Tuesday 28 April 2015 20:27, UK
Daniel Lawrence became Essex's youngest centurion when he scored 161 in a strong batting performance against Surrey at The Oval.
The 17-year-old Lawrence scored 161 from 206 balls as Essex compiled a mammoth 610-8 before declaring, Nick Browne adding 143. Graham Napier added some tail-end wag with 73.
Surrey made 340 from their first innings and were 175 behind at the close of play after totting up 95 for two.
Kent were made to follow on against Lancashire at Old Trafford and finished the third day 44 runs behind on 148-3.
Opener Joe Denly led the resistance before being dismissed for 60 and captain Rob Key was bowled by Peter Siddle (1-17) for 34.
Lancashire are in the box seat to win the game and their captain Steven Croft reflected on another good day, saying: "We got what we wanted out of their first innings because we wanted to clean it up as quickly as possible.
"We felt it was the right decision to make them follow-on and while we would have liked one more wicket at the end, we feel we're in a strong position going into day four."
Derbyshire remain in control of their match against Gloucestershire, who finished day three 17 runs behind and with just four of their second-innings wickets remaining.
Gareth Roderick provided some resistance with 70 but Mark Footitt has added three wickets to the three he took in the first innings to put Derbyshire on the brink of victory.
Derbyshire coach Graeme Welch praised the efforts of his players in the field and was particularly delighted with the dismissal of Noema-Barnett late, who fell to the final ball of the day.
Welch said: "The pitch flattened out a bit but I was proud of the lads for the way they kept going out there. If you do the right things you get the rewards.
"Martin Guptill took two great catches and with six Gloucestershire wickets down, we are still in a great position."
David Willey celebrated his England call-up with a destructive 88 as some solid lower-order scoring saw Northamptonshire complete their second innings on 429.
Charlie Shreck took 4-91 for Leicestershire, who were 44-1 at the close of play on day three, and require a further 332 runs on the final day at Grace Road.
Leicestershire head coach Andrew MacDonald feels the Foxes are still in the game and said: "If we'd taken a couple of opportunities the game may have been slightly different, but I still think the game is in the balance at 332 off 96 overs. If it's a full day's play we're right in this."
