CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF THE WEEK: Dom Sibley's great season continues but who else makes our county XI?

The Cricketer picks out the top performers at the end of a batsmen-dominated round of County Championship cricket...

Dom Sibley (Warwickshire): A personal and County Championship 2019 best from the opener, who of course is no stranger to milestones after knocking off six hundreds on the trot earlier in the campaign. Beating his previous career-best score of 242 against Yorkshire for Surrey as a schoolboy in 2013, this was a special knock from the first batsman this season to the landmark of 1,000 first-class runs. Ashes call up anyone?

Nick Browne (Essex): A first Championship ton since 2017 which sent Essex well on their way to another thumping win this season after a run which saw them win two and draw one of their fixtures against the other sides in the top four of the table. Dropped twice, he made Nottinghamshire pay every bit for the spurned chances. No wonder Varun Chopra has had to explore pastures new on loan.

Will Fraine (Yorkshire): Harsh on the likes of Ravi Bopara, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sean Dickson to be left out for Yorkshire's 23-year-old, but a maiden first-class hundred for Fraine will provide a huge boost for the former Notts opener. Fraine, whose highest score in his three previous championship appearances this season had been 42, will be glad to have the monkey off his back and could prove to be a watershed moment in converting form for the seconds into the first team on a regular basis.

Marnus Labuschagne (Glamorgan): A permanent fixture in our XI for a few weeks now, the Australian became the first Glamorgan batsman in 14 years to score two centuries in the same match. It would be an immense surprise if Australia do not at the very least reconsider his selection in the squad.

^{D'Oliveira delivered an excellent allround display}

Dawid Malan (Middlesex): Disappointment imbued with bundles of gratification sums up what the Middlesex captain endured in their only innings of their draw against Derbyshire. His 199 was his highest-ever first-class score but his caught and bowled dismissal to Matthew Critchley one short of a double century did leave him cursing his luck. However, a good sign for England fans that another hopeful is coming up trumps at the right time. 

John Simpson (Middlesex): Shared a 224-run partnership with Malan and brought up his sixth first-class ton in Derby as he helped steer his side to a draw. Caught well when called upon as well with four catches in the match. Lancashire's Dane Vilas pushed Simpson close for the spot but the Middlesex keeper's century saw him get the edge here.

Brett D'Oliveira (Worcestershire): The almost perfect allround performance from the Worcestershire man. Match figures of 9-182, including career-best figures of 7-92 in the first innings, saw him claim the scalp of Glamorgan dangerman Labuschagne in both innings, and also recorded a resolute century in his side’s initial reply. 

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Nathan Rimmington (Durham): The Durham allrounder was rewarded with some excellent performances with the seconds with a return to the first team, and he didn’t disappoint. The Australian took career-best match figures of 8-116 as Durham took a well-deserved draw against second-place Lancashire.

Ollie Robinson (Sussex): A regular figure in the XI this season, the numbers keep on improving for the Sussex quick. Followed up a six-fer in the first innings with four wickets in the second, but his 10-132 was a rare bright spark for Jason Gillespie’s side, but even if he was overshadowed by Sanderson his performance should not go unnoticed. 

Simon Harmer (Essex): Another match-winning spell from the Essex spinner, Harmer was used sparingly in the first innings but his overs were gold dust in the second as he took figures of 4-35 to lead his side to an innings victory. While most of the focus was on spin counterpart Ravi Ashwin, who was made to bowl 60 overs in one innings, it was Harmer who delivered the decisive performance.

Ben Sanderson (Northamptonshire): Career-best figures for the Northants seam bowler saw him lead his side to a record victory over Sussex. His match figures of 10-55 inspired David Ripley’s side to their first County Championship triumph of the season, and a first victory at Hove since 1983. Sanderson’s display, which saw him pass 200 first-class wickets, was leadership at its finest when Northants needed it most as they moved off the bottom of Division Two. 

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