Rory Burns further strengthened his position as Alastair Cook’s likely successor at the top of the England order with an unbeaten century which has put Surrey on the brink of the Specsavers County Championship title.

Burns ended the day unbeaten on 103 as Surrey posted 213 for six in response to Worcestershire’s 336, guiding his side to their first batting point.

They need just four more points to seal their first County Championship title for 16 years.

Kyle Abbott’s maiden championship 10-wicket match haul set up Hampshire’s fourth Division One win of the season and all-but ended Somerset’s title charge.

Abbott backed up his five scalps in the first innings by taking six for 40 to
bowl Somerset out for 116 and end the match with analysis of 11 for 71.

Jimmy Adams then confirmed the victory, which eases Hampshire’s relegation
fears, with an unbeaten 25 as the home side chased down 75 to win by six
wickets.

An unbeaten half-century from Gary Ballance gave Yorkshire the slight edge in the battle of the Roses.

After Lancashire posted 252 – a first-innings lead of 43 – Ballance steadied the Yorkshire ship after they slipped to 27 for three, finishing not out on 53 with his side 127 for three.

Ben Slater and Kraigg Brathwaite combined to give Nottinghamshire a lead of 60 against Essex at Trent Bridge.

Batting for a second time, 56 runs adrift, the home county’s opening pair reproduced last week’s heroics with a century stand to help Notts towards 116 for one by the close.

Division Two leaders Warwickshire are in control against Leicestershire, leading by 284 runs after a rain-affected second day.

Sam Hain (72) and Chris Woakes (64no) helped Warwickshire to 384 for nine after they bowled Leicestershire out for 100 on day one.

Jack Taylor and Ben Charlesworth shared an unbeaten stand of 143 to put Gloucestershire in command against Glamorgan.

Taylor finished the day on 98 not out and 17-year-old Charlesworth was on 65 as they finished day two on  284 for six – a first-innings lead of 147.

Chris Rushworth took eight for 51 and then Cameron Steel hit an unbeaten century as Durham forged a 201-run lead over Sussex.

Fifteen wickets fell between Middlesex and Kent as the visitors close in on a fourth successive win at Lord’s.

They are 104 for four in their second innings, needing another 52 for victory.

Alex Hughes was the chief beneficiary of a rain-shortened day at Wantage Road as he made his way to 74 not out, moving Derbyshire to 118 for four in reply to Northamptonshire’s 255.