Four out of six teams of Group 2 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.
Leicestershire v Gloucestershire, Grace Road
Leicestershire 451 (Harris 148; Hammond 2-37) beat Gloucestershire 158 (Hammond 67; Parkinson 5-45) and 200 (Cockbain 55; Parkinson 5-63) by an innings and 93 runs
Left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson claimed his career-best match figures of 10-108 as Leicestershire defeated Gloucestershire by an innings and 93 runs inside three days at Grace Road. Resuming at 5/1 in their second innings after Colin Ackermann enforced the follow-on, Gloucestershire were all out for 200 before the final session.
Gloucestershire had slipped to 31/5 at one stage. Ian Cockbain (59) and Jonny Tattersall (51) then forged a valiant 119-run stand before Parkinson dismissed Tattersall. Ackermann also picked up three wickets, while Chris Wright had two to his name.
Somerset v Hampshire, Taunton
Somerset 360 (Gregory 107; Barker 6-72) and 323/6 (Abell 98; Organ 3-115) lead Hampshire 311 (McNamas 91*; Davey 5-78) by 372 runs
Somerset earned a 49-run lead in the first innings when they bowled Hampshire out for 311 on Day 3 at Taunton. In the second innings, captain Tom Abell (98), Steven Davies (82) and George Bartlett (74 not out) took Somerset to 323/6 at Day 3 stumps. They have extended their lead to 372.
Abell fell two-run short of his ninth First-class century after Felix Organ (3-115) bowled him. After Edward Byrom’s (4) early departure, Abell shared a 139-run stand with Davies for the second wicket to ensure Somerset’s substantial lead. They are likely to declare overnight.