TWENTY20 and one day internationals, mind-boggling riches and all, clog the cricket calendar, but there is still a county championship. What is more, there will be quite a climax to the first division. Although Nottinghamshire failed to bowl out Sussex in a high-scoring match, they still lead the table by three points due to Kent being unable to beat Yorkshire at Scarborough. Any one of half a dozen sides could yet become champions.

Kent couldn’t quite take the last Yorkshire wicket after a spirited flourish to their own second innings put them in a strong position. The prolific Martin van Jaarsveld, who made 73 to add to his first innings century, and 54 by James Tredwell, enabled Kent to reach 433, but they were then thwarted by the last Yorkshire pair in a thrilling finish. This week they play Surrey, who are in some disarray, at Canterbury.

Other significant matches coming up include Nottinghamshire versus second-placed Somerset this week, and Somerset against Durham the following week. Even then, the season continues until the end of the month, so the outcome will be shaped by the vagaries of the weather as much as by stellar performances.

Sussex, according to their coach Mark Robinson, can still remain champions even though the great Mushtaq Ahmed has retired, and in all probability they will still have to win their last three matches.

Had Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad been playing in this match, Nottinghamshire might well have triumphed. As it was, although Darren Pattinson (remember him?) knocked out Andy Hodd’s off stump and Chris Nash went cheaply, Mike Yardy stayed at the crease for three minutes short of five hours in compiling 93, his highest score of the season. Given his indifferent form, this showed superb concentration and was sufficient for the match to be drawn, for there was little turn, sharp or otherwise.

After Yardy was caught by Rob Ferley off his own left arm spin, Murray Goodwin reached the 57th first-class century of his career, collecting runs all around the wicket with ease, including nine fours and a six in particular, as he did so. He just had time to reach his landmark before stumps were drawn at 4.50pm.

Chris Adams, the Sussex captain, said yesterday he would not be talking to Hampshire, who have approached him about becoming their new coach, until the end of the season.