Middlesex, Durham and Essex wrap up wins: county cricket, day three – as it happened

A memorable three-wicket over from Naavya Sharma, sailing in from the Brian Statham end, whippy action and fast arm, knocked the beans out of Lancashire, who slumped to a high-drama six-wicket defeat against their promotion rivals Middlesex after being sent packing for 84.

Sharma’s first ball of the morning was nibbled to slip by Matty Hurst, then a flat-footed Tom Hartley parried the next behind. Tom Bailey survived the hat-trick ball but survival was brief as he fenced the final delivery also to slip. Sharma polished things off in his next over to finish with best bowling figures of four for 17.

Ryan Higgins also banked four, including the bizarre dismissal of Mitch Stanley, who lost his leg bail despite the ball brushing off stump. Not even Jimmy Anderson could defend 117, and Ben Geddes put his foot down, slamming three sixes on the way to a match-winning 73 not out. It was Middlesex’s first win in a Championship game at Old Trafford since 1996.

Durham swept to victory against Worcestershire after they too collapsed like a too-eager pile of bedside books. Worcestershire lost nine for 38 and were all out in a session, with Ben Stokes picking up a couple of late-order snifters. A flamboyant Ben McKinney and careful Emilio Gay made the chase of 143 look easy.

Essex became the third team to wrap up a three-day victory when they chased down 177 against Hampshire, thanks largely to 90 not out from Matt Critchley. It was third straight defeat for Hampshire.

At Trent Bridge, where Surrey and Nottinghamshire have exchanged big run-heavy blows, Gus Atkinson was hit twice on the helmet in two overs by Josh Tongue (4-89), and retired with delayed concussion. He will miss Surrey’s next match under concussion rules. Reece Topley subs in. Dan Lawrence’s 104 was his third century of the spring.