It's been a spectacular week for Australian batsmen - and one bowler masquerading as a batsman! I'll deal with Ashton Agar's spectacular record-breaking Test innings separately but there were some even bigger scores from some of his more illustrious countrymen now plying their trade in the County Championship. Surrey remain in deep trouble after yet another draw at The Oval. However, their match against Nottinghamshire will go down as Ricky Ponting's very last in first-class cricket. Fortunately he bowed out in grand style, passing 24,000 runs and reaching his 82nd century, half of which have come in Test cricket. The ovation accorded him as he left the pitch on 169 not out was heartfelt. He may have been a love-hate figure in England but all true fans of the game appreciate his contribution to the sport over the years.
In a mid-table clash, one of Punter's former team-mates, Adam Voges, struck 150 and 51 for Middlesex, albeit in a losing cause. Warwickshire's victory was built on the foundations of one of Virun Chopra's trademark big hundreds, this time an unbeaten 228. Sussex remain top of Division One, thumping Somerset inside three days. Another Aussie did a lot of damage; Steve Magoffin, albeit with the ball. I managed to sneak a glimpse of him giving Craig Meschede a torrid time on Monday afternoon, but even Nick Compton fell to him twice for only seven runs. Marcus Trescothick would love to have scored that many. Two ducks made it four in succession in all forms of cricket! Could it be that the Somerset stalwart's powers are finally waning? I hope not. Durham advanced to second after easily dismissing Derbyshire. SA-born opener Keaton Jennings almost beat Derby on his own, contributing 216 runs, while Chris Rushworth enjoyed replacing England squad member Graham Onions' as new ball merchant, taking 10-103 in total.
In Division Two, Lancashire won the battle of the top two, defeating Northants by eight wickets. Cameron White top-scored for the home side in the first innings but then Simon Katich, a year younger than Ponting, stroked his way to 200. Spinner Simon Kerrigan's 7-63 and Glen Chapple did the rest. Aussie-born Michael Hogan is now officially England-qualified and playing in Wales. His bowling helped Glamorgan keep up with Hampshire for two days and when Marcus North (from Melbourne) took 5-30, a second win of the season looked on the cards. However, James Tomlinson and Danny Briggs bowled Hants to victory by 43 runs.
At the time of writing, Gloucestershire and Kent are slugging it out on an ultra-flat Cheltenham strip where only eleven wickets have fallen on the first three days. Four home batsmen have helped themselves to centuries, led by Alex Gidman's 211 but - guess what? - yet another Aussie, Michael Klinger, creamed 102 not out against some part-time 'declaration' bowling (plus Vernon Philander). Kent will need 411 to win on another hot day, and on this pitch, it's not as impossible as it first sounds.
Amidst more T20 knockabouts, there's another round of Championship fixtures next week. Sussex could open up a big lead at the top of Division One if they beat Middlesex but Yorkshire could regain second spot if they follow the form book against lowly Derbyshire. Even without Root or Bairstow, they should win easily, and without any Aussies, too.
