Somerset sealed a resounding 10-wicket victory over Essex at Chelmsford, marking their first Rothesay County Championship win of the season. The visitors' strong position was largely due to Craig Overton's impressive 141, a career-best performance.
Essex resumed at 131 for three but struggled to gain momentum, eventually being dismissed for 245 after losing key batters Matt Critchley and Paul Walter in quick succession. Somerset required only 47 runs to win, which they achieved swiftly, thanks in part to Archie Vaughan's 41.
Meanwhile, Durham dominated Gloucestershire in their Division Two match, winning by an innings and 225 runs. Callum Parkinson took three wickets, while Gloucestershire, despite a century opening stand, were all out for 205. In other matches, Worcestershire beat Middlesex by 57 runs at Lord's, and Nottinghamshire are poised to complete victory over Glamorgan, needing eight wickets on the final day.
Sussex require 94 runs to beat Warwickshire with five wickets remaining, and Leicestershire continue to challenge Surrey at The Oval, reaching 691 all out for a lead of 171 runs.