Championship team of the week: Anderson, Amla and Bess… but who rounds up the XI?

The Cricketer examines the top performers from the latest round of the LV=Insurance County Championship

Miles Hammond (Gloucestershire)

75 and 46 vs Middlesex

Although it was his sides' bowling performance that will be most remembered as Middlesex collapsed, Hammond’s efforts opening the batting set the tone for his side as he added 121 runs to the Gloucestershire total. In a week of LV=Insurance County Championship action where middle-order batsmen and bowlers ran the show, the 25-year-old’s steady opening innings - which included nine fours - ensured that his team were in control of the proceedings from the start.

Robert Yates (Warwickshire)

102 vs Durham

Unfortunately, it was the rain that came up trumps as both teams were left frustrated at Edgbaston. However, Yates’ five hours at the crease produced a century, as he lost fellow opener Dom Sibley quickly. The 21-year-old’s innings was at a respectable strike rate of 42.67, who would have also been left unsatisfied as the weather made sure there was little chance of a result. 

Hashim Amla (Surrey)

29 and 37* vs Hampshire

When a side finishes a mere 416 runs shy of their opponent’s first innings total, it naturally takes a lot of digging deep in the follow-on to salvage the result. In what can only be described as a prime example of red-ball acumen, the South African veteran batted the entire fourth day - by lunch registering three not out off 96 balls. Finishing on 37, his fourth-wicket partnership with Ryan Patel came at a run rate of just 0.72, earning his side half of the spoils.

Colin de Grandhomme (Hampshire)

174* vs Surrey

Though his side were left somehow wondering how the player above managed to deny them of the win, the New Zealand international came out to attack as his side ran up the score in the opening innings. The all-rounder had six batting partners alongside him as he took on the Surrey bowlers in a stand-out innings which included 17 fours and three sixes.

Harry Brook (Yorkshire)

7 and 113 vs Northants

The 22-year-old dug deep to produce a crucial century in his side’s second innings which saw Yorkshire progress to the next round of the County Championship in August, as results elsewhere fell their way. After seven runs in a low scoring first innings, Brook atoned for his return with an aggressive 113, including 11 fours, as his team built up a total that would prove to be enough by 53 runs at Trent Bridge.

^{Brook's 113 puts him into the round 10 team of the week}

Harry Swindells (wk, Leicestershire)

171* vs Somerset

A second first-class century for the 22-year-old and while they may come more difficult than this, it was a determined knock that secured a draw at Taunton. No Craig Overton, Lewis Gregory or an injured Jack Brooks for the hosts, yet this was an effort that Swindells described as the best of his career. He helped put on an unbeaten 203 for the eighth wicket, a Foxes record, with Ed Barnes to break Somerset's resolve before the rain ended the fun.

Dom Bess (Yorkshire)

7 for 3 and 2 for 29 vs Northants 

The spinner’s 7-43 in his first innings were in fact career-best figures, as the 23-year-old mowed through the Northants top order. Bess snagged both of the important openers, Ricardo Vescancelos and Emiliano Gay, as he managed a further five wickets, as the Yorkshire slip cordon couldn’t get enough. He added 11 maidens in the first innings, but he had to share the damage with Duanne Olivier, Ben Coad and Steven Patterson in the second. He will, however, be more than pleased with the amount of spin he generated on day one to deal the vital damage.

^{Bess' 7-43 in the first innings was the best in his first-class career so far}

Matt Taylor (Gloucestershire)

4-19 and 5-40 vs Middlesex

Taylor’s nine wickets complemented his teammate Daniel Worrall’s performance perfectly as Middlesex collapsed. His five-for in the second innings included dismissing four batsmen for a duck, and snagging the dangerous Daryl Mitchell lbw for 73. It was a complete bowling performance from the pair and it was hard to choose just one of the two, but we’ll give Taylor the benefit of the doubt for coming off with two more wickets than his partnership, and the noticeable row of ducks he caused in the ill-fated Middlesex second innings. 

Marchant de Lange (Somerset)

75 and 3-110 vs Leicestershire

The South African held the line for his side as he batted at eight against Leicestershire, in a fixture that wound up a high-scoring yet slow-paced draw. His 75, however, came off just 63 balls. The 30-year-old managed to bowl the skipper Colin Ackermann, Ben Mike and Callum Parkinson in what can only be described as a textbook all-rounder’s performance.

Jimmy Anderson (Lancashire)

7-19 vs Kent

The English paceman now only has 1,003 first-class wickets after a rip-roaring show with the ball in hand for his side. The right-armer absolutely tore through the Kent top order, producing figures of 7 for 19, as he removed the entire top six except Joe Denly. He looked on his finest, unplayable form, warming up in time for England duty. He must have left wondering just how his performance didn’t return his side the full set of points as Kent held on tight during a final, rain-affected day. 

Luke Fletcher (Nottinghamshire)

3-36 and 5-28 vs Derbyshire

Fletcher completes the XI after eight wickets across two Derbyshire innings earned his side the victory by an innings and 36 runs. Now at 46 snags for the season so far, his performance puts him top of the wicket takers’ chart. His five-for in the second innings ensured that Derbyshire, who came into their first innings trailing by 158 runs, fell short of even forcing their local rivals to bat again.