County Championship

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BEAT NORTHANTS

BBC

A magnificent innings of 156 off 125 balls by Jack Taylor inspired Gloucestershire to a two-day victory over Northants at Cheltenham.

Taylor had only scored eight runs in his previous six innings but led the home side into a 126-run first-innings lead after coming to the wicket with the score 108-6.

Northants were then skittled in 37.1 overs despite 64 from Richard Levi, with Craig Miles taking 5-28 with the formality of a six-over run-chase.

LANCASHIRE DRAW WITH ESSEX

BBC

Essex held out to draw with Lancashire, having been asked to follow on at Old Trafford.

First-innings centurion Nick Browne added a further 50 in the second innings, as Essex reached 168-3 before the two sides agreed a draw.

Lancashire are 30 points clear at the top of Division Two.

DERBYSHIRE DRAW WITH GLAMORGAN

BBC

BBC Radio Wales Sport's Nick Webb at Chesterfield:

"Derbyshire batted through the final day to earn a comfortable draw against Glamorgan as New Zealand's Hamish Rutherford led the way with a century, well supported by skipper Wayne Madsen.

"It was a repeat of the final day of their meeting in Cardiff earlier in the season, which also ended in a tame draw.

"Glamorgan remain in third place, 20 points behind Surrey, but with a game in hand."

Taylor leads Glos counter-attack

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BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Bob Hunt at Cheltenham:

"A fine, belligerent innings from Jack Taylor rescued Gloucestershire from a perilous position and they reached lunch just 25 runs short of the Northants total.

"Hamish Marshall and Ian Cockbain went early on, both falling to Olly Stone, but Taylor and Benny Howell put on 113 for the seventh wicket.

"Taylor's 70 not out ended a miserable spell; since he recorded his maiden century six weeks ago he has only scored eight runs in six innings."

Derbyshire battle to avoid defeat

BBC

BBC Radio Wales Sport's Nick Webb at Chesterfield:

"Derbyshire are battling hard to salvage a draw and prevent Glamorgan from gaining a club record fifth straight Championship win.

"But spinner Andrew Salter won lbw decisions against Billy Godleman (28) and Chesney Hughes (10) during the morning to keep Welsh hopes alive.

"Hamish Rutherford made a patient undefeated 49 as Derbyshire reached lunch still 38 runs behind."

Faulkner's five give Lancs victory hope

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Lancashire have a minimum of 68 overs remaining to bowl out Essex and consolidate their lead at the top of Division Two.

The visitors have been asked to follow-on at Old Trafford after being bowled out for 203 in their first innings, a deficit of 199 runs.

Opener Nick Browne made 105, while Australia all-rounder James Faulkner took 5-39 for Lancashire.

Essex survived two overs before lunch and will resume 5-0 after the interval.

WORCESTERSHIRE BEAT HAMPSHIRE

BBC

Jack Shantry and Saeed Ajmal took the last four Hampshire wickets on the final morning at New Road to give Worcestershire a vital victory.

Shantry picked up his third five-wicket haul of the summer while Ajmal, who had been struggling for wickets so far this season, finished with match figures of 8-100.

Hampshire remain rooted to the bottom of the Division One table but Worcestershire, who sit in eighth, have now built a 26 point gap over their rivals and are within just a few points of mid-table.

A crucial final day at New Road

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Okay, there may be the little matter of day two of the first Ashes Test coming up, but there's still plenty of County Championship cricket taking place around the country today.

In Division One it's an absolutely crucial final day at New Road between the two bottom sides. Worcestershire need just four Hampshire wickets to seal victory with the visitors requiring another 131 runs just to make Daryl Mitchell's side bat again.

In Division Two the rain affected game at Old Trafford between Lancashire and Essex looks to be heading for a draw. Essex are currently 139-5 in their first innings, still trailing by 263, but Lancashire would need to take 15 wickets on the final day to force victory.

Glamorgan are chasing a record fifth straight win in the Championship, but they will need a fine bowling effort against Derbyshire who are 37-0 following on and behind by just 121 runs.

Finally, Gloucestershire are 82-4 in reply to Northants' 246 all out, but it's only the second day at Cheltenham.

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Full scorecards available here

Lancashire v Essex - day four - BBC Radio Lancashire

Derbyshire v Glamorgan - day four - Radio Derby

Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire - day two - BBC Radio Bristol