Surrey push for victory despite weather hold-up

Surrey put themselves in a strong position to push for victory over Hampshire after a rain-hit third day at the Oval.

Hampshire’s second innings quickly slid from an overnight 31 for two to 116 for five once play resumed at 4.30pm. James Vince and Tom Prest were dismissed within four balls of each other following the early loss of Nick Gubbins, who was caught in the slips by Ollie Pope off Dan Worrall.

Liam Dawson and Ben Brown saw Hampshire through to the close, still 92 runs behind with five wickets in hand.

Gareth Roderick’s first century of the campaign put Worcestershire on top against Somerset at Kidderminster.

The South African made 122 and his partnership of 194 with opener Jake Libby (97) was the foundation of Worcestershire securing four batting bonus points as they built a first-innings lead of 142 at 451 for nine declared.

Somerset were then left three overs to bat and lost Sean Dickson to Jason Holder for a two-ball duck as the visitors finished the day at five for one.

Warwickshire’s match against Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston was also impacted by the weather. In the 35 overs possible, Warwickshire took their first innings to 175 for five in reply to the visitors’ 400 all out, with Ed Barnard building a studious 69.

Jacob Bethell finished a shortened day’s play unbeaten on 38, alongside Danny Briggs (five not out).

Durham’s match against Essex seems likely to end in a draw after rain wiped out day three at the Riverside.

In Division Two, Max Holden and Ryan Higgins scored centuries as Middlesex fought back against

Gloucestershire at Bristol. Middlesex had bowled out the hosts, who had been 271 for six overnight, for 322, to concede a first-innings lead of 119.

Henry Brookes struck three times in one over, claiming the wickets of Ben Charlesworth, Marchant de Lange and Dom Goodman, to finish off the innings.

After Gloucestershire slipped to nine for two, Holden (105) and Higgins (102) against his former club, led the recovery. By the close, Middlesex had posted 262 for three.