It's not often that you get 1,500 runs in a four-day contest and still end up with a winner and loser. When Middlesex racked up 505 in their first innings, they must have been pretty satisfied, especially when Tim Murtagh's six wickets earned them a lead over Nottinghamshire of 113. They even had the perceived comfort of declaring on the final day. However, Alex Hales has come alive in the Championship of late, and this rapid run chase of 385 in 80-odd overs is what he is made for. However, he followed his second-day 96 with a relatively sedate 94, leaving Jacques, Lumb and Rikki Wessels to take the attack to Murtagh, Finn and co and clinch not only victory but the top spot in Division One. Had the result gone the other way, it would have been Middlesex sitting pretty. That other limited overs specialist Eoin Morgan proved me wrong by thumping 191, but his scoring rate was surpassed by, of all people, Chris Rogers. The Aussie opener accumulated 228 runs in the match in only 262 balls, yet stil finished on the losing side.
Another week for Northants, another defeat, this time at the hands of Warwickshire. 18 year-old Sam Hain and number nine batsman Keith Barker struck centuries en route to an innings victory. Chris Woakes weighed in with eight wickets and 49 runs, too. At the time of writing, Yorkshire are still playing Sussex and, whilst on top, may struggle to squeeze a win on day four. Jonny Bairstow found some batting form, taking a useful bowling attack for 161 not out. 21 year-old Jack Leaning was caught and bowled by Tredwell when one short of a maiden hundred. Cruel or what?!
Jos Buttler moved to Lancashire supposedly to work on his glovework and learn how to build an innings. That training came in handy this afternoon as he was required to steer his side towards a target of 30 set by fellow strugglers Durham. He managed to reach three figures before running out of partners just 28 runs short. Paul Coughlin had a memorable match for Durham. The 21 year-old bowler from nearby Sunderland claimed four wickets and scored a measured 85 in the first innings, sharing a 150 ninth wicket stand with Phil Mustard.
The top tier is proving to be a very open affair, but in Division Two, the front-runners pushed on and are making it a genuine two-horse race. Hampshire made a mockery of Essex's challenge for promotion by defeating James Foster's men by a massive 470 runs. Kyle Abbott took 8-67 in the match, but James Vince's sensational 240 was the real showstopper. It came at more than a run a ball but included no sixes. It wasn't just a massacre of 'declaration' bowling; Masters, Mills, Panesar, Topley and Ten Doeschate all got the treatment. The 23 year-old became the first to pass 1,000 runs in the Championship, too.
Another heavy scorer this summer, Daryl Mitchell, also made another century for Worcestershire as they despatched Leicestershire by 234 runs. Alexei Kervezee and young Tom Fell also passed 100 but, not for the first time, that Pakistani magician Saeed Ajmal had too many tricks for the home side on the final day. His 6-19 says it all, and he is easily the highest wicket taker in the competition.
While Essex floundered, Surrey took the opportunity to grab third place. Their trip to Derbyshire resulted in only their second win of the season. After getting out for 98 in the last match, Zafar Ansari at last racked up his debut hundred for Surrey, and contributed five wickets, too. It was a great week for Glamorgan, too. They claimed maximum points in a convincing victory at home to Kent. Their foreign-born contingent were the stars; Rudolph and Allenby scored hundreds, Chris Cooke made 96 while Michael Hogan took ten wickets.
Surrey and Glamorgan have excellent opportunities to close the gap behind Hampshire and Worcestershire next week. Meanwhile, back in Division One, Nottinghamshire and Somerset could have a right old ding-dong at Trent Bridge. Warwickshire entertain Yorkshire while Lancashire could hammer another nail into Northamptonshire's coffin and do their chances of survival a power of good at Old Trafford.
