Last week saw the rain stopped falling, and the same was true of the wickets. Batsmen have been bemoaning the state of the wickets in recent weeks but, while it has remained cold, it was the bowlers' turn to feel a bit miffed. The high scores also meant there were again few results in the County Championship.
A determined second innings century from Lancashire opener Paul Horton held Warwickshire at bay as the Division One leaders dominated the first few days at Edgbaston. Chopra and Clarke each reached three figures and Tim Ambrose fell four runs short as the home side amassed 557-6 declared. Chris Woakes made a welcome return, taking 3-20 as the champions were dismissed for under 200. They climbed above Notts to lead the table, and Somerset advanced to third after having the better of an exciting draw at The Oval. Teenage twins Craig and Jamie Overton made their first Championship appearance together for injury-hit Somerset, but it was the 'veteran' 19 year-old George Dockrell who took most of the visitors' wickets. This came after Suppiah, Hildreth and Compton had gorged themselves on day one, en route to a 500+ total. Stephen Davies and Tom Maynard kept Surrey into contention, and Stuart Meaker's career-best 8-52 gave them a glimpse of victory but in the end they had to fight to avoid defeat and take ten bonus points.
New Road may have dried out but the weather prevented what could have been a thrilling climax to Worcestershire's clash with Sussex. Chris Nash at last found some form and Ed Joyce scored 103 not out, to leave the home side a tough 315 target on the final day's play, but it ended as a draw, with Sussex remaining one place ahead. Durham remain bottom but travel to Taunton this week. Warwickshire have an awkward trip to Surrey while nearest rivals Notts are also away, this time at Sussex. Lancashire hope Middlesex will allow them a first win of the season.
Derbyshire were the only team to win in the Championship last week, and it helped them establish a 14-point lead in Division Two. They thumped hapless Glamorgan by eight wickets. Guptill and Madsen's 170-run partnership in the first innings was decisive. Yorkshire remain second after drawing with Hampshire. It was honours evening after the first innings but there wasn't time to contrive a result. Hampshire's imposing total was created largely by Simon Katich's 196 and wicketkeeper Michael Bates' maiden century, then Anthony McGrath's unbeaten 106 kept his county in the game and possibly his place in the Tykes' team.
Leicestershire's own import, Ramnesh Sarwan narrowly missed out on recording two centuries in the draw with Essex. A late attempt at a last day contrived result was thwarted by the weather, following the decision to feed the bowling of Pettini and Wheater to the wolves of Sarwan, Eckersley and White. 158 runs were smashed off 45 balls prior to a declaration target of 270 in 60 overs. Sadly bad light prevented any more whirlwind batting and play halted for good on the final afternoon. Essex have now played five draws in their six matches, a feat equalled by Kent, whose attempt to win at home to Northants was also snuffed out by dismal conditions at Canterbury. David Sales struck 140, his 25th first-class ton, but opener Rob Newton broke a wrist, leaving the county without an opening partner for Stephen Peters.
This coming week, Yorkshire sit it out, offering Derbyshire the opportunity to extend their lead at the top. They are away to Essex, whilst Kent will go second if they beat Leicestershire. Northants face fellow strugglers Gloucestershire while it looks a tall order for Glamorgan to achieve a debut victory at Southampton. At least the sun is forecast to shine for them, if nothing else!
