Roundup: Prest frustrates Essex as Durham seal second-tier title
After morning rumours that Sir Alastair Cook was about to announce his retirement, to be celebrated with a low-key drinks party at Chelmsford, Essex released a prim lunchtime statement zipping up further discussion. It stated that Cook would be “discussing his playing future with the Club at the end of the current season”.
On the field Essex, desperate for points to make up their deficit behind Surrey, the leaders, got in pinching distance of enforcing the follow-on against Hampshire, only to hit a brick wall in the former England Under-19s captain Tom Prest. He cracked a brave and lusty 102. Simon Harmer collected another five wickets.
A most unlikely scoreline decorated the Oval mid-afternoon. After being set more than expected by bottom-of-the-table Northamptonshire, Surrey were reduced to 79 for six, Jordan Clark shuffling off after edging Ben Sanderson behind. But a free-clubbing Jamie Overton then monstered 50 in company with the more sedate Ben Foakes, content with a couple of pretty on-drives for four that tickled the Oval regulars, in for a final fix before the gates are locked. A torrential storm ended play, with the possibility of a declaration and charge tomorrow, Northamptonshire needing a win or bust, and similar discussions in the air at Chelmsford.
Seven years after they were relegated by England and Wales Cricket Board edict, Durham secured the Division Two championship at a soggy New Road. The title was theirs after Worcestershire were bowled out for less than 400, with three wickets each for Bas de Leede and Ben Raine. Worcestershire will spend the final day chasing precious bowling points, with their promotion rivals Leicestershire fighting hard against Yorkshire. Harry Swindells, hero of the One-Day Cup final, hit 73, putting on 93 for the last wicket with Will Davis, both out of contract at the end of the season.
With play at last possible at Old Trafford, Lancashire’s Keaton Jennings passed 1,000 runs for the season and the debutant Matty Hurst made an unbeaten 35 against Nottinghamshire.
Middlesex made a better fist of their second innings, thanks to a fifty from Sam Robson. Warwickshire’s Will Rhodes had earlier made a hundred and Danny Briggs 99.
Fellow strugglers Kent had another long day in the field against Somerset, Tom Kohler-Cadmore smashing a quickfire 68. Lewis Goldsworthy’s hundred was enlivened when he was given out after the bottom of his bat flew off and hit the stumps, only to be reprieved by a no-ball.
The Derbyshire wicketkeeper Brooke Guest snaffled seven catches, to equal the club record, as a sorry Sussex were bowled out for 100.
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Durham are crowned Division Two champions!
With Worcestershire bowled out for less than 400, Durham clinch the Division Two title! Up as Champions, seven years after they were relegated by ECB edict. Signed off during rain-ruined match at New Road – but what a cracking achievement. Can’t wait to see what they can do next year.
Meanwhile, in front of my nose, The Oval is getting an absolute soaking as a torrential storm sits over Vauxhall and unloads. Time to finish writing up, till tomorrow, and possible declaration fun, good night!
Fabulous sky over The Oval after a biblical storm. pic.twitter.com/PUzFZHFhIz
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 21, 2023
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