Luis Reece's fine knock of 184 powered Derbyshire's comeback © Getty

Derbyshire v Sussex, Derby

Luis Reece (184) and Billy Godleman (106*) composed centuries in the second innings, as Derbyshire took a vice-like grip over the proceedings against Sussex in Derby. The hosts were 360 for 2, in front by 267 at Stumps on Day 2.

In a game full of twists and turns, Sussex were bowled out for 231 in their first innings, gaining a lead of 93. However, on the back of tons from Godleman and Reece at the top of the order, Derbyshire made a sterling comeback. The opening duo shared a stand of 274 before Reece was run out on the back of a direct-hit from Reece Topley. Topley then dismissed Wayne Madsen for 42. However, Godleman and Anuj Dal took the side to the stumps to make it a perfect day for the home side.

Reece also put on a fine show with the ball, taking five wickets to ensure Sussex lost their last seven wickets for the addition of just 103 runs.

Brief scores: Derbyshire 138 (Anuj Dal 35; David Wiese 4-18, Reece Topley 2-23) and 360/2 (Luis Reece 184, Billy Godleman 106*) lead Sussex 231 (Stiaan van Zyl 60; Luis Reece 5-63) by 267 runs.

Northamptonshire vs Durham, Northampton

The ever-reliable seamer Ben Sanderson and Richard Levi helped Northamptonshire to extend their strong position versus Durham in a Division 2 game in Northampton. The home team finished Day 2 on 253 for 6, ahead by 321 runs.

After snuffing Durham out for just 131 in their first dig, the hosts found themselves in a spot of bother at 65 for 4. At that stage, Levi (60) and Adam Rossington (52) strung together a partnership of 91 to put the home side in control. Ben Raine and Chris Rushworth combined to dismiss the duo, but Luke Procter (45*) continued on the good work of the pair and powered the side past 250.

Sanderson also played a key role in helping Northants gain a strong position by snaring six wickets in the first innings. For Durham, Ned Eckersley was was the lone batsman to put up a semblance of a fight with a useful 37.

Brief scores: Northamptonshire 217 (Adam Rossington 82, Ben Curran 36; Chris Rushworth 5-68, Ben Raine 3-53) & 235/6 (Richard Levi 60; Ben Raine 3-63) lead Durham 131 (Ben Sanderson 6-54) by 321 runs.

Glamorgan vs Leicestershire, Cardiff

Samit Patel and Ruaidhri Smith shared three spoils each to pilot Glamorgan into a position of dominance versus Leicestershire in Cardiff. The visitors were reeling at 191 for 9 in their first dig, still trailing by 244.

In pursuit of a sizeable first innings total of 435, Paul Horton, the former Lancashire opener, and Hasan Azad shared a fine stand of 85 for the opening wicket. However, once Horton fell to Samit, the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals. The visiting side's slide can capsulised by the fact that they lost their next four wickets for the addition of just two runs. Harry Swindells (29), the wicketkeeper, and Chris Wright, the former Warwickshire seamer, then propelled Leicestershire to a score of some respectability.

Earlier, Chris Cooke, Glamorgan's skipper, top-scored for the home team with a quickfire 96 to take his side past the 400-run mark.

Brief scores: Glamorgan435 (Chris Cooke 96; Chris Wright 5-64) lead Leicestershire 191/9 (Paul Horton 49; Samit Patel 3-44) by 244 runs.

Lancashire vs Middlesex, Manchester

John Simpson's unbeaten 167 powered Middlesex to 337 in response to Lancashire's first innings total of 259. The 'keeper-batsman stroked 26 boundaries and a six in order to bail the visitors from a precarious situation and hand them a 78-run lead in the first innings, before reducing the hosts to 14 for 1 at stumps on day 2.

Resuming the innings on 39 for 6, Simpson and Harris stitched a century-stand for the seventh wicket. It was followed half-century partnerships with Toby-Roland Jones and Nathan Sowter for the eighth and ninth wicket respectively. Sowter, through the course of the partnership brought up his fifty too, as Middlesex saw themselves past Lancashire's total. Matthew Parkinson bagged three of the four Middlesex wickets to fall on the day.

Resuming their second innings late in the day, Lancashire lost opener Alex Davies in the first over, before the second wicket-pair took them safely to stumps.

Brief scores: Lancashire 259 (Liam Livingstone 84, Steven Croft 55*; Nathan Sowter 3-42, James Harris 3-59) & 14/1 trail Middlesex 337 (John Simpson 167*, Nathan Sowter 52; Tom Bailey 5-78, Matthew Parkinson 3-49) by 64 runs.

Worcestershire vs Gloucestershire, Worcester

Ryan Higgins's four-fer bundled out Worcester for 128 in the second innings, setting Gloucestershire 105 for an outright win. The hosts, however, pulled back in the second half of the day, accounting for four wickets for 54 runs.

Resuming the day on 87 for 4, Gloucestershire were bundled out for 235, courtesy Ed Barnard's six-fer. Gareth Roderick, Ryan Higgins and David Payne played useful hands but fell just a few runs short of their respective fifties.

Having conceded a 24-run lead, Worcestershire didn't do themselves any good in their second essay, with seven batsmen getting dismissed for single-digit scores. Charlie Morris, the No. 10 batter, top-scored with an unbeaten 29 to take the side past the 100-run mark.

The chase didn't start out too well for the visitors as they were down 19 for 2 within the first 10 overs. Finch and Miles Hammond steadied the innings slightly before two wickets fell in quick succession late in the day to leave the game interestingly poised for the last day.

Brief scores: Worcestershire 221 (Riki Wessels 72, Ed Barnard 30; Ryan Higgins 4-55, David Payne 3-57) & 128 (Charlie Morris 29*; Ryan Higgins 4-34, Shannon Gabriel 2-20) lead Gloucestershire 235 (David Payne 43, Ryan Higgins 42; Ed Barnard 6-42) & 54/4 by 60 runs runs.