Andersson shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 63 to see the hosts to a winning target of 193 at the end of a fluctuating day.

Ollie Robinson, who took 4-50, including a spell of three for three in 10 balls, had threatened to give Sussex the win, but they were left to rue dropped catches at slip to reprieve both Andersson (27 not out) and Simpson (32 not out) in a dramatic finale.

Sir Alastair Cook added yet another first-class century to his tally but rain looks set to leave Essex and Hampshire to settle for a draw.

Former England captain Cook now has 66 first-class hundreds, having struck a near-flawless three figures at Arundel before reaching his 24,000th run in first-class cricket.

He ended on an unbeaten 129, with Essex 249-3, with play concluding at lunch due to torrential rain making an already wet outfield sodden.