CHAMPIONSHIP DIGEST: Summaries of all Tuesday's action from around the counties

The Cricketer wraps up what happened on day three of the current round of Championship matches

^{Azhar Ali scored a century on debut for Somerset}

DIVISION ONE

Worcestershire vs Somerset

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Azhar Ali scored a century on his Somerset debut – despite a five-wicket haul from England spinner Moeen Ali – as Worcestershire were set a daunting 443 target in the Specsavers County Championship clash at Blackfinch New Road.

The Pakistan batsman is an overseas replacement in the Championship for injured Australian batsman Matt Renshaw who had scored a hundred on his first appearance for Somerset – coincidentally also against Worcestershire - at the Cooper Associates County Ground in April.

Azhar struck two sixes and 13 fours in his 125 from 188 balls before he was last out at 362 for nine, which enabled Moeen to complete his five-for.

It left bottom placed Worcestershire needing to survive 15 overs and they lost Daryl Mitchell (6) and Moeen (7) in reaching 50 for two by the close.

DIVISION TWO

Gloucestershire vs Durham

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Ben Stokes completed match figures of 8-118 as Gloucestershire set Durham 340 to win the Specsavers County Championship match at Cheltenham.

The allrounder pressed claims for an England Test place against India with another lively contribution, looking in good rhythm as he finished with 3-66 in the home side’s second innings of 252 all out.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES

Kieran Noema-Barnett hit an undefeated 69, while Ryan Higgins added 42 to his first innings century and Benny Howell made 43 against an attack again deprived of Mark Wood because of a sore heel.

Tom Latham had been last man out for 147 as Durham extended their first innings total from an overnight 219 for five to 275 all out, but could not prevent his team trailing by 87.

By the close the visitors had moved to 35 without loss in their second innings without undue alarm and required a further 305 for victory.

Derbyshire vs Northamptonshire

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Northamptonshire skipper Alex Wakely revived his team’s chances of pulling off a record-breaking run chase after another Wayne Madsen century set up the prospect of a thrilling finish to the Division Two match against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.

Madsen made 116 and all-rounder Matt Critchley 51 as Derbyshire posted 342 to set Northants 314 which would be the highest fourth innings total at Queen’s Park.

Dan Wheeldon dismissed England batsman Ben Duckett to claim his maiden first-class wicket but 68 from Luke Proctor and an unbeaten 48 from Wakely took the visitors to 174 for three, 140 short of their target.

Reports courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network