Notts go into break top of Division One after bowling out Yorkshire, while Kent struggle in Derbyshire
Nottinghamshire dance into the Championship’s early summer break at the top of Division One, after bowling Yorkshire out just before tea at Headingley. Dillon Pennington took five wickets and Kyle Verreynne six catches behind the stumps. As drizzle hung in the air, and the spectators unfurled their umbrellas, Jack White and Jordan Thompson hung on – until Mohammad Abbas delivered the final blow.
It was another dispiriting day for Kent as Derbyshire dispatched them before lunch. Tawanda Muyeye was caught behind off the first ball of the day, a Zak Chappell lifter, and four wickets fell in eight overs. It was all over bar some last-wicket heave-ho from Grant Stewart. Kent’s fourth defeat in a row leaves them bottom of Division Two, but Derbyshire hover in second, below Leicestershire, with their second win of the season.
Elsewhere, the rain which had stayed away for most of the spring ensured that there were draws at the Oval, New Road and Wantage Road.
Sam Curran’s second 70 of the match helped Surrey to bat for a draw against the energy of Jamie Porter (five for 88) and the guile of Simon Harmer. A 51-ball stand by Jamie Overton and Jordan Clark finally bolted the door on Essex’s ambition on a soggy day. The draw keeps Surrey second in Division One and, in the words of their head coach Gareth Batty, “nicely bubbling away”.
Worcestershire were saved by persistent late-afternoon showers after Warwickshire had reduced them to eight down, with Chris Woakes and Chris Rushworth grabbing three wickets each. Under skies thick with cloud cover, and on a tricksy pitch, Matthew Waite’s unbeaten 44, with support from Ethan Bamber and Tom Taylor, was crucial.
Bold declarations from Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire were thwarted at Wantage Road. Half-centuries from James Sales and Saif Zaib allowed Northants to set Gloucestershire 350. Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft got things ticking over nicely but wickets kept things tight until the weather intervened.
And that, my friends, is your lot. Thanks for your company over last two months – it’s been a blast.
Also, a surprise: Notts and Leicestershire top their respective tables by healthy margins, Yorkshire and Worcestershire hang by their coat tails, Kent and Lancs can take a long rejuvenating lie down in a darkened room. We’ll be back on June 22nd, enjoy midsummer!
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