The Cricketer wraps up the best of the action on day three of the sixth round of LV= Insurance County Championship matches in 2023
Old Trafford (third day of four): Somerset 361 & 114-3, Lancashire 326-9 - Somerset lead by 149 runs with seven second-innings wickets in hand
A century on his Lancashire debut by New Zealander Daryl Mitchell dragged Lancashire back into contention on the third day of their LV=Insurance Division One clash with Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford.
Mitchell's brilliant knock helped a Lancashire side missing the injured James Anderson close their first innings on 326 for 9, just 35 behind the visitors, who extended that lead to 149 runs for the loss of three wickets by the close.
Although Mitchell's effort was the undoubted highlight, Craig Overton also produced a timely reminder to the England selectors of his skills with 4 for 52, while Mitchell's fellow Kiwi, Matt Henry, took 4 for 73 on a sun-drenched day in Manchester.
Earlier, Lancashire had got off to the worst possible start when nightwatch Will Williams was out first ball of the day for 0, edging Overton behind to Steve Davies.
72 for 3 quickly became 82 for 4 when Steven Croft was strangled down the leg side off Overton for seven, bringing Mitchell to the crease for his first appearance for the Red Rose.
What followed was something of a masterclass by the New Zealander as he kept George Balderson company while he reached his sixth first-class 50 and then steadily began to build the first of three partnerships that would frustrate the Somerset bowlers for long periods of the afternoon.
Daryl Mitchell scored a century for Lancashire [Luke Adams/Lancashire Cricket]
The Oval (third day of four): Middlesex 209 & 128-3, Surrey 380 - Middlesex trail by 43 runs with seven second-innings wickets in hand
Surrey will fancy their chances of claiming a third win of the season in the County Championship after building a first innings lead of 171 against Middlesex on day three at the Kia Oval.
Jamie Smith made 97 and their last three wickets added 97 to swell their total to 380 before Middlesex lost Sam Robson and Mark Stoneman in successive overs after an opening stand of 51. Steve Eskinazi fell just before the close with Middlesex 128 for 3 at stumps, still 43 behind.
Smith batted superbly during the morning and looked certain to score his first century of the season. But tied down by leg-spinner Luke Hollman, he came a couple of yards down the pitch looking to clear mid-wicket and was beaten in the flight, allowing John Simpson to complete an easy stumping.
Until that indiscretion the 22-year-old hardly played a false shot and was particularly punishing on the unusually out of sorts Toby Roland-Jones.
Jamie Smith made 97 for Surrey [Ben Hoskins/Getty Images]
Canterbury (third day of four): Kent 95 & 66-0, Hampshire 373 - Kent trail by 212 runs with 10 second-innings wickets in hand
Kent were left battling for a draw after three days of their County Championship match with Hampshire at Canterbury.
The hosts are on 66 for no loss in their second innings, trailing by 212, with Zak Crawley unbeaten on 35 and Ben Compton 30 not out.
Earlier Liam Dawson hit 84, Joe Weatherly 58 and James Fuller 51 as the visitors posted 373 in their first innings.
Kent had started well, with Wes Agar taking three early wickets to help reduce Hampshire to 159 for 5, but after riding out a torrid opening session the visitors kicked on after lunch and took a 278-run lead.
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