As it turned out, Graeme van Buuren was just waiting until the end of that Tom Taylor over, which he finished off by slamming the Northants seamer over midwicket for six.

Then Van Buuren, who finishes on 127 not out, and last man David Payne dash off the field. Taylor ends with figures of 5-49.

Tea will be taken early and then we're all set for a fascinating final session, with Northamptonshire needing 202 from 37 overs. Will they go for it?

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

When Durham came out to bat this morning they had 81 overs to see their way through. Probably not even that many, if still batting at 4.50, when they could declare and shake hands on a draw.

Openers Michael Jones and Alex Lees had been doing okay, but Ethan Bamber struck Jones in the armpit in the 17th over and it clearly hurt him. In Bamber's next over Jones edged behind on 28.

Three overs later Lees tried to hook Tom Helm and top-edged to Pieter Malan at fine leg on 22. Helm then had Nic Maddinson caught behind first ball to leave Durham on 57-3 and ahead by just 23.

We have not seen anything near to 10 wickets on the final day at this ground this season, so they should be able to do it, especially once the ball gets towards the 40 over mark and things flatten out again. Surely they can't mess this one up?

Two wickets in as many deliveries brings Tom Taylor his first five-for of the season as Tom Price (39) and then Zak Chappell (0) hole out in the quest for quick runs.

David Payne defends the hat-trick ball, but maybe the declaration won't be needed after all?

Gloucestershire have begun to accelerate and it's clearly just a question of when, not if they declare.

They're 188 ahead now, with Tom Price hitting a quick 34 not out alongside skipper Graeme van Buuren, who's on 120 - and must have a target in mind to set Northamptonshire.

It's a tricky balance for van Buuren. He needs to keep Northants interested, but give his bowlers enough overs to have a chance of taking 10 wickets. At the moment, there are 39 remaining - minus two for change of innings, unless that coincides with the tea interval.

All over at Scarborough as Hampshire officially go top of the County Championship Division One table, for an hour or two at least, with victory over Yorkshire.

It is an eighth win in 11 games for James Vince's side, who now edge six points clear of Surrey.

But Surrey have already gleaned six points from their ongoing game with Warwickshire - and will go back above them, whether or not they go on to complete their now expected victory over the relegation-haunted Bears.

Image source, Getty Images

Hampshire looked on course for an even smoother victory when openers Felix Organ and Ian Holland put on 135 for the first wicket.

But, after Holland went for 71, Organ was quickly removed for 72 by Ben Coad, who also accounted for Joe Weatherley.

But Vince came in to settle things down, hitting six fours and a six in his 43, aided by 20 from Nick Gubbins.

Nottinghamshire need just three more wickets to complete victory over Sussex and stretch their advantage at the top of Division Two.

James Pattinson has picked up three in Sussex's second innings, to follow his first-innings five-for, and the visitors are now 129-7, chasing an improbable 399.

Meanwhile, a draw looks inevitable at the Riverside - as it has done since last night - with Durham 84-3 in their second innings against Middlesex, a lead of 50.

for Graeme van Buurenpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 28 July 2022

15:03 BST 28 July 2022

Glos 317-7 & 318-7 v Northants 479

Image source, Getty Images

That's a first County Championship hundred of the season for Graeme van Buuren!

The Gloucestershire skipper's impressive knock, from 166 balls, has put his side in a position where they could set Northamptonshire a target in the final session.

The lead is 156 and there are a possible 44 overs left in the day.

for Rory Burnspublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 28 July 2022

14:58 BST 28 July 2022

Surrey 109-1 (target 248) v Warwicks

Image source, Rex Features

Surrey skipper Rory Burns brings up his half-century with a slog sweep to the midwicket boundary off Danny Briggs and his side are coasting at the moment.

Burns reaches the landmark from exactly 100 balls and the good news for Surrey fans is that, whenever he's made 50 this season, he's converted it into a century on each occasion.

That's also the 50 partnership with Hashim Amla, who has looked assured for his 27 not out.

Panic over for Hampshire.

James Vince now has things under control.

Just 20 needed to win now.

He is on to 30, with Nick Gubbins on 17 - and the visitors' ittle wobble appears to have been corrected.

Half-century stand for DBD & Leaningpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 28 July 2022

14:37 BST 28 July 2022

Kent 72-3 (chasing 312 to beat Lancashire)

Kent have settled themselves down again from the horror of being 10-3, with a half-century stand for Daniel Bell-Drummond and Jack Leaning.

But . . .

Gloucestershire may soon need to start thinking: stick or twist?

Given their position in the table, the home side have little to lose by trying to tempt Northamptonshire into a run chase at Cheltenham.

They lead by 134 now, with Graeme van Buuren 93 not out, and there are 50 overs left in the game (48 with a change of innings).

Tom Banton completes tonpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 28 July 2022

14:11 BST 28 July 2022

Essex 505-9 dec, Somerset 511-3

Tom Banton has duly completed his maiden first-class century.

He had previously hit eight hit fifties in 27 first-class matches without making it to three figures.

And now he finally hits a ton in a game in which he wasnt even supposed to be playing.

But, having arrived overnight as a concussion replacement for Lewis Goldsworthy, he has so far whacked five sixes and 14 fours.

Nice warm-up for The Hundred! He is signed up to play for the Welsh Fire.