After months of nervous glances at CricInfo scorecards, I can finally relax. There is another day to go but Derbyshire's abject submission to Chris Woakes and Keith Barker has ensured they join Surrey in the trapdoor and Somerset can breathe again and regroup for 2014. Their match against fellow strugglers Notts will now probably peter out into a draw, although James Hildreth's welcome century and a Nick Compton 87 at least prevented a third day embarrassment.
Surrey found their batting feet far too late today. Their superstars have failed them in the Championship this season but today the county's innings was all about a cricketing master and a novice. Against a good Yorkshire attack, Hashim Amla crunched 151 at almost a run a ball but even he was upstaged by Dominic Sibley. Who? Exactly. After scores of 10, 12 and 0, the 18 year-old from Epsom produced from his locker something special and became the youngest player ever to compile a Championship double-century. He's still there on 220 and, with a result unlikely and nothing to play for as a team, I'm sure Stephen Davies will let him bat on and maybe turn the double into a triple!
In Division Two, Essex following on against Hampshire meant that Northants had already secured promotion to Division One for the first time in ten years. They promptly collapsed against Worcestershire, for whom Moeen Ali demonstrated once more while he is a genuine contender for an England all-rounder slot by adding to his weight of 2013 runs final match impressive bowling figures of 9-107. Northants have had a fabulouos year in all formats but their nearest rivals Essex also capitulated at the death to Hampshire by an innings for whom recent signing from Kent, Matt Coles, ended the season with a ten-for. Better than the way he began it for the Lions with an early plane ticket home with fellow bad boy Ben Stokes.
So, well done to Somerset, Notts, Northants and Sibley, while I hope Derbyshire don't fall apart in the face of relegation. One summer in the big time should be a reminder that they can rise again. After their own annus horribilis, Leicestershire should also take notice of what Derby did last year and Northants this.
