James Vince took his time to get off the mark against Somerset before hitting a fine century 7.39pm BST
Kyle Abbott skewered Somerset’s hopes of a nice easy run-in to the crucial last game with nine for 40 – the best bowling figures in the County Championship for three years. Somerset then reduced Hampshire to 10 for three before James Vince stepped into his big spoiling boots, and hit his first red-ball century of the season – giving Hampshire a lead of 230 at the Ageas Bowl with two wickets in hand.
Meanwhile, chasers-in-chief Essex clawed back against Surrey at Chelmsford. Sam Cook and Jamie Porter pocketed five wickets each as last year’s champions were dismissed for 174. Jordan Clark then snaffled three quick wickets until 147 from Dan Lawrence and 74 not out from Ryan ten Doeschate stretched Essex’s first-innings lead to 128. 7.16pm BST
Well James Vince has truly thrown everything into the mix with his first championship century of the season. Twenty-three balls to get off the mark, then 14 gorgeous, sumptuous, you-name- it boundaries. Fiend! And Dan Lawrence keeping Essex well and truly in the running with 147. Gloucestershire having a stumble to be resolved in the morning, and Northants looking good against Durham. Middlesex performing miracles from the carnage of 34-6. That’s it from me for tonight - the sun is setting and it is getting a bit dark to ride home. Have a lovely evening. Good night!