Tanya's county roundup
Somerset notched up 21 points at Chelmsford, thrashing Essex by 10 wickets. Craig Overton, in his vast Somerset sweater, added a couple of batters and a catch to his century on Saturday, a stand-in captaincy performance to remember. Essex inched a lead of just 47 and Archie Vaughan, Somerset’s second injury substitute, made a bid for a permanent spot by punching the majority of the runs himself, twice plonking Simon Harmer over midwicket for six.
A zinger of a catch by Matthew Potts sealed an innings victory for Durham at Bristol. Gloucestershire spent the day bailing out the bath with a teaspoon, but sank after tea. Cameron Bancroft (56) and Ben Charlesworth (26) added 101 for the first wicket as Gloucestershire followed on, but wickets fell afterwards, with three each for Callum Parkinson and Potts. Gloucestershire have no points after two games, after being deducted two for a slow over rate in round one.
A tight match at Lord’s was squeaked by Worcestershire, thanks to a tail-end 34 from Matthew Waite, who then removed Sam Robson and Ryan Higgins. A couple of run-outs sealed Middlesex’s fate.
Surrey were forced to take the third new ball at the Oval by upstarts Leicestershire. On a pastry pitch they amassed 691, their highest score against Surrey. There was a career-best 162 for Ben Cox, 100 for Stevie Eskinazi and the lead is an appetising 171.
Marcus Harris (58 not out) again rescued Lancashire, as they lost three for nought in their second innings, a balloon-pop collapse to leave them 23 for five. Mohammad Abbas and Zak Chappell found fire in the Old Trafford pitch for Derbyshire.
Zak Crawley was caught for five as Kent followed on against Northamptonshire; Asa Tribe’s 82 not out and repeated showers frustrated Notts as they set Glamorgan a mammoth 478.
A tight to and fro at Hove left Sussex needing 94 to beat Warwickshire, with five wickets in hand. Kyle Abbot’s four for 11 ensured Yorkshire made a terrible start in their pursuit of 426 against Hampshire.
Updated
Good night!
The covers come on at OT, Marcus Harris dragging Lancashire towards a respectable total from the depths of 23 for five. Wins for Somerset, Worcestershire and Durham today. We’ll be back tomorrow to keep an eye on the rest, thanks for your company, bye!
