Review #2

LV=Insurance County Championship Review #2 – Joe Clarke and Stuart Broad were the standout Phoenix family members playing in the last round of matches. Both Joe and Stuart contributed crucial performances as Nottinghamshire claimed their first County Championship win in 2021.

Group 1

Derbyshire vs. Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire’s over-powered Derbyshire and secured their first County Championship win since June 2018.

Ben Slater (107) was the star performer, helping Nottinghamshire to 256 all out. Joe Clarke (66) continues his recent run of good form, scoring his first of two half-centuries in the match. Joe also passed 5000 first-class runs in Nottinghamshire’s first innings.

All out for 105, Derbyshire were disappointing. Matt Critchley (33) attempted to fight back but lacked support. Warming-up for a busy year of Tests, Stuart Broad took 2-33 as the home side’s resistance seeped away.

Second time around Nottinghamshire turned the screw, scoring 318 and setting Derbyshire 470 for a near impossible win.

All out for 159, Derbyshire were never at the races, Stuart Broad taking 4-37.

Nottinghamshire move up to fourth in Group 1, while Derbyshire fall to the bottom of the standings.

Durham vs. Warwickshire

Captain Scott Borthwick will be delighted with Durham’s 127 run win against Warwickshire. Durham leap to second in Group 1, one point behind leaders Warwickshire.

Batting first, Warwickshire got off to a terrible start. At one point they were 30-8 before being dismissed for a paltry 87.

Durham put the match out of reach when their openers shared a 208 run partnership, before declaring on 391-9.

Warwickshire showed more resistance in their second innings, but still fell short as they recoded just 177 runs in the scorebook.

Group 2

Surrey vs. Hampshire

Hampshire’s defeat to Surrey at the Kia Oval, was their heaviest in post-war County Championship matches. After a pleasing start to the season for captain James Vince, Surrey simply brushed Hampshire aside by an innings and 289 runs.

Group leaders going into the match, Hampshire were dismissed for 98 in their first innings. Surrey then added insult to injury by plundering runs off the feared Hampshire bowlers. Hashim Alma (215 retired injured) led the way as Surrey built a winning position before declaring on 560-7.

Before the end of the third day, Surrey secured victory after reducing Hampshire to 179 all out (James Vince 10).

Somerset Vs. Middlesex

In a see-saw match Somerset clinched victory on the fourth day.

Middlesex posted 357 in their first innings with Tom Lammonby taking 1-68, before dismissing Somerset for 268 (Tom Lammonby 13).

Looking to press their advantage, Middlesex, looked in control at 44-0, before slipping to 117 all out.

Requiring 207 runs and with time and overs to spare, Somerset duly claimed their third County Championship win of the season.

Group 3

Sussex vs. Lancashire

Liam Livingstone returned to County championship action in Lancashire’s 5 wicket win at Hove.

Batting first, Sussex reached a respectable 328 (Liam Livingstone 1-63).

Lancashire may well have felt disappointed after making 230 in reply and handing the advantage to Sussex.

Sussex then underperformed in their second innings, posting just 154 (Liam Livingstone 2-34).

Lancashire eased their way to a 5 wicket win on the fourth day and continue to head Group 3.

Glamorgan vs. Kent

Glamorgan saw off Kent within two days at Sophia Gardens.

At the outset, there was little to suggest a drama was about to unfold.

Batting first the Kent openers added 54 before the first wicket fell. It was left to Zak Crawley (33) to hold the innings together. Zak was the sixth Kent batter to fall with the score on 120. Eighteen runs later, the innings was over as Kent were rolled over for 138.

On a pitch offering help to the bowlers, Glamorgan reached 109-2 before they also collapsed to 197 all out.

In their second innings Kent were scuttled out for 74 within twenty-seven overs.

Chasing their first County Championship victory of the season, Glamorgan duly knocked off the 17 runs required for the win.

Kent remain winless and prop-up Group 3.

(PhoenixMedia Image Created from a Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)