County Championship round-up: Test opener-in-waiting Sam Robson his England prospects no harm at Lord's

Sam Robson boosted his England chances with an unbeaten 41 to take Middlesex to a 10-wicket victory over Notts (Getty Images)

Batsman of the Day

Sam Robson, a Test opener-in-waiting in many eyes, was in the unique position of having the in-situ England coach and four potential replacements on site as the interview process for Andy Flower's successor went on at Lord's while Middlesex completed a 10-wicket win over Nottinghamshire. After Tim Murtagh's five wickets had hastened the visitors to 224 all out, Robson played marginally second fiddle to Chris Rogers on the day but by adding an unbeaten 41 to his first-innings 163 he did his prospects no harm at all. The openers' 112-run partnership followed five of 100 runs or more last season.

Bowler of the Day

The retirement of Alan Richardson after taking 255 first-class wickets in his last four seasons left such a hole in Worcestershire's bowling resources that some doubted if they would even win one match this year without the veteran seamer's expertise. In the event, they have dispelled that notion at only the second time of asking by defeating Kent at New Road, where seamer Gareth Andrew led the way with eight wickets in the match, equalling his personal best.

Extras

Essex made sure that England captain Alastair Cook's 181 did not go to waste at Chelmsford, completing a 53-run victory over Derbyshire despite being bowled out for 94 on the first morning of the match. The win was completed only after Tim Groenewald, the Derbyshire seamer, had supplemented his eight wickets in the match with a 35-ball 52 that included four sixes and two fours in the space of 10 balls delivered by England spinner Monty Panesar.

Promoted Northamptonshire thwarted defending champions Durham at Wantage Road, where wicketkeeper David Murphy survived 26 balls at No 9 before he was out without scoring and last-wicket pair Rob Newton and Azharullah held on for nine overs to deny Durham the win.