Hampshire completed a comprehensive victory over Nottinghamshire. The champions fared slightly better in their second innings, but once Darren Bicknell fell for a patient 97, Notts' spirit seemed to wane. Shaun Udal capped his season in great style by grabbing four wickets, to see the champions fall by an innings and 188 runs.
In a rain-interrupted day at The Oval, Mark Ramprakash continued where he left off yesterday, as did Surrey who reached 607 without losing any further wickets against Middlesex. 203 further runs were added with Azhar Mahmood scoring the bulk of the runs. He remained not-out on 167, and Ramprakash reached 242. Surrey hold a lead of 203 runs, in a match which is almost certainly heading for a draw.
Sussex wrapped up a comprehensive victory over Kent by 8 wickets at Hove. Kent could only manage 238 in their second innings, collapsing from their overnight score of 144 for 3. Naved-ul-Hasan and James Kirtley each took four wickets, which left Sussex with the straightforward task of knocking off 148 runs. They lost two wickets, but Mike Yardy saw them home with 55.
Gloucestershire are struggling in their match against Warwickshire, and face an uphill battle to avoid defeat. Set 411 to win, they closed the third day on 97 for 2 with Naqqash Tahir picking up both wickets. Earlier, Warwickshire had amassed 320 with Nick Knight making 94 and Jim Troughton 57.
Luke Sutton made the remarkable decision of declaring Derbyshire's innings, midway through the 171st over, with Graeme Welch left stranded on 99. Sutton declared on an imposing 707 for 7, and quickly grabbed two wickets to leave Somerset on 173 for 2, trailing by 275 runs.
Rain also affected play at Worcester, but there was enough play possible to ensure Worcestershire hauled their way up to Essex's first innings score of 574. Stephen Moore, not-out overnight on 124, fell nine short of 200, and Ben Smith reached 154. Worcestershire closed on 424 for 3, and trail by 150 runs.