A three-day finish looks certain at Southampton after 22 wickets fell on day two between Hampshire and Lancashire. Hampshire, 45 for two overnight, were dismissed for just 132, with Ricky Anderson taking six for 23. Lancashire were then bowled out for 187, with Shaun Udal (five for 59) completing a nine-wicket haul in the match. Veteran Neil Fairbrother was Lancashire's top scorer with 39. It means that the hosts must score the highest total of the match – 239 – to win it, which on the evidence so far would be no mean achievement. At stumps it looked decidedly distant, with Hampshire on 54 for four.

Surrey are favourites to wrap up their sixth Championship win of the season after they were left needing 237 to win by Yorkshire. A career-best 124 by Michael Lumb and a half century from Richard Blakey carried Yorkshire to a respectable 446 all out in their second innings, but by the end of the day it was looking less than adequate. Although they had lost three wickets by stumps, the in-form Ian Ward is still there on 67 and the hosts must fancy their chances of knocking off the 126 runs they need tomorrow.

Kent look even likelier winners at Grace Road, even though a century from the evergreen Phil DeFreitas propped up the lower Leicestershire order. Iain Sutcliffe (103) and Michael Bevan (61) were today's other main contributors as the hosts were dismissed for 400 in their second innings, leaving Kent needing just 193 for victory. Martin Saggers (four for 68) and David Masters (three for 86) were the main wicket-takers. Kent closed on 66 for one, also with another 126 needed.

Sussex are pursuing a rather tougher target at Edgbaston after Warwickshire declared at 284 for six, leaving the visitors needing 401 for victory. Nick Knight (97) completed a remarkable match tally of 342 runs, and contributions all down the order then enabled the declaration. Sussex then made the worst start imaginable, losing Murray Goodwin lbw to Alan Richardson without a run on the board. At stumps they were five for one.

In Division Two, Durham remain at the foot of the table after losing at home to Nottinghamshire by eight wickets. Following on, the home side were bowled out for 328 after another disappointing day with the bat. They lost five wickets for 37 runs in a mid-innings collapse with Andrew Harris (four for 60) the pick of the bowlers. Guy Welton then led his side to victory with an unbeaten 42.

Essex will go into day four of their clash with Glamorgan confident of avoiding defeat at Chelmsford. The home side found it easy going after eventually dismissing Glamorgan for 575 - Steve James was out for 249. Will Jefferson (102) scored his maiden Championship century in a superb 173-run stand for the first wicket with Darren Robinson (119). With plenty of batting still to come the home side closed the day on 281 for two, trailing by 63 runs.

Dominic Cork (three for 53) and Tom Lungley (three for 40) helped Derbyshire restrict Northants to 210. Only Jeffrey Cook (88) rose to the challenge as the hosts wilted in the sun. In reply, the visitors struggled to build on their lead as off-spinners Graeme Brown (three for 71) and Jason Brown (two for 71) bowled for most of the day. At stumps Derbyshire, at 188 for six, held a commanding lead of 366.

Paul Weekes (102) and Phil Tufnell (seven for 49) were outstanding for Middlesex with bat and ball respectively after Gloucestershire lost control of their clash at Cheltenham. Needing 127 to avoid the follow-on, the visitors were grateful for a 114-run seventh-wicket partnership between Weekes and wicket-keeper David Nash (43) and ended on 363 all out. The hosts then struggled against Tufnell, who bowled with greater conviction as the innings progressed. Gloucestershire lost six wickets for just 43, and ended the day on 175 for eight, a lead of 306.

© CricInfo Ltd.