The Cricketer rounds-up all the events from the third day of the Bob Willis Trophy as the first round of games edge towards their conclusions
Chelmsford (third day of four): Kent 387 & 112, Essex 298 & 0-0
Simon Harmer showed glimpses of his 2019 form to snatch four wickets and set up a pulsating final day of Essex’s Bob Willis Trophy clash with Kent.
Former South African spin bowler Harmer, who took 71 wickets last season, had been targeted in the first innings and had gone 26 wicketless overs before pinching two late scalps.
But the Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2020 took four for 35 to help Essex roll Kent out for 112, with fast bowling duo Jamie Porter and Sam Cook contributing with analysis of two for 31 and three for 19.
It means Essex, who earlier saw Ryan ten Doeschate score 78, will require 202 to win on the last day at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford.
The Kia Oval (third day of four): Middlesex 347-6d & 184-3, Surrey 282
Tim Murtagh’s devastating second new ball spell of 6-5-4-4, and a dramatic Surrey collapse in which they lost their last seven first innings wickets for only 28 runs in 15 overs either side of lunch, has given Middlesex full control of the Bob Willis Trophy’s London derby.
By the end of day three Middlesex had stretched their overall lead to 249 by reaching 184 for 3 in their second innings with Max Holden scoring 43 and Nick Gubbins following up his first innings 192 with 49 not out.
Gubbins added a handy 71 in just 11 overs in the late afternoon sunshine with Martin Andersson, who has so far hit seven fours in a punchy unbeaten 35 off 37 balls.
Holden was joined by Sam Robson (31) in a first wicket stand of 70 before being brilliantly caught by Rikki Clarke at slip off Dan Moriarty, who then had Robson caught behind from one that bounced and turned and Stephen Eskinazi taken at short leg for 18 in a fine spell of 3 for 39 from 15 accurate overs.
Veteran seamer Murtagh, who turned 39 yesterday, earlier finished with figures of 5 for 47 as Surrey, at one stage cruising on 254 for three in reply to Middlesex’s 347 for six declared, were tumbled out for 282.
And, despite the efforts of Surrey’s 20-year-old slow left-armer Moriarity, on his first-class debut, Middlesex will fancy their chances of beating their traditional rivals on a pitch that is starting to take more spin and also showing some signs of inconsistent bounce
Olly Stone spent much of the day off the field for Warwickshire
Taunton (third day of four): Somerset 296 & 290-8d, Glamorgan 131 & 126-5
Tom Abell registered his sixth first-class century as Somerset moved to within sight of victory over Glamorgan on the third day of the Bob Willis Trophy match at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.
Unbeaten on 44 overnight, the home skipper batted through the morning session before finally being dismissed for 119, having faced 167 balls and hit 13 fours and 2 sixes.
With Ben Green, a concussion replacement for George Bartlett, contributing a solid 54, Somerset were able to declare their second innings on 290 for eight, a lead of 455.
At tea, Glamorgan were 29 for three in their second innings and facing the possibility of defeat inside three days. But Chris Cooke’s battling half-century frustrated the hosts as the Welsh county closed on 126 for five, still 329 behind.
Edgbaston (third day of four): Warwickshire 369-8, Northamptonshire 142 & 317-6
Northamptonshire fought back hard to stall Warwickshire's victory push on the third day of a compelling Bob Willis Trophy tussle at Edgbaston.
Trailing by 227 on first innings, the visitors closed the third day on 317 for six - 90 ahead. Quick wickets on the final morning would still leave the home side strongly-placed for victory but Northamptonshire have put themselves right back in the game.
When, shortly after lunch, they declined to 148 for five, still 79 behind, defeat beckoned inside three days. But Charlie Thurston (96, 168 balls, 15 fours) and Adam Rossington (60 not out, 147 balls, eight fours) added 159 in 48 overs, a Northamptonshire sixth-wicket record against Warwickshire, to set up an interesting last day.
Bristol (third day of four): Gloucestershire 267 & 135-3, Worcestershire 428-5
Worcestershire seamer Charlie Morris struck a potentially crucial blow by removing Gloucestershire captain Chris Dent shortly before the close of play on day three of the Bob Willis Trophy Central Group match at the Bristol County Ground.
Having scored 67 to add to his first innings 92, Dent was again frustrating Worcestershire's hopes of engineering a winning position in the opening game of the season.
But that all changed when Morris had him caught behind in the early evening gloaming and the hosts finished the day on 135-3, still 26 runs behind with seven wickets in hand. Gloucestershire still have a good deal of work ahead of them if they are to save the game and the new ball, due after lunch tomorrow, could yet prove decisive.
Much will depend on George Hankins, who will resume on 38 not out in the morning, in partnership with nightwatchman Josh Shaw, who is yet to score.
Charlie Thurston fell four runs short of a maiden first-class century
Worcester (third day of four): Lancashire 322 & 96-3, Leicestershire 409-8d
Ben Slater hit a career-best 172 and Colin Ackermann 94 as Leicestershire declared with a first innings lead of 87 before taking three early wickets as opponents Lancashire closed the third day just nine runs ahead in the Bob Willis Trophy match being played at Blackfinch New Road.
Keaton Jennings went caught at third slip off Chris Wright for 8, the ball looping off an inside edge and his pads, Josh Bohannon was leg before wicket to a full delivery from Ben Mike for 3, and Alex Davies leg before for 54 missing a pull at a delivery from left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson that went on with the arm to give the Foxes real hope of forcing victory on the final day.
Slater, signed by Leicestershire on a two week loan from Nottinghamshire, shared in a partnership of 165 with Ackermann, a third wicket record for Leicestershire against Lancashire, beating the 163 run partnership between James Bradshaw and Norman Armstrong at Leicester's old Aylestone Road ground in 1929.
Emirates Riverside (third day of four): Durham 103 & 266 v Yorkshire 199 & 103-3
Yorkshire are closing in on victory over Durham in their Bob Willis Trophy match at Emirates Riverside, requiring another 68 runs to win with seven wickets remaining on the final day.
Alex Lees had set a promising platform for Durham with his first century of the season. However, Matthew Fisher broke the game open with a brilliant spell with the new ball, claiming four wickets from his six-over burst. The home side lost their final seven wickets for 45 runs, leaving Yorkshire in need of 171 runs to get off the mark in the campaign.
Chris Rushworth made early inroads into the visitors' line-up and then claimed his 500th first-class wicket after dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Dawid Malan survived a dropped chance and then pushed on towards an unbeaten half-century to put Andrew Gale's men in prime position to secure the win on the final day.
Trent Bridge (third day of four): Nottinghamshire 324 & 279 v Derbyshire 239 & 129-1
Samit Patel’s highest championship score since 2017 raised Nottinghamshire’s hopes of recording a first-class victory for the first time in more than two years on the third day of the Bob Willis Trophy match against Derbyshire at Trent Bridge.
The 35-year-old all-rounder scored 80 off 94 balls,sharing half-century stands with Joey Evison and Jake Ball, while Haseeb Hameed made 52 to take Nottinghamshire to 279 and set Derbyshire a daunting 365 for victory in four sessions.
They responded well to the challenge with skipper Billy Godleman leading the way with an unbeaten 69 and at the close, were 129 for 1, 236 runs away from what would be a memorable triumph.
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