COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: Heavy overnight rain meant there was no play on day three at Cheltenham, while little was possible at Canterbury
Old Trafford (day three of four): Glamorgan 261 & 348-7d, Lancashire 137 & 226-5 - Lancashire need another 247 runs to win
Two sessions of domination by promotion-chasing Glamorgan will see them go into the final day of this County Championship Division Two clash with Lancashire as favourites despite the hosts giving themselves a sniff of an unlikely victory with a thrilling counter-attack.
Both skipper Sam Northeast and Kieran Carlson scored centuries as the visitors took their overnight score from 95 for 2 to 348 for 7 by the time they declared just before tea with a lead of 472 and a minimum of 147 overs in which to dismiss Lancashire.
In contrast to the first two days, where spin dominated, the Red Rose bowlers toiled, with Northeast and Carlson able to build a huge third-wicket partnership of 215.
Although Chris Green finished with three wickets and match figures of 9 for 175, the writing looked to be on the wall by the time Northeast stuck Lancashire in only for Luke Wells to score a century of his own and leave the home side requiring 247 runs with five wickets in hand.
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Canterbury (day three of four): Leicestershire 471, Kent 203-3 - Kent are 268 runs behind with seven first-innings wickets remaining
The County Championship match between Division Two leaders Leicestershire and Kent looks to be heading for a draw, after just 9.5 overs were possible on day three.
Play began 15 minutes late due to rain, and no wickets fell during a truncated morning session, which saw Kent move to 217 for 3.
Ben Compton, who was 101 not out overnight, added 10 runs to his score, while nightwatch George Garrett was unbeaten on three when the rain returned, shortly before noon.
Although a restart was scheduled for 5.30pm, a further shower forced the umpires to abandon play for the day, five minutes before the players were due to go back out.
Related: Landmarks galore for Ben Compton, the glue holding Kent together
Northampton (day two of four): Derbyshire 377 & 52-4, Northamptonshire 550-9 - Derbyshire are 121 runs behind with six second-innings wickets remaining
Allrounder Justin Broad hit a brilliant 171, his second score in excess of 150 this month, amid a Northamptonshire run fest against Derbyshire at Wantage Road as the hosts racked up a mammoth 550 for 9 declared.
Returning from a wrist injury, Broad struck 18 fours and a six, following his maiden first-class ton, 157 not out at Canterbury at the beginning of July. On a day of records, his 171 was the highest score ever made by a number seven from any team against Derbyshire.
With Rob Keogh also striking an excellent unbeaten 125, the pair put on 208, the highest seventh wicket partnership for Northamptonshire against Derbyshire as the visitors’ attack wilted in the afternoon sunshine.
Luis Reece was the pick of Derbyshire’s bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 114.
Northamptonshire declared 173 ahead and reduced Derbyshire to 52 for 4 at stumps, Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal picking up two wickets in two balls.
It leaves the visitors with a mountain to climb on a pitch offering turn and bounce, still trailing by 121 at the end of day three of this County Championship fixture.
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Cheltenham (day three of four): Middlesex 445, Gloucestershire 54-1 - Gloucestershire are 391 runs behind with nine first-innings wickets remaining
No play was possible on the third day of the County Championship Division Two game between Gloucestershire and Middlesex at Cheltenham.
Heavy overnight rain had soaked the outfield, and downpours continued on and off throughout the morning, leaving umpires Neil Pratt and Sue Redfern with no option but to abandon any prospect of play shortly before 2pm.
Gloucestershire were due to resume their first innings on 54 for one in reply to the Middlesex total of 445.
With the pitch shaved at both ends to encourage spin and the ball having turned appreciably at the end of day two, the visitors were optimistic of securing a meaningful lead.
Now, with more rain forecast today and the outfield saturated, there is no guarantee of a prompt start tomorrow, and unless the two teams contrive a result, a draw looks the only outcome.
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