LONDON, April 23: Nottinghamshire will be scenting victory in their county championship first division match against Middlesex at Lord’s despite a career best 192 from Ed Joyce on Friday. After his side had resumed on 167 for six, Joyce was eventually caught by Stephen Fleming off Ryan Sidebottom for 192 — with Middlesex all out for 345 on the third day of four.

Fleming, who made only one run to add to his first-innings duck, did not enforce the follow-on and then declared on 212 for five to set his former club 414 to win. They were eight without loss at stumps.

In Division Two, Yorkshire were on the brink of victory at Headingley after Somerset’s depleted top order collapsed on day three.

Ian Harvey completed his double-century in the morning, and Craig White declared his side’s first innings on 501 for nine.

The visitors were made to follow on after getting bowled out for 182. By stumps they were 104 for four in their second attempt.

Meanwhile, Durham secured a two-day win on Thursday when they beat Worcestershire by seven wickets at Chester-le-Street.

England fast bowler Harmison, 26, took the wickets of James Pipe, Matt Mason and David Wigley in successive balls — all bowled on his way to an innings return of five for 61 to register Durham’s first hat-trick in first-class cricket.

Worcestershire’s collapse left Durham needing just 32 runs for victory and although they saw three batsmen dismissed they still got home with more than two days’ play left.

Close of play scores on Friday:

County Championship:

(Third day of four):

First Division:

At Canterbury: Kent 347 (M. van Jaarsveld 118, D.I. Stevens 88, D.P. Fulton 53; A.F. Giles 5-86) and 308-6 (M. van Jaarsveld 111, D.P. Fulton 75, M.J. Walker 54 not out); Warwickshire 309 (N.V. Knight 100, I.R. Bell 63; A. Khan 6-73).

At Lord’s: Nottinghamshire 546 (D.J. Hussey 118, P.J. Franks 104 not out, C.M.W. Read 63, D.J. Bicknell 56; A. Richardson 7-113) and 212-5 declared (D.J. Bicknell 111, D.J. Hussey 57); Middlesex 345 (E. Joyce 192).

At Hove: Sussex 252 (M.H. Yardy 104, M.W. Goodwin 87; C.M. Tremlett 6-44) and 312 (I.J. Ward 86, C.J. Adams 79 not out; S.K. Warne 4-81); Hampshire 280 (N. Pothas 84; R.J. Kirtley 4-54) and 89-3.

Second Division:

At Northampton: Northamptonshire 433-6 declared (D.J.G. Sales 113, R. White 95, B.M. Shafayat 59, G. Brophy 52 not out, M.L. Love 50; P.A.J. DeFreitas 4-76) and 45-0; Leicestershire 339 (D.D.J. Robinson 100; P. Jones 4-74).

At Headingley: Yorkshire 501-9 declared (I.J. Harvey 209 not out, M. Wood 95, T. Bresnan 74); Somerset 182 and 109-4.

Match finished on Thursday:

Second Division:

At Chester-le-Street: Durham beat Worcestershire by seven wickets.

Worcestershire 171 (M. Davies 6-32) and 146 (S.J. Harmison 5-61); Durham 286 (P.D. Collingwood 129) and 32-3. Durham 19 points, Worcestershire 3.—AFP