COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE ROUNDUP: The England spinner took 7 for 68 to bowl relegation-threatened Hampshire out for just 172 at Taunton, while the matches at Edgbaston and Hove slip towards draws
Taunton (day three of four): Somerset 454-8, Hampshire 172 & 35-1 - Hampshire trail by 247 runs with nine second-innings wickets remaining
A spin-bowling masterclass from Somerset's Jack Leach plunged relegation-threatened Hampshire into deeper trouble on the third day of the County Championship Division One match at Taunton.
After the hosts had increased their first innings total from an overnight 381 for 7 to 454 for 8 declared, the left-arm spinner, overlooked in recent times by England, claimed 7 for 69 from 24.3 overs to help bowl out Hampshire for 172 and make them follow on.
Kasey Aldridge was last man out in the Somerset innings for 180, having begun the day on 149, while Craig Overton finished unbeaten on 50. Hampshire made a better fist of things in their second innings, reaching 35 for 1 before rain and bad light ended play 15.1 overs early, but still face a backs-to-the-wall fight tomorrow to avoid what might prove a hugely damaging defeat.
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John Simpson made a half-century for Sussex (Getty Images)
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Edgbaston (day three of four): Essex 325-5, Warwickshire
Warwickshire and Essex are heading for a County Championship draw after a third-day washout at Edgbaston.
There was never a chance of play after heavy overnight rain was followed by steady further rain during the morning, leading to a 2pm abandonment.
With the first day having also been washed out, the match will go into the fourth day still in its first innings, with Essex on 325 for 5.
The match is certain to end in a draw, which will secure Essex's Division One status.
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Hove (day three of four): Yorkshire 194, Sussex 232-8 - Sussex lead by 38 runs with two wickets remaining
Captain John Simpson made the only half-century so far in a bowler-dominated contest as Sussex and Yorkshire battled for supremacy at Hove.
Simpson's 66 on a day when only 51 overs were possible because of rain and bad light helped Sussex to 232 for 8, a lead of 38.
With a day to go a draw still seems the likely outcome – a result which would suit both teams, bearing in mind the struggles two of the teams below them in the table – Hampshire and Durham – are having in the penultimate round of matches.
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