Barring outrageously cruel circumstances, Hampshire will complete victory on day four and move top of Division Two

James Vince has attracted attention for his natural stroke-making ability but he kept his instincts in check with a circumspect innings to steer Hampshire into a three-figure lead over Glamorgan

Michael Bates gave a wicketkeeping masterclass to revive memories of the great keeping skills of yesteryear as Hampshire took control against Glamorgan

Samit Patel claims not to have any thoughts of an England recall but after a stalemate at Taunton his Notts coach, and now England selector, Mick Newell, said it was too early to write him off

Exactly 40 years after the death of Adge Cutler, Somerset is still permeating the national consciousness - thanks to its cricketers

Exactly 40 years after the death of Adge Cutler, Somerset is still permeating the national consciousness - thanks to its cricketers

A swaggering century from Samit Patel at Taunton underlined his talent but he has been spurned by England too often to be obsessing over an England rec

Rob Newton summoned the chief resistance as Northamptonshire began life back in Division One with a heartwarming draw with the last pair at the crease against the defending champions, Durham

Paul Collingwood may have to risk an adventurous declaration on the final day to try to fashion a Durham victory and newly-promoted Northants might be the sort of team to persuade him to gamble

In Northamptonshire's first innings back in Division One, against one of the best attacks in the country and replying to an intimidating Durham total, they presented themselves well

Northants turned in a respectable showing against champions Durham on their return to Division One despite having horrendous bad luck in the build-up to the season

Chris Rogers, one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year, had a lot to reflect on after his Middlesex side lost to Sussex by an innings

A mere three years after Tymal Mills was a stand-in for his mate's midweek village side, the left-armer from Essex is knocking on the doors of the national selectors

The decline of Matt Prior and Steven Finn were among the most concerning aspects of England's Ashes flop but both provided performances at Hove to promise better times ahead

Eoin Morgan was bowled first ball as Middlesex blundered to 105 all out against Sussex at Hove and evergreen Jon Lewis had a Sussex debut to remember

ESPNcricinfo considers the prospects for Kent in 2014

ESPNcricinfo previews Gloucestershire's prospects for 2014

ESPNcricinfo previews Glamorgan's prospects for 2014

There was no Dambulla dustbowl on the final day and the only deterioration was on the forehead of England Lions captain Chris Woakes

James Taylor strengthened his case for a recall to England's Test side with an unbeaten double hundred against Sri Lanka A