In a week of one T20 Blast round and the return of the County Championship, it was another personal milestone for Jimmy Anderson which stole the headlines. In Lancashire’s rain-hit draw against Kent, his best-ever 7-19 included first-class wicket number 1000, when a trademark outswinger induced an edge from Heino Kuhn to ‘keeper Vilas. It’s 14 years since Robert Croft reached the same mark and 16 since Andy Caddick became the previous seamer to do it. The bulk have come in England whites and, with Tim Murtagh still 150-odd behind at the age of 39 and, given the current supremacy of limited overs cricket, it may never happen again.
Lancashire sit in second place behind Group 3 leaders Yorkshire, who beat Northamptonshire. Harry Brook followed his 50-ball 91 not out in the Blast with a second-innings 113 while Dom Bess’ nine wickets eclipsed opponent Simon Kerrigan’s seven. Sussex failed to beat Glamorgan and so remain at the bottom but the two Roses counties are certain of reaching the top league in the decisive phase.
In Group 2, late-order rescue acts were the order of the day at Taunton. Somerset’s 8th and 9th wickets contributed 222 before Leicestershire’s eighth wicket partnership record was shattered by Harry Swindells (171 not out) and Ed Barnes (83 not out). A draw was inevitable, which leaves Somerset needing at least a draw to progress. Gloucestershire advanced to second by completing a 164-run victory over Middlesex. Matt Taylor and Dan Worrall each took five wickets to finish things off.
Gloucester meet Hampshire next week, the winner guaranteed to reach the final six. Should they draw, both might do so if Somerset lose to Surrey. Hampshire should have beaten them yesterday having established a phenomenal first-innings lead of 416. Colin de Grandhomme compensated for his T20 duck by striking the week’s highest score of 174 not out. However, Hashim Amla, that legend of ODI strokeplay, batted all day to accumulate a mere 37. Luckily his younger Surrey team-mates proved just as diligent and patient to frustrate Barker, Abbott et al. There were maidens galore but the final few wickets stubbornly refused to fall.
Nottinghamshire currently sit pretty in both competitions after thumping Derbyshire by an innings. Not for the first time this season, Luke Fletcher was the pick of their attack, with match stats of 8-64. Warwickshire are 14 points adrift after losing two days to rain at Edgbaston against Durham. At least there was time for Rob Yates to make a ton.
Matters are coming to a head next week in preparation for the delayed arrival of The Hundred. Whoopy-doo!
Team of the Week: Yates (War), Hammond (Glo),
Bracey (Glo +), Brook (Yor), De Grandhomme (Ham), Swindells (Lei), Bess (Yor),
M Taylor (Glo), Fletcher (Not), Kerrigan (Nor), Anderson (Lan)
