Three matches drew to their conclusions in the County Championship Division One, though the result could have gone either way in a thrilling climax at Trent Bridge in the meeting between Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire

Number eleven Brooks is the batting saviour for Yorkshire

Struggling at 151-5 overnight, the experienced Chris Read helped Nottinghamshire reach a total of 348 with a composed 101 as the hosts ended their batting 319 runs ahead. With 53 overs remaining in the match, both sides sniffed victory and threw everything at the final few hours of play.

Nottinghamshire would have felt they were in pole position when they dismissed Adam Lyth early on for just four, though Gary Ballance and Alex Lees gave Yorkshire real hope when they built a 116 run partnership around tea. Ballance was eventually dismissed for 43 before the visitors began to attack the game.

England batsmen Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow made rapid contributions of 27 and 30 before Lees eventually fell for 107. Yorkshire continued to attack as they promoted Liam Plunkett and David Willey up the order, though Harry Gurney soon restored Nottinghamshire's hope of victory as he quickly dismissed the middle and lower order.

Yorkshire's attacking ploy had not worked, as number eleven Jack Brooks was forced to see off the last four balls delivered by Stuart Broad to save the draw. Despite an edge through the slips off the first ball, Brooks survived as the match ended in a draw.

It was a battling performances from Somerset to secure a draw. | Image source: Somerset CCC
It was a battling performances from Somerset to secure a draw. | Image source: Somerset CCC

Trescothick earns another draw for Somerset

A sunny day with no clouds on a dry, flat pitch in Somerset was the last thing Lancashire wanted as they looked to bowl the hosts out for 180 on the final day. With Somerset at 61-2, the chance of a victory was still their for Lancashire, having only batted one innings.

Yet Marcus Trescothick's second century in a week, alongside a 168 run partnership with Chris Rogers was enough to ensure Somerset earned a third consecutive draw. Trescothick lasted almost five hours and Rogers three and a half, as the hosts held off a Lancashire bowling attack that included England's James Anderson.

Hampshire and Middlesex stroll to a draw

Resuming at 76-1, 51 runs ahead, Hampshire's game with Middlesex looked destined for another draw. Composed batting performances from Jimmy Adams who scored 70 and later the unbeaten pair of Adam Wheater and Ryan McLaren, who made 57 and 46 respectively, helped the hosts make 290-5 before declaring. 

It gave Hampshire 31 overs to try and bowl out their visitors, but Nick Compton and Dawid Malan were able to survive after openers Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins were dismissed in the opening nine overs.

Three more draws this week's now takes the total of games to finish without a result to 11 from 13, as Nottinghamshire overtake Warwickshire at the top of the table, although the gap between top and bottom is just nine points.

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