COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE ROUNDUP: A century for Ethan Bamber meanwhile has ensured Warwickshire have avoided the follow-on at Chelmsford
Chelmsford (day three of four): Essex 602-5d, Warwickshire 465-9 - Warwickshire are 137 runs behind with one first-innings wicket remaining
Ethan Bamber, nominally batting as nightwatchman, enjoyed the day of his life in recording his maiden first-class century to help Warwickshire narrowly avoid following on in the County Championship match at Chelmsford.
Despite Matt Critchley, the main spin option in the absence of Simon Harmer, taking 5 for 156 from 37 overs, Ed Barnard made sure Warwickshire passed the 453-run target to make Essex bat again with just No11 batsman Oliver Hannon-Dalby for company.
In the team primarily as an opening bowler, the 26-year-old Bamber had never surpassed the 46 not out he compiled against Surrey two summers ago, when with Middlesex.
But he was unflustered and correct in defence and attack in remaining at the crease for nearly four hours for his crucial 107 that makes a draw on the fourth day inevitable.
Bamber was not overawed in a 64-run stand for the third wicket with Dan Mousley, who hit 75 from 88 balls, and 80 for the fifth wicket with Beau Webster, whose contribution was 32.
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Ethan Bamber shone with the bat for Warwickshire (Getty Images)
New Road (day three of four): Hampshire 293 & 139-2, Worcestershire 249 - Hampshire lead by 183 runs with eight second-innings wickets remaining
Sonny Baker's five-wicket haul and a Nick Gubbins half-century helped drive Hampshire into the ascendancy on day three of the County Championship clash against Worcestershire.
Baker's morning burst of three wickets saw him to figures of 5 for 72, as Jake Libby's 100 not-out could not see Worcestershire into the lead despite early promise, as his side were bowled out for 249.
With a lead of 44, the visiting side batted through the day with relative comfort on a flattening wicket, as Joe Weatherly and Fletcha Middleton made early progress for their side.
Nick Gubbins then scored an unbeaten 55 to see his side to 139 for 2 at the close, with the away side well in the hunt for a third Championship victory of the season.
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Scarborough (day three of four): Sussex 222 & 115-3, Yorkshire 545-9d - Sussex are 208 runs behind with seven second-innings wickets remaining
Allrounder Matthew Revis continued his sparkling run-scoring form in the County Championship, posting his third hundred in as many matches to help Yorkshire press for a crucial victory over Sussex at Scarborough.
Dating back to late June, in Yorkshire’s last four Division One fixtures, Revis - 23 years old - has posted scores of 93 not out, 150, 110 not out and a career best 152 not out.
He hit the 150 in a victory over Essex at York, 110 not out in last week’s draw here against champions Surrey, and now this 188-ball effort with 14 fours and two pulled sixes against spin.
Yorkshire declared on 545 for 9 midway through the afternoon, leading by 323 with 44 overs remaining in the day, and then restricted Sussex to 115 for 3 at close. Opener Daniel Hughes gave the visitors something to cheer with an impressive rearguard 56 not out from 131 balls.
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