Image source, Rex Features

Was this the day the Championship title race turned decisively in Surrey's favour?

Ryan Patel's century has given the Division One leaders a clear advantage against Durham, while rivals Somerset are facing the prospect of a testing run-chase against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

We've already had one result in the penultimate round of games as Essex thrashed Warwickshire by an innings, Jamie Porter taking 6-36.

Join us tomorrow at 10:00 for full coverage of the third day's play in the remaining eight games.

Division One

Hampshire 462 & 3-0 v Worcestershire 273

Hampshire lead by 192 with 10 wickets standing

Kent 225 & 85-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 433

Kent trail by 123 with 10 wickets standing

Lancashire 140 & 298-7 v Somerset 146

Lancashire lead by 292 with 3 wickets standing

Surrey 415 v Durham 262 & 1-1

Durham trail by 152 with 9 wickets standing

Warwickshire 78 & 114 v Essex 232

Essex won by an innings and 40 runs

Division Two

Derbyshire 173 & 74-3 v Middlesex 358

Derbyshire trail by 111 with 7 wickets standing

Glamorgan 239 v Yorkshire 361 & 116-1

Yorkshire lead by 238 with 9 wickets standing

Gloucestershire 109 & 140-3 v Sussex 311

Gloucestershire trail by 62 with 7 wickets standing

Northamptonshire 383 v Leicestershire 203 & 69-4

Leicestershire trail by 111 with 6 wickets standing

Yorkshire have stomped into an unassailable position over the course of the first two days and close here with a 238-run lead and nine second innings wickets in hand.

They have batted with authority this evening with Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean adding 115 for the first wicket before the former departed late, across lengthening shadows on a sun-drenched day.

Their bowlers were equally solid during Glamorgan's stuttering knock, Ben Coad and Matthew Fisher sharing identical 4-55 figures. But the day was not without its warning signs.

Colin Ingram's 82 and a stubborn 69-run partnership for the ninth wicket between James Harris and Andy Gorvin showed there are no particular demons in the pitch or any desire to put the win on a plate.

Tawanda Muyeye's brisk fifty has lifted some of the gloom for Kent after following on 208 runs behind.

Four wickets from Farhan Ahmed bowled out the hosts for 225 and Notts skipper Haseeb Hameed decided to put Kent back in.

But Muyeye made a 49-ball fifty and reaches the close 55 not out while fellow opener Ben Compton is unbeaten on 22.

Kent need another 123 runs to make Nottinghamshire bat again.

The slow over rate and shorter September days have caught up with play at Canterbury and they're off for bad light.

There is seven overs left in the day, but I'm not sure how the light is going to improve to get the players back out.

That's most likely that for day two.

After starting the game so well, it has slipped away from Somerset bit by bit and now they are facing the prospect of a daunting fourth-innings chase in a must-win contest.

Lancashire added 192 runs in the day, having resumed on 106-3, and can now look to plot a way to a much-needed victory themselves.

Josh Bohannon made a stylish 60 and Luke Wells has used all his experience to compile 78 not out from 156 balls so far.

Can Somerset put that non-run out incident behind them - see 17:33 entry - and wrap up this Lancashire innings early on day three?

Fletcha Middleton and Toby Albert take three runs from the six overs they faced and have safely made it through to day three.

It's been a very entertaining day, which started with Hampshire 373-4 in their first innings, with Nick Gubbins completing a double century and Amar Virdi taking a five-wicket haul.

Worcs struggled either side of Gareth Roderick and Ethan Brookes' remarkable196-run partnership with none of their other batters getting going.

Liam Dawson claimed 5-88 and Muhammad Abbas 4-27 before Hampshire opted not to enforce the follow-on and instead add to their lead which currently stands at 192.

Dan Worrall is close to a 50th wicket of the season but Daniel Hogg survives the remaining five balls.

Jordan Clark to bowl the final over of the day to Alex Lees.

Hands on head in the slip cordon as Lees plays at the second ball and misses, the ball flying past the outside edge.

Lees takes a leg bye and has no intention of taking a second run, leaving Hogg to face the final three balls.

The Durham number nine leaves the first ball and knocks the next to point. No run.

Phew! Hogg plays and misses at the final ball which misses his off stump by inches and that's that. Durham limp to the close trailing by 152

Turn and bounce for Archie Vaughan from the final ball of his last over of the day, but it beats the edge.

There's been a quite a lot of that today for Somerset but that won't worry Lancashire.

Big lbw shout from Jack Leach as ball turns back from outside off stump and hits Luke Wells on the pad. No joy for Somerset.

There are two overs to come.

Very little to report in the closing stages at Southampton with Hampshire seemingly happy with dot balls and to start again in the morning with all wickets in hand.

One over remaining.

50 for Tawanda Muyeyepublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 18 September

17:59 BST 18 September

Kent 225 and 80-0 f/o v Notts 433

Well played, Tawanda Muyeye!

The Kent opener pushes into the onside for a single which brings up his eighth first-class fifty.

It's come in one day pace, of 49 balls, with eight fours and a big old six.

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire

George Balderson said last night that he felt there was no reason why Lancashire couldn't bat through the second day.

To be honest that felt like your standard stock answer to a question in a close of play post-match interview.

After 21 wickets on the opening day it was difficult to find anyone, aside from Lancashire's young all-rounder, who thought the game would go beyond its second day.

However, this has probably turned into Lancashire's best day of the season with the bat, under the circumstances, and they've just about managed to do what George said would be possible.

Image source, Rex Features

50s for Bean and Lythpublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 18 September

17:55 BST 18 September

Glam 239 v Yorks 361 & 108-0

Both openers bring up their half centuries using James Morris deliveries to get there.

It has been a bit of a struggle of late for Finlay Bean who has been without a half century since scoring 164 in June.

Just over four overs to negotiate before the close.

Callum Parkinson has been sent in for nighthawk duties alongside skipper Alex Lees.

Two overs to go before the close.

Dan Worrall to open up for Surrey.

Tawanda Muyeye is enjoying himself as he collects his seventh boundary, this time off Lyndon James who has been otherwise miserly.

Ten overs remain.

If Kent can get through them unscathed they will give Notts something to think about.

The deficit is 135.

A little bit of spin there for Archie Vaughan. Luke Wells adds a single from a thick edge. he has 76 and Lancashire lead by 288.

100 up for Yorkshirepublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 18 September

17:50 BST 18 September

Glam 239 v Yorks 361 & 101-0

Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean are both approaching their half centuries with five overs in the day and the three figures are up.

Yorkshire's lead is up to 223 and this game is well and truly in their vice-like.