Title contenders Essex wrapped up their victory over Hampshire at Southampton inside three days after they put the hosts in to bat. Jamie Porter did all of the injury, taking 5 for 37 as the house aspect was rattled out for 120. Essex’s reply of 169 meant that they had a stable lead in a low-scoring match, however when Porter labored his magic a second time, taking 5 for 46 to present him match figures of ten for 83, to bowl out Hampshire for 131, it was just about recreation over. Chasing 83, Essex misplaced 4 wickets in getting there.
However, later within the day, Surrey additionally secured their win over Somerset at Taunton, by ten wickets, to maintain a 17-point lead over their nearest and solely rivals. The hosts selected to bat first however have been dismissed for less than 170, with 20-year-old Tom Lawes taking 4 for 41. Tom Latham and Will Jacks each fell for 99 in Surrey’s reply of 368, which might have been even increased have been it not for Matt Henry taking six for 80. It was solely the second time in Championship historical past that two batters had fallen for 99, the earlier event being when Mike Smith and Clive Radley did so v Surrey in 1973 (with because of Pushkar Pushp). Somerset wanted one thing particular to avoid wasting the match and, though James Rew made 55 to make sure he turned the first batter to attain 1000 runs in Division One this summer time and Craig Overton made a brilliant 70 not out, a complete of 226 left Surrey chasing simply 29 for victory.
A rare first day, when 22 wickets fell at Edgbaston, meant it was virtually a shock that the sport lasted so long as the third day. Warwickshire have been put in to bat and tumbled to twenty for six, earlier than making the smallest restoration to 60 all out – it was simply 5 runs greater than their lowest-ever rating in opposition to Middlesex. Ethan Bamber took a career-best 5 for 20. At 31 for 4, the guests may need been taking a look at an identical rating in reply, however Ryan Higgins hit 53 as they recovered to 199 all out. A second-innings rating of 232 was a giant enchancment for the hosts, nevertheless it nonetheless left Middlesex to chase simply 94 for victory and an unbeaten 52 from Mark Stoneman ensured there can be no upsets because the guests gained by eight wickets.
At Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire have been put in to bat by Kent. Ben Slater made 100 and Tom Moores added 94 as they reached 350 all out. Jaskaran Singh, taking part in his first match of the season, took 4 for 87. The house aspect shared out the runs extra evenly of their reply of 316, although Calvin Harrison nipped in with a career-best 4 for 28. Toby Albert (37) and Ben Geddes (36) joined on mortgage from Hampshire and Surrey, respectively. The hosts then arrange a troublesome goal of 407 by racing to 372 for six declared in simply 63 overs. Kent had no reply to Dane Paterson (5 for 41) and Brett Hutton (4 for 44) they usually have been skittled out for 85, dropping by a mammoth 321 runs. It took Hutton to 52 wickets for the summer time, the primary bowler previous the 50-wicket landmark.
Northamptonshire selected to bat on their go to to Outdated Trafford. Emilio Homosexual’s 144 was one in need of his private greatest and was the muse of his aspect’s rating of 342. Phil Salt picked up 5 dismissals behind the stumps (together with two stumpings) after which went on to be one in every of three centurions as Lancashire piled on the runs in reply (his 105 was his highest rating for the county), with Luke Wells (119) and Josh Bohannon (128) additionally reaching three figures. They finally declared early on the ultimate day with the rating on 544 for seven. Dominic Leech joined the guests on mortgage from Yorkshire, however didn’t take a wicket. Of their second innings, the away aspect reached 213 for 5 off 100 overs, as the sport resulted in a draw.
Within the Second Division, Derbyshire may have regretted giving Glamorgan first use of their wicket after the guests piled up a complete of 521 for eight declared, with all ten batters reaching double figures and Colin Ingram top-scoring with 136. Luis Reece made 131 including 165 for the primary wicket with Harry Got here, however the remainder of the Derbyshire line-up struggled they usually have been all out for 318, which means that the follow-on was enforced. However it didn’t assist, as Reece and Got here compiled an unbeaten opening partnership of 360 to avoid wasting the match, a brand new file for Derbyshire’s first wicket, with Reece making a career-best 201 not out and Got here scoring 141 not out, his highest rating.
Runaway leaders Durham had greater than Yorkshire to take care of at Scarborough, the place the climate meant that simply 120 overs have been doable within the match, with the third and fourth days completely misplaced to rain. The house aspect batted first and 111 from Adam Lyth set his aspect on the way in which to a complete of 340, with Matty Potts and Ben Raine every taking 4 wickets. Alex Lees, with 4 tons of in his previous 5 innings, continued his relentless type, and was 65 not out when the sport ended as a draw along with his aspect on 106 for one. To make issues worse for either side, Durham misplaced one level for a sluggish over price, whereas Yorkshire have been deducted 48 factors for his or her response to the Azeem Rafiq racism case.
Issues began a day later at Cheltenham, the place Worcestershire have been put in to bat. At 182 for seven, it seemed resolution, however the tail wagged to take them as much as 406, with Josh Baker hitting a career-best 75 and Adam Finch making a private better of 33 not out. Oliver Worth made a career-best 115 in reply, however there wasn’t a lot from the remainder of the group because the hosts have been bowled out for 301. Jake Libby scored 117, however Matthew Waite’s 32-ball 62 sped Worcestershire to a declaration on 316 for eight, whereas Paul van Meekeren completed with 5 for 73, the perfect figures of his profession. Chasing 422, the hosts got hope by Jack Taylor’s 98, however 4 wickets every for Dillon Pennington and Adam Finch noticed all of them out for 311 to present Worcestershire the win by 110 runs, transferring them into second place, 40 factors behind Durham however 14 factors away from Glamorgan.
It was the final day of County Championship cricket till 3 September, as we make means for The Hundred, which has been given an enormous house in the summertime calendar (with no worldwide cricket both till 30 August), as a part of the ECB’s ploy to make sure this much-derided event secures a stronger foothold in our affections. For these of us who will probably be searching for our leisure elsewhere, we must always welcome the arrival of Metro Financial institution because the sponsors of the One-Day Cup, which runs throughout 4 weeks from 1 to 29 August, with the ultimate at Trent Bridge on 16 September. With all counties denuded of a number of gamers (Surrey lose 12 from their books, whereas 9 different counties will probably be lacking 5 or extra gamers), it’s an incredible alternative to see some up-and-coming abilities get their probability. With the primary spherical together with fixtures at Cheltenham, Scarborough and Sedbergh, it’s additionally signal that the counties are bringing cricket to followers away from their major floor, too, whereas The Hundred after all restricts the alternatives to go to a recreation by specializing in simply the eight venues.
However, later within the day, Surrey additionally secured their win over Somerset at Taunton, by ten wickets, to maintain a 17-point lead over their nearest and solely rivals. The hosts selected to bat first however have been dismissed for less than 170, with 20-year-old Tom Lawes taking 4 for 41. Tom Latham and Will Jacks each fell for 99 in Surrey’s reply of 368, which might have been even increased have been it not for Matt Henry taking six for 80. It was solely the second time in Championship historical past that two batters had fallen for 99, the earlier event being when Mike Smith and Clive Radley did so v Surrey in 1973 (with because of Pushkar Pushp). Somerset wanted one thing particular to avoid wasting the match and, though James Rew made 55 to make sure he turned the first batter to attain 1000 runs in Division One this summer time and Craig Overton made a brilliant 70 not out, a complete of 226 left Surrey chasing simply 29 for victory.
A rare first day, when 22 wickets fell at Edgbaston, meant it was virtually a shock that the sport lasted so long as the third day. Warwickshire have been put in to bat and tumbled to twenty for six, earlier than making the smallest restoration to 60 all out – it was simply 5 runs greater than their lowest-ever rating in opposition to Middlesex. Ethan Bamber took a career-best 5 for 20. At 31 for 4, the guests may need been taking a look at an identical rating in reply, however Ryan Higgins hit 53 as they recovered to 199 all out. A second-innings rating of 232 was a giant enchancment for the hosts, nevertheless it nonetheless left Middlesex to chase simply 94 for victory and an unbeaten 52 from Mark Stoneman ensured there can be no upsets because the guests gained by eight wickets.
At Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire have been put in to bat by Kent. Ben Slater made 100 and Tom Moores added 94 as they reached 350 all out. Jaskaran Singh, taking part in his first match of the season, took 4 for 87. The house aspect shared out the runs extra evenly of their reply of 316, although Calvin Harrison nipped in with a career-best 4 for 28. Toby Albert (37) and Ben Geddes (36) joined on mortgage from Hampshire and Surrey, respectively. The hosts then arrange a troublesome goal of 407 by racing to 372 for six declared in simply 63 overs. Kent had no reply to Dane Paterson (5 for 41) and Brett Hutton (4 for 44) they usually have been skittled out for 85, dropping by a mammoth 321 runs. It took Hutton to 52 wickets for the summer time, the primary bowler previous the 50-wicket landmark.
Northamptonshire selected to bat on their go to to Outdated Trafford. Emilio Homosexual’s 144 was one in need of his private greatest and was the muse of his aspect’s rating of 342. Phil Salt picked up 5 dismissals behind the stumps (together with two stumpings) after which went on to be one in every of three centurions as Lancashire piled on the runs in reply (his 105 was his highest rating for the county), with Luke Wells (119) and Josh Bohannon (128) additionally reaching three figures. They finally declared early on the ultimate day with the rating on 544 for seven. Dominic Leech joined the guests on mortgage from Yorkshire, however didn’t take a wicket. Of their second innings, the away aspect reached 213 for 5 off 100 overs, as the sport resulted in a draw.
Within the Second Division, Derbyshire may have regretted giving Glamorgan first use of their wicket after the guests piled up a complete of 521 for eight declared, with all ten batters reaching double figures and Colin Ingram top-scoring with 136. Luis Reece made 131 including 165 for the primary wicket with Harry Got here, however the remainder of the Derbyshire line-up struggled they usually have been all out for 318, which means that the follow-on was enforced. However it didn’t assist, as Reece and Got here compiled an unbeaten opening partnership of 360 to avoid wasting the match, a brand new file for Derbyshire’s first wicket, with Reece making a career-best 201 not out and Got here scoring 141 not out, his highest rating.
Runaway leaders Durham had greater than Yorkshire to take care of at Scarborough, the place the climate meant that simply 120 overs have been doable within the match, with the third and fourth days completely misplaced to rain. The house aspect batted first and 111 from Adam Lyth set his aspect on the way in which to a complete of 340, with Matty Potts and Ben Raine every taking 4 wickets. Alex Lees, with 4 tons of in his previous 5 innings, continued his relentless type, and was 65 not out when the sport ended as a draw along with his aspect on 106 for one. To make issues worse for either side, Durham misplaced one level for a sluggish over price, whereas Yorkshire have been deducted 48 factors for his or her response to the Azeem Rafiq racism case.
Issues began a day later at Cheltenham, the place Worcestershire have been put in to bat. At 182 for seven, it seemed resolution, however the tail wagged to take them as much as 406, with Josh Baker hitting a career-best 75 and Adam Finch making a private better of 33 not out. Oliver Worth made a career-best 115 in reply, however there wasn’t a lot from the remainder of the group because the hosts have been bowled out for 301. Jake Libby scored 117, however Matthew Waite’s 32-ball 62 sped Worcestershire to a declaration on 316 for eight, whereas Paul van Meekeren completed with 5 for 73, the perfect figures of his profession. Chasing 422, the hosts got hope by Jack Taylor’s 98, however 4 wickets every for Dillon Pennington and Adam Finch noticed all of them out for 311 to present Worcestershire the win by 110 runs, transferring them into second place, 40 factors behind Durham however 14 factors away from Glamorgan.
It was the final day of County Championship cricket till 3 September, as we make means for The Hundred, which has been given an enormous house in the summertime calendar (with no worldwide cricket both till 30 August), as a part of the ECB’s ploy to make sure this much-derided event secures a stronger foothold in our affections. For these of us who will probably be searching for our leisure elsewhere, we must always welcome the arrival of Metro Financial institution because the sponsors of the One-Day Cup, which runs throughout 4 weeks from 1 to 29 August, with the ultimate at Trent Bridge on 16 September. With all counties denuded of a number of gamers (Surrey lose 12 from their books, whereas 9 different counties will probably be lacking 5 or extra gamers), it’s an incredible alternative to see some up-and-coming abilities get their probability. With the primary spherical together with fixtures at Cheltenham, Scarborough and Sedbergh, it’s additionally signal that the counties are bringing cricket to followers away from their major floor, too, whereas The Hundred after all restricts the alternatives to go to a recreation by specializing in simply the eight venues.