All six teams of Group 1 were in action on Day 3 in the eighth round of the County Championship 2021. Let us have a look at how it went for them.
Derbyshire v Warwickshire, Derby
Warwickshire 274 (Hain 77; Conners 4-46) and 155 (Hain 46; Cohen 5-43) beat Derbyshire 121 (Godleman 32; Miles 5-30, Norwell 4-24) and 117 (Madsen 29; Hannon-Dalby 4-24) by 191 runs
Warwickshire rose to the top of Group 1 after they defeated Derbyshire by 191 runs midway through Day 3. Resuming at 132/7, Warwickshire bowled out for 155, credits to Michael Cohen’s 5-43. Cohen was ably supported by Sam Conners (3-41), while Luis Reece and Ben Aitchison had a wicket apiece.
Chasing 309, Derbyshire lost Reece and captain Billy Godleman (3) early. Apart from a 41-run stand between Wayne Madsen (29) and Ben McDermott (21), they were never really in the contest, and were bundled out for 117. Oliver Hannon-Dalby (4-24) was the pick of the Warwickshire bowlers.
Worcestershire v Durham, New Road
Worcestershire 131 (D’Oliveira 39*; Carse 4-25, Potts 4-32) and 336 (Libby 126; Potts 4-66) lost to Durham 381 (Bedingham 121; Tongue 4-73) and 89/0 (Bancroft 46*) by 10 wickets
Scott Borthwick’s Durham enjoyed their third win in five games. They beat Worcestershire by 10 wickets on Day 3 at New Road. With the win, they jumped to second place in Group 1.
Resuming at 99/3, Jake Libby (126) ensured a respectable 336 for Worcestershire after they had been bundled out for 131 in the first innings. Libby was supported by Brett D’Oliveira (46) and Ed Barnard (34 not out). For Durham, Matthew Potts (4-66) and Chris Rushworth (3-68) shared seven wickets.
Chasing a mere 87, Cameron Bancroft (46*) and Alex Lees (34*) took Durham past the finishing line without any harm.
Essex v Nottinghamshire, Chelmsford
Nottinghamshire 293 (Clarke 67; Harmer 4-71) lead Essex 180/7 (Westley 71; Hutton 3-48) by 113 runs
The Essex versus Nottinghamshire fixture seems destined for a draw after rain washed out all of Day 3 at Chelmsford. Resuming on 248/6, Notts added 45 in the morning and were bowled out for 293. Simon Harmer returned 4-71 and Peter Siddle 3-87.
Essex were then left reeling at 15/3. Captain Tom Westley then took charge, scoring 71 before Liam Patterson-White (2-37) bowled him. Essex closed the day on 180/7. They are still 113 runs behind in the first innings.