Essex beat Nottinghamshire to secure first win of season

Essex claimed their first Specsavers County Championship victory of the season as they secured an eight-wicket win over Nottinghamshire inside three days at Chelmsford.

South African spinner Simon Harmer finished with six for 60 as the visitors were bowled out for 158 in their second innings of the First Division encounter, leaving Essex facing a target of 105.

Opener Nick Browne was run out after just three balls of the chase but Essex eased home with an unbeaten 40 from former England captain Sir Alastair Cook and 49 from Tom Westley.

Lewis Gregory hit a century to drag Somerset back into their clash with champions Surrey at Taunton.

Somerset had been at risk of conceding a large first-innings deficit as they began the third day 137 behind with five wickets remaining, but Gregory’s 129 lifted the hosts to 398 and a lead of 18.

The third day ended with the game intriguingly poised with Surrey 152 for five in their second innings. Captain Rory Burns fell for 78 just before the close while Gregory’s good day continued with two for 46.

Gary Ballance struck 159 to put Yorkshire on course for victory against Kent at Canterbury.

Jack Leaning also weighed in with 69 as Yorkshire posted 469 in their second innings to set their hosts a target of 384.

Kent were 34 for three at stumps, with Ben Coad having taken two for 17.

The hosts conceded a first-innings deficit of 121 as they were bowled out for 233 despite opener Dominic Sibley carrying his bat for an unbeaten 109.

Half-centuries from Rilee Roussouw (76), Oliver Soames (62) and Sam Northeast (55 not out) then saw Hampshire set a formidable target as they posted 302 for five second time around. The loss of both openers – including Sibley for three – left Warwickshire in deep trouble.

In the Second Division, Nicholas Selman (148no) and Marnus Labuschagne (128no) both hit centuries to lead a superb Glamorgan fightback after being forced to follow on by Gloucestershire at Newport.

The pair put on an unbroken 226 for the second wicket – after opener Charlie Hemphrey made a valuable 58 – to lift Glamorgan to 359 for one, and a lead of 146, at the close.

Glamorgan had earlier been bowled out for 250 in their first innings, 213 in arrears.

Lancashire will require just 16 in their second innings to beat Northamptonshire after taking complete control at Old Trafford.

Captain Dane Vilas hit 97 to help them to 415 and a first-innings lead of 185 before Northamptonshire were then bowled out for 200, with Richard Gleeson taking five for 50.

Worcestershire need 81 to beat Durham at New Road after Josh Tongue’s five for 37 helped bowl the visitors out for 197 in their second innings. Worcestershire were yet to begin their chase.

At Lord’s, Leicestershire need another 267 to beat Middlesex after closing on 38 without loss.

Middlesex, who claimed a first-innings lead of 81, were bowled out for 233 in their second innings.