The domestic international season may have ended, but the County Championship is entering its decisive phase, and it’s set up for a gripping finale!
For one dreamy day, it seemed that Somerset might actually be in with a genuine shout for that elusive first title. Well, if Leicester City can win the Premier League, why not? As a few weeks ago, Taunton was transformed into a spinners’ track, and the wickets tumbled against Warwickshire. No good if you had tickets for the last two days, nor if Jeetan Patel had taken full control. Fortunately for the home side, it was first the teenage Dominic Bess who caught the eye with 6-28 then, as Clarke and Wright threatened to snatch victory, Jack Leach completed his own six-for, and the job was done by 31 runs.
Now, if only Yorkshire and Middlesex could fail to win their matches…. It wasn’t to be. At Headingley, after setting up a first innings lead over Durham of 195, the champions decided against enforcing the follow-on. Alex Lees was in excellent form but it was opening partner Adam Lyth who reached three figures second time around. The four-pronged seam attack of Sidebottom, Brooks, Bresnan and Patterson achieved what Onions, Rushworth et al could not, and Yorkshire triumphed by 228 runs.
Meanwhile, Middlesex were embroiled in a much tighter contest at Trent Bridge. The first three innings were completed for between 240 and 247, leaving Middlesex 235 to win. Steven Finn, Jake Ball (including a first-over hat-trick!) and Ollie Rayner were all in the wickets, and at 25-3 the home side threatened to spoil the London party plans and keep Nottinghamshire’s survival hopes intact. However, an unbeaten 85-run partnership between Simpson and Franklin brought 20 points to Middlesex and a paltry four to Notts, condemning the latter to a surprise relegation. Middlesex now lead the division by a solitary point and the two counties have yet to play each other!
In the other fixture, Hampshire had the better of Surrey at xxx. They racked up almost 600, including centuries by Tom Alsop, Sean Ervine (revelling batting up the order) and Ryan McLaren. Liam Dawson had another ineffective game with the ball and Surrey easily batted out the final day. They at least have avoided the drop but Hampshire remain in trouble.
In the second tier, Essex remain twenty points clear at the top despite not playing. Kent suffered an unexpected ten-wicket defeat at Beckenham, as Northamptonshire twice dismissed them for under 250. To rub salt in the wound, Ben Duckett struck an excellent 208 all by himself. Rory Kleinveldt was the pick of the bowlers, sending back the first four Kent batsmen in the second innings inside seven overs.
They still look favourites to join Essex in Division One next year, but Sussex are now in third place having thrashed Leicestershire by an innings inside two days. Steve Magoffin was well supported by Jofra Archer, David Wiese and Ollie Robinson, and Leicester looked down and out. At least the won’t finish bottom again this year. Glamorgan were at the wrong end of another three-day defeat at Cardiff, as Gloucestershire kept their own promotion ambitions alive.
Derbyshire next meet Leicestershire in a bit to notch a first Championship victory of the summer and might actually succeed. At the top, an encouraging weather forecast should ensure Essex’s progress to division champions as the Welsh travel to Chelmsford. A Sussex win at home to Worcestershire could make things interesting in the final week, as Kent have to sit this one out biting their fingernails.
In the Championship title race, Yorkshire entertain Somerset. This will be set up for the seamers and I can’t see Chris Rogers’ men living with Andrew Gale’s side. The ECB are reluctant to allow the England stars leave to play for their counties, which will hurt Yorkshire more than Middlesex. That’s probably their intention! Middlesex face a tricky trip to Lancashire, who are not yet out of the relegation mire.
Team of the Week: Duckett (Nor), Lees (Yor), Alsop (Ham), Ervine (Ham), Patel (Not), Simpson (Mid, +), McLaren (Ham), Leach (Som), Archer (Sus), Bess (Som), Ball (Not)
