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Morne Morkel edges Surrey closer to their first Division One title in 16 years

Warwickshire and Kent win to move clear at top of Division Two after Sussex fall to defeat against Durham

during the Specsavers County Championship division one match between Nottinghamshire and Surrey at Trent Bridge on July 23, 2018 in Nottingham, England.
Image: Morne Morkel has taken 50 wickets for Surrey in the County Championship this season in only eight matches

Morne Morkel edged Surrey closer to victory against Worcestershire and their first Specsavers County Championship title in 16 years.

SCORECARD

The former South Africa pace bowler took five wickets for five runs in 38 balls as the bottom-placed Pears collapsed from 154-2 in their second innings to 203 all out.

Surrey will resume on 70 without loss on the final day, needing another 202 for victory, with openers Rory Burns (33) and Mark Stoneman (37) ending the day unbeaten.

Earlier, Surrey, who will be crowned champions for the first time since 2002 if they avoid defeat, were all out for 268 in their first innings, with Burns adding 19 runs to his unbeaten 103 overnight.

Ben Coad claimed 4-14 from 10 overs to put Lancashire on the ropes as they pursue 230 to beat Yorkshire in their relegation battle at Headingley. SCORECARD

Ben Coad has picked up two five-wicket hauls for Yorkshire in Division One this season
Image: Ben Coad has picked up two five-wicket hauls for Yorkshire in Division One this season

The Red Rose county, in severe danger of dropping out of Division One, suffered a nightmare final hour on day three, slipping from 66-2 to 95-7, before rallying to 109-7.

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Yorkshire had earlier resumed their second innings on 127-3, a lead of 84, with Gary Ballance (85) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (63) helping them reach 272 all out.

Essex need 135 runs to win against Nottinghamshire after reaching 147-1 at Trent Bridge with India's Murali Vijay resuming on 73 not out. SCORECARD

Simon Harmer took 6-87 as Notts were bowled out for 337 in their second innings, leaving the defending champions chasing 282.

Keith Barker's five-wicket haul helped keep Warwickshire on course for the Division Two title as they wrapped up a comprehensive innings victory inside three days against Leicestershire at Grace Road. SCORECARD

Keith Barker
Image: Keith Barker has an average of 18.12 for Warwickshire in Division Two this season

Barker (5-40) and skipper Jeetan Patel (4-67) restricted the hosts' second innings total to 196 all out after the visitors had ensured maximum bonus points by declaring on 400-9, Chris Woakes finishing on 73 not out.

Sam Billings played a captain's cameo innings of 31 not out as Kent boosted their promotion hopes and dented those of their rivals Middlesex by securing a nervy three-wicket win on day three at Lord's. SCORECARD

Kent resumed under floodlights on 104-4, requiring a further 52 runs for victory, and skipper Billings wrapped up his side's ninth win of the campaign with a streaky inside-edged boundary to take his side to 157-7.

Durham secured their fourth victory of the season, thrashing Sussex by 186 runs at the Chester-le-Street after the visitors were all out for 135 in their second innings. SCORECARD

during the Specsavers County Championship Division One match between Yorkshire and Durham at Headingley on September 6, 2016 in Leeds, England.
Image: Chris Rushworth has taken 55 first-class wickets in 19 innings for Durham this season

Chris Rushworth (4-49) added another four wickets to his eight-wicket haul in the first innings as the away side fell way short of their daunting 322-run chase.

Bottom club Glamorgan appear set for their ninth defeat of the season as they lead Gloucestershire by 18 runs with just one second-innings wicket in hand. SCORECARD

Second-bottom Northamptonshire's match against Derbyshire is more evenly poised going into the final day, with Northants holding a 231 run lead with two second-innings wickets remaining. SCORECARD

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