What happened in Round 4 of the 2022 LV= Insurance County Championship?

Division One

Essex 193 & 328/9 drew with Northamptonshire 390

Gloucestershire 443/2 drew with Surrey 603

Hampshire 246 & 344 drew with Lancashire 240 & 9/0

Somerset 458 beat Warwickshire 209 & 167 by an innings and 84 runs

Yorkshire 571 drew with Kent 291 & 393

Division Two 

Derbyshire 368 & 349/3d drew with Glamorgan 387 & 310/8

Middlesex 370 & 52/0 beat Leicestershire 149 & 272 by ten wickets

Nottinghamshire 266 & 233/5 beat Worcestershire 159 & 339 by five wickets

Sussex 538 drew with Durham 223 & 364/3d

BRAVE WHEATER SECURES DRAW 

A century for Luke Procter, a second consecutive half-century for Will Young, and 75 from Gareth Berg, pushed Northants to a respectable first innings score of 390 all out. Ben Sanderson takes four of the first Essex wickets to fall as the home side get off to a tricky start. A fine 73* from Shane Snater counterpunched Essex to 193, but Essex were asked to follow-on and bat again. 

The visitors' second attempt was a marked improvement as Paul Walter struck a fine 93, but the wickets continued to tumble. In the end, it was Adam Wheater's belligerent 33* not out from 200 balls and nearly three hours who defied Northants' bowlers and secured a draw late on day four.

BATTING BIG IN BRISTOL

After falling to 37/3 on the opening morning, Surrey probably would have been looking at where to grab their first batting point from. Not only did they do so, but they went on to mount a colossal score of 603 all out thanks to a maiden double-century for 20 year-old Jamie Smith, driving in stunning fashion through the off side, and a century in support from Jordan Clark. In reply, Gloucestershire reached 443/2 as Chris Dent (207*) and Marcus Harris (124) put on a mammoth 296 for the first wicket. The run-fest was eventually ceased when rain curtailed the final day, and a draw shaken on.

RUNS GALORE FOR GUBBINS

Only four Hampshire batters reached double figures in the face of a fired up Lancashire attack, with Nick Gubbins hitting a fine century and Hassan Ali moving to the top of the wicket taking charts with another 5 wicket haul. The home side put on a masterclass in seam bowling as Keith Barker takes five wickets and Mohammad Abbas takes three to restrict Lancashire to 240. 

In the match's third innings, it was Gubbins again who stood up. His second century was a masterclass in patience and application, and helped set the visitors a target of 350 on the final day. Unfortunately, the weather had the final say to bring this enthralling encounter to a drawn conclusion.

SUPERB SOMERSET GET OFF THE MARK

Somerset put their tricky start to the season behind them with a comprehensive first victory of the campaign. A dominant opening day saw the top four all hit over 50, with Tom Abell continuing his fine form to post his third half-century plus score in as many innings. The star of the show, however, was Matt Renshaw. The Australian's fine 129 put Somerset in a commanding position and were eventually bowled out for 458 after some quickfire lower order runs. Warwickshire were skittled out for 209 by a rampant bowling attack and after being asked to follow on, were bowled out for 167 to give Somerset victory by an innings and 84 runs.

YORKSHIRE REPORT 

Daniel Bell-Drummond's second century in as many innings was the highlight of Kent's first innings score of 291 all out. Yorkshire seamer Haris Rauf cleaned up the tail in fine style to take his first 5 wicket haul for the club. In response, a century from Dawid Malan, and a career high score of 194 propelled Yorkshire to an imposing 571. 

In reply, Kent scored 393 as Ollie Robinson (85*) and an electric 90 off 91 balls from Grant Stewart pulled the visitors back into the game. With Yorkshire needing 114 to win, bad light took over before their second innings could begin, and the match duly drawn.

THE MOST DRAMATIC OF DRAWS

It's safe to say that Derbyshire's batting if firing on all cylinders. Brooke Guest became the first wicketkeeper to score hundreds in both innings for the county since 1896, Wayne Madsen plundered a second innings century, and Shan Masood extended his run at the top of the run scoring charts. Marnus Labuschagne had time to add his own century, and first of the season, and added a quick 85 on the final day as Glamorgan chased 331 to win the match.

With the light fading, Glamorgan took the match into its final throes thanks to an inspired 81 from 101 balls from Sam Northeast. Eight wickets down, and one ball remaining, the sides shook on an exhilarating draw.

MIDDLESEX'S MIGHT TELLS

Mark Stoneman's first Lord's century for Middlesex, and 27th of his first class career, ensured a strong response to Leicestershire's modest 149 all out. Despite a spirited 99* from Ben Mike, following an equally impressive bowling spell of 4/15, the Middlesex seamers dismissed the visitors for 272 to set a simple target of just 52 for Stoneman and Sam Robson to chase without losing a wicket.

PERFECT PATERSON

A simply sensational spell from South African seamer Dane Paterson made it a day to remember for those in attendance at Trent Bridge on day one. Paterson's career best 8/52 restricted Worcestershire to 159 all out. Notts battled to a lead thanks to a quickfire 45* out from Stuart Broad, before Worcestershire's Ed Barnard struck a majestic 163* to set a target of 233. Half-centuries for Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke took Notts over the line in time to beat the gloomy Monday weather forecast.

PUJARA PERFECTION

Once again it was the Cheteshwar Pujara show at Hove. The Indian batter was at his peerless best, driving, cutting and pulling his way to his second double-century of the season as Sussex piled on 538 in reply to Durham's modest first innings of 223. With over a day left in the match, Durham's opening pair of Alex Lees and Sean Dickson set about their pursuit of safety with an enormous opening stand of 313 to help push their side to safety on a gloomy final day.