Carberry cashes in for Hampshire

Michael Carberry led a formidable Hampshire response to Warwickshire's hefty total of 484 for 7 declared, as he finished the third day at Southampton with an unbeaten 184 from 243 balls, in a total of 309 for 1. After Jonathan Trott had partnered Chris Woakes to his maiden first-class century in the morning session, Carberry responded with an opening partnership of 261 with Jimmy Adams, who fell ten runs short of his century when Ian Westwood struck to claim only the fifth first-class wicket of his career.

On the day that Justin Langer became the leading Australian run-scorer in first-class cricket, his county side Somerset built on his efforts with the bat to move into a commanding position against Worcestershire at New Road. Langer's second century of the summer allowed him to declare on 428 for 6, whereupon Worcestershire drifted to 164 for 6 at the close, still trailing by 264 runs with a day of the match remaining. Plenty rests on the shoulders of the wicketkeeper, Steve Davies, who is their top-scorer on 40 not out overnight.

Click here for John Ward's report of the third day's play between Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire at Scarborough.

Owais Shah single-handedly kept Middlesex afloat at Derby with a masterful century to save his side from collapse against Derbyshire's seamers, led by Graham Wagg, who took 5 for 88. Shah, who had come to the crease after the early dismissal of Sam Robson, finished unbeaten on 129 out of a total of 226. He struck 21 fours from 182 balls, in an innings in which his only lasting support came from the No. 11, Alan Richardson, who made 18. In reply, Derbyshire capitalised on their slender advantage by reaching 138 for 2 in their second innings, with Chris Rogers cracking 76 from 82 balls.

Matt Walker completed his first first-class century of the season, and James Foster chipped in with 85, as Essex piled on the runs at Grace Road before claiming three Leicestershire wickets in the space of 18 overs before the close. The match seems doomed to a draw after the loss of the entire first day's play, although Walker's unbeaten 116 gave them enough runs to keep up the pressure with the ball. Tony Palladino struck twice in his first spell and David Masters once, as Leicestershire slipped to 27 for 3, before a partial recovery before the close.