Key events
A memorable three-wicket over from Naavya Sharma, sailing in from the Brian Statham end, whippy action and fast arm, knocked the beans out of Lancashire, who slumped to a high-drama six-wicket defeat against their promotion rivals Middlesex after being sent packing for 84.
Sharma’s first ball of the morning was nibbled to slip by Matty Hurst, then a flat-footed Tom Hartley parried the next behind. Tom Bailey survived the hat-trick ball but survival was brief as he fenced the final delivery also to slip. Sharma polished things off in his next over to finish with best bowling figures of four for 17.
Ryan Higgins also banked four, including the bizarre dismissal of Mitch Stanley, who lost his leg bail despite the ball brushing off stump. Not even Jimmy Anderson could defend 117, and Ben Geddes put his foot down, slamming three sixes on the way to a match-winning 73 not out. It was Middlesex’s first win in a Championship game at Old Trafford since 1996.
Durham swept to victory against Worcestershire after they too collapsed like a too-eager pile of bedside books. Worcestershire lost nine for 38 and were all out in a session, with Ben Stokes picking up a couple of late-order snifters. A flamboyant Ben McKinney and careful Emilio Gay made the chase of 143 look easy.
Essex became the third team to wrap up a three-day victory when they chased down 177 against Hampshire, thanks largely to 90 not out from Matt Critchley. It was third straight defeat for Hampshire.
At Trent Bridge, where Surrey and Nottinghamshire have exchanged big run-heavy blows, Gus Atkinson was hit twice on the helmet in two overs by Josh Tongue (4-89), and retired with delayed concussion. He will miss Surrey’s next match under concussion rules. Reece Topley subs in. Dan Lawrence’s 104 was his third century of the spring.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 273 and 178-4 BEAT Hampshire 235 and 214 by six wickets
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 229 and 140-5 v Somerset 354 and 157 Glamorgan need 143 to win
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 415 and 99-1 v Surrey 449
Hove: Sussex 430 v Leicestershire 328 and 154-4
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 147 and 553-6 v Yorkshire 152 and 98-5
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 604-7dec v Northamptonshire 228 and 66-2
Bristol: Gloucestershire 325 and 251-9 v Kent 327
Old Trafford: Middlesex 169 and 117-4 BEAT Lancashire 201 and 84 by six wickets
New Road: Durham 268 and 143-1 BEAT Worcestershire 308 and 102 by nine wickets
Preamble
Good morning! Welcome to day four of this fifth round of Championship games. Three were polished off yesterday with victories for Middlesex, Essex and Durham – including two mega collapses by Worcestershire and Lancs. More fun in store today, with immediate attention to Sophia Gardens, where Somerset are hungry, and Edgabston, where Yorkshire are toast. Play starts at 11am, do join us.






