- Lancashire on top v Gloucestershire
- Middlesex need quick runs
- Northamptonshire need quick wickets
The two games in Division two of the County Championship could not be any different if they tried. One game is finely poised, with one side slightly ahead, and the other game is looking like a draw.
Gloucestershire v Lancashire
Gloucestershire were struggling at 58-3 when they started this morning, hoping that they could set Lancashire a challenging target. That seemed to be happening until Miles Hammond was out for 82.
He and James Bracey put on 148 for the fourth wicket. Bracey himself was out for 114, another Jimmy Anderson scalp, and the Gloucestershire innings collapsed, as they were all out for 305.
George Balderson (4-75) has nine wickets in the match, and Sir Jimmy (4-51) has seven to take his tally this season to 21. Can he still do a job for England? We will never know.
Set only 202 to win, Lancashire had 28 overs to get through, however Harry Singh didn’t read that memo as he was out for a duck at 1-1.
Josh Bohannon made 31 before being dismissed, while Marcus Harris lasted just three balls, leaving Lancashire in a spot of trouble. Keaton Jennings (25*) and Michael Jones (15*) will aim to bat sensibly and guide Lancashire over the line to secure top spot.
You can see the full scorecard here
Northamptonshire v Middlesex
Both sides will need something special to win this game, as they go into day 4. Northamptonshire started the day on 229-4, 112 runs behind Middlesex, with two batters set.
Nathan McSweeney (107) and James Sales (164)put on 164 for the fifth wicket. However, only Liam Guthrie (51) stayed around with James Sales, as Northamptonshire were all out 409, a lead of 68.
Toby Roland-Jones (3-83) and Naavya Sharma (3-92) were the standout performers with the ball, while Ryan Higgins (2-103) and Tom Helm (2-77) also chipped in with wickets.
Trying to set a total for Northamptonshire to go for would be difficult for Middlesex. They ended the day on 109-1, 41 runs ahead with 9 wickets in hand. Sam Robson (49*) and Max Holden (42*) will look to get quick runs and the Northampton bowlers will need quick wickets to force a result.
You can see the full scorecard here
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