County Championship: Sussex, Lancashire and Worcestershire seal wins

County Championship: Sussex, Lancashire and Worcestershire seal wins

Stiaan Van Zyl (picture via YouTube, with thanks)

There were victories for three of the four teams most fancied for promotion – with Lancashire sealing a fine win over the other, Middlesex, at Lord’s.

Here, Deep Extra Cover round up the final day action in Division Two.

Sussex on the board

Sussex 202 and 214-4 (Van Zyl 101*) beat Durham 224 and 189 (Wiese 5-43) by six wickets

After a surprise opening-round defeat to Northamptonshire, Sussex bounced back with a strong victory over Durham at Chester-le-Street.

They resumed day four 144-3, needing another 68 runs to seal the win. Jason Gillespie’s men did so for the loss of just one further wicket, as Stiaan Van Zyl completed his century to hand Sussex 20 points.

Durham, who have lost back-to-back games to start the new season, claim four points.

Maxwell shines in crucial opening win for Lancashire

Lancashire 427 (Jones 122; Murtagh 5-69) and 39-3 beat Middlesex 265 and 200 (Maxwell 5-40) by seven wickets

This encounter at Lord’s was the first match of the season for Lancashire and Middlesex – two of the sides tipped for promotion.

Day four began with Middlesex two down and trailing by 94 after centuries from Haseeb Hameed and Rob Jones had put Lancashire in command.

An early stand between Sam Robson and nightwatchman James Harris frustrated Lancashire but there was a steady flow of wickets thereafter, as Glen Maxwell claimed a five-wicket haul – his best first-class figures – to run through the hosts’ lower order.

Lancashire were left a victory target of just 39, which they knocked off for the loss of three wickets. The Red Rose claim 22 points, Middlesex three.

Morris takes seven as Pears beat the Foxes

Worcestershire 553-6dec (Rutherford 123) beat Leicestershire 302 and 233 (Morris 7-45) by an innings and 18 runs

Charlie Morris ran through the Leicestershire batting lineup to claim 7-45 and hand Worcestershire victory in their first match of the season.

Having forced the Foxes to follow on, Worcestershire needed six wickets to claim the win on day four.

Josh Tongue began the victory march before Morris took over. Worcestershire take 24 points, Leicestershire four.

Madsen and Hughes bat Derbyshire to draw

Derbyshire 291 and 388-3 (Madsen 204) draw with Gloucestershire 350 (Roderick 98)

Wayne Madsen notched his 29th first-class century for Derbyshire and went on to make it a double to bat his side into a position of safety in a draw against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

The visitors had an overnight lead of 38 having lost two wickets, with Madsen (204) and Alex Hughes (109) ensuring there was no dramatic collapse that might have given the hosts a sniff of victory.

Gloucestershire edged the points, taking 11 to nine.

Run records fall in bore draw

Glamorgan 570-8dec (Root 126) and 70-1 draw with Northamptonshire 750 (Vasconcelos 184)

The only way to really sum this match up is by listing some of the numbers.

1390 total runs scored, 370.3 overs bowled, six centuries scored, 750 is the highest total Glamorgan have ever conceded against anyone, Glamorgan used 10 bowlers – only keeper Chris Cooke didn’t turn his arm over. Even Nathan Buck got his first first-class fifty, coming in his 86th match.

A ridiculous match. It was a draw. Both teams take 11 points.

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