County Championship Division Two: Essex force Northants to follow on

Northamptonshire were made to follow on after being bowled out for 119 in their first-innings in reply to Essex’s 441-8 declared in their Division Two County Championship clash at Chelmsford.

The hosts added 106 to their overnight score of 335-3, with Dan Lawrence reaching 51 and James Foster smashing six fours and a six in a quick-fire 36 off 28 balls before Essex were called off.

Essex quickly set about the Northamptonshire top order, reducing them to 15-4 by lunch, and despite Adam Rossington's best efforts to lead a recovery in the afternoon - finishing unbeaten with 67 - few others offered any resistance, Jamie Porter finishing with 5-46.

Northants fared a little better in the second effort, reaching stumps on 148-4, with Ben Duckett - a double-centurion in the season-opening draw with Sussex - notching 58, though he ultimately became Porter's sixth of seven victims in the match as Essex, who lead by 174, continued their victory push.

Gloucestershire hold a 186-run advantage over Worcestershire with just four second-innings wickets intact going into the final day of their match in Bristol.

Gloucestershire closed on 217-6 after losing five wickets for 47 runs, Matt Henry bowling Hamish Marshall, George Hankins and Kieran Noema-Barnett, the latter for a first-ball duck, towards the death.

Worcestershire managed 411 in their first innings, Joe Clarke - unbeaten on 103 overnight - ultimately tallying 135 as the visitors built a slender 31-run lead.

Chris Dent (81no) and Ian Cockbain (67) seemingly swung the game back in Gloucestershire's favour, but Henry's late burst has set up an intriguing final day.

Wayne Madsen was denied a third first-class century for Derbyshire to start the season, falling three short on 97 against Glamorgan.

Madsen and Ben Slater (62) continued their unbroken third-wicket partnership at the start of day three, ultimately putting on 103 together, before Slater was trapped lbw by Andrew Salter.

It was one of two strikes on the day for Salter (3-56) - including bowling Madsen - as Derbyshire struggled to 331-9 by stumps, still trailing Glamorgan by 46 runs runs after another stop-start day at the 3aaa County Ground.

Leicestershire's game with Kent at Grace Road is heading for a draw as rain again interrupted proceedings with Leicestershire 174-2, still in their first innings, when play ended early.

Home skipper Mark Cosgrove is stranded one short of a century on 99, while Neil Dexter (57no) also has a half century to his name, helping the Foxes recover from a sticky start that saw them slip to 15-2.

Kent had earlier added 31 to their overnight score before losing their final two wickets, finishing all out for 264.