Review #1 of the LV=Insurance County Championship looks at the fortunes of Phoenix family members in the recently completed round of matches.
Group 1
Kent vs. Nottinghamshire
Worcestershire held the upper hand for much of the match against Nottinghamshire at New Road.
The Pears amassed 436 in their first innings. In reply, Nottinghamshire made 236 with Joe Clarke scoring 27.
Following on, Nottinghamshire earned a draw thanks to Ben Slater (114no) and Haseeb Hameed (114no) who shared an unbroken opening partnership of 236.
Worcestershire move to second in Group 1, while Nottinghamshire fall one place to prop up the group standings.
Durham vs. Derbyshire
Derbyshire are addressing their past reputation for batting collapses. Against Durham, they batted throughout the final day to earn a draw.
Making first use of a newly laid pitch at the Emirates Riverside, Durham lost two quick wickets, including skipper Scott Borthwick (0), for 7 runs. This was before David Bedingham turned the innings around. Bedingham made an impressive 257 as Durham posted 475.
Derbyshire were 26-3 before Matt Critchley (40) and acting captain Wayne Madsen (76) added 106 for the fourth wicket.
After dismissing the visitors for 267, Durham added runs at a clip. Borthwick declared with Durham on 175-2 off 44.5 overs, setting Derbyshire a target of 384.
The Derbyshire batters, comfortably saw out the final day. Again, Madsen (74) and Critchley (69) were the backbone of the Derbyshire innings.
By stumps, Derbyshire had made 280-5.
In good form, Matt Critchley has scored 449 runs from 6 County Championship innings.
Group 2
Hampshire vs. Gloucestershire
Table topping Hampshire just failed to overcome second placed Gloucestershire at The Ageas Bowl.
Captain James Vince made 57 as Hampshire scored 470 in their first innings.
Gloucestershire were asked to follow on after recording a first innings total of 320 with Mason Crane taking 3-70.
The resistance of the Gloucestershire batters and diminishing overs on the final day sealed Hampshire’s fate.
At games end, Gloucestershire finished on 197-9.
Leicestershire vs. Somerset
It’s been a slow start to the season for Tom Lammonby. In his previous 5 County Championship innings the Somerset opener has scored just 13 runs.
In the second innings against Leicestershire, he came back with a bang.
Needing 115 for victory, Lammonby scored 70no off 80 balls to help the visitors to a decisive 9 wicket victory with a day to spare.
Group 3
Kent vs. Lancashire
Lancashire now top the standings of Group 3, after their comprehensive defeat of Kent.
Cloud hung over the Spitfire Ground on the final day. Following on, Kent started the day on 209-1 and 147 runs behind Lancashire. Kent were all out for 351, giving Lancashire an innings and 5 run victory.
While gloom hangs over bottom of table Kent, there appears to be a small shaft of light. After a sluggish opening to the season, Zak Crawley showed signs of form scoring 60 and 36.
Sussex vs. Yorkshire
Yorkshire are second in Group 3 after their 48 run win over Sussex.
Joe Root has played in all three of Yorkshire’s County Championship matches. The England Test captain’s batting across these games has been a mixed bag. A second innings century against Kent must be the highlight. While he will be disappointed with posting just 10 runs in two innings in this important win against Sussex.
(PhoenixMedia Image Created from a Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)