Division One leaders Surrey close in on victory against Essex

Division One leaders Surrey were closing in on victory after the third day of their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Essex.

The hosts closed on 85 for two in their second innings at the The Oval, needing a further 76 to win.

Captain Rory Burns fell for 40 but Ryan Patel was 22 not out.

Essex were earlier bowled out for 208 in their second innings with Dan Worrall finishing with five for 66 to record career-best match figures of 11 for 122.

Second-placed Hampshire were in a commanding position after forcing Gloucestershire to follow on at Cheltenham.

Gloucestershire were sent in again after being bowled out for 201 in response to the visitors’ 457 despite an unbeaten 58 from captain Graeme Van Buuren and 59 from Ollie Price. Liam Dawson took four for 44.

They then closed on 191 for four in their second innings, still trailing by 65, but at least with Miles Hammond offering resistance on an unbeaten 109.

Josh Bohannan was hoping to steer third-placed Lancashire to victory after the Red Rose fought back against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

Lancashire, who conceded a first-innings deficit of 103, bowled out the home side for 174 second time around with Will Williams taking five for 41 and Tom Bailey four for 65.

That left them chasing a target of 278 and they were 192 for five by the close with Bohannan 92no.

Somerset were in a strong position against Yorkshire at Taunton as they closed on 225 for six in their second innings, leading by 373. George Bartlett was 88no after Tom Lammonby weighed in with 46.

Yorkshire earlier lost their final four wickets for just nine runs as they were bowled out for 276 in reply to Somerset’s first-innings 424. Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit 100 from 201 balls but Jonathan Tattersall