Last week I observed how the 30-somethings, mostly Australian, were making the headlines in the County Championship. Well, it was all change in the latest round of matches, for it was relatively unknown batsmen in their early 20s who piled on the runs. While Joe Root was strutting his stuff in another England Ashes victory, his county understudy Alex Lees, took the Derbyshire attack for 275 not out, almost doubling his career first-class run aggregate and average in the process! And how many cricketers have boasted Zak as their middle name? Yorkshire's innings triumph took them to the top of the table, helped by Sussex's surprise thumping by Middlesex, for whom 24 year-old Stuart Robson struck 166 in the first innings.
In the other Division One fixture, Warwickshire easily outgunned Nottinghamshire, thanks in part to Jeetan Patel's wickets but also 25 year-old Londoner Luke Evans' impressive 178. At Edgbaston, the home side overtook their opponents to take fifth place in the table.
In the second tier, Essex have suffered a few embarrassments so far this summer, yet their innings defeat of Leicestershire advanced them to third, within reach of one-time runaway leaders Northants who sat out the four-dayers last week. All three centurions in the match were under 25 years of age. At Chelmsford, Ned Eckersley got Leicester off to a great start with 147, but the locals made hay in the hot sunshine on days two and three. Opener Jaik Mickelburgh shrugged off recent poor form at the top level by compiling a mighty 243, sharing a 270-run fifth wicket stand with 20 year-old Ben Foakes. The latter, having appeared as a sub fielder for England, struck 15 fours and three sixes in his 120. Greg Smith's 5-42 put Leicester out of their misery and, just for a change, David Masters failed to take a single wicket in the game.
Another pair of promising youngsters dominated proceedings at Cheltenham. Gloucestershire clinched the mid-table honours against Worcestershire after James Fuller's pace nabbed him 5-43 in the first innings. The margin of defeat would have been much larger had it not been for inexperienced Joe Leach's 82 and 114. Only Gareth Andrew and Thilan Samaraweera kept him company for any length of time, but all in vain.
Before inflicting a first T20 defeat on Hampshire, Kent also prevented their fellow south-coasters from winning over four days. Big scores from Carberry, Key and Brendan Nash cancelled each other out in a tame draw. It was another flat batting track at Old Trafford, and some old hands took full advantage. 40 year-old Glamorgan star Murray Goodwin led the way with 194 before the veteran Lancashire middle-order pair, Ashwell Prince and Simon Katich each reached three figures, pushing the Red Roses beyond 500 and the end of a meaningful contest. Gareth Rees stood up for the Welsh contingent with an undefeated century on the final day but a special mention should go to Simon Kerrigan. The spinner captured twelve of the 25 wickets to fall in the whole match over 76 overs. James Pattinson would collapse with a stress fracture just thinking about that sort of workload!
