Mullaney and Patel put Notts in the driving seat

Wickets were a-tumbling on the first day, but a Bank Holiday weekend heatwave went some way to restoring the balance between bat and ball. In Division One, Nottinghamshire went seventeen points clear with a 203-run victory over Hampshire at Trent Bridge. The margin looks large on paper but Hashim Amla’s resistance on the final day made it hard work for the home side’s attack. Jake Ball finally induced a catch to Ross Taylor but Notts owed a great deal to captain Steven Mullaney’s 130 and a fine all-round performance by Samit Patel, whose spin was parsimonious in the extreme.

Somerset remain second despite managing only a draw against Lancashire at Old Trafford. Batsmen were very much in the ascendancy, and the visitors got off to a cracking start when Marcus Trescothick (100), Millfield OB George Bartlett (110, a debut century) and Tom Abell’s frustrating 99 took them past 400. However, Lancs went even better, thanks largely to Dane Vilas’ unbeaten 235, and Somerset simply batted out the fourth day. However, they had to do so without Tres, who broke a toe during his innings. I fear he could be out of action for a while and even his fantastic career is in danger of a premature end.

At one stage, it looked as if play wouldn’t extend beyond the second day at Chelmsford but even that was two more than they had in the reverse fixture last month. No fewer than 22 wickets fell on day one, including ducks for England captains past and present, Messrs Cook and Root. It was a wonderful world for Sam Cook who took 5-29 in the opening session but Yorkshire’s seamers struck back quickly. Perhaps the decisive blow on Saturday was made by Keighley teenager Harry Brook, who struck his inaugural first-class century, then Steven Patterson’s 6-40 did the rest.

At the Oval, Worcestershire piled on over 500 runs, led by Joe Clarke’s first decent score of the campaign, 156. Rory Burns had already made 192 in Surrey’s first innings and so by the Bank Holiday, their second was a gentle stroll in the sunshine.

Warwickshire retained control of Division Two by means of an eight-wicket triumph over Derbyshire at Edgbaston. Their guests did at least pass 300 on the first day, largely the result of Wayne Madsen’s 144. Jonathan Trott may have announced his retirement at the end of the season but on this game’s evidence he still has plenty of runs in him, contributing 111 in total. Jeetan Patel toiled for his ten-for, ably supported by 18 year-old medium-pacer Henry Brookes, who picked up eight.

Sussex advanced into second place by overcoming Middlesex in a close contest on the South Coast. Ollie Robinson’s 7-58 pinned the Londoners to just 230 then added 52 runs as Sussex established a healthy first-innings lead. Nick Gubbins and Dawid Malan each made three figures to keep them in the hunt but Ben Brown kept his head on the final afternoon and it was Robinson again who clouted James Harris for the winning boundary.

The county are clearly the latest outfit to benefit from the leadership and nous of Jason Gillespie, but Kent are pushing them hard following a six-wicket success in Cardiff. Nineteen wickets clattered in the opening three sessions, including six for the redoubtable Darren Stevens. Glamorgan’s Tim van Gugten responded with 7-42 but was less effective in the second innings. South African Heino Kuhn compiled 69 not out and Stevens hit the winning run.

In the other fixture, Durham snatched victory from the gaping jaws of defeat at Chester-le-Street. Leicestershire forced them to follow on but, despite Gavin Griffiths’ excellent 6-49, Durham gave themselves hope by accumulating 403, leaving Leicester a target of 148. Thanks to James Weighell’s 7-32 and a trio for Chris Rushworth, they fell 46 short. This triumph leaves Northamptonshire, who were in action (and losing) against the Pakistan tourists, bottom of the pile. Next week doesn’t look more positive as they visit table-toppers Warwickshire. The Channel derby between Kent and Sussex looks more tasty.

In the top tier, Nottinghamshire host Lancashire, Hampshire visit Somerset, Yorkshire pop down to Surrey while Essex need to get their breath back and their championship defence on track at Worcester before they get left behind.

Team of the Week: 

Mullaney (Not), Burns (Sur), Amla (Ham), Vilas (Lan), Clarke (Wor), Abell (Som), Patel (Not), Brown (Sus +), Siddle (Ess), Griffiths (Lei), Robinson (Sus)