Hampshire fast bowler Fidel Edwards blitzed through Essex with a five-wicket haul as Sir Alastair Cook fell twice in a day on his return to the County Championship.

Former West Indies international Edwards claimed his eighth Championship five-for, ending with figures of five for 51, as his searing pace brought a lifeless Ageas Bowl wicket to life.

Edwards' battery helped Hampshire bowl Essex out for 164 before they were left with 132 for four – still 229 behind Hampshire's declared first-innings score of 525 at close having been asked to follow-on.

Half-centuries from Chris Nash, Ben Duckett, Steven Mullaney and an unbeaten 97 from Joe Clarke strengthened Nottinghamshire's position in their game against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge.

The home side reached 329 for five in their second innings at the end of day three, giving them a 446-run lead over their opponents in this Division One fixture.

Clarke, who scored 112 in the first innings, ended the day within three runs of recording his second hundred of the contest. However, he was left a little frustrated at being unable to get back on strike during the final over of play.

Mitch Claydon took his wicket-tally in the match to eight as Kent closed in on likely victory over Somerset on the third day at Taunton.

By the close of a day of fluctuating fortunes, the home side were 171 for seven in their second innings, leading by only 133.

Claydon added three for 30 to his first innings figures of five for 46, well supported by Darren Stevens (two for 34) and fellow seamers Harry Podmore and Matt Milnes.

In Division Two, James Harris and Dawid Malan gave Middlesex hope of saving the game at Northamptonshire with half-centuries at the start and end of the third day.

Harris' first-innings 61 not out reduced the deficit to 174 and then – having been asked to follow-on – captain Malan reached stumps unbeaten on 55 as Middlesex ended a day under grey cloud 109 for two, trailing by 65.

Leicestershire are on course to claim their first victory over Sussex for 17 years after making a positive start to their pursuit of 230 at Hove.

Skipper Paul Horton made an unbeaten 53 to take his side to 99 for one when rain arrived at tea and play was abandoned for the day at 5.35pm with Leicestershire still needing 131.

Debutant Hasan Azad helped Horton put on 72 for the second wicket after David Wiese had pinned Ateeq Javid lbw with an inswinger for 11.

Horton reached his half-century off 79 balls with seven fours but he needed a check by the Leicestershire physio after ducking into a Chris Jordan bouncer which struck him on the helmet.

Their victory charge had been set up earlier in the day by off-spinner Colin Ackermann, who finished with career-best figures of five for 69, and seamer Tom Taylor, who claimed four more victims to add to his six in the first innings for a match haul of 10 for 122.

Durham's openers stood firm to slow Derbyshire's victory charge on day three of the match at the County Ground.

Alex Lees and Gareth Harte battled through a testing last session to reach 10 without loss at the close in pursuit of an unlikely victory target of 361.

Derbyshire had taken control with Tom Lace making his maiden first-class half-century before Harvey Hosein and Matt Critchley scored 50s as Derbyshire made 334 in their second innings.

That left Durham an awkward 17 overs to survive and Lees and Harte dug in to deny Derbyshire before bad light ended play early.