Act one is over now costumes change

posted by John Winn

Tomorrow sees me off to the Knavesmire for the York Dante race meeting but following my predictions on the outcome of Monday's championship matches you would be well advised to give 'Honest John's' tips a wide berth if you fancy a flutter on the big race.To recap I suggested the fixture most likely to produce a stalemate was that between Derbyshire and Durham whilst in all the others there was the possibility of an exciting finish. Most of our readers will be aware that I couldn't have been more wrong for only stubborn tail end batting prevented Durham pulling off a second last day surprise following last week's remarkable win over Leicestershire. At The Oval Yorkshire caused the catering staff more problems than they did Surrey's bowlers being all out by 11:45. An innings defeat on arguably the best batting wicket in the country raises yet more questions about Yorkshire's top order and I hope stand in skipper Root privately is more concerned than the platitudes he offered in a post match interview for radio.

With Yorkshire heading back up the A1 Radio Five Extra switched its attention to Taunton where Hampshire, led by James Vince who I was sure had played himself into next week's test side, had Somerset man Anthony Gibson predicting a draw by mid afternoon. A similar pattern unfolded at Lord's where Gloucestershire were indebted to a century by Bristol born James Bracey in their draw with Middlesex.

The championship next reappears on Saturday (sic) June 9th when there will be seven games. Top of the bill is Notts v Somerset, first v second, at Taunton. In the second division Warwickshire will fancy their chances of cementing their position at the head of the table when Glamorgan visit Edgbaston. A fifteen point lead is a handy one at this stage and better tipsters than me will feel fairly confident that they will return to Division 1 in September. Kent are second with three wins but only one batting point. To fill  the twenty six days before the next round of matches counties will play eight 50 over matches in the Royal London Cup which will produce the eight quarter finalists. The competition kicks off tomorrow with games at Edgabston, Old Trafford, Wantage Road, Radlett and Hove.