Around the Grounds: Plays of the Day

Division One:

Neil McKenzie continued to justify his position as my pick for the best Kolpak signing of the winter with 91 today, helping to lift Hampshire to 351.  Adam Lyth continued his impressive form, ending the day 64 not out, to get to within spitting distance of 1,000 runs before the end of May.  He should surely be firmly in the selectors' sights.

Essex continued to build a substantial lead against Lancashire, Jaik Mickleburgh recorded 64 before running himself out.  Lancashire's batting woes will be tested by Essex's young but impressive seam attack tomorrow.

Murali Kartik - an excellent example of an overseas signing who has a real impact (why didn't the spoilsports at the BCCI ban him?!) took 6-61 to all but take Somerset to victory.  They knocked off the 45 runs needed to victory in barely 10 overs for the loss of only one wicket.

Division Two:

The Gloucestershire-Derbyshire game saw another 400+ innings without a century, Chris Dent falling just two short on 98 to leave Derbyshire with a tricky 300-odd chase on the final day.

In an incredible game at Grace Road Glamorgan's Harris and Harrison took 4 wickets apiece to finish off Leicestershire for just 71 - the lowest total in the championship this season.  Glamorgan then showed how decent the pitch was by polishing off the 198 runs needed to win without losing a single wicket - lardy Cosgrove finishing with 113 off 111 balls - I bloody love Cosgrove.

Andre Nel's 96 was unquestionably the innings of the day, he and Dernbach rescued Surrey from complete embarrassment with comfortably the highest partnership of the match - well played lads.

Murray Goodwin didn't add many to his overnight score and was out on Nelson - 111, but retiree Robin Martin-Jenkins and Yasir Arafat dragged Sussex up to 328 with 66 and 40 respectively.  Almost certainly a draw this one, barring a major miracle!