---
title: "County Championship Day 3 review: Talking points from both divisions"
canonical: "https://readcricket.com/2026/04/13/county-championship-day-3-review/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ron Alderman"
section: "County Cricket"
published: "2026-04-13T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-04-13T08:00:00Z"
---

# County Championship Day 3 review: Talking points from both divisions

- **Somerset go top in win over Essex**
- **Durham win by an innings**
- **Surrey struggle against Leicestershire**

* * *

Day three of the County Championship has already seen three matches reach a result, highlighting the fast-paced nature of this round, while the remaining fixtures are finely poised and intriguingly balanced, setting up what promises to be an exciting and closely contested final day of action.

> VICTORY IN CHELMSFORD!!! 🔥\
> \
> What a performance from the boys, as we win in Chelmsford in the [@CountyChamp](https://twitter.com/CountyChamp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) for the first time since 2010!!\
> \
> Archie finishes in a flurry, with 41 off just 25 balls!!![#ESSvSOM](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESSvSOM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#YouAreSomerset](https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/xe6QOsBt7Q](https://t.co/xe6QOsBt7Q)
>
> — Somerset Cricket 🏆 (@SomersetCCC) [April 12, 2026](https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/2043320392446533780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## **Somerset win inside three days**

Somerset moved to the top of the table after a commanding 10-wicket victory over Essex. Resuming on 131-3, Essex quickly ran into trouble, losing three early wickets for just 20 runs. The collapse continued as they were eventually bowled out for 245, leaving Somerset a target of only 46 to win.

The visitors made light work of the chase, reaching their target in just 5.4 overs. Jake Ball and Miguel Pretorius starred with the ball in Essex’s second innings, taking three wickets apiece.

Read the full scorecard **[here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-233472#SOM2nd)**

## **Durham win convincingly**

Gloucestershire slipped to their second successive innings defeat as Durham dominated proceedings, taking the remaining 12 wickets on day three to secure victory by an innings and 225 runs. Callum Parkinson and Matthew Potts led the charge with the ball, claiming three wickets apiece as Durham wrapped up an emphatic win inside three days.

Read the full scorecard **[here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-233477)**.

> A HUGE RED BALL WIN INSIDE THREE DAYS!! 💙💛\
> \
> VICTORY BY AN INNINGS & 225 RUNS!![#ForTheNorth](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheNorth?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/z5rhAtjUGJ](https://t.co/z5rhAtjUGJ)
>
> — Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) [April 12, 2026](https://twitter.com/DurhamCricket/status/2043378999250858426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## **Surrey struggle to take wickets**

Leicestershire piled up an imposing 691 all out, taking a lead of 171 into day four against Surrey. Surrey’s struggles to take wickets in clusters continued, following a similar pattern to last week when Warwickshire were only required to bat once.

Rishi Patel added just 31 to his overnight 133, but further centuries from Ben Cox (162) and Stephen Eskinazi (100), alongside 63 from Lewis Hill, powered Leicestershire into a strong position. Tom Lawes was the pick of Surrey’s bowlers with 4-141 in an otherwise underwhelming display.

Read the full scorecard **[here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-233474)**.

> 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗠𝗣𝗦 ⏸️\
> \
> 3 centurions, our 3rd highest ever total in FC cricket, Coxy's career best, and a full day in the middle with the bat.\
> \
> A lead of 171 to go into Day 4…[#Foxes](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Foxes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)🦊 [pic.twitter.com/c1FsO01LmO](https://t.co/c1FsO01LmO)
>
> — Leicestershire CCC 🦊 (@leicsccc) [April 12, 2026](https://twitter.com/leicsccc/status/2043385176214974885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## **Worcestershire win at Lords**

Worcestershire began the day with a lead of 208 and three wickets in hand, adding a further 53 runs to set Middlesex a modest target of 262, with plenty of time remaining in the match. However, Middlesex never quite got going, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Only Joe Cracknell (43\*) and Max Holden (40) offered any real resistance as the chase faltered. Middlesex were eventually bowled out for 204, falling 57 runs short. Tom Taylor led the way with 3-50, while Olly Hannon-Dalby chipped in with 2-54.

Read the full scorecard **[here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-233480#MID2nd)**

> 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗡 🥳\
> \
> Up. The. Pears. 🍐🍐🍐 [pic.twitter.com/xHWdNqknJi](https://t.co/xHWdNqknJi)
>
> — Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) [April 12, 2026](https://twitter.com/WorcsCCC/status/2043383380943777964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## **In the other games:**

Sussex are edging a tight contest at **[Hove](https://readcricket.com/2026/04/09/county-ground-hove-guide-sussex-cricket-history/)**, needing a further 94 runs to win with five wickets in hand against Warwickshire heading into the final day.

Glamorgan face a much tougher task, requiring another 346 runs to beat Nottinghamshire, albeit with eight wickets still intact.

Hampshire have put themselves in a strong position after reducing Yorkshire to 65-5, leaving them needing a further 361 runs with only five wickets remaining.

Kent, meanwhile, still trail Northamptonshire by 344 after being asked to follow on, with seven wickets in hand, while Lancashire lead Derbyshire by 124 runs with four wickets remaining in what remains a finely balanced encounter.

****Stay up to date with all the latest [County Championship](https://readcricket.com/county-cricket/) news at readcricket.com****