Thursday 5 May 2016 01:39, UK
Alex Lees scored a century as Yorkshire made a late charge for a dramatic win against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
They fell just short and Notts even came close to snatching the win themselves as the match ended in a draw, a result that leaves the defending champions still searching for their first win of the season.
With Notts 151-5 at the start of play, Yorkshire made an early breakthrough as Samit Patel (51) was brilliantly caught by Joe Root.
Stuart Broad came in and made a quick-fire 55 before falling to Jack Brooks (3-69). Chris Read (101) was still going strong though and reached his century before becoming the last wicket to fall as Notts posted a total of 348, setting Yorkshire 320 to win.
When Yorkshire reached tea at 64-1 it seemed that a draw was little more than a formality. However, Yorkshire had other ideas and after Gary Ballance (43), Joe Root came in looked to up the tempo.
The England star eventually hauled out for 27 but he had set the tone and his example was followed by the rest of the team. Jonny Bairstow hit 35 off just 20 balls and Lees kicked on to reach his century off 116 balls before Harry Gurney dismissed him for 107.
From pressing for a win at 227-3, five wickets for just 25 runs left Notts requiring two wickets from the last 3.2 overs. Stuart Broad then trapped Steven Patterson lbw in the final over but Brooks survived the final two balls to secure the draw.
A century from Marcus Trescothick helped Somerset bat out the final day to earn a draw against Lancashire on day four at Taunton.
Following on and trailing by 180 runs at the beginning of the day, night watchman Tim Groenewald (5) was soon bowled by Kyle Jarvis to boost Lancashire's hopes of a second victory in as many games.
That looked a real possibility when Simon Kerrigan had Tom Abell caught and bowled to reduce Somerset to 61-2. However, Trescothick and Chris Rogers then dropped anchor and batted their side to safety.
Trescothick (129 not out) reached his 60th first class century just before tea and Rogers (75 not out) passed 50 before play was called to a halt midway through the evening session and the captains shook hands on a draw.
Surrey were given a late scare by Durham as the visitors threatened to snatch an unlikely victory on day four at the Oval. Ultimately though, the match ended in a draw though with the batsmen well on top for the first three days of the contest.
Durham added 64 to their overnight total before declaring on 607-7, a lead of 150, after Paul Collingwood (106 not out) had reached his 32nd first class century.
Given the task of batting out the day to secure the draw, Surrey were reduced to 65-3, Ben Stokes (3-69) claiming all three wickets. The hosts were made to worry further when Jason Roy (34) was dismissed to leave them 139-5.
Ben Foakes (35 not out) and Tom Curran (54) steadied the ship though and after the latter was dismissed, Gareth Batty picked up where he left off as Surrey made it to 244-6 before the teams agreed to a draw.
It was clean sweep of draws in the top flight as Hampshire and Middlesex too, were forced to share the spoils at the Ageas Bowl.
Starting the final day on 76-1 and leading by 51 runs, Hampshire pushed on to 290-5 before declaring, Adam Wheater (57 not out) and Ryan McLaren (46 not out) sharing an unbeaten stand of 104, to set Middlesex 266 to win.
Sam Robson was dismissed for a duck by Tino Best and Nick Gubbins (5) did not last much longer to give the hosts a sniff of victory in the final session.
Nick Compton and Dawid Malan, who scored a century in the first innings, took the score onto 55-2 before proceedings were brought to a close.
