Thank you for spending the last four days with us in yet another enthralling round of County Championship cricket.

It is a week that will best be remembered for Ben Stokes' heroics on Friday. An English record of 17 sixes in one blistering innings, during which he also rewrote the Durham record books.

But that game of five tons sadly ended in a dull draw, as did the one in which Sir Alastair Cook hit two centuries in a match for Essex for the first time - and the more telling moments came elsewhere.

A third win in five games for both Division One's top two Surrey and Hampshire.

And victories for Glamorgan and Middlesex in Division Two, of which the highlight was Middlesex chasing down 370 to beat winless Sussex at Hove.

We resume again on Thursday when the obvious highlight will be the first Roses Match of the summer between Yorkshire and Lancashire at Headingley. We'll sithee then...

Image source, Rex Features

Division One

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Somerset

Beckenham: Kent v Surrey

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Northamptonshire

Headingley: Yorkshire v Lancashire

Division Two

Derby: Derbyshire v Worcestershire

Riverside: Durham v Glamorgan

Leicester: Leicestershire v Sussex

Lord's: Middlesex v Nottinghamshire

A reminder of today's results...

Division One

Essex (403 & 167-0 dec) drew with Yorkshire (465)

Hampshire (342 & 204) beat Gloucestershire (179 & 280) by 87 runs

Lancashire (361) drew with Warwickshire (315 & 184-6)

Division Two

Glamorgan (437 &153-4) beat Leicestershire (320 & 266) by six wickets,

Middlesex (358 & 370-3) beat Sussex (392 & 335-4 dec) by seven wickets

Worcestershire (309 & 262-3) drew with Durham 580-6 dec & 170-1 dec

Image source, BBC Sport

Here's what that Middlesex run chase - the eighth biggest chase in their history, no less - has done to the table.

They go top, leapfrogging Glamorgan, who wrapped up victory over Leicestershire earlier today, while Sussex sit second-bottom, still without a win.

Max Holden hits Tom Alsop for a boundary and then three singles - two for Holden, one for Martin Andersson - complete the job. What a win for Middlesex.

They go top of the Division Two table with a victory that looked incredibly unlikely just a few hours ago.

Sussex rolled the dice by declaring on 334-5, Cheteshwar Pujara unbeaten on 170 - they could have easily carried on batting a bit longer and secured a draw at least.

Middlesex slipped to 1-1 in reply but a superb double century partnership between Sam Robson (149) and skipper Peter Handscomb (79) set the platform for Holden (80no) and Andersson (44no) to clinch a memorable win.

Martin Andersson in the groove here, again he hits the final ball of the over for four.

This one is done, stick a fork in it - just seven runs needed from 24 balls.

Only a real flurry of wickets can save Sussex now - but they just have not threatened, in truth.

Martin Andersson hits George Garton for four off the final ball of the 72nd over and that is another nail in the Sussex coffin.

Middlesex playing this sensibly. No need for heroics. Singles will do.

Max Holden up to 69 and Middlesex need 23 runs from six overs.

Sussex bring George Garton back into the attack but Max Holden gives him the boundary treatment too.

Nine runs from the over so 30 needed from seven overs. Surely a stroll from here?

Just 39 runs now for Middlesex to reach their 370 target - they have 48 balls to achieve it.

Max Holden unbeaten on 59 off 57 balls, Martin Andersson on 28 off 28.

Neil Smith: Had to park up at Sandbach services on route up north. Was listening to the coverage but now have to watch on the live feed as well. Good advert for county cricket.

Postpublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 8 May 2022

17:55 BST 8 May 2022

Sussex 392 & 335-4 dec v Middlesex 358 & 327-3

This could be the decisive blow, Martin Andersson smashes Aaron Beard for a humongous six.

Middlesex in firm control now.

It's early in the season but a fair bit riding on this game for both sides.

Middlesex will go top of Division Two with victory, while winless Sussex are looking to avoid a third defeat in five games.

That over from Sean Hunt won't help the hosts' cause as it goes for nine including a thundering boundary from Max Holden.

Adrian Harms
BBC Sussex

The odds are with Middlesex here - Sussex desperately need a wicket to slow the rate.

Aaron Beard's previous over went for 14 runs - this one goes for just two, big improvement.

Can the momentum swing back towards Sussex? They really need a couple of wickets, though.

Middlesex need 58 from the final 10 overs.

50 for Holdenpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 8 May 2022

17:46 BST 8 May 2022

Sussex 392 & 335-4 dec v Middlesex 358 & 310-3

Max Holden brings up his second half-century of the game with a single off Sean Hunt - and four runs off the over keeps Middlesex on track for victory. They need 60 off 66 balls.

300 up for Middlesex - need 64 to winpublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 8 May 2022

17:43 BST 8 May 2022

Sussex 392 & 335-4 dec v Middlesex 358 & 306-3

Huge over from Middlesex's batters, 14 runs from it as Max Holden hits Aaron Beard for two boundaries.

Just 64 to win from 12 overs, you would have Middlesex as favourites now.

It looked a brave declaration on 335-4 earlier today from winless Sussex, who sit bottom of Division Two - and it seems the gamble could backfire.

Some dangerous running from Max Holden and Martin Andersson during this 64th over. Twice they get away with it when a run-out looks possible, even probable.

Five runs from it so 79 required off the last 13 overs.

Set up for a thrilling finale at Hove.

Ollie Robinson is doing his best to halt Middlesex's victory charge.

In addition to his two wickets, he's just bowled a cracking over with four dot balls, just two runs off it.