County Championship round-up: Compton misses chance to emulate Hick

county round-up

Nick Compton's attempt to complete 1,000 first-class runs before the end of May is in the balance in spite of the early start to the season, which only emphasises what an extraordinary feat it is for those who have achieved it, usually in fewer innings.

The Somerset batsman began the match against Durham needing 121 more to become the first since Graeme Hick in 1988 and trimmed 64 off the requirement. When Durham's second innings collapsed yesterday, he seemed to have the ideal opportunity, with Somerset required to chase 152 to win with four sessions left in the match.

But Compton could contribute only eight runs to the chase and may have only one more chance left to score the 59 he still needs. Somerset travel to Worcestershire next week, but only the first two of the four days fall in May.

Somerset's win took them ahead of Warwickshire, whose match at the Oval is in the balance, with Surrey ending the second day with a lead of 120 and six wickets in hand. Gareth Batty took 6 for 73, his best figures for Surrey, before Jason Roy hit 71 off 86 balls.

Ashwell Prince hit 144, his best score for Lancashire, who then lost their last six wickets for 71 against Middlesex at Liverpool, where Eoin Morgan's first Championship innings since he lost his England place during the winter was terminated by paceman Ajmal Shahzad after eight balls.