County cricket: Essex win to move up strangely shapeless top-flight table

Essex were the big movers this week after their win against Leicestershire in Chelmsford. Photograph: Keeran Marquis/SPP/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenEssex were the big movers this week after their win against Leicestershire in Chelmsford. Photograph: Keeran Marquis/SPP/ShutterstockGuardian Sport NetworkCounty ChampionshipCounty cricket: Essex win to move up strangely shapeless top-flight tableWe are nearly halfway through the season but there is no real narrative in Division One. Is that a good thing? By the 99.94 Cricket BlogGary NaylorTue 19 May 2026 11.13 BSTSharePrefer the Guardian on Google1. Lehmann banks another tonWith red ball swapped for white this week, the Championship comes to its first break after six (of 14) matches still looking to establish a narrative. Only Essex and Sussex (carrying a points penalty) have won half their matches, but they are only fourth and fifth. Five other counties have two wins and 17 points covers the top seven. That’s either the makings of a tight nip-and-tuck season or a structural failure to separate the wheat from the chaff – take your pick.Even after so many overs were lost to rain, Hampshire’s fragile batting would have started the fourth day with some trepidation. Nottinghamshire, the 2025 champions and 2026 table toppers, were pawing the ground keen to set up a chase, the home side four down and only 62 runs ahead. Knock over Jake Lehmann and Ben Brown and there wasn’t much to come after – this season, there wasn’t much to come before either.Brown was soon gone, but Lehmann is still very handy indeed, registering a 17th career century to hold off the baying hounds. Props also to the two all-rounders, Delano Potgieter and Felix Organ, who kept him company for nearly three hours, only one more wicket taken in the 50 overs possible.The draw meant that Hampshire are still bottom, but not adrift and that Nottinghamshire are still top, but can feel the pursuers running hard on their heels. 2. All I want to do is see...