A draw looks the likely outcome at The Oval, where Surrey have reached 310 for eight at tea on the final day of their Frizzell County Championship match against Somerset. Although Keith Dutch gave Somerset brief hope by dismissing Ian Ward (67) and Ally Brown (48) before lunch, a half century from Alec Stewart looks to have ended the visitors' victory hopes.

At Headingley, an innings of 83 from Richard Blakey has taken Yorkshire past Hampshire's first innings total. Yorkshire are on 407 for nine, a lead of 53, with Steve Kirby unbeaten on 51.

Gloucestershire are facing an emphatic defeat at Chester-le-Street despite a battling 73 from Matt Windows. Ian Hunter and Graeme Bridge have taken three wickets apiece to reduce the visitors to 194 for seven, still needing another 145 runs to make Durham bat again.

At Trent Bridge, an overnight declaration has brought an apparently moribund game back to life. After declaring at 207 for eight, 70 runs behind Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire bowled the visitors out for 153 in their second innings, with Andrew Harris taking seven for 54. Left needing 230 for victory, Notts were 60 for two at tea.

Essex have been making up for lost time at Chelmsford, where play got under way a day late. By tea and despite a further interruption this morning, Essex had reduced Derbyshire to 124 for eight. There were three wickets for Ashley Cowan and two each for Ronnie Irani and John Stephenson.

The game at Horsham between Sussex and Leicestershire has been abandoned as a draw after rain prevented play both yesterday and today.

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