Swindon's John Lewis took four wickets as Gloucestershire set themselves up for their first win of the season as Nottinghamshire ended the day 42 runs in arrears with only five second innings wickets remaining.

Craig Spearman moved from his overnight 99 to 118 as the hosts posted 347 before reducing the Nottinghamshire second innings to 108 for five, 68 of which came from Guy Welton.

On the day when John Crawley and Dominic Cork returned to the England fold, two more of the old guard took the chance to shine today.

Test discards Nick Knight and Chris Adams both revelled in the summer weather to convert overnight hundreds into double centuries and put their counties on course for victories in the Frizzell County Championship.

Warwickshire opener Knight added another ton to yesterday's 151 to carry his bat for a career-best 255 in his side's 472 all out against Hampshire at Edgbaston.

But the left-hander could not have done it without the support of last man Alan Richardson, whose remarkable 91 doubled his career aggregate.

The pair began the day looking to add a few more runs to yesterday's 274 but ended up sharing in a record 214-run last-wicket stand.

There was worse to follow for the visitors as Ashley Giles reminded England of what they could be missing at Lord's with two wickets as Hampshire struggled to 89 for three in reply.

Sussex captain Adams moved on to 217 before Lancashire dismissed his side for 423 at Old Trafford.

Jason Lewry then claimed five wickets as Sussex looked to force their hosts to follow on but Lancashire had Stuart Law to thank for averting a potential catastrophe with an unbeaten 149 leaving Lancashire 279 for nine at the close.