County Championship round-up

Montgomerie digs deep to frustrate Warwickshire

Cricinfo staff

August 11, 2007

Division One

Warwickshire's decision not to enforce the follow-on against Sussex at Hove despite a first-innings lead of 265 came back to haunt them as Richard Montgomerie made 195 to steer the home side to safety. For a time an improbable home win appeared possible as Sussex, who resumed on 160 for 1 chasing 504, reached 244 but Alex Loudon took 3 for 12 in 30 balls to put Warwickshire in the driving seat. Montgomerie and Andy Hodd added 113 for the fifth wicket, and although Montgomerie became Loudon's fourth victim late on when he slog-swept to deep midwicket, one short of his career best, by then the game was safe. Warwickshire coach Mark Greatbatch was left to rue Montgomerie being missed at short leg in the morning ... as he was the substitute fielder who spilt the catch off Loudon.

Yorkshire's title hopes were severely dented as they slid to their heaviest Roses match defeat against Lancashire at Headingley. Click here for John Ward's report.

Division Two

Somerset increased their lead at the top with a six-wicket win over second-placed Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. Resuming on 116 for 4 needing another 62 for victory, Cameron White (47*) and Ian Blackwell (28*) took 44 minutes to make the runs and give Somerset their fifth win in six.

Northamptonshire turned down a target of 276 in 38 overs set by Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay, easing to 131 for 2 off 32 overs when the captains agreed to call time. Glamorgan had lost two early wickets as they slid to 71 for 6, a lead of only 149, but the tail wagged despite Jason Brown's 5 for 47. Their hopes of bowling out Northants were unlikely given that Simon Jones was absent and Andrew Davies was laid up after being hit on the elbow during the warm-ups.

Derbyshire are within 102 runs of pulling off an impressive win over Leicestershire at Grace Road where they closed on 323 for 3 chasing 425. The chase is being led by Simon Katich (127*) and Greg Smith (74*) who have added an unbeaten 191 for the fourth wicket. Had it not been for some late-order heroics led by Stuart Broad then Derbyshire might well have already won. Broad and Garnett Kruger put on 91 for the Leicestershire's last wicket this morning before Kruger was stumped leaving Broad nine runs short of a maiden first-class hundred. That wicket also gave Ant Botha his five-for.

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