Ben Sanderson stars in Northants’ first County Championship win of season as teenage Surrey debutant makes ton

Northamptonshire earned their first Rothesay County Championship victory of the season as Ben Sanderson took six wickets from 29 balls in a late surge to beat Worcestershire at Wantage Road. The Pears were 88 for two in their second innings but slumped to 114 all out and an innings and 177-run defeat in Division Two, with Sanderson finishing with seven for 31. James Sales and Lewis McManus had earlier scored hundreds in an impressive partnership of 192 as the hosts declared on 597 for seven.

Chris Benjamin hit 123 as Kent seized control against Derbyshire on day three at Canterbury. Benjamin and Joey Evison helped the hosts to 335 in their secnd innings, hitting 184 between them. Derbyshire were 19 for one at stumps, needing 364 to win, after their quick Rory Haydon had taken five for 81 for match figures of 10 for 163.

Emilio Gay and David Bedingham hit centuries to help Durham take a first-innings lead of 100 into the final day against Middlesex at Lord’s. Gay did his England selection prospects no harm at all by hitting 129, at the venue of the first Test against New Zealand next month, as the tourists closed on 530 for eight. Bedingham made 147.

Emilio Gay pressed his case with another hundred for Durham (Getty) In Division One, Leicestershire face a challenge to avoid defeat to Nottinghamshire at Grace Road with their opponents on course for a second win of the season. The Foxes were bowled out for 308 despite an impressive hundred from Stevie Eskinazi, in reply to Nottinghamshire’s 490. Jonny Tattersall (61) and Ben Green (81) led the effort as the hosts reached 215 for seven second time around, a lead of just 33.