CHAMPIONSHIP DIGEST: Catch up with the latest from around the counties

The current set of County Championship games are coming to an end. Find out what happened on day three across the country...

^{Nottinghamshire celebrate an Essex wicket at Trent Bridge}

Division One

Worcestershire vs Surrey

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Surrey were left a 272 target as they bid to secure the County Championship title for the first time in 16 years after an inspired spell by Morne Morkel on day three of the clash with bottom-placed Worcestershire at Blackfinch New Road.

Morkel picked up five wickets for five runs in 38 balls as Worcestershire collapsed from 154 for two to 203 all out in their second innings when a much larger chase had looked to be looming for the visitors.

It took the South African’s Championship wicket haul to 50 in just eight matches in his debut campaign at the Kia Oval and his fourth five-wicket return.

Surrey’s minimum target from the remainder of the game to make sure of the Championship pennant is to avoid defeat but, with so much time left in the game, a positive result seems assured one way or the other unless the weather intervenes.

Nottinghamshire vs Essex

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Simon Harmer’s best figures of the season and Murali Vijay’s second half century of the match have given Essex a chance of toppling Nottinghamshire in their meeting at Trent Bridge.

Harmer took 6-87 as Notts were bowled out for 337 in their second innings, leaving the defending champions requiring 282 for victory.

Kraigg Brathwaite made 68 for the hosts and Steven Mullaney scored 53 before becoming Harmer’s fifth victim.

Vijay, who hasn’t played since making a pair for India in the second Test of the recent series against England, followed up his first-innings 56 with an undefeated 73 as Essex closed on 147 for one.

Yorkshire vs Lancashire

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Ben Coad claimed four wickets to put Lancashire on the ropes as they pursue 230 to beat Yorkshire in their ongoing relegation battle at Emerald Headingley.

The Red Rose county, in severe danger of dropping out of Division One, suffered a nightmare final hour of day three as they slipped from 66 for two to 95 for seven, closing on 109 for seven.

Coad finished with 4-14 from 10 overs.

Division Two

Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire

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Brett Hutton’s 5-59 and 62 from Ricardo Vasconelos put Northamptonshire on top against Derbyshire at Wantage Road but Hardus Viljoen’s four wickets ensured the home side were not out of sight at the end of the day three, with Northants 198 for eight in their second innings, leading by 231.

Reports courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network