County Championship: Jack Shantry stars in Worcestershire recovery

Jack Shantry's career-best 106 helped boost Worcestershire's recovery against Gloucestershire in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match at New Road.

The No 10 scored his second 50 in 14 balls as Worcestershire, who were 34-5 at one stage, made 439, with overnight centurion Tom Kohler-Cadmore caught behind off Liam Norwell (4-70) for 169.

A maiden championship century from Graeme van Buuren (104 not out) and 60 from Gareth Roderick helped Gloucestershire reach 226-5 in reply at the end of day two.

Essex will push for victory on day four against Northamptonshire after making 640 in their first innings.

Replying to Northamptonshire's 444, Tom Westley (69) and Ravi Bopara (58) both passed half centuries before Ryan ten Doeschate (145) and James Foster (113) continued to pile on the runs.

Richard Gleeson (4-105) was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts but could not prevent Essex building a lead of 196.

Matthew Quinn trapped Rob Newton lbw for a duck in the third over of the reply and three more wickets fell as Northants closed on 56-4, 140 runs behind.

Sussex are in a strong position to claim their first win of the season after dominating day three against Derbyshire at Hove.

Having started the third day on 342-4, Sussex lost Luke Wells (102) without adding to his overnight total off the third ball.

But Ben Brown added 61 off 71 balls to set up a declaration half an hour before lunch on 447-8, a lead of 297.

Ollie Robinson (3-73) then took wickets bowling both seam and spin as Sussex had to bowl spin for the last 23 overs due to bad light.

Shiv Thakor's unbeaten 58 took Derbyshire to 195-6 at stumps, still 102 behind.

The second day of Kent's clash with Leicestershire at Canterbury was disrupted by rain and bad light, with some 47 overs lost.

Darren Stevens (4-74) and Matt Coles (3-94) wrapped up the visitors' innings early for 341 and an unbeaten 65 from Daniel Bell-Drummond saw Kent close 224 runs behind on 117-2.