County round-Up: Nick Compton sets sights set on regaining England place

Batsman of the day

Nick Compton, his sights set on regaining his England place for the winter tour, did not quite match Chris Tremlett’s performance in terms of making a statement, but his 91 for Somerset against Warwickshire at Edgbaston could be taken as evidence of contentment after settling his future by signing a new contract with the county. Whether he goes on to regret deciding to stay at Taunton remains to be seen. Somerset were on the brink of defeat in Birmingham when bad light forced the players off but Derbyshire’s win over Middlesex leaves them in the bottom two in any event.

Bowler of the day

England probably did not need any more reminders that their team selection at The Oval may have flown slightly in the face of logic but Chris Tremlett delivered one anyway, taking a career-best 8 for 96 for Surrey against Durham. The 6ft 7in fast bowler, whose omission from the final Test was surprising given his liking for bouncy Oval pitches, claimed the first six Durham wickets and eight of the first nine. Durham still got four batting points from a total of 421 all out and Surrey were an unconvincing 97 for 6 in reply when bad light intervened, Durham’s debutant seamer Usman Arshad taking 2 for 9 in three overs.

Extras

The great escape is on for Derbyshire. Beaten seven times in their first 10 matches and seemingly out of their depth in the First Division, last year’s Second Division champions have somehow found the character to win their last two. Following the victory over Sussex, yesterday they beat title contenders Middlesex by 56 runs, with fast bowler Mark Footitt taking 4 for 65 and 19-year-old off-spinner Peter Burgoyne 3 for 66 as Middlesex, despite Gareth Berg’s 71 and Ollie Rayner’s unbeaten 46, were bowled out for 240.