Sam Hain struck a superb 142 to nudge Warwickshire closer to the Rothesay County Championship title as they lead Leicestershire by 192 runs at Edgbaston at the end of day two.
Warwickshire needed at least 14 points from their final match of the season and have already taken six bonus points after skittling Leicestershire for 125 on day one before Hain led the home side to 372 all out in reply.
Leicestershire, who slipped to 55-3 in their second innings at close, are all but relegated, subject to their appeal against a 27-point deduction for a substandard pitch at Grace Road last month.
Second-placed Somerset’s title hopes appear over – they began their last fixture 11 points behind Warwickshire – even if they beat Surrey at Taunton.
Surrey extended their overnight 327-4 to 422 all out, with Dan Lawrence finally out for 139, before Somerset’s Tom Lammonby made 103 not out as the hosts reached 222-3 – a 200-run deficit at the game’s midway stage.
Nottinghamshire’s title defence also appears over despite bowling out Yorkshire for 179 in reply to the hosts’ 251 all out and after reaching 55-3 at close, the home side lead by 127 runs.
Glamorgan reached 505 all out in Cardiff – Asa Tribe made 184 – before reducing Essex to 100-7 and relegated Hampshire trail Sussex by 332 runs at the Utilita Bowl after the visitors reached 216-5 in their second innings, with Tom Haines set to resume on 99.
In Division Two, Kent are on course to seal promotion behind title winners Durham as they lead by 63 runs against bottom club Gloucestershire.
Kent opener Ben Compton made 126 to help Kent reach 353 all out and the visitors are 61-2 in their second innings.
Promotion hopefuls Northamptonshire face an uphill task at Lord’s having been restricted to 249-7 for a 97-run lead over Middlesex with three wickets in hand.
Bad light at Old Trafford meant Lancashire made only 10 without loss in reply to Durham’s first-innings total of 493 all out.
Resuming on 355-5, the champions were further boosted by half-centuries from Ollie Robinson and Brydon Carse, the latter ending on 58 not out.
Worcestershire’s Matthew Waite will resume on 73 after helping his side reach 203-9 in their second innings for a lead of 329, having skittled Derbyshire for 88 on the first day.
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