The spring block of Championship games came to a largely soggy end – seven rounds gone and no rampaging giant emerging from the early jostling for position.

Yorkshire duly thrashed Surrey by an innings to deliver their first defeat of the season and send them back to the Oval licking their wounds. The end was nigh when anchor Dom Sibley nibbled at Jhye Richardson 10 minutes in, and Harry Brook dived to his left. A bit of tailend biffing apart, that was that. Joe Root and Brook will rejoin England next week, where Brook’s three wickets on Sunday night may crop up in conversation. “We’re not going to hear the end of it are we?” said Root. “He’s even been talking about how he was using the crease. I was like, ‘It’s getting too much now.’”

There was a minute’s silence before play at Edgbaston and the Warwickshire flag was at half mast, in memory of MJK Smith, who died on Sunday, aged 92. Smith, who captained England and Warwickshire, is remembered not only for his 39,832 first-class runs but also his kindness and decency. Warwickshire’s players wore black armbands as their game with Glamorgan dribbled to a damp draw, though there was time for Colin Ingram to reach his century and Etham Bamber to pocket a five-fer.

Top of the table Nottinghamshire were unable to break the defences of Hampshire’s Jake Lehmann, 102 not out, and Somerset were frustrated by the rain after making Sussex follow-on and getting them seven down.

Though Durham are clear at the top of Division Two, it’s tight in the following pack – with only 14 points separating the next six teams. Northamptonshire go second after a nervy two-wicket win over Gloucestershire, thanks to super-sub Louis Kimber’s 66. Derbyshire rise to fifth after defeating Middlesex, Ben Stokes got some batting practise in Durham’s draw with Kent, and there were handshakes at Southport.

Chelmsford: Essex 293 and 104-3 BEAT Leicestershire 333 and 60 by seven wickets

Southampton: Hampshire 214 and 207-6 DRAW with Nottinghamshire 229

Taunton: Somerset 526-8dec DRAW with Sussex 253 and 113-7

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 252 and 100-2 DRAW with Glamorgan 360 and 259

Headingley: Yorkshire 486 BEAT Surrey 204 and 155 by an innings and 127 runs

Division Two

Bristol: Northamptonshire 127 and 251-8 BEAT Gloucestershire 154 and 221 by two wickets

Beckenham: Kent 523 and 1-1 DRAW with Durham 446

Southport: Lancashire 281-8dec DRAW with Worcestershire 270 and 211-5

Lord’s: Derbyshire 376 and 124-3 BEAT Middlesex 177 and 320 by seven wickets

1 Nottinghamshire P6 W2 L0 D4 91 points

2 Warwickshire P6 W2 L1 D3 86 points

3 Glamorgan P6 W2 L1 D3 83 points

4 Essex P6 W3 L2 D1 80 points

5 Sussex P6 W3 L1 D2 79 points

6 Somerset P6 W2 L2 D2 79 points

7 Surrey P6 W1 L1 D4 71 points

8 Yorkshire P6 W2 L2 D2 71 points

9 Leicestershire P6 W0 L4 D2 46 points

10 Hampshire P6 W1 L4 D1 40 points

1 Durham P6 W3 L0 D3 105 points

2 Northants P6 W 2 L1 D3 85 points

3 Kent P6 W2 L1 D3 77 points

4 Lancashire P6 W2 L2 D2 75 points

5 Derbyshire P6 W2 L3 D1 75 points

6 Worcestershire P6 W 2 L2 D2 71 points

7 Middlesex P6 W2 L2 D2 71 points

8 Gloucestershire P6 W1 L5 D0 32 points

And finally.

Taunton: Somerset 526-8dec DRAW with Sussex 253 and 113-7

Somerset 15pts, Sussex 10pts

Southampton: Hampshire 214 and 207-6 DRAW with Nottinghamshire 229

Southport: Lancashire 281-8dec DRAW with Worcestershire 270 and 211-5

The weather wiped out any chance of a result in this one, but Ben Stokes shook off any remaining rustiness with 19 overs and 45.

Lancashire 12pts Worcestershire 11pts

Time for one last act, Ben Dawkins caught bit-time keeper Ben Raine, bowled bit-time bowler Graham Clark, 0. Then handshakes all round.

Beckenham: Kent 523 and 1-1 DRAW with Durham 446

All off at Edgbaston I’m afraid, there was the suggestion of 28 overs from 4.40pm but some extra mizzle put paid to that. Gah.

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 252 and 100-2 DRAW with Glamorgan 360 and 259

Latterly against the curated offerings of Crawley and Dawkins, but a century all the same – 33 wickets at 15.63 this season and now the third f-c hundred of his career. Well played! Saved Durham from an awkward session too.

Chelmsford: Essex 293 and 104-3 BEAT Leicestershire 333 and 60 by seven wickets

Southampton: Hampshire 214 and 179-6 v Nottinghamshire 229 rain

Taunton: Somerset 526-8dec v Sussex 253 and 111-7 rain

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 252 and 100-2 v Glamorgan 360 and 259 Warwicks need 268 to win, rain

Headingley: Yorkshire 486 BEAT Surrey 204 and 155 by an innings and 127 runs

Division Two

Bristol: Northamptonshire 127 and 251-8 BEAT Gloucestershire 154 and 221 by two wickets

Beckenham: Kent 523 v Durham 419-9

Southport: Lancashire 281-8dec v Worcestershire 270 and 170-5

Lord’s: Derbyshire 376 and 124-3 BEAT Middlesex 177 and 320 by seven wickets

The skies are darkening, but Derbyshire get there just in time, thanks to Wayne Madsen and Harry Came. A great way for Derbyshire to draw a full-stop after three defeats in a row, and Ben Aitchison’s first century.

Lord’s: Derbyshire 376 and 124-3 BEAT Middlesex 177 and 320 by seven wickets

A plug for this fab launch event at 7pm this evening at Spencer CC, in partnership with The Centre for Sustainable Design and Surrey CCC. If you’re in the area you can either or just turn up or register with mcharter@uca.ac.uk in advance. Speakers include non-exec PCA chair James Cameron, Desert Vipers sustainability lead Ben Hardy-Jones and researcher Shubman Jain.

🏏♻️ Cricket gear doesn’t have to end up in cupboards, garages… or landfill.

Launching today the Circular Cricket Gear (CCG) Hub will help extend the life of quality cricket equipment and clothing by connecting donors with players, schools and communities who need affordable access to the game in Wandsworth, South London & North Surrey

Whether you want to donate pre-loved kit, request gear, or support a more circular approach to cricket, the hub is making it easier to keep equipment in play for longer. A great example of sustainability, inclusion and sport coming together.

Gloucestershire head coach Mark Alleyne is cautiously optimistic after losing – just – to Northants:

“There is a certain level of optimism in the camp, because we have been so competitive in recent games. The manner of this defeat is a far cry from those innings defeats we suffered at the start of the season and shows we have made progress.

We’ve competed really well from day one to day four here and that’s a tick in the box. But there comes a point when we just need to get over the line and we have now lost five out of six games, which I think is probably unprecedented for us in Championship cricket.

It’s not a proud moment to be a part of that, but I can see some green shoots of recovery. Losing Gabe Bell to a sore back today made it feel as though things were conspiring against us a little bit after we had done so much hard work. Our bowling cartel has been small from the outset and it will be good for some of those guys to have a rest now. There has been a lot of talk about the pitch, but I think it’s exciting and what people want to see. There’s nothing wrong with games going down to the fourth innings and both teams being able to win the match.”

In a statement paying tribute to Smith, the ECB remembered particularly his character:

“A large part of that enduring career at the top level of the game was down to Smith’s spirit. He led from the front and without hesitation. Fielding at forward short leg, he once broke his wrist while trying to save his face. He was also easy to like, easy to deal with and showed consistently astute decision making.

‘He was a calm, authoritative and powerful presence in England’s line-up. He recorded centuries against India and West Indies and was halted in the 90s on four further occasions.

“Smith retired from competitive cricket in 1975 and later served as chairman of Warwickshire County Cricket Club (1991-2003) and as an ICC match referee (1991-96). He was awarded an OBE for services to cricket in 1976.

ECB chair, Richard Thompson, said: “Mike was part of a group of former players who did so much both on and off the field. Having a player of Mike’s talent to chair a county as well as play for it was a huge benefit and Mike performed both roles with great distinction. His contribution to the game will not be forgotten.”

“We are all at the ECB saddened by Mike’s passing. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.”

Anthony McGrath knows how to butter up his players. “When he came off last night, I did say to Harry that it was a bit like watching Wasim Akram. To get the wickets he did, particularly Jamie Smith, who’s a good mate of his, I think it’s a big feather in his cap.”

Joe Root wasn’t running with that comparison: “We’re not going to hear the end of it are we?! He’s even been talking about how he was using the crease. I was like, ‘It’s getting too much now’.

“Look, it’s good. If there are different ways you can affect the game, that’s what you pride yourself on as a player. You want to look at different ways you can help your captain and the guys out.

“It was actually a really nice ball which got Smith out, wasn’t it. I’m not sure about the other two, but he bowled nicely as a whole on that surface.”

What a fabulous life told in this lovely obit. “A classless accent, an egalitarian outlook and a relaxed attitude to convention.” Love that there was a statue of him at Madame Tussauds too.

Bristol: Northamptonshire 127 and 251-8 BEAT Gloucestershire 154 and 221 by two wickets

Well biffed super sub Louis Kimber (66), Lewis McManus and Ben Sanderson did the rest.

Northants points, Gloucestershire points

Chelmsford: Essex 293 and 104-3 BEAT Leicestershire 333 and 60 by seven wickets

Southampton: Hampshire 214 and 97-5 v Nottinghamshire 229 rain

Taunton: Somerset 526-8dec v Sussex 253 and 65-2

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 252 and 16-0 v Glamorgan 360 and 259 Warwicks need 352 to win

Headingley: Yorkshire 486 BEAT Surrey 204 and 155 by an innings and 127 runs

Division Two

Bristol: Gloucestershire 154 and 221 v Northamptonshire 127 and 218-7 Northants need 31 to win

Beckenham: Kent 523 v Durham 288-9

Southport: Lancashire 281-8dec v Worcestershire 270 and 77-2

Lord’s: Middlesex 177 and 320 v Derbyshire 376 and 37-1

Fittingly, the excellent George Hill polishes things off by sending Dan Worrall’s off stump dancing into June. Harry and Jonny have a big cuddle – what a way to finish the block. Questions for Surrey, who have lost a bit of magic this spring, their first innings defeat for two years, when they were thrashed by Hampshire at Southampton. Yorkshire have won, lost and drawn two games, Surrey have drawn four, lost one and won one.

Headingley: Yorkshire 486 BEAT Surrey 204 and 155 by an innings and 127 runs

Yorkshire 23 points, Surrey 2 points.

​Equation set at Edgbaston, where Warwickshire have a target of 368 in circa 75 overs ahead of them, Glamorgan the aim of taking 10 wickets. Pitching is playing OK on the whole – seen the odd one keep low – and there is a short boundary to one side. But I don’t think the Bears will be going for it to be honest.

All rushing to a close now at Lord’s, after TRJ goes for another big swing and is caught behind. Harry Duke, 43 not out, now has only Naavya Sharma for company, and he doesn’t last long, four balls, before becoming a third wicket for Matthew Potts. Vintage Roland-Jones needed now for Middlesex to have a sniff.

A fine century for Colin Ingram at Edgbaston, brought up with a tickle off his pads for one but containing 13 fours and one six along the way. Trying to work out Glamorgan’s intentions here, they’re 327 ahead with 86 overs of the day remaining.

Brian Halford, club doyen, reckons they should declare now and set up a game in the spirit of MKJ’s approach to captaincy.

Lancs have declared, eleven ahead, so Worcestershire now get Jimmy Anderson on song under friendly seaside skies.

And Northants start their chase, needing another 105 to beat Derby. Advantage Gloucs, no?

Two quick wickets for Gregory and Sussex’s first innings is all over. One last heave for those aching bodies. Overton and co just need to glance at the score from Headingley for inspiration.

​Good morning from Edgbaston, where the players and match officials lined up before play to pay their respects to Warwickshire great MJK Smith, who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 92. Smith captained England in 25 of his 50 Tests between 1958 and 1972, and scored just shy of 40,000 first-class runs.

And maybe more.

Hmm. The Met office are not overly optimistic.

Sunshine and showers across much of the country, some heavy with hail and thunder. A drier and brighter interlude is possible across some western areas, ahead of thickening cloud and outbreaks of rain arriving here by late afternoon.

High praise from Hampshire bowling coach Shane Burger for the irrepressible Sonny Baker after his five wickets on Sunday :

“He has been good all season and got his just rewards by landing the ball in good areas and cleaning up the tail. With Sonny, you don’t have to rev him up too much. It is brilliant to have someone like that. I can’t speak highly enough of him and the energy he brings. But the skillset and high work rate is really infectious and you can see it going through the bowling attack.

“He brings a point of difference to the attack. He has shown in the last year or so that his skill level has gone up. He can swing it when required, he can nip it, he can go through the gears and bowl at a high pace.

“He deserves the England call-up and we look forward to seeing him in England colours.”

Chelmsford: Essex 293 and 104-3 BEAT Leicestershire 333 and 60 by seven wickets

Southampton: Hampshire 214 and 82-4 v Nottinghamshire 229

Taunton: Somerset 526-8dec v Sussex 236-8

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 252 v Glamorgan 360 and 192-5

Headingley: Yorkshire 486 v Surrey 204 and 83-5

Division Two

Bristol: Gloucestershire 154 and 221 v Northamptonshire 127 and 144-5 Northants need 105 to win

Beckenham: Kent 523 v Durham 173-5

Southport: Lancashire 281-8 v Worcestershire 270

Lord’s: Middlesex 177 and 278-8 v Derbyshire 376

Under knotted Leeds skies and hi-fi floodlights, Yorkshire’s Harry Brook threw on his bowling cloak and destroyed Surrey’s top order, already under intense pressure after following on.

Bouncing in from the Howard Stand end, and sending down rapid nip-abouters, Brook first dismissed first Ryan Patel – slapping to cover, then bowled his England teammate Jamie Smith, before Adam Thomas happy-slappied one to point. There would have been a fourth if Jonny Bairstow hadn’t let Josh Blake slip through his gloves. In 15 minutes, Brook (three for 11) had doubled his first-class wicket tally at Headingley.

In between, Rory Burns fenced a snorter from White behind and Dan Lawrence played Matthew Revis into his boots only to watch the ball bounce into leg stump. When the rain came, Dom Sibley was the great survivor on 33, despite being knocked to the dirt by Jhye Richardson. Surrey, filleted by George Hill in their first innings, need 200 to make Yorkshire bat again.

Essex won the first game of the round, after a scattergun of wickets at Chelmsford. On a pitch made spicy by overnight rain, Leicestershire were rumbled by Sam Cook (four for 19) and Shane Snater (four for 12), all out for 60, eight of them extras. Essex had a few scares on the way to a victory target of 101, but Matt Critchley and Charlie Allison took them home.

At Lord’s, Derbyshire’s victory against Middlesex was postponed by Leus du Plooy’s 95; Sonny Baker’s five wickets against Nottinghamshire kept Hampshire in the game; Paul Coughlin’s rapid 50 for Lancashire against Worcestershire enlivened events at Southport; Sussex’s Daniel Hughes’ hundred against Somerset was the highlight of an on-off day at Taunton; and Ethan Bamber’s 46 and three for nought in 17 balls gave Warwickshire hope after the Glamorgan teenager Tom Norton grabbed another four wickets.

Water leaking under the covers at Beckenham meant Ben Stokes having a long net was the best the spectators got.

Good morning! Wickets, wickets everywhere yesterday, and from the most unexpected directions – here’s looking at the Keighley express Harry Brook. Lots to keep an eye on today, the last match of this Championship block. Do join us, play starts at 11am.