James Hildreth composed his first century since July 2019 to shovel Somerset into a promising position at The Oval. Hildreth, the acting captain, dug his way out of a rotten run of form on a pitch primed for spin and against a Surrey attack including Ravi Ashwin.
Kent were forced to ring for reinforcements after 14 members of their first team had to isolate following a positive Covid case in last Friday’s Vitality Blast squad. The fast-assembled second-string team bowled superbly to dismiss Sussex for 181, with four wickets for Jas Singh. Batting proved harder and they sunk to 69 for five.
The duel at Cheltenham finished to the satisfaction of both sides as Gloucestershire built and Hampshire whipped away. A first‑wicket partnership of 61 between Miles Hammond and George Scott was followed by James Bracey being bowled for a duck. More mini-partnerships came and went as Gloucester shoved a batting point in the bag.
Pieter Malan styled out a glorious maiden century for Warwickshire at New Road. He and Dom Sibley (80) put on 220 before a tumble of wickets in the late afternoon, including a maiden Championship scalp for Worcestershire’s 17-year-old debutant spinner Josh Baker.
At Sophia Gardens, rain drew events to a premature close after Northamptonshire had reached 128 for four under heavily curtained skies against Glamorgan. There were three wickets for Timm van der Gugten.
In the Roses clash at Headingley, Keaton Jennings fashioned his second Roses century of the season as Lancashire enjoyed a dominant day. Put into bat by Yorkshire Jennings and Alex Davies put on 161 for the first wicket. Jordan Thompson took the two wickets to fall.
Sam Robson’s unbeaten 138, his second century of the season, boosted Middlesex’s chances at Merchant Taylor’s School. Robson and Josh de Caires, Michael Atherton’s son, added 73 for the first wicket, and solid partnerships continued through the afternoon against Leicestershire.
Tight bowling from Durham kept Nottinghamshire’s batsmen in check at the Riverside, with three wickets for Chris Rushworth, on his 35th birthday, and Ben Raine.
Essex held on to their dreams of qualifying for Division One, after bowling Derbyshire out for 146.