After the mid-season hiatus, the counties were back in four-day action. Plenty of points were scored as seven out of the eight games produced a proper result.
In Division One, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire opened up a clear lead over the chasing pack. The White Roses picked up maximum points by beating Sussex at Scarborough. Who needs Root and Ballance when Kane Williamson can contribute 204 runs? Surprisingly the first innings 189 was his first century for Yorkshire and it nearly didn't happen. Early on, James Tredwell claimed a slip catch and the NZ man accepted his word only for the umpires to recall him as they were uncertain whether the ball carried. All the bowlers played their part, so that the hundreds from Ed Joyce and Luke Wright were in vain.
Notts overcame Northants despite losing early wickets in both innings and the bottom side's stand-in wicket-keeper Adam Rossington striking 103 and 80. However, Alex Hales' unbeaten 102 saw his side home by five wickets. They now stand just six behind the Championship front-runners and fifteen ahead of Warwickshire who enjoyed a straightforward win against close rivals Somerset at Taunton. Former captain Jim Troughton finally announced his retirement today but it was centuries from his successor Virun Chopra and Ian Westwood, plus eight wickets from Jeetan Patel, which did for the home county, for whom Lewis Gregory starred once again.
Lancashire leapfrogged relegation rivals Durham after a very tense climax at Old Trafford. Paul Horton and Ashwell Prince scored centuries to establish a first innings lead then, after Simon Kerrigan had helped restrict Durham's second effort to 187, Rushworth, Hastings and Stokes almost brought off an unlikely victory. Fortunately for the home team, all-rounder Tom Smith rescued the Red Roses and won the game by one wicket!
IN the second flight, Hampshire stole a march on Surrey by beating Kent while Surrey failed to get the better of lowly Leicestershire. Grace Road witnessed a 174 from Steven Davies but when it mattered Stuart Meaker was plastered all over the place and Leicester held on for a draw. Hampshire's runs were dispersed down the order but Chris Woods' 5-39 in the first innings was the stand-out bowling performance.
Runaway leaders Worcestershire suffered their first setback of 2014 at New Road, going down to Gloucestershire by seven wickets. Talismanic opener Daryl Mitchell managed only four runs and, although Richard Oliver delivered a 174 in only his fourth first-class fixture, Alex Gidman's batting for the visitors, plus the medium pace of Liam Norwell, gave the visitors a welcome boost and a rise of two places in the table.
Essex are not out of the promotion race after beating Glamorgan in a low-scoring contest at Swansea. Jim Allenby did his best with bat and ball but Monty Panesar (remember him?!) took 5-50 and 6-118 to snuff out the Welsh threat.
There now follows a week's break before the Championship heads for an exciting climax in September.
