Middlesex have extended their lead at the top of the County Championship, but they were pushed to the penultimate ball of the four days by Somerset at Taunton. On day two, Middlesex were struggling to match their hosts’ mediocre total of 236, but then James Harris and James Fuller posted a mighty ninth wicket stand of 162, putting them in the driving seat. Centuries from Marcus Trescothick (his 48th first class effort for the West Countrymen) and Peter Trego turned things around, leaving the league leaders 46 overs to score 302. Acting skipper James Franklin accepted the challenge and it needed some superb knocks by Nick Gubbins and ‘keeper John Simpson to conquer it in the very final over. Simpson also took nine catches in the match. Indeed, Middlesex were very much Somerset’s nemeses this week, also winning their T20 fixture, dammit!
Warwickshire’s attempt to match the Londoners foundered in the Edgbaston rain. Hampshire racked up more than 500 thanks to Liam Dawson’s 116 and an unbeaten 204 from Adam Wheater. However, having lost the third day to the weather, Sam Hain and Tim Ambrose achieved three-figure scores of their own to play out a draw. Even less cricket was possible at The Oval where Yorkshire had the better of their contest with Surrey. Adam Lyth starred with a double-hundred.
Division Two is really hotting up, too. Gloucestershire are definitely in the promotion race after defeating leaders Essex by 61 runs at Cheltenham. Apart from centuries from David Lawrence and Gloucestershire skipper Gareth Roderick, it was a game for the seamers. Essex’s Kiwi, Matthew Quinn captured 11 wickets yet still finished on the losing side, while the home team’s trio of Payne, Norwell and Miles ripped through Essex on the final day. Gloucestershire have also leapfrogged Glamorgan in the Blast’s South Division so happy times at Bristol again
Worcestershire now sit only seven points behind Essex after thumping Northamptonshire by 311 runs at Wantage Road. They twice bowled out their opponents for under 150, the bulk of the wickets falling to Matt Henry and Joe Leach.
There’s more festival cricket this week as the county circuit says a summer hello to Southport, Colwyn Bay, Tunbridge Wells and, again, Cheltenham. Lancashire look to revive their title bid against Durham while Hampshire and Surrey meet in a relegation clash. Notts and Somerset both need a win to keep out of trouble. Gloucestershire can go top if they overcome Northants and Kent are back in the mix if they beat Sussex in the local derby.
Team of the Week: Lyth (Yor), Petersen (Lan), Roderick (Glo *), Dawson (Ham), Wheater (Ham), Simpson (Mid +), Trego (Som), Leach (Wor), Fuller (Mid), Quinn (Ess), Henry (Wor)
