In Division
One, leading pair Essex and Lancashire were in action against the bottom two,
and results went to form, much to my chagrin. Runs were in typical short supply
at Chelmsford but Somerset were at least in the hunt up to the final morning, thanks
largely to the wickets of Craig Overton but no thanks to the batsmen who are collectively
having a nightmare season. But Essex romped home, Jamie Porter wrapping up a
seventh win of the summer with 7-55 to follow his first-innings 5-40. He and
team-mate Steve Harmer now each boast over 50 Championship wickets, more than
anyone else.
At Old
Trafford, Lancashire clung onto Essex’s coat-tails by defeating Warwickshire by
eight wickets. The dye was cast on day one, when Ryan McLaren and Kyle Jarvis
captured all ten between them. Liam Livingstone proceeded to outscore the opposition
on his own, creaming the attack for 224, including four sixes. The venerable
Shiv Chanderpaul just missed out on another century. Warwickshire ‘keeper Tim
Ambrose did reach three figures as they succeeded in making Lancashire bat
again, but only for 44 balls.
The other
fixture ended in more ugly fashion. Middlesex and Surrey were heading towards a
certain draw at The Oval when play was suspended. A lethal-looking crossbow
arrow had landed on the outfield not far from Surrey players and, with no
guarantee the assailant wouldn’t fire again, the match was abandoned. While John
Simpson may be a little peeved at missing out on a hundred, the authorities
made the correct decision I just hope the scum who shot the arrow is caught
before he kills someone.
Back to the
cricket…. Nottinghamshire now lead the second tier by thirty-two points after
beating Northamptonshire by 163 runs. Riki Wessels top-scored in both innings, culminating
in a typically entertaining 116 off 88 balls as they looked to make a
declaration. Only Rob Newton passed 50 in the second Northants effort, before
Samit Patel polished off the final pair.
I am no fan
of the guidelines that no Division Two batsmen can be considered for England
selection, although I note that this was not enforced until Alastair Cook’s
Essex were promoted last season! It’s not as if the counties battling for
promotion all have rubbish bowlers. Think Broad, Onions, Jordan, Patel, Hogan
et al. Add to that list Worcestershire’s new signing who happens to be the
world’s best spinner, Ravi Ashwin. He played a major part in his county’s
victory over Gloucestershire, along with the opening batsmen Mitchell and D’Oliveira
and all-runder Ed Barnard. With Ashwin in the attack, Worcester must now be
favourites to join Notts in Division One next year.
Sussex are
also making a late bid for promotion. They travelled to Colwyn Bay to face a
weakened Glamorgan side who were resting their stars in advance of the T20 Finals
Day. Credit to the Welsh side that they gave Sussex a real alarm and it was
only due to Ollie Robinson’s brave 41 not out that they avoided a humiliating
defeat. With last man Briggs at the other end, Robinson knew he had to rescue
the team on his own and he duly delivered with a second six off Rhuadri Smith.
Durham
recorded their third victory of the season, overcoming dismal Derbyshire at
Chester-le-Street. Their star performers were veterans Paul Collingwood (177)
and Graeme Onions (4-44 and 3-88) but they really need the younger players,
including England reject Keaton Jennings, to step up and get Durham back into the top
flight and into the black.
In the other
game, another 40-something, Kent’s Darren Stevens, took 8-75 in the first
Leicestershire innings but was frustrated by the final pair of Callum Parkinson
and Lewis Hill who shared a tenth wicket partnership of 122. The match petered
out into a soggy draw leaving Leicester still winless and Kent rueing another
which got away.
Next week,
all eyes will be on the Essex-Lancashire clash. Win that one and Essex will be
almost home and dry. Lose, and Lancashire could yet pull off a totally
unexpected Championship success. Over to you, guys…
Team of the
Week: Mitchell (Wor), D’Oliveira (Wor), Livingstone (Lan), Collingwood (Dur),
Wessels (Not), Stevens (Ken), Simpson (Mid +), Jordan (Sus), C Overton (Som),
Robinson (Sus), Porter (Ess)
