Cork let down as Hampshire lose the initiative

Richardson, who took nine wickets when LV= County Championship Division One’s bottom two sides last met in June, took another three as Hampshire failed to make the most of winning the toss. Hampshire’s captain Dominic Cork chose to bat first and was let down by his batsmen when they were shot out for 179 in 54.5 overs.

Worcestershire, who started the match a precious 21 points above Hampshire, and a point behind Yorkshire, finished with a respectable 112-1 from 41 overs, trailing by only 67 at the end of the second day and with nine first-innings wickets remaining.

Richardson finished with figures of 3-37 from 16 overs and was soundly supported by medium-pacers Richard Jones and Gareth Andrew, who also took three wickets each.

At one stage Hampshire were 79-6 before a recovery saw the last four wickets add 100 runs, which may still prove to be crucial.

A career-best haul from spinner Graeme White helped Nottinghamshire deal a blow to Durham’s Championship ambitions with a 67-run victory at Trent Bridge. Needing to make the highest score of the match in their second innings to overtake Lancashire at the top of Division One, Durham were bowled out for 253 soon after tea, White claiming 4-72.

Mark Stoneman briefly threatened to lead the visitors home with 74, but the introduction of White proved the difference as the left-arm spinner took the last four wickets to seal Notts’ fifth win. The result leaves Durham on 188 points having played 14 matches, 10 points behind Lancashire, who have a game in hand.

In Division Two, Middlesex hit back strongly on the second day of their top-of-the-table match against Northamptonshire, despite Rob Newton’s century for the hosts. Newton made 113 off 199 balls including 12 fours as league leaders Northants were bowled out for 276 with former West Indies paceman Corey Collymore taking 3-55.

Scott Newman then crashed 95 off just 114 balls with 18 fours in reply for Middlesex, who ended the day on 149-2, 127 runs behind their opponents.

Good scoring in the middle order gave Essex the upper hand in their fixture against Derbyshire. The visitors slipped from 67-4 to 132 all out as David Masters and Maurice Chambers took three wickets apiece.

Steven Davies hit his first century of the season to keep Surrey in control on the second against Leicestershire.