Tanya Aldred's report: Leicestershire end Lord's drought
Leicestershire’s rise to the top of Division Two – four wins out of six, nearly half the season gone – is starting to cultivate peony‑sized dreams of promotion. Middlesex fell under the cartwheels, losing six for 34, dismissed for 143 in their second innings.
Logan van Beek and Ben Green gathered three wickets each. Peter Handscomb, the captain, hit the winning runs and Leicestershire could tick off a first Championship win at Lord’s in 45 years.
At Old Trafford, Derbyshire just avoided the follow-on thanks to some doughty batting and tail‑end bounty. Lancashire pulled Jimmy Anderson back from patrolling the boundary with an eight‑down Derbyshire needing 29 to not bat again. But although he removed Zach Chappell, Ben Aitchison and Blair Tickner got the visiting side over the line.
Lancashire suffered a tumble of wickets going for quick runs, including an astonishing caught and bowled by David Lloyd, but a lead of 285 is nearly enough to let Anderson off the leash in the second innings. A career-best six for 19 from Matthew Waite helped Worcestershire to secure their first win of the season, as Essex’s second‑innings chase of 336 ended damply – 110 all out.
Lewis Gregory is finding the shoes fit very nicely in his new role as Somerset opener. His busy and boisterous 89 lifted Somerset to a five-wicket win against Sussex, from an unpromising 30 for three.
James Fuller (five for 56) and Kyle Abbott (three for 44) undid Warwickshire against Hampshire at Edgbaston. Chasing 310 they lost two wickets with 10 on the board, and the climb was too steep.
Durham cruised to their highest first-class score, with centuries from Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson and Graham Clark. Yorkshire are in trouble at Surrey despite an unbeaten 64 from Jonny Bairstow. Sam Northeast and Asa Tribe safely escorted Glamorgan to a three-day victory against Northamptonshire.
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A late charge and five games finish on day three! Thanks for your company, we’ll be back to sing along the remaining four tomorrow. Have a lovely evening.
