Thursday 15 May 2014 09:19, UK
Riki Wessels, Peter Siddle and Ajmal Shahzad combined to inspire a Nottinghamshire victory over Northamptonshire at Trent Bridge as the chasing pack kept the pressure on Division One leaders Yorkshire.
Nottinghamshire had a first-innings lead of only 11 runs, with five wickets remaining at start of play on the final day.
But against his old club, Wessels (158) cracked on from his overnight 78 - hitting 14 fours and eight sixes from just 152 balls.
It was only when he was out, to end an eighth-wicket stand of 107 with Shahzad, that the hosts declared on 409-8 with an advantage of 161.
Siddle (4-61) and Shahzad (4-46) then finished with respective eight and seven-wicket match hauls as Northamptonshire, bottom of the table and still searching a first win after their promotion, were bowled out for 151 to lose by an innings and 10 runs.
Seamer Tim Murtagh set up Middlesex's 10-wicket win over Lancashire at Lord's, as the Londoners also closed up in the early top-of-the-table congestion.
Middlesex had to contend with the defiance of Ashwell Prince (86) and Jos Buttler (50) in a sixth-wicket partnership of 117, and a late counter-attack from Lancashire captain Glen Chapple.
But Murtagh (6-60) did not let up, as Lancashire were eventually bowled out for 223 to leave Middlesex openers Sam Robson and Chris Rogers to complete the formality with only 31 required in the hosts' second innings.
There was no close finish at Hove but a notable performance nonetheless as Kumar Sangakkara cashed in on his decision to warm up with Durham, before facing England this summer, by making 159 in a high-scoring draw against Sussex.
Durham began the final day on 137-2, in reply to Sussex's 505-9 declared.
The visitors lost Scott Borthwick without addition to his overnight 84. But Sangakkara joined forces with captain Paul Collingwood (74) in a fifth-wicket stand of 144 which confirmed the stalemate.
Sangakkara's 47th first-class century came up in 202 balls and contained 14 fours in Durham's 451-7.
