Alex Davies hits Tom Barber through the covers to reach a 94-ball fifty and the 100 partnership with Keaton Jennings arrives two balls later as he pulls away for four.

Is the Notts attack running out of ideas and inspiration? Looks like it at the moment.

Jonny Wilson: Every Northamptonshire wicket to fall this innings has fallen in batting order. We're at six so far. I wonder how many times all ten have fallen in order.

You'll be pleased to know, Jonny, that Adam Rossington has stopped that particular rot... although it's still not particularly good news for Northants..

Dan Lawrence had to miss the chance of playing for England in the second Test against Pakistan because of a family bereavement., external

But Essex are very glad to have him at the crease in this situation and he square cuts Mitch Claydon for four to bring up a 50 partnership with Tom Westley.

Lawrence has 37 and Essex need 96 more to make it three wins out of three.

Some hope for Somerset supporters yet.

Two wickets they need - but, remember it might only be one with uncertainty over whether toe injury victim Matt Lamb will bat for Warwickshire.

Wow.

Colin Ackermann takes a step down the track and absolutely belts the ball back past startled partner Sam Evans for four.

Little respect for former team-mate Ben Raine's bowling shown there.

Leicestershire are going for this.

Right then, final session under way in most of our games - and some exciting finishes in store.

Just one wish - for the rain to go away in Birmingham (for Somerset fans) or not (if you follow Warwickshire).

In an important development in the Central Group, the rain has relented in Northampton to allow Worcestershire the chance to pick up the four wickets they need.

The skies are slightly clearing in Birmingham too but Somerset still face an anxious wait to see whether a mammoth downpour there has damaged the Edgbaston outfield too much for play to resume.

There's the declaration we predicted at Canterbury where Middlesex, 247 runs ahead, have 32 overs to bowl Kent out.

It's asking a bit but stranger things have happened. The way things have gone today, they'll get them eight down and then it will rain...

Liam's season was ended by an Achilles injury suffered against Middlesex at Radlett. We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him out there in the middle in 2021.

Image source, Rex Features

Even the fabled Darren Stevens magic hasn't worked at Canterbury this afternoon - maybe a bit of sanitiser will give him and Kent some fresh impetus.

Sam Robson (82no) and Max Holden (72) have blitzed Middlesex to safety in this one with a lead of 247.

Might they declare after tea and try to bowl Kent out in a couple of hours? Maybe, but this pitch doesn't seem to be aiding the bowlers much.

for Matt Critchleypublished at 15:58 British Summer Time 18 August 2020

15:58 BST 18 August 2020

Yorkshire 400-6 dec v Derbyshire 231-6

A 127-ball half-century for Matt Critchley, who cuts a wide delivery by George Hill for four. Anuj Dal is 34 not out and they have so far added 66,

Martin Emmerson
BBC Newcastle

It’s been a decent afternoon for Leicestershire with the bat, losing just the wicket of Harry Dearden in the process. He fell lbw to Ben Raine five deliveries after the ball was changed at the end of the 25th over.

For a while it appeared the nature of the game may swing towards Durham but after Dearden went for 23, Sam Evans and Colin Ackerman settled into a nice partnership.

There are 31 overs left for Leicestershire to chase down another 150 so they are nearly at the half-way mark, but do have plenty of wickets to spare. and it could be tough for Durham on a flat track which seems to be offering little to their bowlers at the moment.

Image source, Rex Features

Well played Keaton Jennings and Alex Davies, who survive to tea after Lancashire were asked to follow-on 299 behind.

Davies tucks into a long-hop by Matt Carter at the start of the final over before the interval and four runs takes him to 47 not out.

Jennings is on 29 and Notts have tried six bowlers so far in search of a breakthrough.

Surrey face a testing final session at Arundel after a top-order collapse on the final afternoon against Hampshire.

Jason Roy is 13 not out and Jamie Smith has four, and they are two batsmen who like to attack, rather than block.

Surrey need another 92 to avoid an innings defeat.

Steve with a PH (but no d): When Somerset go on to inevitably win the Bob Willis Trophy, can us supporters say that we’ve finally the County Championship?

Sadly not, Steve but it's a great trophy to win nonetheless. We're loving the Bob Willis Trophy action this summer. And you might be counting your chickens a bit anyway, it's PELTING down at Edgbaston.

Tom Westley pulls Tom Haines authoritatively for four in the final over before tea at Hove, where the game could go either way.

Westley has 13 and Dan Lawrence is 18 not out, with Essex needing another 116 for victory.

Earlier, spinner Simon Harmer took 5-54 as Sussex collapsed from 119-5 to 141 all out.

Image source, Rex Features