Ravichandran Ashwin picked up a fifer and scored an unbeaten 41, but that wasn't enough for Nottinghamshire to avoid defeat at the hands of Somerset © Getty

Somerset vs Nottinghamshire

Ravichandran Ashwin's excellent all-round effort (5/59 and 41*) in second innings went in vain as Nottinghamshire crumbled to 122 in chase of 254 . Ashwin started the day in a fine fashion by removing Somerset skipper Tom Abell for 24.

Azhar Ali was looking solid at one end but he couldn't find support as wickets kept tumbling. His fighting innings of 65* proved to be decisive as it enabled Somerset to reach an above par score of 254. Somerset spinner Jack Leach (4/42) and Jamie Overton( 4/24) proved to be too lethal and Somerset won rather easily in the end.

Brief scores: Somerset 326 (Davies 74, Bess 51, Wood 4-85) and 169 ( Azhar Ali 65*, Ashwin 5-55 and Patterson-White 5/73) beat Nottinghamshire 241 (Libby 77, Nash 50, Bess 5-59) and 122 (Ashwin 41, Overton 4/24 and Leach 4/42) by 132 runs

Essex vs Yorkshire

An inspired bowling performance from Peter Siddle (4/32) and James Porter (3/62) bundled out Yorkshire for 211 and laid a platform for an easy victory for Essex. Keshav Maharaj was the only bright spot for Yorkshire in a dismal batting performance.

The South African came at number eight and contributed 85 which avoided an innings defeat for Yorkshire but he didn't get support from any other batsmen and Yorkshire ended up setting a target of only 94. While chasing, Essex lost Alastair Cook early but with contributions of 33* from Nick Brownie and 31 from Tom Westley, Essex reached the target comfortably with eight wickets in hand.

Brief scores: Yorkshire 208 (Brook 46, Harmer 5-76, Porter 2-40) and 211 (Maharaj 85, Siddle 4-32, Porter 3-62) lost to Essex 328 (Westley 81, Ten Doeschate 70*, Fisher 3-59) and 94/2( Browne 33*, Tom Westley 31, Patterson (1/18) by 8 wickets

Hampshire vs Warwickshire

An exemplary 112-run partnership between Jeetan Patel and Henry Brookes avoided the defeat for Warwickshire from a dismal situation against Hampshire. Chasing 404, Warwickshire lost five wickets for just 52 runs and looked destined to lose all points.

But a brilliant ton from Sam Hain and excellent contribution from Ben Mike(72) kept the possibility of a draw alive. However, when both were dismissed odds were again heavily stacked in Hampshire's favour and it took something out of ordinary from Jeetan Patel(70*) and Henry Brooks(36*) to save Warwickshire from defeat.

Brief scores: Hampshire 539 (Donald 173, Holland 143, Stone 5-93) and 171/8 decl. (Donald 52, Northeast 36, Hannon-Dalby 3-29) drew with Warwickshire 307 (Hain 129, Yates 91, Organ 2-19) and 347/8 ( Hain 104, Patel 70*, Abbott 5-18)

Surrey vs Kent

Kent began the day at 285/4 and they looked well set to put a first innings total in excess of 400. But Surrey came back strongly with the ball and picked up last six wickets for just 60 runs to restrict Kent to 369, taking a 98-run lead. In reply, Surrey fell to 179 for 6 despite the efforts of captain Rory Burns (41) and Dean Elgar (65) as Darren Stevens ran riot with a four-fer. At stumps, Surrey finished with 179 for 6, leading Kent by just 81 runs, setting the game up for an exciting final day.

Brief Scores: Surrey 271 (Elgar 63, Foakes 60, Podmore 3-42) and 179/6( Elgar 65, Burns 41. Stevens 4/46) lead Kent 369 (Denly 88, Crawley 69, Clark 3- 64) by 81 runs