Heavy fog prevented any play for the first forty-five minutes at Trent Bridge, before Hampshire's batsmen then took their turn to frustrate Nottinghamshire in their quest for the victory which would guarantee them the county title. Nic Pothas remained unbeaten on 104 and Michael Brown earlier hit 93 as Hampshire closed day three on 376 for five, a lead of 368.

Second-placed Durham took command at Canterbury, finally declaring on 500-8, a lead of 275. Kent then made an awful start to their second innings as Callum Thorp claimed the wickets of Rob Key (0) Joe Denly (9) and Martin van Jaarsveld (1) to make it 22 for three. The home county staged something of a recovery to reach 159 for five at stumps, though the seemingly inevitable defeat heading their way on day four will mean relegation to Division Two.

Somerset's prospects of lifting the title receded farther as they were all out for 227. Lancashire were more than two thirds of the way towards their victory target of 181, with all their second innings wickets still standing, at stumps.

Click on the links for our writers' session-by-session reports direct from the grounds.

Click here for all of yesterday's session reports.

Day three

LV County Championship - Division One

Kent v Durham, Canterbury

Nottinghamshire v Hampshire, Trent Bridge

Somerset v Lancashire, Taunton

Sussex v Yorkshire, Hove

LV County Championship - Division Two

Gloucestershire v Essex, Bristol

Leicestershire v Derbyshire, Grace Road

Northamptonshire v Middlesex, Northampton

Warwickshire v Glamorgan, Edgbaston