In May, Surrey ended Somerset’s unbeaten start in the Championship, albeit with a draw. This week in the reverse fixture, Somerset took revenge at Guildford with
a 102-run victory. In a low-scoring match, George Bartlett’s 137 seems mighty
impressive, while Craig Overton (5-38 in the first innings) and Jack Brooks
(5-33 in the second) made the champs’ star-studded line-up look weak indeed.
Success at Kent next week will set my heart a-fluttering, albeit with three months
to go.
impressive, while Craig Overton (5-38 in the first innings) and Jack Brooks
(5-33 in the second) made the champs’ star-studded line-up look weak indeed.
Success at Kent next week will set my heart a-fluttering, albeit with three months
to go.
Yorkshire needed a win to go second but a soggy Headingley prevented any chance of a
positive result against Essex. It was also tough on Gary Ballance who was unbeaten
on 51 when play ended early in the afternoon within reach of a century in each
of his five Championship fixtures. Dom Bess’ loan from Somerset bore fruit with
an unbeaten 91 and three wickets but all in vain.
positive result against Essex. It was also tough on Gary Ballance who was unbeaten
on 51 when play ended early in the afternoon within reach of a century in each
of his five Championship fixtures. Dom Bess’ loan from Somerset bore fruit with
an unbeaten 91 and three wickets but all in vain.
Bottom clubs Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire met at Edgbaston and the home team
dominated the first three days. Adam Hose struck his maiden first-class ton and
Jeetan Patel claimed 6-16 before Ben Duckett and Chris Nash shared a stand of 199
to save Notts’ bacon. With all counties having played five, they’re still in
the relegation spot, though. Next up are Hampshire at home.
dominated the first three days. Adam Hose struck his maiden first-class ton and
Jeetan Patel claimed 6-16 before Ben Duckett and Chris Nash shared a stand of 199
to save Notts’ bacon. With all counties having played five, they’re still in
the relegation spot, though. Next up are Hampshire at home.
But who will replace them? Lancashire remained in pole position despite being held
to a draw by a resilient Leicestershire. Liam Livingstone followed his 114 with
a 36-over bowling stint on the final day which conceded a meagre 40 runs but
the wickets stubbornly refused to fall.
to a draw by a resilient Leicestershire. Liam Livingstone followed his 114 with
a 36-over bowling stint on the final day which conceded a meagre 40 runs but
the wickets stubbornly refused to fall.
On paper, Derbyshire appeared to have a nailed-on points bonanza at
Chester-le-Street. In the event, struggling Durham made an exciting fight of
it. Matt Critchley’s runs and Ravi Rampaul’s wickets seemed to have put Derby
in the driving seat but when Alex Lees carried his bat for 107 Durham were back
in the hunt. On the final day, Chris Rushworth and Ben Raine took charge and
the county scrambled their first success of the summer by just 29 runs.
Chester-le-Street. In the event, struggling Durham made an exciting fight of
it. Matt Critchley’s runs and Ravi Rampaul’s wickets seemed to have put Derby
in the driving seat but when Alex Lees carried his bat for 107 Durham were back
in the hunt. On the final day, Chris Rushworth and Ben Raine took charge and
the county scrambled their first success of the summer by just 29 runs.
If you’d said Glamorgan would be runners-up in June, I would probably have
laughed. Yet that’s exactly where they sit after an innings victory over
Northants. Billy Root’s 229 was easily the highest individual score of the week,
‘keeper Tom Cullen contributed runs and seven catches, and Michael Hogan was
back in his old mean form with the ball. Heady days!
laughed. Yet that’s exactly where they sit after an innings victory over
Northants. Billy Root’s 229 was easily the highest individual score of the week,
‘keeper Tom Cullen contributed runs and seven catches, and Michael Hogan was
back in his old mean form with the ball. Heady days!
Sussex advanced to third, giving Middlesex a bloody nose at Lord’s. Stiaan van der Zyl
spent more than seven hours at the crease and Ben Brown made another century as
the South Coasters opened up a massive first innings lead. James Harris and
John Simpson showed more resistance second time around but Ollie Robinson finished
on 7-98 to cause the Londoners more problems. Amazingly Malan’s team are a
pathetic eighth and need wins against Leicestershire and Glamorgan to get a
promotion challenge underway. Lancashire next meet Worcestershire, whom they defeated
quite easily just a fortnight ago.
spent more than seven hours at the crease and Ben Brown made another century as
the South Coasters opened up a massive first innings lead. James Harris and
John Simpson showed more resistance second time around but Ollie Robinson finished
on 7-98 to cause the Londoners more problems. Amazingly Malan’s team are a
pathetic eighth and need wins against Leicestershire and Glamorgan to get a
promotion challenge underway. Lancashire next meet Worcestershire, whom they defeated
quite easily just a fortnight ago.
Team of the Week: Lees (Dur), Duckett (Not), Van Zyl (Sus), Root (Gla), Bartlett (Som),
Brown (Sus +), Critchley (Der), C Overton (Som), Patel (War), Robinson (Sus),
Hogan (Gla)
Brown (Sus +), Critchley (Der), C Overton (Som), Patel (War), Robinson (Sus),
Hogan (Gla)
