I deliberately delayed writing this review of the week's County Championship fixtures until Middlesex's game with Sussex came to an end. I needn't have bothered! Lancashire may have beaten Durham by one run this evening in the T20 Blast, but over four days at Northwood, the most entertainment to be had by spectators was probably watching groundstaff with forks and squeegees and umpires sagely and sadly shaking their heads. Not a ball was bowled. Not one. Middlesex could console themselves that their five points for the draw kept them at the top of Division One because the weather also scuppered any chance of their rivals grabbing a 16-point win bonus. Because Wednesday proved to be one of the wettest days of the week, there wasn't even an opportunity for wacky declarations.
Somerset did achieve maximum batting points and Warwickshire bowled them out, but that was about it. Will Porterfield struck his debut first-class century for the Edgbaston side, while Somerset's James Hildreth was denied three figures by Keith Barker and substitute 'keeper McKay when on 98. Good news for the Taunton faithful is that Hildy has today signed a three-year contract extension.
Yorkshire matched Somerset's nine points in the damp Roses contest at Headingley. Jack Brooks took another five-for while skipper Andrew Gale was left high and dry on 95. He had been given out earlier by Peter Willey only to be reprieved by the umpire following what appeared to be a protest. The 'not out' decision proved to be correct but Gale's stubborn reluctance to accept the initial raised index finger seemed to raise a middle finger to the disciplinary rules of cricket. Tom Smith's 54 and 5-49 for Lancashire were more worthy memories from the match.
Gordon Muchall produced an unbeaten 158 in only his second Championship outing for Durham while poor Samit Patel of opponents Nottinghamshire suffered an even more agonising fate: caught on 99. He was one of three victims of Ben Stokes, whose broken wrist seems to have healed. He also scored 61 before Patel wrought revenge with the ball. With the game petering out into a draw, there appeared no need for Stokes to hammer any more locker doors.
In Division Two, there was very nearly a proper result in Cardiff. Living just ten minutes from Sophia Gardens I was surprised there was any play at all on Day Four. I can only assume the floodlights were switched on. Anyway, Glamorgan required only two more wickets to achieve an innings victory before rain returned to kill off the contest. From 156-2, Leicestershire collapsed to 204-8 as Michael Hogan and Jim Allenby turned the screw. Glamorgan's twelve points took them above Essex into third spot. Gareth Batty's first appearance for Surrey with the red ball produced an impressive return of 8-68 on the first day. Sadly, the dismal Chelmsford conditions meant Gary Wilson's men batted on and off for three consecutive days without forcing a result. Hashim Amla made 11 but fortunately wasn't injured!
It was even soggier at Tunbridge Wells where second-placed Worcestershire could muster only eight points. Joe Leach's 5-36 in Kent's spell at the crease was the only real bright spot, and Daryl Mitchell improved his season's batting average to almost 117! It was a similarly damp affair at Derby, where the final day witnessed a paltry single delivery bowled. Why? Check the betting patterns! Hampshire were the real winners as they could sit back on their days off knowing their Divison Two leaders' status was maintained as a result of Worcestershire bei thwarted by the Kent rain.
Let's hope the sun shines for next week's round of matches. Worcestershire travel to Surrey while Hampshire entertain Derbyshire. Glamorgan and Essex will battle it out for third place. In the top flight, Yorkshire must fancy their chances of defeating lowly Northamptonshire which would ensure they will head the field for at least a day. Middlesex will be hoping to get on the pitch at Chester-le-Street and Lancashire have a reasonable chance of ending Somerset's unbeaten streak at Old Trafford.
