I said it wouldn't be a draw

Posted by John Winn

I spent the day at Headingley today enjoying watching Yorkshire turn the screw on Hampshire to the point where tomorrow it should be a case of when not if. But wait you cry is this not the same man who early this morning predicted that Durham would not score the 245 runs they needed to beat Notts, what does he know about cricket for indeed shortly after tea today the 'hapless' MacLeod hit the winning runs to give his side a six wicket win, the fifth time they have beaten Notts in the last six encounters.

During the morning's play at Headingley I rationed myself to checking the score from The Riverside at half hourly intervals and as Wood, entrusted with the nightwatchman's lantern, and Jennings were still at the crease each time I looked, my prediction of a Durham defeat gradually came under threat. The loss of Jennings and Wood  close order shortly after lunch raised a question mark but Borthwick and Richardson had brought victory within twenty runs when rain forced an early tea. Shortly afterwards the win was achieved and briefly Durham went top until Middlesex polished off Sussex to replace them. Should Yorkshire complete the job tomorrow then they will move up to third breathing down Durham's neck. Notts are winless with a quarter of the championship season gone, Hampshire are likely to join them possibly as early as lunchtime, but don't bet on it.