Surrey fall short on day Kent pay tribute to Derek Underwood
Despite a round of matches without a result, there was an air of high tension at the Oval going into the final hour. After finally dismissing Somerset, Surrey were set 209 in 19 overs. Jamie Smith and Dan Lawrence splattered 14 from the first over, Smith then pancaking Craig Overton into the third tier of the pavilion but Somerset whittled away and there were handshakes with five overs left.
At Chelmsford, the sterling efforts of 18-year-old debutant Jaydn Denly, 41 not out, helped save Kent against Essex. A partnership of 51 in 16 overs with uncle Joe ate up valuable time. Kent wore black armbands in memory of Derek Underwood. And Ollie Price and James Bracey both made solid hundreds to save Gloucestershire from a lick-lipping Yorkshire.
Matthew Potts helped Durham cling on for a draw against Warwickshire at Edgbaston with a plucky maiden first-class hundred, coming in as nightwatchman and finishing 149 not out.
Luis Reece (91) and Brooke Guest (72) ushered Derbyshire to safety against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens in a stubborn stand of 146. And the best efforts of Lancashire’s Nathan Lyon couldn’t tempt Hampshire’s Nick Gubbins (69) into recklessness at the Rose Bowl.
Rain ensured there was no play at Grace Road, Wantage Road or Trent Bridge. This was only the third time that all nine matches have been drawn during rounds in which all 18 counties played – a round in which a record number of scores over 150 (10) were also walloped. The Dukes ball returns next week, to the relief of fast bowlers everywhere.
As they mow the middle in the suddenly piquant sun, it’s goodbye from us. Back on Friday, with Dukes’ balls and the new Wisden. Thanks for your company, as ever. Bye!
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