All over at Chelmsford!

Essex beat Middlesex by nine wickets as Tom Westley nudges a single down the ground off the part-time leg-spin of Nick Gubbins.

They will top the South Group with 90 points after taking 20 points for the win in this match - their fourth from their five group matches.

But, they will have to wait and see if that tally will be good enough to claim one of the two spots in this month's Lord's final.

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Hampshire all out finally at Canterbury after a bit of defiance from their last two partnerships.

Grant Stewart takes the last wicket to fall of Ajeet Dale, caught behind by Ollie Robinson.

Kent will need 181 to win when they resume.

Warwickshire are racing along at Sophia Gardens with Ian Bell on 38 from 34 deliveries.

And number three Sam Hain has just brought up 4,000 runs in red-ball cricket.

The Bears lead by 90

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A handsome on-drive by Jonny Tattersall for four helps take Yorkshire into the lead at Headingley.

Just before that, the hosts had lost a fifth wicket of the innings, which was Harry Brook for 53 off 60 balls.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Newcastle at Trent Bridge

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Joe Clarke reached his inevitable century earlier, having been dropped yesterday on 16 and 23.

He got there in 154 balls and it included 13 fours.

He now has more centuries (17) than half-centuries in first-class cricket (16) and he must love playing Durham because their players have been more than generous in the last week.

In a T20 at Chester-le-Street last week, he was dropped on eight and made a century, his second in the format against Durham, having scored 124 for Worcestershire three years ago.

The chances continue to be spilled as well. Paul Coughlin dropped Steven Mullaney in the slips twice in three overs.

Despite Ben Duckett falling for 150 in the fourth over of the morning, thus ending a third-wicket stand of 195 with Clarke, Durham look totally flat in the field and lack potency in attack.

We're loving your suggestions for new red-ball formats. Have a read of this detailed plan Stephen W has sent us:

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Three boundaries in an over for Essex opener Paul Walter off Blake Cullen bring Essex closer to their target.

Both he and Sir Alastair Cook already on 17 apiece. Just 18 more needed.

This one will be done and dusted before lunch.

Ian Bell check....

Yep, still the classiest batsman in England. He moves to 15 from 17.

eighth-wicket standpublished at 11:51 British Summer Time 8 September 2020

11:51 BST 8 September 2020

Lancs 219 v Derbyshire 162-7

The 100-run partnership comes up for Derbyshire. What a performance this has been by Harvey Hosein and Mattie McKiernan to rescue Derbyshire who were at 61-7.

The visitors doing their best to throw a spanner in Essex's chase to the final.

Two impressive pull shots for four from Sir Alastair Cook off Martin Andersson keep Essex ticking along.

Just 35 more needed for the hosts.

Henry Durant: I do quite like this format as gives every team a chance to win. Needs to be tweaked next year for more games and non-regional games. But don't lose rivalries like the Roses. Go NFL style like the 11:07 post.

Glad at least one person likes my suggestion. To celebrate here's Jake Ball in a Miami Dolphins helmet!

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Brad Wheal is doing a dogged job alongside Tom Scriven (67 not out) for Hampshire at Canterbury.

He's yet to get off the mark from 20 balls as Hampshire's lead slowly extends to 164 against the swinging ball.

Paul Walter and Sir Alastair Cook make a steady start to Essex's pursuit of 53 to win.

A victory for the hosts would see them finish on 90 points at the top of the South Group.

Will Rhodes is dismissed by Michael Hogan which brings Ian Bell to the crease.

Here we go then, Ian Bell's final first-class game.I'm not crying, you're crying!