Lancashire and Essex frustrated by the weather
The Specsavers County Championship Division One clash between second-placed Lancashire and leaders Essex looks set to be a draw after rain brought an early close to day three at Old Trafford.
In a contest that had its first day wiped out by wet weather, the hosts moved from 222 for eight overnight to 290 all out, with Haseeb Hameed adding three runs to his 85 before becoming the fifth man ousted by Jamie Porter (five for 73).
Essex, who began the match 36 points clear of Lancashire, then got to 115 for four in their reply, captain Varun Chopra top-scoring with 40. Rain subsequently arrived during tea and led to play being abandoned for the day.
A draw also appears on the cards at Headingley, where poor weather has hampered Yorkshire’s encounter with champions Middlesex.
Somerset were close to a potentially crucial victory over Warwickshire after Marcus Trescothick (119no) starred on the third day of their basement battle at Edgbaston.
James Hildreth contributing 68 and captain Tom Abell 51, the visitors declared on 265-4 in their second innings to set their opponents a target of 402. Warwickshire finished Thursday’s play on 172-6.
The top two are facing each other in Division Two as well, and Worcestershire are poised to cut the gap between them and front-runners Nottinghamshire with victory at Trent Bridge.
Set 226 to win, Worcestershire finished day three needing 103 more runs with eight wickets intact.
Earlier, Notts’ retiring captain Chris Read had made 38 of his side’s 275.
Gloucestershire look set to inflict another defeat upon bottom side Leicestershire, who only lead by eight runs with just three batsmen remaining, after Liam Norwell took five wickets at Grace Road.
Sussex have some hope in their match at Northamptonshire after Jofra Archer (74 not out) and David Wiese (61) shared a ninth-wicket stand of 127 to move their side 128 runs ahead with one wicket in tact.
Elsewhere, Derbyshire’s match against Glamorgan at Derby finally got under way after two washed out days, with the hosts reaching 236 for nine before bad light and rain ended play shortly after tea.