COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: Derbyshire took a giant step towards beating Kent, while an intriguing finish at the County Ground beckons between Northants and Gloucestershire
Derby (day three of four): Derbyshire 587-5 dec, Kent 326 & 157-3 - Kent are 104 runs behind with seven second-innings wickets
Derbyshire moved further down the road towards victory despite Ben Compton's efforts to block their advance on the third day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match against Kent at Derby.
The opener scored 156 from 287 balls out of 326 for 9, and 49 in a second innings, standing at 157 for 3 at the close, after the visitors were forced to follow-on.
Allrounder Anuj Dal was the pick of the home attack in Kent's first innings, taking 4 for 50 from 22 overs, including the prize wicket of Compton.
Tawanda Muyeye made an unbeaten 5,5 but at the close, Kent were still 104 behind and will need resolute batting along with some assistance from the weather to save the game on day four.
Related: "Initially, horrendous": How Henry Crocombe and John Turner belatedly found their rhythm
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Cardiff (day three of four): Glamorgan 383 & 8-0, Middlesex 155 & 235 - Glamorgan won by 10 wickets
Australian Matt Kuhnemann ripped through Middlesex's top order on either side of lunch as Glamorgan cruised to a 10-wicket victory over Middlesex in the County Championship Division Two clash at Sophia Gardens.
The left-arm spinner, available for this match only before heading off to the World Test Championship final next month, ensured he left a lasting impression in Cardiff, returning career-best figures of 6 for 53.
It's the first time since 2015 the Welsh county have achieved three Championship wins on the bounce and the only time in their history that they have achieved the feat by winning each match inside three days.
The victory propels Glamorgan, temporarily at least, into second place behind leaders Leicestershire and marks a truly remarkable turnaround for Sam Northeast's men, who, after the opening three fixtures, sat 19 points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Leicestershire celebrated their fifth win of the opening red-ball block (Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
Leicester (day three of four): Lancashire 206 & 248, Leicestershire 457 - Leicestershire won by an innings and three runs
Leicestershire's remarkable season continued apace with victory over Lancashire by an innings and three runs to further reinforce an already formidable lead in Division Two of the County Championship.
With a 251-run advantage on first innings, brought about largely by centuries from Rehan Ahmed and Lewis Hill, they bowled Lancashire out for 248 to complete a fifth win of the season, all of which have been achieved with a day to spare.
Keaton Jennings, who stepped down as captain earlier this month in the light of his side’s woeful start to the campaign, gave his side hope of salvaging something from this match with a characterful 112, but no other batter made 26 in another dismal Lancashire performance.
Logan Van Beek was Leicestershire’s most successful bowler with 4 for 61, and there were two wickets each for Josh Hull, Tom Scriven and Rehan Ahmed.
Related: The story of left-handers as Essex scrap back into contest
Northampton (day three of four): Northamptonshire 469 & 158-4, Gloucestershire 379-8d - Northamptonshire lead by 248 runs with six second-innings wickets remaining
Australian international Cameron Green warmed up for the World Test Championship final with a superb unbeaten 118 to set up a bold Gloucestershire declaration against Northamptonshire on day three of this County Championship match at Wantage Road.
This was Green's third century in a five-game stint for Gloucestershire as he returns after an eight-month lay-off following back surgery.
After a scratchy start, the Western Australian all-rounder played beautifully, facing 185 balls and striking three sixes and eight fours and looked in excellent touch ahead of next month's Test final at Lord’s. After eight knocks for Gloucestershire, he currently has an average of 73.67 with power to add in the second innings.
Green's innings helped take the visitors from a precarious overnight 156 for 4 to 379 for 8 when opposition skipper Cameron Bancroft called time with Gloucestershire still 90 runs behind, leg-spinner Calvin Harrison finishing with figures of 4 for 94.
In their second innings, James Sales hit his followed his first innings 81 with an unbeaten 49 as Northamptonshire closed on 158 for 4, leading by 248 to set up a fascinating final day.
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