This week's County Championship fixtures could decide all the ups, downs and winner's crowns - but there may be stings in the tails of those fighting to avoid the drop and pushing for the pennant or promotion.
Durham's bowlers Graeme Onions and Chris Rushworth were far too good for Derbyshire last week and now Paul Collingwood's side can clinch the Division One title at home to Nottinghamshire. A draw or even a defeat may be enough should Yorkshire fail to win their home tie against Middlesex. Both the latter counties drew last week thanks largely to the weather. The White Roses were so desperate to give themselves a chance that they bowled thirty overs of sheer tripe to encourage Sussex into a pre-declaration run frenzy. Nash and Hamilton-Brown duly helped themselves to centuries but by all accounts it was an unedifying spectacle and, while it no doubt boosted the batsmen's mediocre 2013 averages, it was all in vain.
One of the pre-season favourites, Nottinghamshire, are surprisingly caught up in a relegation dogfight. While the teams below them have belatedly found ways to win, Notts have slumped to seventh with no Championship victories in four months!They may be in next weekend's YB40 final, Swann and Broad included, but their first-class form has deserted them. Should they lose to Durham, it could be a 'loser goes down' showdown against Somerset in the last round of matches.
Somerset have experienced a few of those already! Embarrassed by Derby, they recovered magnificently to defeat fellow strugglers Surrey at Taunton last week. Alfonso Thomas and bowling team-mates young enough to be his sons, Meschede and Gregory, twice ran through the faded aristos of county cricket for under 200. Even arguably the world's best batsman, Hashim Amla went for a pair. Surrey now must win their final two games just to catch Somerset but even then a last-week Derbyshire victory at home to Warwickshire could consign both Surrey and the Cidermen to second-tier cricket next season. Exciting, perhaps, but blooming nerve-racking for Somerset fans like me.
Definitely heading the other way are Lancashire, who ensured an immediate return to Division One by drawing a rain-affected contest with Leicestershire. Acting captain Paul Horton's 156 was the highlight as his side remain undefeated. Meanwhile, a makeshift Leicester outfit have yet to win. Northamptonshire, so strong in one-dayers this summer, are 21 points clear in second place with two games to go. A home win versus Kent this week will virtually guarantee promotion after two promising seasons crumbled into dust.
David Masters took 6-41 against their Thames estuary neighbours and he could well take more in the crucial encounter with Glamorgan. The Welsh side may have a cup final on their mind, so expect some young players blooded at Chelmsford,and complaints from Northampton! Gloucestershire's faint hopes of making the runners-up spot probably rest on Lancashire being tempted to rest a few stars, too. Simon Katich has already left and captain Chapple was absent last week but Klinger and the Gidmans will need more support if they are to hand Lancashire a first defeat of the year.
