Roundup: Leicestershire fall 15 runs short of 499 chase
A collection of corking finishes shuffled the chasing and falling packs in the Championship run-in.
Leicestershire nearly pulled off their greatest ever run chase, getting within 15 runs of their outrageous target of 499 at Hove. Jaydev Unadkat was the wrinkle in the fairytale, taking six wickets, the last four in 31 balls, including Tom Scriven (78) and Ben Cox (58) who had taken Leicestershire within dreaming distance. Cox is on loan before a permanent move from promotion rivals Worcestershire. It was the first time Sussex had won more than one game in the Championship since 2019 – and gives them a chance of promotion – though they are 18 points behind second-placed Worcs.
At Edgbaston a contrived finish nearly exploded in Warwickshire’s face after Northamptonshire, reeking of desperation, shook hands on their opponents chasing a modest proposal of 176 in 60 overs. But a superb Ben Sanderson hat-trick reduced Warwicks to 24 for five, the scorecard a scribbled mess. Michael Burgess, alongside Ed Barnard and Danny Briggs, inched them to the target with two wickets in hand. For Northants the result looks to have ended their survival hopes – they need to beat Essex and Surrey with maximum points, and hope their relegation battle rivals gather no points at all.
Kent had to nail down the doors with haste after their victory chase of 168 in 32 overs hit severe turbulence at 86-6. Nottinghamshire’s blushes had earlier been saved by Joe Clarke (141 not out) and Brett Hutton.
At Old Trafford, Lanky the giraffe joined the crowd in a standing ovation for Dane Vilas as he left county cricket at the end of Lancashire’s draw with Middlesex. The result gives Middlesex hope of staying in Division One – something that had looked unlikely at 19 for five on day one.
At Sophia Gardens, Yorkshire were thwarted by an impressive rearguard by Sam Northeast (166) and Eddie Byrom (101) for Glamorgan.
Phew! What a scorcher. That valiant effort by Leicestershire and the nip-and-tuck at Edgbaston the highlights. As ever, thanks for your company. See you on Tuesday, probably at The Oval, to witness Surrey’s crowning. Good night!
