In a week when Anya Shrubsole called time on her England career and Robert Key quit his Sky job to manage the national side, Surrey finally showed they have a capable attack to support their superb batting. With the County Championship pressing the reset button and reverting to the pre-Covid two-division format, Gareth Batty’s new charges romped to the top after twice dismissing Hampshire for under 230. Jamie Overton led the third-day onslaught with six wickets following Ollie Pope’s century.
Somerset’s extraordinary fall from grace, which began last August, continued at Taunton where Alastair Cook’s 59 was the highest score of the match. Craig Overton carried an inexperienced bowling line-up with distinction, capturing 13-87 and yet he still finished on the losing side. But only just. Shane Snater’s 6-36 gave his side a straightforward target of 84 but at 4-4, even that modest total looked unlikely. In the end, Adam Rossington saw them home with nine down.
At Canterbury, the home team’s Ben Compton spent 220 overs at the crease for two more centuries, very nearly becoming the first Kent opener ever to carry his bat twice in a match. However, his splendid rearguard action proved unable to prevent Lancashire, for whom Croft and Vilas had struck first-innings tons, taking the victor’s point tally. Across the country at Bristol, Gloucestershire are still winless since their long-awaited promotion despite a career-best 177 from James Bracey. Harry Brook was Yorkshire’s star man with the bat, and captain Steven Patterson mopped things up with 4-43.
In Division Two, the runs flowed even more freely, and several batsmen helped themselves to double-centuries. Not at Trtent Bridge, though. Title favourites Nottinghamshire came unstuck against Glamorgan, for whom Tim van der Gugten’s all-round performance was the pick of a good crop. Ben Duckett aggregated 217 runs in the losing cause.
Derbyshire looked set for an innings victory when Shan Masood’s 239 and solid bowling set Sussex 331 just to force a draw. In the event, day four produced a yawn-inducing runfest, with both Tom Haines and Cheteshwar Pujara striking ‘doubles’. Skipper Haines’ 243 was the second-highest score in a follow-on innings in Championship history! Durham were always in control of their home clash with Leicestershire. Bedingham and Dickson shared a fourth-wicket stand of 234 in a total of 428, while the latter also contributed 84 in the second innings before a nominal declaration. On the fourth day, Evans and Ackermann made sure there were no hiccups and hands were duly shaken with plenty of time remaining.
Next week, the Overton twins face each other at The Oval where Somerset have a battle to avoid yet another defeat. The Hampshire-Kent contest could be a tasty one while Glamorgan’s useful multinational outfit host Middlesex.
Team of the Week: Compton (Ken), Shan Masood
(Der), Bracey (Glo, +), Haines (Sus), Bedingham (Dur), Croft (Lan), van der
Gugten (Gla), Snater (Ess), C Overton (Som), J Overton (Sur), Patterson (Yor)
