County Championship Round up – 8th May 2022

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Surrey maintained their unbeaten start to the season in Division One with their third win in five games after an innings and five runs victory inside three days over Northamptonshire at the Kia Oval.

Surrey posted 401 in their first innings with a century from captain Rory Burns along with half centuries from Sam Curran, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton.

Despite a gritty unbeaten 83 from Luke Procter, Northants were bowled out for 194 with Colin de Grandhomme taking 4-39.

Surrey immediately enforced the follow on with Northants soon finding themselves in trouble after slipping to 8-2. A half century from Emilio Gay wasn’t enough to save Northants from defeat after being bowled out for 202 with three wickets apiece from Daniel Worrall and Atkinson.

The win saw Surrey consolidate their position at the top of the pile with 89 points from their first five championship games.

Second placed Hampshire kept up the pressure on leaders Surrey after beating Gloucestershire by 87 runs at the Ageas Bowl.

The hosts were bowled out for 204 in their second innings, thanks to 89 from Aneurin Donald to leave Gloucestershire a stiff target of 368 for victory. George Scott hit 77 and Miles Hammond 67, but the visitors fell short.

Mohammad Abbas picked up 3-62 with five other Hampshire bowlers taking at least a wicket each.

At Old Trafford, Lancashire drew with Warwickshire to remain in third place in the table. Dom Sibley hit 142 not out in Warwickshire’s first innings total of 315. Lancashire replied with a total of 361 with Keaton Jennings making 110.

The other match in Division One also finished in a draw at Chelmsford between Essex and Yorkshire.

Another big score from the bat of Sir Alastair Cook 107 and Paul Walter 141 set the tone for Essex’s first innings total of 403. The visitors responded with a total of 465 with Harry Brook making 123.

Essex declared their second innings on 167-0 with another century for Cook, as the game petered out into a draw with Yorkshire using nine bowlers.

In Division Two, Middlesex moved up to second in the table after a thrilling seven wicket victory over Sussex at Hove.

Middlesex were set a total of 370 to win after Sussex declared their second innings on 335-4 dec with Cheteshwar Pujara unbeaten on 170.

Sam Robson hit 149, with half centuries from Max Holden and skipper Peter Handscomb as the visitors reached their target with three overs to spare.

Glamorgan sit on top of the table after a six wicket victory against Leicestershire at Cardiff. In their second innings Leicestershire made 266 with Ben Mike top scoring with 64.

Glamorgan were left a total of 150 for victory with an unbeaten 40 from Sam Northeast steering them home for their second win of the season.

At Worcester the game between Worcestershire and Durham was drawn. The highlight of the match was an astonishing innings from the returning Ben Stokes. The new England red ball captain smashed 161 off 88 balls including a record 17 six’s.

There were also centuries in the match from Sean Dickinson and David Bedingham, with Dickinson making two centuries in the match.

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