Sussex, Middlesex, Worcestershire, Hampshire and Essex all secured victories on the final day of their LV= County Championship matches, while there were contrasting draws at Wantage Road and Taunton.
By Rob Barnett and Callum Dent
Live Scores / Follow ECB_Cricket on Twitter
6.20pm – Here is a round-up of all today’s results.
Division One
Ed Joyce’s unbeaten 151, his second ton of the game, led Sussex, chasing 330, to a seven-wicket win over Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Chris Rogers and Sam Robson, with an unbeaten 63 and 41 not out respectively, had little trouble in chasing down 112 as Middlesex defeated Nottinghamshire by 10 wickets at Lord’s.
Last pair Rob Newton and Muhammad Azhar Ullah batted out the last nine overs as Northamptonshire, set a victory target of 319, closed on 205 for nine to salvage a draw against champions Durham at Wantage Road.
Adam Lyth and Kane Williamson struck half-centuries, the latter’s unbeaten, as Yorkshire and Somersetsettled for a draw when the visitors declared 90 runs ahead on 193 for four at Taunton.
Division Two
Michael Carberry hit 100 not out as Hampshirechased down 215 with the loss of just two wickets against Gloucestershire at Bristol.
Kent’s collapse of seven wickets for just 83 runs gifted Worcestershire a resounding 125-run win at New Road.
Derbyshire, in pursuit of 366, were dismissed for 312 to hand Essex a 53-run triumph at Chelmsford.
6.10pm – RESULT! Northamptonshire (378 and 205/9) draw with Durham (452 and 244) at Wantage Road. Northants hold on to secure a draw in their first game back in the top flight. What a finale!
It's a draw! @robbienewts77 and @Azhar_ullah hold on in the last 9 overs to get a draw #GoSteelbacks
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) April 16, 2014
6.02pm – Northants continue to frustrate Durham as they pass 200. They are into the last over at Wantage Road.
5.34pm – Scott Borthwick takes two wickets in as many balls, dismissing David Murphy and Maurice Chambers, to leave Durham on the brink of victory. Can Northants' last pair hold on?
10 overs left...3 wickets needed - can the lads do it?
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) April 16, 2014
5.06pm – Jamie Harrison bowls Crook for 21 to leave Northants 180 for seven entering the last hour of play. They are unlikely to go for the 139 further runs needed for victory, but Durham will be desperate for three more breakthroughs.
Still 20 overs to go, four wickets to get. Northants are 169-6
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) April 16, 2014
4.52pm – RESULT! Somerset (553) draw with Yorkshire (450 and 193/4d) at Taunton. Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 57 secures a draw as the sides shake hands on a contest that saw 24 wickets fall in four days of uninterrupted play.
Match drawn. Yorkshire finish on 193-4 dec from 71 overs of their 2nd inns. Williamson 57 and Rashid 8. Yorkshire claim 11 points.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 16, 2014
4.42pm – Kane Williamson raises a fifty for Yorkshire, who have surely now made the game safe?
Rob Newton is resisting stoically for Northants and now has Steven Crook for company.
WICKET. Just four more needed now as David Willey is caught at slip by @Borthwick16 to give @BunnyOnions a third wicket. 147-6
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) April 16, 2014
4.17pm – Johann Myburgh snares Gary Ballance for five, caught by one of two short covers, but barring a Yorkshire collapse there will be a draw at Taunton.
A positive result is much more likely in the other remaining game, with Durham pressing for Northants’ sixth second-innings wicket.
We're starting the afternoon with twin spin from Petersen and Myburgh. 153-3.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 16, 2014
3.53pm – An intriguing final session awaits at Wantage Road as tea is taken following the dismissal of Andrew Hall for 13, reducing Northants to 125 for five in pursuit of an unlikely victory target of 319. Rushworth's second wicket leaves Durham needing just five more to open the defence of their title with a win.
3.43pm – Andrew Gale's departure, caught down the leg side off Alviro Petersen for 11, has led to the tea interval been taken at Taunton. The White Rose, 47 in front, are 150 for three with New Zealand international Kane Williamson unbeaten on 31.
3.28pm – RESULT! Hampshire (422 and 215/2) beat Gloucestershire (304 and 332) by eight wickets at Bristol. Michael Carberry leads Hampshire to victory and completes a century with successive maximums.
Hampshire win! @carbs646 hits back-to-back sixes to seal it and finishes with an unbeaten century. @vincey14 raced to 58* at the other end!
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 16, 2014
3.24pm – James Middlebrook and Rob Newton frustrated Durham with a 37-run partnership, but the former has been dismissed by Usman Arshad for 47.
3.11pm – James Vince is a man on a mission. The right-hander, who hit a first-innings 144, has reached 50 off just 31 balls to take Hampshire to within 25 of their victory target.
LISTEN: Captain Chris Rogers praises the team's performance as we beat @trentbridge by 10 wkts... https://t.co/jX6S9jZDAX#Middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 16, 2014
2.55pm – Lyth cannot believe it as he picks out midwicket with James Hildreth's second ball. Yorkshire, leading by 17, are 120 for two.
Dawson caught for 25, Vince joins Carberry in the middle. Hampshire 114-2, chasing 215 for victory.
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 16, 2014
2.33pm – Onions strikes again in his next over, bowling Matthew Spriegel for a duck to reduce Northants to 68 for three. Can champions Durham push for victory now?
Who’s in your @NatWestT20Blast'Dream Team'? Play the FREE & official Fantasy Game! http://t.co/0mx38ThdONpic.twitter.com/vU8ozcKc5e
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 16, 2014
2.22pm – Northants had little trouble passing 50. However, Graham Onions has bowled Kyle Coetzer to leave them on 60 for two in pursuit of an unlikely victory target of 319.
Adam Lyth has continued his fine start to the season with his second half-century of the match at Taunton.
Michael Carberry has replicated Lyth by reaching his fifty as Hampshire, chasing 215, reach 100 for one against Gloucestershire.
A fantastic & well deserved win for the lads! #Middlesex150pic.twitter.com/SmY5dTN7pK
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 16, 2014
2.15pm – RESULT! Middlesex (439/9d and 112/0) beat Nottinghamshire (326 and 224) by 10 wickets at Lord's. Chris Rogers and Sam Robson, with 63 and 41 not out respectively, lead their side to a resounding triumph, reaching their victory target of 112 in just 18.2 overs.
2.04pm – Middlesex are coasting to victory at Lord's, where Chris Rogers has raised a half-century. Eighteen runs are required for the win.
Somerset wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter has taken a tumbling catch to remove Yorkshire opener Alex Lees for 47 at Taunton.
Fifty for the skipper. Rogers 50 from 44 balls, 10 x 4s. 94-0 #topeffort#middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 16, 2014
1.52pm – Northamptonshire lose their first second-innings wicket as Stephen Peters edges Chris Rushworth behind.
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LISTEN: Hear the thoughts of Rory Hamilton-Brown as he spoke to @AdrianHarms of @BBCSussexSport after today's win... https://t.co/MAgNVvUgqK
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 16, 2014
1.15pm – RESULT! Essex (94 and 425) beat Derbyshire (154 and 312) by 53 runs at Chelmsford. Having been skittled for 94 in their first innings, Essex have fought back to win thanks largely to England captain Alastair Cook’s commanding 181.
Wicket. And that's it. Footitt is bowled by Masters for 4 and @EssexCricket have won by 53 runs at Chelmsford #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 16, 2014
1.10pm – Here’s how the scores stand at lunch. The game at Chelmsford is ongoing with Essex needing one wicket to defeat Derbyshire.
Division One
Sussex, for whom captain Ed Joyce was unbeaten on 151 in his second ton of the game, chased 330 to beat Warwickshireby seven wickets at Edgbaston. Here's our report.
Middlesex, who this morning took Nottinghamshire’s last five wickets to dismiss them for 224, are 52 for no loss in pursuit of 112 for victory at Lord’s.
Northamptonshire are 27 for none, needing another 292 to win but realistically batting for a draw against Durham at Wantage Road.
Yorkshire are 93 for no wicket in their second innings, 10 behind Somerset at Taunton.
Division Two
Worcestershire saw off Kent, who were set 266 to win, by 125 runs at New Road.
Hampshire, who today dismissed Gloucestershire for 332, are 57 for one in pursuit of 215 to win at Bristol.
1.03pm – Napier ousts Mark Turner so Essex are one wicket from defeating Derbyshire. Therefore there will likely be a delayed lunch at Chelmsford. We’ll round up the other scores soon.
Jimmy Adams (23) has been trapped lbw by Taylor and Hampshire are 57-1 at lunch. We require 158 runs for victory at Bristol. #LVCC
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 16, 2014
12.58pm – RESULT! Worcestershire (224 and 270) beat Kent (229 and 140) by 125 runs at New Road. Worcestershire, who drew with Hampshire in the first round, prevail after what was an even contest until the hosts produced a stong second-innings bowling display. Gareth Andrew, who claimed four wickets in each innings, finished the job by bowling Doug Bollinger.
12.51pm – Morris has a third victim this morning, trapping Mitchell Claydon in front to leave Worcestershire one wicket from victory.
Chris Read not on the field for Notts, Riki Wessels keeping #MiddxvNotts
— Dave Bracegirdle (@bracecricket) April 16, 2014
12.40pm – Monty Panesar makes a vital breakthrough, having Tim Groenewald stumped for a rampaging 52. Derbyshire therefore need 81 to win but have only two wickets in hand.
SIX! Another six for @timmyg12 (51*) who completes his half-century off 33 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes). Derbyshire 283-7 (75). Need 83 #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 16, 2014
12.32pm – Northants and Worcestershire each strike twice more, the former dismissing Durham for 244 and leaving themselves an unlikely 319 to win in the time left. Hall has Graham Onions caught and bowled and Chris Rushworth caught behind in the same over.
Charles Morris breaks through in consecutive overs for his first New Road strikes. He breaches James Tredwell’s defence and traps Sam Billings in front to leave Worcestershire needing two more wickets for victory.
5,000 - @Yorkshireccc's @lythy09, currently the fifth highest FC run-scorer of the season, has passed 5,000 first-class runs. Landmark.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) April 16, 2014
12.19pm – Durham lost two quick wickets as Andrew Hall pins Gareth Breese in front for 34 and James Middlebrook has Usman Arshad stumped for 17, the spinner’s fifth scalp of the innings. Could Durham be looking for quick runs before declaring? They lead Northants by 309 with two wickets remaining.
Worcestershire’s Gareth Andrew accounts for Darren Stevens on 27, making Kent 94 for six.
Six for Alex Lees down the ground off Myburgh. Good use of the feet. 55-0.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 16, 2014
12.08pm – Notts are dismissed for 224, having lost their last five wickets for 35 runs. Middlesex therefore need 112 for victory. Steven Finn, who yesterday bagged three lbw victims, has Luke Fletcher caught behind for his ninth scalp of the match.
Unbelievable scenes at edgbaston @edjoyce24 is my sporting idol. @SussexCCC#heroes #loveeddy#canbat #32years
— Chrisnash (@chrisnash23) April 16, 2014
11.56am – RESULT! Sussex (229 and 333/3) beat Warwickshire (87 and 471) by seven wickets at Edgbaston. Skipper Joyce stays unbeaten in his second century of the match, ending on 151 to give him an aggregate of 258, and fittingly hits the winning runs. That makes it two wins from two for south-coast side.
SIXES! @timmyg12 (13*) with back-to-back sixes off Panesar. Derbyshire 209-7 (65). Need 157 to win. #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 16, 2014
11 - Notts' 2nd innings v Middx is 11th instance of the top five batsmen falling LBW in a @LV_Cricket innings, first time since 1997. Pads.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) April 16, 2014
11.51am – Murtagh is on fire! He cleans up Andy Carter for nought, putting Notts nine down.
Chanderpaul raises a fifty but then is caught behind to be Napier’s second victim in two overs.
Shantry is also enjoying a fine morning, now removing Brendan Nash in the same manner as Chanderpaul fell.
11.40am – Notts are in real bother now as James Harris gets Peter Siddle caught behind. The visitors to Lord’s lead by 102 with two wickets left.
Essex move towards victory as Graham Napier cleans up Richard Johnson. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Derbyshire’s last real hope, remains on 47.
Moving swiftly towards a conclusion at Edgbaston. Sussex need only 17 to win. #countycricketlive
— CulleyCricket (@CulleyCricket) April 16, 2014
11.29am –Gloucestershire are all out for 223, setting Hampshire an intriguing 215 to win. Kyle Abbott bowled Hamish Marshall for a valiant 94, his seventh wicket of the game.
Murtagh strikes for a second time today, ousting Riki Wessels for 34, and Jack Shantry traps Ben Hamison on front, leaving Kent in trouble at 57 for four in pursuit of 266.
5 - @SomersetCCC's 553 is the fifth highest @LV_Cricket innings total without a century. Contributions. @ECB_cricketpic.twitter.com/bVNRrDVDVh
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) April 16, 2014
11.18am – Rory Hamilton-Brown cannot build much on his fifty, falling to Jeetan Patel for 54 to end a partnership of 94 with centurion Ed Joyce, but Sussex are still comfortably on course for victory.
Somerset are dismissed for 553, a first-innings lead of 103 over Yorkshire, as Steven Patterson has Craig Overton lbw for 15, halting a last-wicket stand of 57 with Meschede.
At Wantage Road Northants’ Maurice Chambers bowls Michael Richardson for 59.
Rory Hamilton-Brown reaches his half-century for Sussex. 278 for 2 with another 52 runs required for victory #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 16, 2014
11.05am – Play is under way in all seven matches. Craig Meschede soon raises a fifty for Somerset and Tim Murtagh has Chris Read caught behind for 44, moving Middlesex closer to victory.
10 mins till we start on Day 4. We are 80 runs ahead, one wicket in hand on another glorious day for cricket. pic.twitter.com/wYshXHfZzk
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) April 16, 2014
10.50am – If you want to watch free video highlights of yesterday’s action, please click here.
Alastair Cook beer launches tonight! Come & see Cooky pull the 1st pint at 7.30ish! Pls RT @EssexCricketpic.twitter.com/ugwxZXHmWd
— golden fleece (@fleecepub) April 16, 2014
10.40am - Hello and welcome to our live blog as this enthralling round of LV= County Championship games reaches its climax. Here's how the games stand:
Division One
Sussex, in pursuit of 330, require just 57 to win after Ed Joyce and Rory Hamilton-Brown, unbeaten on 125 and 48 respectively, helped them to 273 for two against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Michael Richardson is unbeaten on 53 as Durham, who ended the day on 178 for five, lead Northamptonshire by 252 runs at Wantage Road.
Steven Finn and Tim Murtagh shared the wickets as Middlesex reduced Nottinghamshire to 184 for five, a second-innings lead of 71, at Lord’s.
Somerset have a first-innings advantage of 80 after closing on 530 for nine against Yorkshire at Taunton.
Division Two
Tymal Mills took three wickets as Essex reduced Derbyshire to 167 for five in pursuit of 366 at Chelmsford.
Hamish Marshall is unbeaten on 84 as Gloucestershire ended the day on 308 for nine, a lead of 190, against Hampshire at Bristol.
Kent, who closed on 51 for three, require another 215 runs to beat Worcestershire at New Road.
Beautiful day for it! Day four of #LVCC@Middlesex_CCC v @trentbridge: pic.twitter.com/4BxKBM00ec
— Lord's Ground (@HomeOfCricket) April 16, 2014
Gates are now open and entry is FREE to all in today's final day of play against @SussexCCC in the @LV_Cricket#YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) April 16, 2014