Friday 31 August 2018 19:31, UK
Surrey moved closer to their first Specsavers County Championship title since 2002 after crushing Nottinghamshire by an innings and 125 runs at The Oval.
Surrey's victory was their eighth in 10 games and extended their lead over second-placed Somerset, currently in action against Yorkshire, to 55 points.
Third-placed Notts collapsed from 83-2 to 149 all out on day three in London - Windies opener Kraigg Brathwaite top-scoring with 40 - having been bundled out for just 101 in their first innings on day two.
Conor McKerr (4-26) and Morne Morkel (3-39) starred with the ball in the visitors' second knock - McKerr sealing an emphatic victory when last man Harry Gurney skied him to Amar Virdi at mid-on.
Surrey also hammered Notts - who have announced the signing of Northamptonshire batsman Ben Duckett on a three-year deal - by an innings and 183 run in the reverse fixture at Trent Bridge in July.
Somerset captain Tom Abell's first century of the season helped set Yorkshire an imposing victory target of 419 in their match at Headingley.
The White Rose's cause ahead of the final day was dampened by the loss of both openers, closing on 8-2, and they face an uphill battle to secure a draw as they fight against relegation from Division One.
James Hildreth (72) and Abell shared 135 for the fourth wicket through the majority of the afternoon as they recovered from 29-3 before declaring late in the day on 339-7, with Abell 132 not out off 168 balls. SCORECARD
Lancashire gave their Division One survival chances a huge boost by edging a thrilling clash against Worcestershire at
Southport.
A century from skipper Dane Vilas was the crucial contribution as the South African guided the hosts to a remarkable, and improbable, four-wicket win with a chase of 314, sharing in an unbroken 139-run stand with Josh Bohannon.
The visitors had looked the most likely to force a win for much of the match, and indeed the day, but the efforts of the home side middle-order ensured they grabbed what could be a pivotal win, as the Pears remain bottom of the table. SCORECARD
Reigning champions Essex are in a dominant position against Hampshire after three days, with the visitors following on and still 246 runs behind with eight wickets remaining. SCORECARD
Warwickshire captain Jeetan Patel took seven wickets as the Division Two leaders recorded a resounding win against Glamorgan with a day and 12 overs to spare.
Patel spun his team to victory by an innings and 35 runs against a Glamorgan side that remain rooted to the bottom of the division.
Patel mesmerised the Glamorgan batsmen as he exploited the rough to end with figures of 7-83, and pass 800 first-class wickets along the way, as the Welsh side were bowled out for 265 in their second innings. SCORECARD
Middlesex broke into the race for promotion from Division Two with their fourth victory in five matches at Lord's on Friday.
The fact that the win was achieved against rivals Sussex, who themselves were going for five victories on the spin for the first time since 2006, will have given Dawid Malan's side even greater satisfaction.
Sussex, set 231 for victory, were optimistic about their chances, but a lively bowling display earned Middlesex victory before tea on the third day. Sussex were bowled out for 175 in 44.5 overs for a 55-run defeat. SCORECARD
Adam Riley enjoyed his best day in the County Championship for nearly three years to put promotion contenders Kent on course for victory over Derbyshire at Derby.
The off-spinner celebrated his first wickets in four-day cricket since September 2015 as Derbyshire were forced to follow-on and ended the third day on 83-2, still 78 behind.
Wayne Madsen with 93 and 66 from Alex Hughes held up Kent until Riley snared them both and after the home side collapsed to 400 all out, he removed Billy Godleman and then Madsen for a second time. SCORECARD
In the second tier's other game, Gloucestershire are heading towards just their third win of the season.
They require four more scalps on the final day after opponents Leicestershire slipped to 117-6.
Skipper Chris Dent earlier hit an unbeaten 214 as Gloucestershire scored 402-4 declared in their second innings. SCORECARD
