Emilio Gay presses England case in Durham victory on day of draws in County Championship

Emilio Gay pressed his case for England honours as the Durham batter made a superb fourth-innings hundred to lead his side to County Championship victory over Lancashire cricket. The stylish left-hander, batting at No 3 but also comfortable opening, has been touted for a possible Test call-up after featuring for the England Lions in the winter, and held of James Anderson and co. on his way to an unbeaten hundred.

Gay, who ended 159 not out, shared a mammoth stand with South Africa international David Bedingham (129*) of 290 as the hosts chased down a target of 336 for the loss of just two wickets in a meeting of two of the strongest sides in Division Two. It was a day of draws elsewhere, largely, as flat, slow pitches in a dry April made taking 20 wickets difficult across the country. There were faintly farcical scenes at the Oval with Surrey at one point throwing wicketkeeper Ben Foakes the new ball as Essex held firm for a draw on the final day.

Tom Westley (136) and Dean Elgar (107*) made hundreds for the visitors with Rory Burns and Dom Sibley also getting rare chances to rumble in, and Jordan Clark taking the ‘keeping gloves, with Surrey stymied before handshakes were offered at 4. 50pm BST. Surrey were frustrated by Essex on the final day of their County Championship clash (Getty) In better news for the Londoners, the attendance of 15,500 across the four days was a 21st century record in the County Championship.

Sussex also survived a bad light curtailed day at Headingley to draw with Yorkshire despite 3-67 for Joe Root. The games between Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, and Glamorgan and Leicestershire, similarly drifted to draws in Division One. In Division Two, though, there was a first sucess of the season for Gloucestershire, knocking off the 36 needed to beat Derbyshire in short order after a strong all-round performance.