The Rothesay County Championship title chase cranked up as Warwickshire dominated in Wales; Division Two Durham were put to the test by Middlesex before pulling off impressive comeback Warwickshire ramped up their bid for the Rothesay County Championship Division One title as they rolled Glamorgan for 69 all out in Cardiff. Just five points separate the Bears from leaders Somerset and Nottinghamshire heading into the last three fixtures, and Ethan Bamber took a scintillating 5-28 that took him past 50 wickets for the season. Ed Barnard backed him up with 3-5 against the tail as the first innings concluded inside just 27 overs. Warwickshire were in complete control on 129-3 by stumps, with Will Young dismissed for 60 and almost overtaking the home side’s score on his own.
This was Glamorgan’s lowest score since being bowled out for 60 against Middlesex in 2007. Leaders Somerset – who are looking to claim a first County Championship title – were in total control against Leicestershire, with Josh Thomas making exactly 100 as he led an opening stand of 181 with Tom Lammonby (74), with James Rew holding up a faltering middle order. Defending champions Nottinghamshire were 98-4 against bottom side Hampshire at Trent Bridge, but recovered to 377 all out, thanks in large part to Joe Clarke’s 105 who extended his position as the highest run-scorer in the top flight. At Headingley, Yorkshire managed a 241-6 against Essex, while there was no play possible at Hove between Surrey and Sussex due to the weather.
Middlesex had Divison Two leaders Durham 80-4 in their opening fixture as Seb Morgan took four wickets, with two coming from just three balls. Durham came back through a wicket stand of 90 between Ben Raine and Callum Parkinson before being bowled out for 252. Brydon Carse came in for Middlesex and took both wickets as they reached 52-2 in reply at Chester-le-Street, ending the day trailing by 182 runs. Fellow promotion hopefuls Kent were 11-1 at stumps after bowling hosts Derbyshire out for 300, with third-placed Northamptonshire 13 without loss having knocked over Worcestershire for 200.
