Dean Elgar’s fine form continued for Somerset with a magnificent 158 in their County Championship match against Middlesex.
The Proteas Test opener is in the middle of a sensational season in which he scored five consecutive fifties to begin the Royal London One Day Cup. He has continued in the same vain in the County Championship where he has scored 504 runs (two fifties, two hundreds) at an average of 56.00 after five matches.
Elgar shared in a mammoth 249-run stand with Lewis Gregory (137) for the sixth wicket. This helped Somerset post a first innings score of 443-9 declared. In reply, Middlesex were all out for 358 to hand the visitors a lead of 85 runs. In their second dig, Somerset reached 161-3 declared when play on the final day was called. Elgar chipped in again with a useful 55-ball 33.
Nottingamshire vs Derbyshire
Elsewhere, Wayne Madsen left his mark on Derbyshire’s match away to Nottinghamshire. The hosts scored 229 in their first innings. Madsen ensured that Derbyshire responded well as his 56 (ten fours) and Daryn Smit’s 32 meant Derbyshire scored 363 to build a first innings lead of 134 runs.
Nottinghamshire fared far better in their second innings to post 349 thus setting Derbyshire a target of 216 for victory. Despite a 57-ball 61 from Madsen in the Derbyshire chase, they fell just 26 runs short of victory when the sands of time ran out.
Sussex vs Worcestershire
A trio of Saffas made significant contributions for Sussex in their match against Worcestershire. Stiaan van Zyl struck a 54 that featured seven fours and came off 110 balls. David Wiese also contributed a solid 66 (eight fours, three sixes) which propelled Sussex to an imposing total of 579.
Worcestershire’s reply was throttled by the ever-economical Vernon Philander who captured 3-72 in 19 overs. Wiese proved his worth with the ball yet again to finish with figures of 2-62, which included the scalps of Brett D’Oliviera (80) and Daryl Mitchell (121) who put on 215 for the first wicket.
Worcestershire were bundled out for 312 and asked to follow on. Their second crack was even more of a struggle as they folded for 260 courtesy of 3-30 from Philander in 12 overs. This allowed Sussex to claim victory by an innings and seven runs.
