Image source, Rex Features

Can either side push for a win at Trent Bridge or does this match have a draw written all over it?

Olly Stone could replace Stuart Broad in the England side this summer, though with a slightly different batting role - he is a very good nightwatcher based upon last evening's display, keeping the strike perfectly off Craig Overton's final delivery of the day, driving wide of Andy Umeed at mid on for one.

He also then played out Jack Leach's 22nd over of the afternoon, albeit not his best, with three catchers and 'keeper Rew around the bat.

Somerset's star of day three was Migael Pretorius for a brilliant 95 not out from just 71 balls whilst another potential England quick, Dillon Pennington earned his best Notts figures to date.

A draw is the most likely result here, but Somerset will come back reinvigorated this morning to have a go at exposing the Notts middle-order, who themselves may fancy big scores themselves on a flat day-four wicket with small boundaries and a quick outfield.

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Worcestershire hope to make it as tough as possible for Surrey after a gritty batting display on day three at New Road.

The Division One leaders will still expect to wrap up a victory but any hopes of an extra day off for the Division One leaders were dashed as they only took eight wickets across all three sessions.

After following on, Worcestershire are 71 short of making Surrey bat again and opener Gareth Roderick, who made 63, said: "We’ve been behind the game since day one. We are trying to hang in there and make it as tough as we can for them.

"They are a quality side, a quality bowling attack and they made it really hard for us on a wicket that a little bit too offer."

Lancashire did not get off to the best of starts in the Championship, but they appear to be turning a corner since a convincing first win of the summer over Durham at Blackpool in May and a decent run in the T20 Blast, with five wins out of eight games so far.

Josh Bohannon (205) and Luke Wells (150) comfortably passed their previous top scores of the summer to put the Red Rose in pole position to wrap up a second Championship win of 2024.

“It’s been nice to watch. We’ve obviously had a tough start in the Championship and a few who were short of runs, so it was nice for them to get stuck in. What was really pleasing was that when Wellsy and Bosh got in they really made it count," head coach Dale Benkenstein told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The T20 probably came at a good time as well. Definitely the win against Durham was a great win, a hard-fought game against a very good side. That just gave us a bit of belief again."

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Image source, Getty Images

James Vince and Liam Dawson were undoubtedly the stars of day three, but did they need to bat on so long? Has Vince left Hampshire enough time to take the final nine wickets in day four's play on a placid surface in warm conditions?

Vince reflected last night: "It was hot out there so we always felt that if we could keep them out there runs would come easier as the day went on. Both teams have had opportunities to get ahead in the game and today was the first time that either team took that chance. We are in a good position.

"The wicket has lost a bit of zip but there are signs of a few maybe going up and hopefully a few staying down tomorrow so we are going to have to run in and hit the pitch hard to create the nine chances we need."

Danny Briggs is the nightwatcher alongside Will Rhodes as Warwickshire begin day four.

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England pace bowler Matthew Potts feels he is finding a good rhythm as he looks to help Durham to victory over second-placed Essex on the final day at Chelmsford.

He took 4-71 in the Essex first innings and removed Nick Browne in the final session as the home side began their attempt to score 433 to win following Durham's declaration.

"I feel like I’ve been searching for it a bit this season so it was nice to put it together for the boys on pretty placid pitch. Hopefully I can put that performance in again and get the boys over the line for a win," Potts said.

"There have been some pretty tough pitches this season and this one has been no different. It needed us to stack the dots up as a pack, and I think some of the boys went unrewarded for their work."

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Captain Lewis Hill has promised that Leicestershire will "throw a few punches" at Division Two leaders Sussex on the final day despite seemingly being on course for defeat at Hove.

Having been set a remote target of 464 to win, they reduced that by 139 but lost five wickets in the process.

"It's going to be a good one to win from here," said Hill.

"We will come back with a smile on our faces, we have got some good batting to come so you never know, we're going to throw a few punches. We're going to take the positive option and give it a good crack. We're never going to give up hope."

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Leus du Plooy is backing Middlesex to finish the job at Lord's after setting his former club Derbyshire a final-day target of 397.

Du Plooy made his second 50 of the game on day three and said: "It’s always a strange one, batting against a team you played for over five years, but at the end of the day you’re playing the ball not the person."

He added: "We find ourselves in a nice position, with a lot of confidence – if we bowl to our strengths, and with the skills we have, I’d back us to be on the winning side."

Derbyshire's Luis Reece said they need to take the scoreboard "out of the equation", and added: "The first four hours you’ve got to bat and then if there’s an opportunity, brilliant – you look at it and go from there. But I think we’ve got to make sure we go home with draw points first and foremost."

"Another hot day" is the three-red summary of BBC Weather's Darren Bett. That suits us just fine.

Four days of County Championship cricket without any interruptions from the weather.

Not happened very often this season.

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Division One

Essex 339 & 28-1 v Durham 587 & 184-8 dec

Essex need another 405 to win with nine wickets standing

Kent 244 & 143-6 v Lancashire 549-9 dec

Kent trail by 162 with four wickets standing

Nottinghamshire 360 & 177-1 v Somerset 470

Notts lead by 67 runs with nine wickets standing

Warwickshire 254 & 40-1 v Hampshire 298 & 453-6 dec

Warwickshire need 458 to win with nine wickets standing

Worcestershire 212 & 207-5 (f/o) v Surrey 490

Worcestershire trail by 71 with five wickets standing

Division Two

Glamorgan 490 v Northamptonshire 279 & 236-4

Northants lead by 25 with six wickets standing

Middlesex 433 & 302 v Derbyshire 339

Middlesex lead by 396 runs

Sussex 442 & 296-6 dec v Leicestershire 275 & 139-5

Leicestershire need 325 to win with five wickets standing

---Tuesday's result---

Yorkshire 456 v Gloucestershire 197 & 237 (f/o)

Yorkshire won by an innings and 22 runs

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"Blue skies, smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see."

One down, eight to go. Following Yorkshire's win at 'Scarbados' yesterday, we should be in for some cracking cricket again today as round nine of the County Championship comes to an end.

Essex, Warwickshire and Derbyshire are all facing big run-chases, while Lancashire and Sussex need just a few wickets for victory - but Division One leaders Surrey have work to do to force a win at New Road.

Welcome to our coverage. Play starts at 11:00.