Somerset’s seven-wicket
defeat of Lancashire at Taunton not only gifted Essex the title but also
consigned Warwickshire to relegation. Jack Leach (5-47 and 4-94) led the way
for the Westcountrymen while Steven Davies’ 111 was a rare ton for them. They even
briefly sat in fifth place before the rain-ruined Middlesex-Hampshire fixture
ended as a draw and the brace of three points were dished out.
In contrast,
batsmen were in charge at The Oval. As they did in the reverse fixture in June,
Surrey clouted the Yorkshire attack for more than 500, and produced three
centurions in their hefty first innings of 592. New England opener Mark
Stoneman made 131 while old Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara continued where
he left off earlier in the summer, striking 164 and sharing a good partnership
with ‘keeper Ben Foakes (110). Yorkshire were made to follow on but Aussie
Shaun Marsh and Alex Lees each made three figures to salvage a draw.
Division One
is very tight in the middle, and any one of five counties could accompany
Warwickshire through the trapdoor. Last year’s top two Somerset and Middlesex
are favourites, locked on 123 points, just one behind Yorkshire. Both Surrey
and Hampshire also sit within a win bonus of the danger zone. This week, it’s
Yorkshire who on paper have the easiest task, at home to the Edgbaston
wooden-spooners. Somerset travel to Surrey, Middlesex host stuttering
Lancashire and Hampshire meet champions Essex at Southampton. Anything can
happen.
In Division
Two, Worcestershire took advantage of Nottinghamshire’s week off to go top,
getting the better of Leicestershire. Basil D’Oliveira got them off to a good
start with 138 but Neil Dexter’s 114 helped the away team reach 400. A special
mention for Leicester’s 20 year-old spinner Callum Parkinson. He claimed ten
wickets in the match, just superior to his twin brother’s seven for Lancashire.
If Jamie Overton could overcome persistent injury, will we see two sets of
twins playing for England in a few years’ time?!
Northamptonshire
had to work hard to beat Glamorgan at Cardiff. Seamer Richard Gleeson continued
his excellent season while Richard Levi scored a typical rapid century at more
than a run a ball. Promotion is a mathematical possibility but they’ll have to
win both remaining fixtures and restrict Nottinghamshire’s bonus points this
week.
At Hove,
Sussex must settle for mid-table after losing to Derbyshire, for whom Hardus
Viljoen captured no fewer than fifteen wickets, completing the victory with
8-90. Kent’s chances of promotion have also been snuffed out after being held
to a draw at Bristol. Gloucestershire’s Australian opener Cameron Bancroft
delivered the week’s only double-hundred while who else but Kent’s Darren
Stevens combined a 50 with a five-for for the umpteen millionth time, give or
take!
Team of the
Week: Bancroft (Glo), D’Oliveira (Wor), Sangakkara (Sur), Levi (Nor), Davies
(Sur +), Wright (Sus), Stevens (Ken), Harmer (Ess), Viljoen (Der), C Parkinson
(Lei), Porter (Ess)
