The County Championship is back with a bang. Hampshire, Somerset, Derbyshire and Leicestershire all recorded opening-round wins, but who performed well enough to merit selection in Wisden’s inaugural team of the week?
1. Paul Horton (c) (26 & 61)
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Top-scored with 61 in Leicestershire’s serene chase of 230 to seal a shock win over Sussex – their first at Hove in 24 years.
2. Ben Duckett (43 & 61)
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A brisk 43 to set up Nottinghamshire’s first-innings 408, and an even brisker 61 as they built on their healthy lead. A sterling Championship debut for his new club.
3. Joe Clarke (112 & 97*)
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Was stopped three runs short of becoming the youngest Notts batsman to ton up twice in the same Championship game by a cruel but sensible declaration. Did plenty to enhance his England claims nonetheless.
Two types of leave…pic.twitter.com/RQOYCMXiCs
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 8, 2019
4. Joe Root (73 & 130*)
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Just as it looked like Essex might battle to a draw against Hants, Abbott struck, nicking off centurion Ravi Bopara to spark a remarkable collapse of five wickets for seven runs. Chipped in with the crucial wickets of Tom Westley and Sir Alastair Cook in the first innings to finish with seven for the game.
11. Fidel Edwards (5-51 & 3-49)
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Outdid his Kolpak teammate by one wicket, grabbing 5-51 in the first innings and 3-49 in the second. Even at 37, shows little sign of the years catching up with him.
