County Championship Division One - day three (close)

Warwickshire 419 & 146 v Somerset 308 & 8-0

SOMERSET require a further 250 runs to beat Warwickshire on the final day at Edgbaston after a rollercoaster afternoon in the County Championship title race.

A superb century from Steve Davies was backed up by valuable contributions from Dom Bess (52*) and Craig Overton (36) as Somerset, who began the day on 167-5, successfully avoided the follow-on and posted 308 in their first innings.

The visiting attack then put their side right back in the game, with captain Tom Abell taking a career-best 4-39 along with wickets for Jack Brooks (2-32), Jamie Overton (3-26) and Craig Overton (1-40) as Warwickshire were dismissed for 146, leaving Somerset 258 to win.

Abell then saw out a tricky spell alongside Davies before the close, which arrived prematurely due to bad light, to set up a tantalising and potentially nail-biting final day.

The importance of the outcome has been emphasised by the performance of leaders Essex, who have stretched their advantage at the top thanks to a remarkable three-wicket win at Kent.

Essex conceded a first innings deficit of 112 but blitzed the hosts for just 40 in their second innings before completing the run chase just after 7pm on a chaotic day at Canterbury.

****

WESTERN Storm sealed their place as finalists at the Kia Super League finals day after maintaining their 100% record with a win over Southern Vipers at the Bristol County Ground.

Heather Knight and Fran Wilson scored half centuries and staged a magnificent stand of 115 for the third wicket as Storm won their seventh straight match.

Knight won the toss, elected to bat first and top-scored with 61 from 48 balls, while England team-mate Wilson contributed 50 not out as the hosts posted a formidable 170-3 in 20 overs.

Danni Wyatt played an explosive innings of 56 and dominated a stand of 73 for the second wicket with fellow England batsman Tammy Beaumont to keep Vipers in the hunt.

But consistent off-spinner Claire Nicholas claimed the key wickets of Wyatt and overseas star Stafanie Taylor to turn the game in Storm's favour, while England seamers Anya Shrubsole and Freya Davies weighed in with figures of 3-39 and 4-18 respectively as Vipers came up short on 155-9.