Ollie Pope's fielding helps Surrey close on Hampshire win
Heavy rain stalked the country but, despite not getting onto the field until 4.30pm, Surrey marched inevitably towards their second win of the season.
Hampshire, starting 177 runs behind and two wickets down, lost most of their middle-order ballast during the evening session: Ollie Pope taking two dramatic catches at slip to dismiss Nick Gubbins and Tom Prest, and James Vince, cracked on the shoulder by a Gus Atkinson bouncer, then lbw to a Kemar Roach in swinger after a 95-ball vigil of 26. Hampshire still trail Surrey by 92, with five wickets remaining, and Monday’s forecast in London offers them little chance of succour.
Ed Barnard’s determined 69 helped hold off the Notts dogs at Edgbaston on a day when only 35 overs were possible. He was also helped by thirties from Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell. Warwickshire need another 76 runs to avoid the follow on.
A century from Gareth Roderick gave Worcestershire the upper hand at Kidderminster, four batting points and a first-innings lead of 142 before Jason Holder removed Sean Dickson for a duck in Somerset’s three over batting test in the evening light. Shoaib Bashir bowled with aplomb, settling into a good rhythm and keeping his head despite being dispatched for sixes over the railway line, removing both Jake Libby, for a sterling 97, and the boundary-happy Kashif Ali.
Max Holden and Ryan Higgins both made classy unbeaten hundreds to set up what could be a thrilling final day at Bristol. From the dregs of 9-2, Holden and Higgins, with help from Leus du Plooy, helped Middlesex build a second innings lead of 143 – with seven wickets still in hand. Earlier, Henry Brookes had finished off the Gloucestershire innings with three wickets in an over. At Grace Road, Chester-le-Street and Headingley, no play was possible.
Thanks for hanging around on a rain-soaked day – results looking possible at Bristol and The Oval and ,with a fair wind, maybe elsewhere too. Excellent work particularly by Middlesex’s Holden and Higgins who both finish with unbeaten hundreds. We’ll be back tomorrow at 10am. Good night!
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 314-3 play abandoned for the day
The Oval: Surrey 359 v Hampshire 151 and 116-5
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 175-5 v Nottinghamshire 400
Kidderminster: Worcestershire 451-9dec v Somerset 309-9dec and 5-1
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 322 v Middlesex 203 and 262-3
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Northampton 453-7dec play abandoned for the day
Headingley: Yorkshire 450-5 v Derbyshire 190-3 play abandoned for the day
Right, with Hampshire up a creek without a paddle; Warwickshire, 166-4, being held together by Ed Barnard (67) and JAcob Bethell; Worcestershire now with a hundred run lead and four batting points thanks to D’Oliveira (50) and Joe Leach, and Middlesex pottering along happily at 184-3 and a 65 run lead, time for me to write up for the paper.
And another! Vince pinned by Kemar Roach, as he teeters over. Tries to ignore the inevitable by running up the pitch but is sent on his way by the umpire. Hampshire 87-5, 121 behind, and now the die is cast.
A cracking ball from Gus Atkinson and this time there’s no messing from Ollie Pope, grabbing the ball at head high in the slips. Tom Prest must go, a slightly rash dash at the ball.
Ollie Pope lets Prest slip through his fingers in the slips. Vince still there too, a sedate 26 off 92 balls. Hants 87-3.
A worthy fightback today by Somerset, chipped away at Worcestershire – from 217-1 to 376-8. The last two wickets – Holder and Waite – to Lewis Gregory.
Kemar Roach running in, his red-soled shoes flashing the camera. Prest reaches dangerously. Hants 72-3.
Max Holden (51) and Ryan Higgins (12), making hay against Gloucs, Middx now only five behind.
122 and out for Gareth Roderick!
A third wicket for Jake Ball, but a super innings from Roderick who came in at 23 for one and guided Worcestershire into a first-innings lead. Worcs 337-6 lead by 28.
Updated
A wicket at The Oval. It’s Dan Worrall of course. Gubbins gone for ten, a second catch for Pope.
A wicket at Edgbaston, and it is Dan Mousley, lbw to Paterson after a painstaking 30, Warwicks 85-2.
At The Oval, Jordan Clark thunders in against Vince and Gubbins, Hampshire’s chesterfield sofa with a bold pattern line of defence
Tea time. This sounds like a worthwhile listen
NEW PODCAST! 🚨@nikkichaudhuri,@melissagstory, @pollystarkie04 (@00ChildPodcast) and @twiggsonia chat in detail on all things Project Darwin!
— Storylines - Women's Cricket Podcast (@StorylinesPod) April 22, 2024
- Tier 1 counties selected
- Fundamental changes to ITT
- How will this impact professional and amateur players?
Listen below ⬇️
Tea-time scores
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 314-3 play abandoned for the day
The Oval: Surrey 359 v Hampshire 151 and 31-2 play to start at 4.30pm
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 74-3 v Nottinghamshire 400 play started at 4pm
Kidderminster: Worcestershire312-5 v Somerset 309-9dec
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 322 v Middlesex 203 and 66-2
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Northampton 453-7dec play abandoned for the day
Headingley: Yorkshire 450-5 v Derbyshire 190-3 play abandoned for the day
Things are underway at Edgbaston, with tea about to be taken at Bristol and Kidderminster.
Aha! There will be play at The Oval, starts at 4.30. Thirty-two overs to be bowled, earth, wind and fire permitting.
Another wicket at Kidderminster, Adam Hose after a lively 39 – seven fours and a six. A second wicket for Jake Ball. Worcs 307-5, trail Somerset by two runs. Still time for plenty of bonus points if they get a wriggle on. Shoaib Bashir currently bowling with the new ball.
Updated
Harry Brook
At Headingley, Harry Brook has been talking about the death of his beloved grandmother Pauline: “When I came home from Abu Dhabi, it was a very tough time, and I’m glad I did come home. Obviously it was a big decision to make. I hadn’t played 100s of games for England, so to just turn down a big Test tour like that (India) was a big decision to make.
“But she comes before all of that. She would have come out there a couple of years ago, so I had to come back and support her as much as I could.
“Like I say, it was a very tough period, but I’m glad I came back and I was with my family and was with her.
“I managed to take her out for a coffee and what not in that first week I was back.
“I was still training with a mindset of trying to get back out for the last couple of Tests all being well.
“Obviously it all disintegrated fairly quickly, so that didn’t happen.
“I just tried to support her as best as I could and everyone around us.
“Both of those hundreds (for Yorkshire this season) and all of the runs I’ve scored so far this year are all dedicated to her.”
An inspection happening now at The Oval. 4pm start at Edgbaston.
Play abandoned for the day at Chester le Street
Plug pulled by the umps, leaving Nick Browne to sleep another night on 94.
Huge efforts by groundstaff round the country.
Huge credit to the groundstaff for their tireless efforts today. 👏
— Leicestershire CCC 🏏 (@leicsccc) April 28, 2024
The team are still out working on the ground now to put us in the best possible position for play tomorrow.
We appreciate your work, guys. 🦊💚 pic.twitter.com/g2YgrQ7GR0
Mopping has be so efficient at Edgbaston that they’re restarting at 4pm.
Middlesex not having a dream start, now 14-2, 103 behind after Mark Stoneman edges beind.
Interesting to hear Anthony Gibson say that Bashir is a much better bowler this season than he was in 2023.
A few balls later, Bashir gets his man, Kashif lbw for 17. And now a fourth! Rob Jones bowled for a duck by Pretorius. Worcs stumbling backwards from 217-1 to 244-4.
Oh dear, oh Middlesex. Dom Goodman makes the breakthrough, having Fernandes caught for 5. Middx 5-1.
While at Kidderminster, Kashif Ali pings Bashir for six, out of the ground and onto the railway line.
Hope springs eternal.
Tea will be taken at 3:10pm with a further inspection at 3:30pm.#ForTheNorth https://t.co/eb1YwTklam
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) April 28, 2024
No!!!!! Jake Libby, on 97, loses his timbers to Shoib Bashir! Worcs 217-2.
Three wickets in an over for Henry Brookes!
He takes out Charlesworth (43), de Lange and Goodman in a single deadly over. Middlesex must bat again, facing a deficit of 119.
And so we return after lunch, with action only at Bristol and Kiddersminster. Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad, Will Jacks has just casually thrashed a 41-ball hundred to give RCB victory over Gujarat Titans with four overs to spare.
Time for a sandwich – with Gloucestershire building their lead over Middlesex to 111 for the loss of Zaman Akhter and steady progress by Worcestershire against a luckless Somerset: 185-1, they trail by 124.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 314-3 no play yet today
The Oval: Surrey 359 v Hampshire 151 and 31-2 no play yet today
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 71-3 v Nottinghamshire 400 no play yet today
Kidderminster: Worcestershire 185-1 v Somerset 309-9dec
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 314-7 v Middlesex 203
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Northampton 453-7dec play abandoned for the day
Headingley: Yorkshire 450-5 v Derbyshire 190-3 play abandoned for the day
"You want to test yourself"
This is a fascinating little nugget, from Luis Reece at a sodden Headingley, on bowling to Harry Brook and Joe Root:
“I felt like I bowled well to Root, but it was Brook I struggled with. He put me under a lot of pressure and took a liking to my bowling.
“You know what cricket’s like, you can come across certain batters which suit your style and others who don’t. It’s visa versa when you bat.
“Your margin for error is a lot smaller. The way England have played, it’s been about that - putting the bowlers under pressure. Harry’s thriving as a cricketer under that. Joe, his stats speak for themselves. He’s one of England’s best ever players.
“You want to test yourself, and you want to get a buzz out of doing it. Otherwise, what’s the point in being out here. “
Tom Helm makes the breakthrough at Bristol, tickling out Zaman Akhter’s middle stump after a partnership of 71 with Ben Charlesworth. Glos 304-7. Play to continue here and at Kiddersminster for the next 20 minutes.
There are three men padded up at Bristol, with Ben Charlesworth batting with a ruhner after hurting his ankle yesterday. It doesn’t seem to be hindering him too much – Gloucestershire have just notched up 300 and a handy lead of 101. Rain permitting, this could be a tricky couple of days for Middlesex.
Play abandoned for the day at Headingley
Another one bites the dust.
For reference, this was day three of round four last year: runs for Jamie Smith, Cheteshwar Pujara and Chris Cooke; wickets for Tim Murtagh and Matthew Potts.
Not a great deal to report from the two grounds where play has tentatively started. Libby and Roderick holding off the Somerset attack; Charlesworth and Akhter continuing to build Gloucestershire’s lead against Middlesex.
Champions championing:
Brilliant start from our new ball duo! 💪
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 27, 2024
🤎 | #SurreyCricket https://t.co/IyeGfiYcoW pic.twitter.com/Z90w0frGXg
Play to start at 12.30 at Bristol
The west of the country faring the best today.
This is what Miles Hammond had to say yesterday evening.
“It’s been a good day for us, we’ve batted nicely, put ourselves in a great position and are happy with that. Hopefully, the weather doesn’t play too great a part tomorrow [ahem] and we can get back out there and add to our lead.
“ It was doing a bit out there to begin with, but there was extra bounce in the pitch and that meant you could play more shots and score a little bit more freely. Graeme (van Buuren) came out and batted really well in the way that he does.
“We were able to build a good partnership, build momentum and take the initiative in the game. That’s the way he bats best. It was great to watch and put Middlesex on the back foot. I don’t think we can afford to look too far ahead, because that would be careless. We have to focus on increasing our lead. There may come a time when we’re in a position to pull out and put them back in, but that can only come after a lot more hard work.”
Play to start at noon at Kidderminster
There’s justice in there somewhere. Worcestershire get onto the green first.
To sum up: play abandoned for the day at Grace Road, no play anywhere now, no play before lunch at The Oval, but, like a snowdrop in January, a pitch inspection at 11.30 at Bristol.
Time for some coffee.
“Good morning Tanya!” Hello there Tim Maitland.
“I’m not sure how relevant this is considering the plethora of pyjama play before the “Proper Cricket”* begins against the West Indies in July, but if Brendon Barrie “Baz” McCullum had a wish list for his batters in this round of Championship matches his dreams have almost all come true.
”Top of the list would have been to silence the seemingly endless queue of doubters of “Young” Jonny Bairstow: an unbeaten century in the highest run chase in T20 history? That will do nicely sir.
’Next a return to run-scoring form for Root: a century with the frippery and frivolity shelved until the nerveless nineties? Perfect.
”A sign that grief has not dulled Harry Brook’s prodigious appetite for destruction: Two sixes and 17 fours at a tick under a run per ball? Lovely.
“Maybe a reminder that Ben Duckett’s 153 in Rajkot was only two months ago: 218 of Nottinghamshire’s total of 400 at Edgbaston? Well, I don’t want to seem greedy... but don’t worry about Ollie Pope, his 196 in Hyderabad has a long shelf life.
”Coming soon: Ollie Robinson to show up with signs of a developing six pack and Ben Stokes to reel off ten overs on the bounce.”
”* I want this trademarked and used to promote the long-form game to fellow curmudgeons. All merchandise in muted shades, naturally.
No DayGlo.”
Jam for tea indeed.
Updated
Yorkshire, Glamorgan and Australia’s Jason Gillespie is the new Pakistan Test coach:
Delay, delays, abandonments.
Delayed starts at The Oval, Durham, Edgbaston, Worcestershire, Bristol, and Headingley. And for a full set, they’ve already called it a day at Grace Road
🦦 Wetter than an otter's pocket.
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) April 28, 2024
📍Kidderminster CC pic.twitter.com/lX04WvrISV
Weather watch
In Manchester it is damp. Elsewhere? The Met office says: “Locally heavy rain and brisk winds moving north across many eastern and central parts, mostly clearing into the North Sea by late afternoon. Drier and brighter in the west with sunny spells and scattered showers. Still rather cool for most.”
The current scene at Grace Road:
Seriously. I ask you. @BBCSport @BBCNorthampton @NorthantsCCC @BoothCricket pic.twitter.com/EfOGG2vkIb
— Andrew Radd (@oldmanradd) April 28, 2024
Saturday's round-up
Centuries of different but sparkling hues by Joe Root and Harry Brook helped Yorkshire to maximum batting points at Headingley. Together they dabbed 201 for the fourth wicket, Root celebrating his 10th century for Yorkshire with a reverse-ramp for six before being bowled by a Zak Chappell yorker for 119, shaking his head as he trudged off.
Brook’s hundred, his ninth for Yorkshire and second of the season, was a more brutal affair at a run a ball. Derbyshire looked in deep trouble at 23 for three, but Wayne Madsen (88) and Brooke Guest (74) frustrated Yorkshire until stumps on a day so chilly that Root fielded in a snood.
Essex batted with restrained fortitude at Chester-le-Street, thanks to a quick-witted and stylish century from Feroze Khushi, his second for Essex, and a steady unbeaten 94 from Nick Browne, trailing by just 44 but with rain forecast for Sunday.
The groundsman Vic Demain explained that the wet weather had meant that his team couldn’t get heavy machinery on to the square early this year to compact the earth, and that therefore pitches are starting softer than he would like, without the bounce he was aiming for. Durham’s attack proved testing in the early overs of the day, with Ben Raine and Matthew Potts agitating, unsuccessfully but energetically, for several close lbw shouts.
Rory Burns put together a seven-hour 113, blunting skilful spells from Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas, to reach his first hundred since July 2022. The innings hauled Surrey from a wobbly 44 for four to an intimidating 359 on a grassy Oval pitch. Jordan Clark provided the power hitting, freestyling an unbeaten 106 at a run a ball, and biffing Surrey to a lead of 208. Browbeaten Hampshire then lost two quick wickets before the rain fell.
Pepperpot Ben Duckett duly reached a brilliant 200 at Edgbaston, the fifth of his career and the one he considers his best in county cricket, as Nottinghamshire got the upper hand at a damp Edgbaston. He and Dillon Pennington steered Notts to 400, before Warwickshire’s in-form top order were reduced to 26 for three. Ed Barnard and Dan Mousley steered them safely to stumps.
There was a first hundred for George Bartlett in Northamptonshire colours, as he, with support from the gung-ho Chris Tremain and Lewis McManus, carried Northants to maximum batting points, biffing 116 in 14 overs and reaching 450 with two balls to spare.
Ben Sanderson then dismissed Leicestershire’s Australian opener Marcus Harris for a duck. On a wet day at Kidderminster, Jake Libby reached his fourth half century of the summer against Somerset, while Miles Hammond (81) and Graeme van Buuren (75) helped Gloucestershire to a 68-run lead over Middlesex at Bristol.
Updated
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 314-3
The Oval: Surrey 359 v Hampshire 151 and 31-2
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 71-3 v Nottinghamshire 400
Kidderminster: Worcestershire 107-1 v Somerset 309-9dec
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 271-6 v Middlesex 203
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Northampton 453-7dec
Headingley: Yorkshire 450-5 v Derbyshire 190-3
Updated
Preamble
Good morning! Round the grounds? Wet.
