Dukes of hazard back as Essex thrash Lancs

ESSEX continue to set the early pace in division one of the County Championship after a crushing innings-and124-run win over Lancashire at Chelmsford.

Having been the only side in either tier to win a match during the first two rounds, Essex skittled Lancashire — who had managed just 146 in their first innings — for 107, with three cheap wickets each for Jamie Porter and Shane Snater.

It gives the 2019 champions an early 24-point lead with a day to go in round three, as the Dukes ball’s return brought with it a flurry of results inside three days.

Durham completed their first win in the top division since 2016 with a 185- run mauling of Worcestershire at Kidderminster. Set 458 for victory, the hosts were bowled out for 272, with seamer Paul Coughlin taking four for 45.

And there was another welcome victory in the second division, where Middlesex — who are considering building a new home away from Lord’s — made light work of a target of 158 to beat Yorkshire.

Test hopeful Joe Clarke scored his third century in three matches as Nottinghamshire fought back against Somerset at Taunton. After making 104 against Essex and 105 against Worcestershire, Clarke finished unbeaten on 209, having put on an unbroken stand of 370 for the third wicket with New Zealand Test batsman Will Young.

Zak Crawley fell in single figures to Surrey seamer Daniel Worrall for the second time in the match as Kent struggled to stay on terms at Canterbury. Surrey compiled a lead of 299 before declaring on 543 for seven, with former England Test opener Dom Sibley hitting 150 and Dan Lawrence 112 — his first century since joining from Essex.

Crawley then edged behind for four as Kent finished the third day on 120 for five, still 179 short of avoiding an innings defeat.

Ollie Robinson, desperate to prove his worth to England’s selectors, was in the wickets as Sussex took control against Gloucestershire at Hove.

Robinson trapped Australian opener Cameron Bancroft lbw for five and James Bracey for a duck. Earlier, 78 from captain John Simpson and 83 from No 9 Danny Lamb helped Sussex to 479 and a first-innings lead of 62.

Centuries from Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins couldn’t prevent Hampshire from conceding a lead of 90 against Warwickshire, with off-spinner Rob Yates collecting a career-best four for 37.

Karun Nair, who was once a Test triple centurion for India, scored an undefeated 202, and Saif Zaib a round 100, to lift Northamptonshire to 605 for six against Glamorgan, while Derbyshire were facing defeat after being made to follow on by Leicestershire.