Summary

  • Surrey v Middlesex abandoned after arrow fired into The Oval at 16:35 BST

  • Division One leaders Essex beat Somerset

  • Lancashire beat Warwickshire by eight wickets despite Tim Ambrose's 104

  • Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire beat Northants by 163 runs

  • Ravichandran Ashwin takes 5-68 as Worcestershire defeat Gloucestershire

  • Durham beat Derbyshire by nine wickets at the Riverside

Live Reporting

Felix Keith and Paul Grunill

  1. wicket

    WICKET Davies (c Browne b Porter) 16

    Essex 159 & 293 v Somerset 164 & 81-6 (24.4 overs)

    I am Nostradamus (see 3:43 post). Jamie Porter claims his fifth wicket with the fourth ball after tea, finding the edge of Steven Davies' bat, for Nick Browne to take a good catch in the slip cordon.

    Essex are surely closing in on another win.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  2. Happy birthday, Super Cat

    Clive LloydGetty Images

    While we're at tea in our three remaining games, we must just say happy 73rd birthday to former West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd. He must be a happy man at the moment following their win over England at Headingley and Lancashire's latest Championship win earlier today.

    Scorer of more than 31,000 first-class runs, with 79 centuries, and skipper of arguably the most formidable team of the modern era (though the Waugh-Warne-Gilchrist-McGrath Aussies run them close). What a career, what a player.

  3. Ashwin's debut delight

    Worcestershire brought in India spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin in the hope he could the vital missing link in their quest for promotion from Division Two. Well, he certainly made a good start today, with five wickets in their home victory over Gloucestershire - his 39th 'five-for' in first-class cricket.

    Next for the Pears is a crunch meeting with leaders Nottinghamshire. What will Ashwin have in store for Alex Hales and co?

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  4. Surrey regroup for final session

    Middlesex 247 & 195-7 (63 overs) v Surrey 280

    An interesting finish is still in prospect at the Oval if Surrey can pick up these last three Middlesex wickets fairly quickly. There are, in theory, 39 overs left in the game and the visitors currently lead by 162.

    John Simpson has moved on to 74 not out, with Nick Compton - who is batting with a runner because of a bad back - on 23. A new ball will be available in 17 overs, but it will probably be too late for Surrey if they need to use it.

  5. Somerset await Porter burst

    Essex 159 & 293 v Somerset 164 & 77-5 (24 overs)

    Somerset pair Steven Davies (16 not out) and Craig Overton (19 not out) survive Ravi Bopara and Simon Harmer's probing to make it to tea.

    I imagine they're going to face Jamie Porter straight after the interval and that could prove crucial. Essex have one last session to get five wickets. Somerset need 212 more runs - but more likely need to bat the remaining overs.

  6. Tea scores round-up

    Division One

    Essex 159 & 293 v Somerset 164 & 77-5

    Warwickshire 200 & 344 v Lancashire 504-8 dec & 42-2

    Lancashire won by eight wickets

    Middlesex 247 & 195-7 v Surrey 280

    Division Two

    Durham 480-9 dec & 39-1 v Derbyshire 164 & 354

    Durham won by nine wickets

    Leicestershire 350 & 135-6 v Kent 333

    Nottinghamshire 213 & 344-9 dec v Northamptonshire 141 & 253-9

    Nottinghamshire won by 163 runs

    Worcestershire 363 & 295-8 dec v Gloucestershire 258 & 211

    Worcestershire won by 189 runs

  7. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Sean Brown: Another thriller at Chelmsford in prospect. Huge in context of the title race.

    Indeed it is Sean. A win here for Essex would mean an awful lot, considering they face their nearest rivals for the title next week!

  8. Compton counter-attacks

    Middlesex 247 & 185-7 (61 overs) v Surrey 280

    This is a gallant effort by Nick Compton, who hits back-to-back boundaries off Stuart Meaker. It's turning for Amar Virdi at the other end, so Compton and John Simpson need every ounce of concentration. The Middlesex lead is now up to 152.

  9. dropped catch

    Difficult chance not taken

    Essex 159 & 293 v Somerset 164 & 74-5 (22 overs)

    Nick Browne nearly clutched onto a catch from Steven Davies off the bowling of Simon Harmer, but the opener couldn't grasp it. It was far from straightforward, but how Essex would have loved that just before the tea interval.

  10. Nerves at Chelmsford

    Essex 159 & 293 v Somerset 164 & 72-5 (18.1 overs)

    The news of Lancashire's win over Warwickshire is likely to make it's way around Chelmsford, where there is rain in the air.

    Essex are now just 17 points ahead of Lancashire as it stands. How they'd love to complete a win here to move clear once more.

    Next week - Lancashire v Essex at Old Trafford. What a game that's going to be!

  11. wicket

    WICKET Hill (c Denly b Qayyum) 0

    Leicestershire 350 & 114-6 (29.1 overs) v Kent 350

    Another wicket for Kent and Imran Qayyum's left-arm spin. Lewis Hill goes for a duck. Leicestershire have a lead of 114 runs and four wickets remaining. Kent sense a win is on the cards.

  12. LANCASHIRE BEAT WARWICKSHIRE BY 8 WKTS
    Breaking

    Warwickshire 200 & 344 v Lancashire 504-8 dec & 42-2 (7.2 overs)

    A low-key ending at Old Trafford as a ball from Jeetan Patel to Dane Vilas runs away for four byes. It's a decisive win for Lancashire, though, and the 24 points earned means they remain the main challengers to Division One leaders Essex.

    Liam Livingstone's 224 was the highlight of the game for them, but Warwickshire now face up to the task of probably having to win at least three of their four remaining games to have a chance of beating the drop into Division Two for 2018.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
  13. ouch!

    Compton's endurance test

    Middlesex 247 & 165-7 (55 overs) v Surrey 280

    This isn't a great day for Nick Compton. Batting with a bad back is hard enough, but then you find yourself facing deliveries like the one below from a few moments ago.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
  14. 6 runs

    Overton goes long

    Essex 159 & 293 v Somerset 164 & 63-5 (15.2 overs)

    They're going to need a new ball at Chelmsford because Craig Overton has just clumped one from Simon Harmer out of the ground.

    Overton is not one to block, is he? He has 17 off 19 balls.

  15. wicket

    WICKET Hameed (lbw Barker) 21

    Warwickshire 200 & 344 v Lancashire 504-8 dec & 35-2 (6.5 overs)

    Oh dear. A not out was there for the taking for Haseeb Hameed, but he hasn't been able to finish the job for Lancashire. Two wickets for Keith Barker, but only six needed as Dane Vilas arrives at the crease..

  16. 6 runs

    Hameed clears the rope

    Warwickshire 200 & 344 v Lancashire 504-8 dec & 34-1 (6 overs)

    You don't see that very often, but Haseeb Hameed helps himself to a six off Jeetan Patel, following a boundary earlier in the over. Just seven required now.

  17. Ackermann falls at Canterbury

    Leicestershire 350 & 102-5 (25.3 overs) v Kent 333

    They're back under way at Canterbury and Kent have wasted no time, picking up the wicket of Colin Ackermann courtesy of Imran Qayyum's spin.

    Leicestershire lead by 119 runs and Kent, who are desperate for a win, really need to pick up some more in quick time.

  18. wicket

    WICKET Davies (lbw Barker) 11

    Warwickshire 200 & 344 v Lancashire 504-8 dec & 22-1 (4.5 overs)

    A wicket for Keith Barker, but Lancashire only need another 19 runs to complete victory. And look who's striding to the crease - Liam Livingstone, who made 224 in Lancashire's first innings. This probably won't last much longer.

  19. wicket

    WICKET Rayner (lbw Meaker) 30

    Middlesex 247 & 158-7 (51.2 overs) v Surrey 280

    Stuart Meaker breaks Middlesex's eight-wicket partnership, which added 66 to the total. And here comes Nick Compton, who was unable to resume his innings this morning because of a back spasm. He is accompanied by a runner, so he must be in some serious discomfort. The lead is 125 and there are 50 and a half over left.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
  20. wicket

    WICKET Hildreth (c Foster b Porter) 22

    Essex 159 & 293 v Somerset 164 & 42-5 (10.4 overs)

    All aboard! All aboard! There's room running out on the Jamie Porter bandwagon - get your seat while you still can.

    James Hildreth becomes his fourth wicket of the innings and eighth of the match, edging a drive behind to James Foster. Somerset are getting steamrollered.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.