Rogers leads Somerset to victory as leaders battle heats up

Chris Rogers led Somerset to top of the Championship then announced his retirement as Yorkshire kept their hat-trick dream alive at Lord's...

Division One

Hampshire 411 & 176-7 v Durham 361 
Middlesex 270 & 81-2 v Yorkshire 390
Somerset 365 & 313-5d v Notts 138 & 215 - Somerset win by 325 runs
Warks 219 & 279-7d v Lancs 152 & 28-2

Division Two

Gloucs 229 & 88-3 v Sussex 435 
Kent 441 v Essex 289-9
Leics 96 & 283 v Glamorgan 199 & 154 - Leics win by 26 runs
Worcs 475-7d v Derbyshire 248 & 15-1

Rogers and out

A second ton from Chris Rogers led Somerset to a comprehensive win over Notts at Taunton. After smashing 232 runs in the match, the Aussie veteran announced he was hanging up his boots. Will his career end with him lifting the first ever Championship crown in the county's history? All eyes will be on Lord's on Friday, as Middlesex and Yorkshire take centre stage. In the meantime, well batted Buck...

Stuck in the Middle

Was this the day Middlesex's title dreams went up in smoke? Their first task was to stop Yorkshire hitting the 350 mark and claiming the bonus point that kept them in the race for top spot. Azeem Rafiq was dropped twice in the morning and Ryan Sidebottom eventually helped his side over the line, alongside the imperious Tim Bresnan, who finished unbeaten on 142. Middlesex closed two down and 39 behind, meaning everything rests on Friday at Lord's. We wouldn't want it any other way...

Cricket's the winner

Since Edgbaston in 2005 has cricket ever felt this tense? As Yorkshire inched slowly towards the bonus point that would keep their title aspirations alilve, Lord's was hushed as every ball was sent down. Ryan Sidebottom came to the crease with Yorkshire 334-9 and teetering. He survived a huge appeal for LBW (he got a thin edge) and Tim Bresnan seemed intent on doing it in singles. An age passed before Yorkshire hit 349... and then the rain came! An hour later they were back, and when Sidebottom hit the clinching runs, he celebrated as if he'd hit three figures and won a Test all at the same time.

I've got 99 problems

You have to feel for Michael Richardson - the first Durham batsman ever to be stranded on 99. He watched helplessly from the non-striker’s end as number 11 Chris Rushworth had a big mow and was given out LBW. Heartbreak. No sympathy from Hampshire though, who need a win to seal safety. They lead Durham by 226 runs with three second innings wickets remaining. If they do succeed, one of Warwickshire and Lancashire will drop, and the Red Rose are three down needing another 319 to win. Hold onto your hats...

Fleet Foxes

Leicestershire were looking down the barrel when Glamorgan were 144-4 chasing 180 to win. But, remarkably, ten runs later they were celebrating the unlikeliest of victories. Clint McKay started the rot and was joined by Charlie Shrek as the pair ripped through Glamorgan for an end-of-season consolation victory.