The defending champions have been themselves pressured to bat out a draw in opposition to backside aspect Northamptonshire on the Oval, however prolonged their lead on the high of Division One to twenty factors heading into subsequent week’s remaining spherical of video games, after Hampshire accomplished an excellent run-chase within the remaining over of the day at Chelmsford.
Essex had gained six video games on the spin to maintain long-time leaders Surrey trustworthy into the ultimate stretch of the marketing campaign and having set Hants a goal of 268, smelt a seventh because the guests fell to 32-for-four of their pursuit.
However, 119 from Liam Dawson and 89 from James Vince helped Hampshire to victory seven-down with simply 5 deliveries left within the match.
The consequence means a draw for Surrey away at Hampshire subsequent week can be sufficient to seal the title, whereas Essex should hope for a Hampshire victory and win convincingly themselves in opposition to now relegated Northants to have any likelihood of lifting the trophy. Even that will not be sufficient, although, relying on the variety of bonus factors picked up by both sides.
Trailing by 172 first innings runs, Surrey appeared in hassle after being requested to follow-on on day 4 on the Oval, however an unbroken century stand between Dom Sibley and Rory Burns ensured Northants by no means critically threatened the victory that will have stored their slim survival hopes alive.
Replying to Northants’ 357, Surrey misplaced their remaining 4 wickets to be bowled out for 185 on the ultimate morning, Jack White once more impressing with the ball to complete with figures of four-for-45.
At that stage, Northants, needing to win, might need dangled a carrot by setting the house aspect a goal for victory with an instantaneous declaration, however opted to implement the follow-on within the hope of skittling Gareth Batty’s aspect cheaply as soon as extra.
Instead they discovered Burns (71* off 196) and Sibley (67* off 188) in resolute kind, the opening pair guiding Surrey to 142 with out loss when a downpour quickly after tea noticed palms shaken on the draw.
Across London at Lord’s, the rain was not sufficient to save lots of relegation threatened Middlesex from a harmful eight-wicket defeat to Warwickshire.
Seeking to keep away from an instantaneous return to Division Two, Middlesex slipped from 227 for 4 to be all-out for 251 of their second innings, regardless of opener Sam Robson carrying his bat to complete unbeaten on 107, his and the county’s second hundred of the summer time.
That left Warwickshire a goal of simply 58 for victory, and whereas the heavens opened throughout the innings break, play was in a position to resume, with Ed Barnard and Rob Yates steering their aspect residence.
Middlesex now go into the ultimate week second-bottom and needing to overturn a one-point deficit to Kent to keep away from the drop.
