When Ryan Sidebottom and co dismissed Middlesex for just 123 in the first innings, it looked as if Yorkshire were heading for top spot in the County Championship. However, a superb double-century from Chris Rogers, ably assisted by Robson and Dexter, ensured the home side reached their immense target of 472 for the loss of only three wickets, one of the highest fourth innings winning scores in Championship history. Earlier Gary Ballance had struck another hundred for the White Roses but Rogers' chanceless 241 made it 1-0 to the Aussies!
Of course, this run chase was nowhere near as incredible as the 479 made against Yorkshire by Somerset five seasons ago. What made that one so special was that it was achieved inside a day! Somerset were again in winning form today, beating Sussex by an innings at Hove. Players and fans were delighted at Marcus Trescothick's first century for yonks but every bit as encouraging was Luke Gregory's second excellent performance in successive matches. Match figures of 9-97 and a brisk 47 with the bat confirmed the Devonian seamer is back after anm injury-racked 2013. Sussex remain top of the table, but by only three points from Middlesex.
Northants lost their third game on the trot. In a low-scoring contest, 240 wasn't an impossible target for Lancashire, and while James Middlebrook was at the crease, there was a chance. However, James Anderson recorded his second five-for, Kabir Ali chipped in with 3-17 and the rest of the Northampton batsmen capitulated leaving them 70 runs short. Coach, captain and number two fast bowler Glen Chapple will be happy with this result, although his side will face stiffer competition than this, and without Anderson too when England resume action next month.
Warwickshire's victory over Nottinghamshire lasted barely two days, prompting a special inspection of the Trent Bridge pitch. No penalty was issued but if the home groundstaff had been instructed to help Siddle, Fletcher et al it backfired. The returning Chris Wright and in-form Chris Woakes were the pick of the bowlers, and only Ian Bell showed how batting should be done, producing twenty boundaries in his 122 out of 263 on the way to Warwicks' 98-run success.
In Division Two, Worcestershire went top, their innings defeat of Derbyshire giving them a second triumph of the season so far. As last year, skipper Wayne Madsen held the visitors' batting together, top-scoring in both innings. However, Worcester's 432-9 declared was simply too much. Moeen Ali was unfortunate to be caught on 99 but Alexei Kervezee struck a rare hundred, although perhaps the major difference between the two sides was Saeed Ajmal. Returning to New Road, the Pakistan superstar made a mockery of the seam-friendly conditions to capture eight wickets in all.
Southampton fared badly with the weather, and so Hampshire experienced another draw, this time against Surrey. James Vince's 159 did at least offer something to relish for the hardy souls who popped along to the Rose Bowl. The showers were also prevalent at Bristol where Essex dominated the early stages against Gloucestershire but missed the chance to go second. Ben Foakes struck an excellent 132 and David Masters took 6-48 but an unbeaten double-century partnership from Will Tavare and Alex Gidman staved off defeat on the last day.
There was far more cricket played at Leicester. Niall O'Brien's rapid 133 led the way for the home team in the first innings but Glamorgan managed to pass 350 in reply. Greg Smith was run out for 97 on the last morning and Leicester scraped enough runs to make a fairly safe declaration on 179-8. Needing 320 in around 70 overs, the departures of Rudolph and Goodwin prompted the Welsh to shut up shop and play for a draw.
Pick of the fixtures next week in Division Two is probably Worcestershire's visit to Cardiff while the close state of the top tier makes all the games potentially interesting. Leaders Sussex travel north to Lancashire while Middlesex travel to Warwickshire. Durham could be back in the mix if they overcome Yorkshire, and Somerset return to their Taunton home to host Notts.
