Thursday 5 May 2016 14:56, UK
The weather finally seems to be improving, at least to the point that there has been no snow, and the County Championship is just starting to get into full flow.
It was draws galore, though, with Kent the only side in either division able to secure a win in week four but there have still been plenty high class performances and players from across the country staking their claim to be included in our County Championship team of the week.
Do you agree with our XI? Leave a comment below or tweet us @SkyCricket...
Daniel Bell-Drummond (Kent)
The Kent opener has started the season in fine form and played a key role in his side's comprehensive 10-wicket win over Glamorgan at Canterbury. A knock of 84 in the first innings as Kent racked up 488 and a lead of 228, was followed by an unbeaten 86 in the second. Bell-Drummond and Tom Latham's stand of 190 steering Kent over the line on day four.
Alastair Cook (Essex)
The England captain looks to be in fine fettle heading into England's Test series with Sri Lanka next month, live on Sky Sports, and brought up his third century of the summer on day two of Essex's draw at Worcestershire. After losing opening partner Nick Browne early on, Cook put on 222 for the second wicket with Tom Westley and was eventually the sixth wicket to fall, having made 142.
Competition for the opening spots was fierce with Brett D'Oliveira of Worcestershire, Northants' Jake Libby, Leicestershire's Paul Horton, Chris Nash of Sussex, Somerset's Marcus Trescothick, Chesney Hughes of Derbyshire and Hampshire left-hander Michael Carberry all unfortunate to miss out having made centuries.
Alex Lees (Yorkshire)
He opened for Yorkshire but Alex Lees will have to make do with the No 3 spot in our team after an impressive showing for Yorkshire against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. After top-scoring with 92 for Jason Gillespie's side in the first innings, the 23-year-old left-hander added his eighth first-class century in the second as Yorkshire made a late charge for victory. He eventually fell for 107 by which time he had shown, in front of the Sky Sports cameras, exactly what he is capable of.
James Hildreth (Somerset)
Batting at four for Somerset, Hildreth could only watch from the non-striker's end as James Anderson ripped through his side's middle order with three wickets in five balls. That left his side rocking at 102-5, just shy of 400 runs behind Lancashire's first innings total. However, Hildreth (130) held the innings together and was eventually the last man out having guided his team to 313. A total that enabled Somerset to hold out for a draw on the final day.
Jack Burnham (Durham)
It was a game dominated by the batsmen for long periods at the Oval and one player who took advantage more than most was Burnham. The 19-year-old hit a career-best 135, his maiden first class century, and was involved in a 145-run partnership with Scott Borthwick (77). His runs helped Durham build up a sizeable first innings lead and, although the game ended in a draw, it allowed them to push on in search of victory on the final day.
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
Playing in just his second first class match, Livingstone recorded his first ton, making 108 not out as Lancashire made 493-9 declared in their first innings against Somerset. Having scored 70 on his County Championship debut against Nottinghamshire, Livingstone again showed that he is capable of successfully implementing his aggressive batting style in the longer-format of the game, as he hit nine fours and two sixes in his unbeaten knock.
Chris Read (Nottinghamshire)
The Nottinghamshire captain played his part in a dramatic final day at Trent Bridge, scoring a superb 101 as his side set Yorkshire 320 to win. Read made just five in the first innings but coming in with Notts struggling at 98-5 in the second innings, he dragged his side up to 348 before becoming the final wicket to fall. A partnership of 53 with Samit Patel had eased the hosts' concerns before a century stand with Stuart Broad took them out of danger and put them on the front foot. The wicketkeeper also did his bit with the gloves, taking four catches.
Ryan McLaren (Hampshire)
The South African was on form with both bat and ball for Hampshire in their draw with Middlesex. He took 4-74 in his 24 overs in Middlesex's first innings and then backed it up with a valuable 46 not out in Hampshire's second. His unbeaten 104 partnership with Adam Wheater helped the hosts build a large enough lead to declare and press for victory on day four at the Ageas Bowl.
Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire)
There was already talk of Ball being a future England bowler but after his showing against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge, live on Sky Sports, calls for the fast bowler to join up with Cook's side will only grow in volume and veracity. The Nottinghamshire bowler ripped through the much-vaunted Yorkshire top order, removing both Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance as well as Joe Root for a golden duck. He ended the first innings with figures of 4-57 and took another three wickets in the second - again dismissing Lyth and Root, with the crucial wicket of Jonny Bairstow his final scalp.
Mitchell Claydon (Kent)
Kent were in complete control from the very first over of the match against Glamorgan and Claydon ensured - with both bat and ball - that they never lost that advantage. The seamer was the pick of the Kent bowlers in Glamorgan's first innings, taking 4-59, and then did his bit with the bat, scoring 55 from 54 balls as they built up a significant first innings lead. Claydon had slightly less success with the ball in the second innings but still picked up two wickets, including the important scalp of centurion David Lloyd who had successfully frustrated Kent for much of day three.
Jack Brooks (Yorkshire)
Of the bowlers on show at Trent Bridge, the up-and-coming Ball may have taken the majority of the plaudits after taking seven wickets in the match but Brooks, a more experienced campaigner, matched that total and was equally impressive. The Yorkshire seamer picked up the wickets of three of Nottinghamshire's top four on the opening day, as well as that of second innings century-maker Chris Read. He added another three wickets in the second innings to end with match figures of 7-143.
