County Championship Division Two roundup: Max Holden hits 211 as Middlesex batters make hay

The Cricketer wraps up the best of the action during day three of round two of the Vitality County Championship in 2024

holden140401

Cardiff (day three of four): Glamorgan 237 & 361-7 dec, Derbyshire 198 & 40-1 - Derbyshire need 361 runs to win

Glamorgan pulled in front on day three of their Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire after they declared on 361 for 7 to set a target of 401 for the visitors.

The mainstay for Glamorgan was Chris Cooke who finished on 126 not out, by far the highest score of this match so far. He was well supported by 61 not out from James Harris and a well-made 32 from Dan Douthwaite.

In the 12 overs that were bowled before the close, Derbyshire reached 40 for 1 with David Lloyd and Luis Reece undefeated.

With Derbyshire still 361 runs away from their victory target, a Glamorgan victory is the most likely outcome as we head into a final day with a mixed weather forecast.

harris140401

Glamorgan have the chance to force victory on Monday (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Bristol (day three of four): Yorkshire 326 & 434-6, Gloucestershire 263 & 97-4 - Gloucestershire need 401 runs to win

An Adam Lyth hundred and fluent half-centuries from England's Joe Root and Harry Brook strengthened Yorkshire's grip on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match with Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.

Starting the day on 57 without loss in their second innings, with a lead of 120, the visitors ran up 434 for six before declaring in the final session, setting their opponents a highly unlikely 498 to win.

Lyth top-scored with 113, while Root contributed 51, Brook 68 and George Hill 58.

By the close, Gloucestershire had slumped to 97 for 4, Ollie Price unbeaten on 44. Heavy rain is forecast overnight but may not be enough to save a team without a Championship win for 19 months.

***

Leicester (day three of four): Leicestershire 338 & 86-1, Sussex 694-9 dec - Leicestershire trail by 270 runs with nine wickets remaining

New captain John Simpson struck a maiden double century as Sussex put Leicestershire to the sword on day three of their Vitality County Championship clash, piling up the third highest total in their first-class history before declaring on 694 for 9.

Leicestershire closed on 86 for 1 in their second innings, trailing by 270.

Former Middlesex wicketkeeper Simpson finished on 205 not out, having shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 255 with fellow Lancastrian Danny Lamb, another new face at the south coast club, whose 134 was also a career-best.

Ari Karvelas came in at No.10 to crack 55 off 40 balls and it was with his dismissal six overs after tea that Sussex declared with a first-innings lead of 356 in reply to Leicestershire’s 338 all out, with 24 overs left in the day.

lyth140401

Adam Lyth was in sublime touch for Yorkshire (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Northampton (day three of four): Northamptonshire 552-6d, Middlesex 553-2 - Middlesex lead by one run with eight wickets remaining

Teenage opener Nathan Fernandes became Middlesex's youngest debut centurion in first-class cricket since 1862 as the visitors piled on runs in their Vitality County Championship clash against Northamptonshire.

Left-hander Fernandes, drafted in to replace the injured Sam Robson at the top of the order, hit 103 before teammates Max Holden and Leus du Plooy both plundered the bowling at Wantage Road, steering the visitors to 553 for 2 at stumps.

Fernandes, who turns 20 later this month, was the first Middlesex player to mark his first-class debut with a ton since Ted Clark in 1959 and the youngest since Isaac Walker achieved the feat against Surrey almost 100 years earlier.

Northamptonshire's bowlers toiled gamely in the batting-friendly conditions, but they were put to the sword by Holden – who passed 200 for the first time in his career – and Du Plooy, just four short of his own double century at the close.

Join The Cricketer's brand new Whatsapp channel for the latest breaking news, comment and features - click here to become a member


Related Topics

Comments

THE CRICKETER NEWSLETTER Get all the latest cricket news to your inbox, twice a week SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!
LOADING

ALL TEAMS

LV= INSURANCE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

T20 BLAST

ONE-DAY CUP

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.