Unlike the Group 1 matches of the County Championship, where not a single over could be bowled, the weather was kinder for the teams in Group 2. David Payne’s six-for guided Gloucestershire to a resounding victory against Middlesex, while a defeat looms large on the head of Hampshire.
Hampshire v Somerset, Southampton
Hampshire 79 (Weatherley 20; Gregory 4-25) and 110 for 4 (Weatherley 34*; Overton 4-27) trail Somerset 336 (Overton 74, Barker 4-67) by 147 runs.
Inclement weather in Southampton delayed a potential defeat for Hampshire as only 9.3 overs of the play was possible on Day 3. Hampshire added 18 runs and lost Sam Northeast to reach 110/4. They need another 147 to help avert the innings defeat. Jon Weatherley walked back unbeaten on 34 and James Vince on 5.
Craig Overton claimed his fourth wicket after Northeast’s attempted nudge towards mid-wicket was pocketed by George Bartlett.
Somerset would be hoping for an uninterrupted last day of play to pick six wickets and climb to the second in the points table.
Middlesex vs Gloucestershire, Lord's
Middlesex 210 (White 76*; Payne 5-31) and 152 (Gubbins 52; Payne 6-56) lost to Gloucestershire 273 (Bracey 75; Andersson 3-93) and 93/3 (Lace 31*; Bamber 2-29) by 7 wickets.
Gloucestershire leapfrogged Somerset to the top of the table with a seven-wicket victory against Middlesex. Resuming the day on 26/3, Middlesex were skittled out for 152, courtesy David Payne’s 6-56. Payne finished with match figures of 11-87.
Nick Gubbins tried to stage a fightback but in vain. He scored 52 before falling prey to Payne. John Simpson’s 46 stretched the target to 90 runs, which Gloucestershire chased down with seven wickets to spare.
Leicestershire v Surrey, Grace Road
Leicestershire 496 (Evans 112, Harris 101, Swindells 103, Mike 74, Virdi 6-171) lead Surrey 146/0 (Burns 74*) by 350 runs.
Intermittent rain washed out Day 3, which means that the match between Surrey and Leicestershire is almost certainly set for a draw. Rory Burns (74*) and Mark Stoneman (59*) have added an unbroken 146 for the first wicket after Leicestershire were bowled out for 496.
Unless they take all 20 Surrey wickets in a day, Leicestershire will go winless in the group stage. Gloucestershire have already qualified for the next stage of the County Championship. Somerset will join them irrespective of their result against Hampshire.