This is what makes sport so great

28 September 2016 - 10:02 By Archie Henderson

Sport is at its best when it becomes a close-run thing, with mounting tension and anxiety. Which is why the finish to the English county cricket championship was so gripping. By last Friday, the final day of the English cricket season, three teams were in contention for the title: Middlesex and Yorkshire, who were locked in battle at Lord's, and Somerset, who had beaten Nottinghamshire the day before.If Middlesex and Yorkshire were to draw, the title would go to Somerset, whose fans had gathered at Taunton.The news from Lord's was at first encouraging for Somerset as the match between Middlesex and Yorkshire seemed headed for a draw.Middlesex were 94/4 until a century by Nick Gubbins took them to 270. Yorkshire were even worse: 53/4 before Tim Bresnan made an unbeaten 142.A lead of 120 would have made Yorkshire confident, but wrapping up the Middlesex second innings was delayed by Dawid Malan, who last year was playing for Bellville Cricket Club in Cape Town.Thanks to him, Middlesex were able to declare and set Yorkshire a target of 240. It would have put the Somerset crowd on edge as Yorkshire took up the challenge. A draw now looked out of the question, and even at 174/6 Yorkshire looked good for the 66 still needed.Then up stepped Middlesex opening bowler Roland-Jones, who rejoices in the first names of Tobias Skelton, but is known as Toby. With the last ball of his 11th over he had Azeem Rafiq caught behind. From the first ball of his 12th over, he bowled Andy Hodd and did the same to Ryan Sidebottom with the next. Ending a season with a hat-trick to win the championship had never been done before.So much for the winners, there was something of a story among the also-rans too.In Somerset's match, Chris Rogers, their Aussie skipper, signed off with a century in each innings to go into retirement. Michael Richardson, the team's wicketkeeper, was denied a century by a silly swipe from tailender Chris Rushworth, leaving the keeper stranded on 99 not out. A knowledgeable cricket acquaintance once watched Richardson keep wicket at Newlands in a club game and the manner and style reminded him of a famous Richardson who had done the same job for South Africa. Turns out they are related, Michael being the son of Dave.For Durham, who beat Hampshire to finish fourth, Keaton Jennings, son of the legendary Jet, topped the county run-scoring with 1548. He did so with an average of 64.5, which, if you take only those batsmen playing in 10 or more county games, means he tops the averages too. Satisfying finishes to a season don't come better than those of Keaton and Toby...

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