Tanya Aldred's roundup
Surrey finished their victorious season by falling in a heap, beaten by Hampshire in less than half an hour’s play. Mohammad Abbas shimmied in from the hotel end and had Jordan Clark caught at slip in the first over, and it was downhill from there, with the diligent Sai Sudharsan the last wicket, trying to hit for victory. His was a 49th wicket of the season for Liam Dawson, who was later announced as the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s male player of the year.
Surrey lost having secured the Championship title, just as they did at Old Trafford last year, but there were happy celebrations after the game when the squad, wearing special celebratory caps ordered by Alec Stewart, were presented with the trophy by the ECB chair, Richard Thompson. Hampshire finished third for the second time in a row, winning, like Surrey, eight games.
The relegation scrap went down to the last ticks of the season clock, with Middlesex fighting for an unlikely win that would save them from the trap door. Nottinghamshire’s seemingly calm chase of 207 in 58 overs threatened to come off the rails as the unlikely figure of Sam Robson (who had earlier hit a rapid century to set Notts a target) and Josh De Caires looked like they might spin Middlesex to victory. In the end it was No 10 Jake Ball, in his last match with Notts, who hit the winning runs and condemned Middlesex to Division Two.
At Canterbury, a mini Lancashire collapse had left Kent with the chance of forcing a win but Josh Bohannon (68) and Tom Bailey (78) ensured there would be handshakes after tea. That left Kent nervously watching events at Trent Bridge.
Elsewhere, a fabulous 123 from Shan Masood helped Yorkshire chase 360 against Worcestershire and lifted them off the bottom of the table. At the Riverside, Durham thumped Leicestershire by an innings, in the style that has characterised their bombastic summer. Matt Parkinson, departing for Kent, grabbed three wickets, as did Vishwa Fernando. A happy band lifted the Division Two trophy in front of their fans, “We’re a big club,” said the captain, Scott Borthwick, “and we deserve to be in Division One.”
Good night!
Congratulations to Champions Surrey, to Durham, to Worcestershire and, put the smelling salts down now, to Kent! Commiserations Middlesex, and Northants, who both fought like only they wish they could have fought earlier in the season, at the last.
Thanks to all of you who read CCLive!, to those who comment BTL and those who linger. We’ll (probably) be back in April – until then don’t forget to plant your daffodils and watch out for pink-footed geese. Good night!
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