Summary

  • LIVE radio and text commentary of day four of County Championship

  • Get Involved using the yellow button on this page

  • Jimmy Anderson takes 4-18 as Lancs beat Derbys by 29 runs

  • Sussex beat Warwicks by five wickets; Hants thump Yorkshire

  • Champions Notts get first win with Glamorgan success

  • Surrey and Leics draw; Ben Compton hundred saves Kent

  • Wins on Sunday for Somerset, Durham & Worcs

  1. That's a wrap - see you Friday!published at 18:16 BST

    #bbccricket

    Jimmy Anderson with eyes slightly ajar, takes a wicket for LancashireImage source, Shutterstock

    So that’s round two in the bag and the venerable and oft-criticised County Championship proves once again there is many a decent tune played on an old fiddle.

    Victories for Somerset, a second on the trot for points-deducted Sussex, Hampshire and Champions Notts in Division One, Worcestershire, Durham and Lancashire in Division Two were the headlines.

    Beyond the bare results there were some unbelievable individual contributions which hauled sides over the line.

    In Sir Jimmy Anderson’s case that old fiddle continues to sound like a Stradivarius.

    It has been relentless action, largely played in decent weather with only two draws out of nine fixtures and neither of those down to rain or bad light.

    As always you have played a blinder with your presence and contributions through the Get Involved button. We hope you have enjoyed the coverage as much as we have enjoyed providing it.

    Tell you what, let’s make a date to do it all again on Friday when there are two matches in each division as the rest take a well-earned break.

    Till then enjoy your week!

  2. Round three fixturespublished at 18:09 BST

    All matches start at 11:00 BST

    It is only a few days before we do this all over again for the third round of fixtures. 10 teams have the week off, but there will be two matches apiece in each division.

    Division One

    Utilita Bowl: Hampshire v Somerset

    Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Essex

    Division Two

    Bristol: Gloucestershire v Lancashire

    Northampton: Northants v Middlesex

  3. Durham on top, tough start for Glospublished at 18:06 BST

    Division Two table

    Division Two table after two games

    And in Division Two, it's Durham who top the table after two games, though Lancashire are in hot pursuit just two points back.

    A tough start to the season for Gloucestershire who are yet to pick up a point.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:04 BST

    Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northants 684-2 dec - match drawn

    Magnificent unbeaten start to the season by Kent.....

    John, Bromley

    How Kent have managed two draws after being dominated for the majority of both games is ridiculous. I’m sure we’ll find ways to lose in 2 and a half days soon.

    Liam, Canterbury

  5. Somerset lead the way - and 100% record for Sussexpublished at 18:01 BST

    Division One table

    Division One County Championship table after two games

    Here is how that leaves things in Division One then.

    Two games down and Somerset top the pile, while Sussex are the only side to have won both of their matches.

    Yorkshire are bottom, with newly-promoted Glamorgan and Leicestershire just above them.

  6. Close of play scorecardspublished at 17:55 BST

    #bbccricket

    Division One

    Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 & 311-9 dec v Glamorgan 113 & 285 - Notts win by 192 runs

    The Oval: Surrey 520 & 263-4 dec v Leicestershire 691 - Match drawn

    Hove: Sussex 204 & 328-5 v Warwickshire 267 & 264 - Sussex win by five wickets

    Headingley: Yorkshire 177 & 211 v Hampshire 251 & 351-5 dec - Hampshire win by 211 runs

    Division Two

    Canterbury: Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northamptonshire 684-2 dec - Match drawn

    Old Trafford: Lancashire 351 & 160 v Derbyshire 374 & 108 - Lancashire win by 29 runs

  7. KENT DRAW WITH NORTHANTSpublished at 17:53 BST
    Breaking

    Kent (178 & 253-5) draw with Northants (684-2 dec)

    After all the batting records Northants broke, all of their top four scoring hundreds and plenty, they will be disappointed to not win this one.

    Rain and bad light helping Kent taking time out of this one as they escape with a bonus draw from a match they were massively outplayed in in the first innings.

    Typical grit and fight from Ben Compton in this second innings, top knock, his 114* off 287 balls has sealed his side a draw.

    Six hours and nine minutes he spent at the crease, get him opening for England and allow the other 10 players to Bazball bat as much as they like around or after him!

  8. Postpublished at 17:52 BST

    Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    Of course it is not getting any lighter, the meters are out again...

  9. Postpublished at 17:51 BST

    Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    Cracking overrate from Northants, though that is easy when no runs are scored.

    Saif Zaib then for what could be the penultimate over here pending if they have time and light to go past the minimum overs required in the last hour here.

    He only has five catchers in for DBD.

    Kent look to be getting away with one massively here, Northants ruing that extra hunt for personal milestones in the first dig.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:51 BST

    County Championship team of the week

    Any chance of including The Weather for Kent in the team of the week? Played a blinder two matches in a row now.

    Harry, Tunbridge Wells

    Get T Weather opening the batting and the bowling, Harry!

  11. Postpublished at 17:49 BST

    Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    Appeals are getting more and more desperate from Northants who have still not given up.

    Still only six catchers, why not have them all in!?

    Ben Compton is not going to suddenly do a Shannon Gabriel on us and heave either bowler anywhere outside the square!

  12. Postpublished at 17:47 BST

    Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    Another maiden, this time from Saif Zaib to DBD.

    That was Ravi Jadeja esque, rapidly through it.

  13. Postpublished at 17:47 BST

    Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    Another maiden from former Kings College and Taunton Deane cricketer Calvin Harrison who most recently played permanently for Notts before multiple loan spells to his current county Northants.

    He could be an outside shout as an Adil Rashid replacement for England - he is a gun fielder too, do not forget, and may end up with as many as Rashid's first-class centuries before too long!

  14. Postpublished at 17:45 BST

    Kent 178 & 253-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    Still barely a chance given by this experienced batting pair.

    Desperate oohs and aahs but nothing of substance off Saif Zaib or Calvin Harrison.

    Perfectly soft hands in defence from Ben Compton.

  15. Postpublished at 17:43 BST

    Kent 178 & 251-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    It is very gloomy.

    Nathan McSweeney had his one trial over, now a proper all-rounder gets a bowl.

    Saif Zaib, who had that brilliant campaign last year but somehow still made neither England squad for the Australia trip, to bowl his first over of the innings now.

  16. Anderson hails Lancs never say die spiritpublished at 17:43 BST

    Lancashire (351 & 160) beat Derbyshire (374 & 108) by 29 runs

    Lancashire captain Sir James AndersonImage source, Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Lancashire captain Sir James Anderson

    Sir James Anderson says victory over Derbyshire tasted sweeter for having to pull it out of the fire but admitted his side were probably due a less hair-raising win next time.

    The Lancs skipper’s 4-18 in a gripping Derbys run chase saw his side scramble over the line to win by 29 runs.

    Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, the veteran seamer said: “When you win games like that, when it's close, it probably feels better than a comfortable win.

    “Obviously you don't want it to be like that every week. We've had two games now at the start of this season which we've really had to battle to get results.”

    Lancs were denied victory at Northants in round one when failing to take the final wicket at Wantage Road.

    Despite a morning collapse giving Derbys just 138 to chase, they battled to an unlikely victory to land a first home win at Old Trafford since September 2024.

    “We managed to scrape to 160 and it gave us half a chance to get a win," said the 43-year-old.

    "And then, you know, to be honest, in those situations, you've just got to keep running in and keep believing that something's going to happen.

    “Last week, we came close. This week, we've gone one better, but we've had to work really hard for it.”

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:42 BST

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    James Anderson after Lancs beat DerbysImage source, Getty Images

    Sir Jimmy for England.

    Ron, South London

    That has been a popular opinion today... and speaking of the man himself...

  18. Postpublished at 17:39 BST

    Kent 178 & 251-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    Calvin Harrison, the first choice Northants spinner, returns having bowled the few overs after the resumption before the new ball was taken.

    He has 1-70 off 30 overs.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:39 BST

    Use the yellow button on this page

    Sussex's Ollie Robinson against WarwickshireImage source, Shutterstock

    Team of the week, Sussex - won both their opening matches. Started at minus 12, now only 5 points from top spot.

    Steve, Surrey

    If we were quite literally picking the club team of this week, Steve, you may well have a strong case with all the issues Sussex have had off the pitch as well.

    The only County Championship team to win their opening two games. A great start to the season for Ollie Robinson and co.

  20. 250 runs

    250 for Kentpublished at 17:37 BST

    Kent 178 & 250-5 v Northants 684-2 dec

    The Brisbane Heat very part-time offie has 0-4 from his one over earlier in this innings.

    He did take a wicket with his fourth ball in a Northants shirt first round of the Championship.

    Ben Compton dismissively rocks back and smashes him through cover-point before, it was a long hop and even Compton ain't blocking or leaving that whatever the game situation!