Elgar strikes right note in Somerset fightback

Dean Elgar maintained his prolific start to the county season by leading Somerset’s recovery against Middlesex at Lord’s with a determined unbeaten 77.

A burst of heavy rain in late afternoon, followed by bad light, meant only the first half of the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match was possible, but there was still time for Elgar to rally Somerset from a perilous 80 for five to 161 for five in the company of his sixth-wicket partner Lewis Gregory. Together, they have so far added 81 in 20 overs.

Elgar’s 146-ball effort was vital as wickets tumbled regularly at the other end, with Tim Murtagh taking two for 39.

In Division Two, leaders

Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 229 by Derbyshire at Trent Bridge. Opener Steven Mullaney made 76 for the hosts, but received little support as Tony Palladino took four for 44.

Derbyshire reached 52 for two in reply to close 177 behind with eight first-innings wickets intact.

Luke Wells’s good recent form continued with an unbeaten century for Sussex against

Worcestershire at Hove.

Worcestershire have won all four of their championship matches this summer, but face an uphill task after Wells’s 139 not out guided the home side to 339 for three.

Northamptonshire seamer Nathan Buck took a career-best six for 34 as struggling Durham were bowled out for 166. Northamptonshire then crumbled to 28 for three as wickets tumbled on the first day at Chester-lestreet, before Max Holden and Chesney Hughes put on an unbroken 31 for the fourth wicket.