Tanya's roundup
The last day at Old Trafford dribbled to a tedious draw after Somerset locked the doors of the shop. They batted all day, to finish with a lead of 433, in front of a bemused few hundred, after the teams were unable to come to an agreement about a suitable chase.
Lancashire used nine bowlers for the first time since 2003 as even the wicketkeeper George Bell stripped off his pads to send down 10 overs of offspin. Kasey Aldridge reached his maiden first‑class century with a pulled six into the concrete – an achievement that won’t match the dream. The highlight was a second century of the match for the teenager James Rew, whose appetite for Lancashire bowling remains unsated and who in the process became the highest run‑scorer in Division One. Both teams remain winless in 2023.
After the match the head coach, Glen Chapple, said of Jimmy Anderson’s recovery from injury. “I don’t think it’s anything too serious. We should be positive about his recovery, but obviously he’s done it badly enough not to take any part today or yesterday.” Would he be having a scan? “That’s for England to sort out. It seemed like a tweaked groin to me.”
A highly strung first hour at the Riverside, complete with a dislocated finger for Jordan Thompson, and a last-gasp wicket with the new ball, finished with a one-wicket victory for Durham as the injured No 11 Brydon Carse, batting with a runner, pinched the winning runs. Durham extend their lead at the top of Division Two while Yorkshire’s winless sequence stretches to 18 games and they sink to bottom.
Ben Foakes snaffled six catches as Middlesex slipped from 128 for three to 240 all out, with four wickets for Jordan Clark, leaving Surrey to buff their nails at the top of Division One.
Rishi Patel’s third century of the season, and Wiaan Mulder’s first, earned Leicestershire a draw against Sussex. Steve Smith gobbled a spectacular slip catch. Kent batted out the day against Hampshire, with half‑centuries for Zak Crawley, Ben Compton and Jack Leaning. Derbyshire’s rain‑affected match with Gloucestershire also ended in a draw.
Joe Root made 10 in his first Indian Premier League innings for Rajasthan Royals.
Differing opinion from the dressing rooms at OT.
Tom Abell, Somerset captain, said: “It was obviously a bit of a damp squib for the majority of today.
“We went to Lancashire yesterday afternoon before the second new ball about the possibility of making a game. We felt we needed the best part of 96 overs to bowl a side out and it wasn’t right for them at the time, which is fair enough.
“So we had to build our lead and losing those wickets last night probably affected our ability this morning a little bit to push on. A chase of only 50 or 60 overs only plays into their hands.
“We wanted to set up a game where both teams would have a chance of winning but ultimately it didn’t feel right (to us). Fifty of sixty overs on that surface wasn’t going to be enough.
Lancs Head coach Glen Chapple: “It’s a good pitch but scoring quickly wasn’t easy and a good target could have been set to give both teams a chance.
“That’s not down to how we’ve played our cricket. We set a really good declaration at Nottingham last week which, credit to Nottinghamshire, they went for it from ball one. We didn’t get over the line but it was a good game of cricket. Today was the opposite. There was a good game in prospect and for some reason Somerset weren’t interested. I’ve got no explanation for that.
And with that, it’s time for me to sign off. We’ll be back for the last round of this block of Championship cricket on Thursday. Till then, good night!
Updated
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 and 259-4 DRAW with Hampshire 373
Old Trafford: Lancashire 326 DRAW WITH Somerset 361 and 398-5dec
The County Ground: Nottinghamshire 255 BEAT Northants 158 and 72 by an innings and 25 runs
The Oval: Surrey 380 and 73-1 BEAT Middlesex 209 and 240 by nine wickets.
Edgbaston: Warwicks 242 and 100-6 BEAT Essex 126 and 215 by four wickets.
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derby 251-9dec and 166-5 DRAW WITH Gloucestershire 383
The Riverside: Durham 227 and 246-9 BEAT Yorkshire 254 and 219 by one wicket
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 258 and 82-0 BEAT Worcestershire 109 and 227 by ten wickets.
Grace Road: Leicestershire 270 and 295-6dec DRAW with Sussex 430
Derbyshire draw with Gloucestershire
Derby 251-9dec and 166-5 DRAW WITH Gloucestershire 383
And that’s your lot!
Key event
Which just leaves, Derbyshire v Gloucestershire. Derby lead by 34 with five wickets left…
Kent draw with Hampshire
Kent 95 and 259-4 DRAW with Hampshire 373
Excellent work by Kent, albeit greatly helped by the rain earlier in the match.
Groin watch: Glen Chapple on James Anderson
“He’s just irritated the groin, I don’t think its anything too serious, we should be positive about his recovery, but obviously he’s done it badly enough not to take any part in the day today or yesterday . Will he be having a scan? “Thats for England to sort out. Seemed like a tweaked groin to me.”
Updated
I think it is fair to say there are differing recollections from the camps at OT.
We came at you with a reasonable offer yesterday afternoon to make a game of it yet you declined :(
— Craig Overton (@craigoverton12) May 14, 2023
Updated
Leicestershire draw with Sussex
Leicestershire 270 and 295-6dec DRAW with Sussex 430
Brilliant rearguard centuries for Rishi Patel and Wiaan Mulder (who also took five wickets) and 51 not out from Tom Scriven save the day for Leicestershire.
Updated
Lancashire draw with Somerset
Lancashire 326 DRAW WITH Somerset 361 and 398-5dec
A dribble of an end to what had been a fascinating game.
I’m going to start cobbling together some words for the paper as Vilas bowls, a wide, to three slips and a gully. Oh and another wide. Do keep chatting BTL!
So, let’s dust about the office: Four games in play – Kent look as if they will probably bat out the day at Canterbury, 208-4, trail by 70 runs.
Lancashire v Somerset – the end can’t come soon enough. Somerset 362-5, lead by 367.
Derbyshire trail Gloucestershire by 55, with seven wickets left. A collapse still possible. Derbys 81-3.
And Leicestershire are holding on, lead Sussex by 70, with four wickets left. A huge innings of74 not out from Mulder, helped by Scriven’s unbeaten 23.
“Hello Tanya.” Hello Matt Winter!
“Can we ban cricket on the interweb (bar special licences for your good self and similar). The “fear/hope/terror/dismay” cycle of following Gloucestershire was much more manageable on Ceefax. I now have a webcam view from long on of wobbling medium pace to reinforce why touring sides no longer bother.”
The two teams return to the pitch, oozing lack of enthusiasm. Steven Croft retakes the ball.
Tea-time scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 and 202-4 v Hampshire 373 Kent trail by 76
Old Trafford: Lancashire 326 v Somerset 361 and 346-5. Somerset lead by 381
The County Ground: Nottinghamshire 255 BEAT Northants 158 and 72 by an innings and 25 runs
The Oval: Surrey 380 and 73-1 BEAT Middlesex 209 and 240 by nine wickets.
Edgbaston: Warwicks 242 and 100-6 BEAT Essex 126 and 215 by four wickets.
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 251-9dec and 68-3 v Gloucestershire 383
The Riverside: Durham 227 and 246-9 BEAT Yorkshire 254 and 219 by one wicket
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 258 and 82-0 BEAT Worcestershire 109 and 227 by ten wickets.
Grace Road: Leicestershire 270 and 221-6 v Sussex 430
Updated
Bell polishes, re positions his field, watches the clock on the scoreboard and with perfrect timing the clocks ticks over as he lets go of the final ball of the over. Somerset 346-5, Aldridge 63; Rew 106. Tea and cold flannels all round.
A second century for James Rew!
A very restrained teenager, he doesn’t really celebrate, 196 balls, 15 fours. Not quite the immense century of the first day, but a hundred is a hundred is a hundred even against dad bowling.
Fifty for Casey Aldridge=- who may never score an easier one, as he smacks Bell to the rope.
The new ball at Canterbury – ask not for whom the bell tolls – and a fantastic catch by Steve Smith to catch Rehan Ahmed for nine at Grace Road. Leics now 204-6, with Mulder very valuably 63 not out. Rishi Patel made it to three figures before being caught off Currie – what a season he’s having. Leicestershire’s lead a slim 44, with six wickets left.
STEVE SMITH WHAT A CATCH! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6ulRJAakzt
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) May 14, 2023
Updated
Derbyshire! Go to the corner. Now 28-2, sorry 28-3, two wickets for that man Tom Price. Still 104 behind Gloucestershire.
Surrey beat Middlesex by nine wickets!
Surrey 380 and 73-1 BEAT Middlesex 209 and 240 by nine wickets.
Surrey leapfrog Warwickshire back to the top of the Division One table – and the gap has widened to three points.
Bell bowls fairly wide right arm spin.
Josh Bohannon is now keeping wicket, and George Bell is at mid-on. We don’t know what Bell bowls, but we will soon.
Surrey are easing towards victory against Middlesex, despite the loss of Burns to Murtagh for 14. Surrey 40-1 need just 30.
Ah. I see Kent’s progress has hit a hiccup. Sam Billings lbw to Keith Barker for 29. Kent 185-4, still trail Hants by 93 runs.
And our two new ball bowlers now at Old Trafford are Steven Croft and Dane Vilas.
Updated
Just been flicking through a copy of the resurrected Cricket Paper, lovely to see it back.
Out in the middle at OT, it is all a bit lacking in drama, apart from whether Rew can make another century. I think both sides have quietly shut the door. Somerset 262-5, a lead of 297.
Gloucestershire have been bowled out for 383 – three for Lakmal and three for Reece. A two-step unbeaten fifty for Matt Taylor, Charlesworth 87. The lead 132 – and Derbyshire have an afternoon to survive.
I hesitate to tap this out but… Kent are doing rather well. Kent 167-3, Billings 27 not out, Leaning 22.
Surrey need 70 to win
This won’t take long. Middx all out 240, four wickets to Clark, three to Abbott. A solid effort from the Middx top order but no-one could go onto a big, long stay at the crease.
(Another) Fifty for James Rew!
Well played! A fourth fifty in six innings against Lancashire, Somerset 227-5. That’s Rew’s second fifty, to go with two centuries, and he now has the most runs in the CC in 2023.
Thanks to Romeo for this vintage clip of Bob off his long run, as clouds start to gather over OT.
Another fifty for Rishi Patel – two hundreds and two fifties in this fruitful early season. Leicestershire 99-4.
I went back for seconds and it was pasta and chips. Pure greed and a massive carb overload, but will try my absolute best to stay awake. James Rew is, so I’m told, just nine runs away from being the leading run-scorer in the Championship. Hope you all lunched/suppered/breakfasted well.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 and 146-3 v Hampshire 373
Old Trafford: Lancashire 326 v Somerset 361 and 211-5. Somerset lead by 246
The County Ground: Nottinghamshire 255 BEAT Northants 158 and 72 by an innings and 25 runs
The Oval: Surrey 380 v Middlesex 209 and234-8 Middx lead by 63
Edgbaston: Warwicks 242 and 100-6 BEAT Essex 126 and 215 by four wickets.
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 251-9dec v Gloucestershire 303-8
The Riverside: Durham 227 and 246-9 BEAT Yorkshire 254 and 219 by one wicket
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 258 and 82-0 BEAT Worcestershire 109 and 227 by ten wickets.
Grace Road: Leicestershire 270 and 91-4 v Sussex 430
Asks Gary Naylor:
Any word on why Parky is being kept out by a bowler with four wickets for 251 runs this season @tjaldred? Tom Hartley has much to offer as a cricketer, but bowling sides out in April and May is well down that list.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) May 14, 2023
I’m both summarising and speculating here but..I think Hartley is seen as more three dimensional cricketer and not only that but offers more control, pinging the ball in from a height. Parkinson hasn’t been at his best for the last 12 months or so and wasn’t offered a Hundred contract anywhere (though unsure how much this reflects on Championship cricket).
This is a fascinating little nugget:
It's not often I post a newspaper cutting but this one from The Age printed on July 23rd 1981 struck me as interesting. Amid all the (English) joy at the victory at Leeds in the 3rd Test of 1981 the angry reaction to the media of some leading English players is usually overlooked pic.twitter.com/EK62kxoq90
— Historic Cricket Pictures (@PictureSporting) May 14, 2023
Lammonby loses his head, survives a missed stumping off Bell, only to go down the track and be stumped next ball. Somerset 206-5.
In Div One: Kent have lost both well-set openers within three overs, Crawley for 56, Compton for 54. Muyeye was caught in between for a duck. Kent, hope flushed away, 127-3, 151 behind.
Lammonby and Rew making it look easy here at OT. Rew already has 34 off just 53 balls. Somerset 199-4.
Middlesex are suffering. Higgins (38 not out) sticking the band together with parcel tape. Middx 205-8, a lead of just 34 over Surrey.
A welcome email lands and settles.
“Hi Tanya.” Hello Ettiene Terblanche!
“County cricket, and your coverage of it is a balm for the approaching winter in the Southern Hemisphere winter on the southern tip of Africa. Throw in the delicious cultural tidbits like the Modern Life Is Rubbish alert, and you have the perfect Sunday afternoon insulation against the Monday blues.”
“Regarding Blur circa 1993 - my brother and I ‘inherited’ a few three button suits from a church bazaar, and (like the loons we were) wore them to the local nightclub in the tiny mining town in the physically and culturally barren NW Province in which we lived. We pestered the DJ to play Colin Zeal or Chemical World for a few Cherry Red pogoes after the relentless barrage of Dr Alban, Ace of Base, 2 Unlimited and Urban Cookie Collective. I can still smell the fear.”
I would love to see photos! And thank you for such a nice email from so far away. I hope it doesn’t make you too jealous if I tell you I’m going to see Blur at Wembley in the summer with lots of other 40 and 50 somethings looking for their youth, and my brainwashed daughter. Really hope they play something from MLIR.
As Lammonby goes on to his highest score of the season, time to take a leisurely stroll round the grounds:
In the remaining Division Two games: Ben Charlesworth nears three figures in the nailed on draw at The County Ground – though still plenty of overs left to pick up bonus points. Alex Thomson has taken the one wicket to fall this morning. Glos: 259-6, a lead of eight runs.
Leicestershire have lost two wickets in their attempt to bat out the day – Budinger and Hill. Rishi Patel is still there on 37. Leics: 64-2, trail Sussex by 96.
Thanks to Ken for spotting that Parky is on as 12th man, hand in pockets fielding down by the Point. It was 11 months ago that he made his Test debut as a concussion substitue. Huge swings and enormous roundabouts. Somerset 164-4. Lammonby 65, Rew 8.
Durham take 19 points from the victory, to move well clear of second-place Glamorgan at the top of Division Two. Yorkshire remain without a win.
Durham beat Yorkshire by one wicket!
Durham 227 and 246-9 BEAT Yorkshire 254 and 219 by one wicket
Durham clinch it, as Carse squeezes one down to third man and the runner negotiates the two runs needed. A fantastic chase, and Potts waiting on the boundary rope gives Raine a huge hug. Masood leads the handshakes as he takes his players off. Well Shan, I hope you like challenges.
Carse stung on the hand first ball! Breathe…
WICKET!!!!!!! Potts lbw for 25. The new ball does the trick!!! Two needed. Brydon Carse comes out with a runner..
With two to win, Yorkshire are taking the new ball…
Fifty for Ben Raine! He and Potts touch gloves in the sun. Four needed…
TKC plays forward and holds the pose, but unfortunately he picks the wrong line and is bowled. Somerset 139-4, the lead 174.
Shan Masood polishes the ball and murmurs words of wisdom to Bess…
Six needed at The Riverside…
A leg glance takes Lammonby to a well-fought fifty at OT, as Mahmood goes for two boundaries in an expensive over. Would love to see him go to three figures – I remember his brief golden 2020 summer so well. Has been something of a struggle since then.
Updated
Ooooh an injury to Jordan Thompson after diving on the floor, poor kid. He writhes on the pitch as the physio does something horrible. Oooof. And now he’s carrying on. They’re tough these Yorkshiremen. Durham 233-8.
Thanks to the BBC commentators I now know that this is the second longest winless run that Yorkshire have ever had. 16 games and counting.
A fifty run partnership between Raine and Potts! The force is with Durham here, isn’t it?
They’re on at The Riverside, two runs safely ticked off. Sun out, short shadows, Hill bowling to Raine.
Both teams are warming up on the OT green green grass, Lancs overseen by Glen Chapple who has an excellent tan for a red-head. Jimmy Anderson has been spotted on the pitch, but once more only in observer mode.
Ali on a fraught standoff between Pakistan and India over the Asia Cup.
For any Blur fans out there, there was a fabulous few minutes with Radcliffe and Maconie on Radio 6 music this morning about Modern Life is Rubbish. A perfect Sunday morning vignette (around 845am if you’re searching).
Saturday's round-up
The non-appearance of Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson, either walking out at No 11 or with the new ball in Somerset’s second innings, confirmed England worries about the seriousness of the suspected groin tweak which took him off the field on Thursday evening.
A tracksuited Anderson was spotted on the field before play, but spent the time in earnest discussion with Keaton Jennings rather than warming up. At the same time, Durham’s Brydon Carse, another in England’s pace-ace-hand, was being sent for a scan for a possible side strain.
It was a good moment then for Craig Overton to hit full fitness, powering in from the James Anderson end, squinting into the bright, bright Manchester sun. Overton has been bothered with tendonitis in the left knee all season and this was the best dedicated Somerset watchers had seen him bowling– all Chesterfield sofa shoulders, sharp bounce and enormous strides. He immediately got rid of Friday’s nightwatchman Will Williams, followed soon afterwards by Steven Croft before cutting off George Balderson (71) and George Bell (38) in their prime.
Overton was also Matt Henry’s dedicated ball polisher at second slip, working up a large cherry stain on his white vest in the process. Henry picked up four including his compatriot Daryl Mitchell, who put together a superb 105 on Lancashire debut, thrashing two huge sixes and weaving an acceptable team total, before becoming last out with Lancashire trailing by 35.
Mitchell was warmly applauded, becoming only the ninth player to make a hundred on first-class debut for Lancashire. With shadows pointing long fingers, Somerset lost three evening wickets but lead by 149 heading into today’s final day.
Glamorgan galloped to a 10-wicket win over Worcestershire at Sophia Gardens to bag their first victory of the season after they rattled through the visitors’ tail in less than an hour. Timm van der Gugten’s third five fer of the season made him the leading wicket-taker in Division Two. Eddie Byrom and David Lloyd rapidly knocked off the required runs.
Warwickshire overtook Surrey at the top of Division One after a three-day win over Essex at Edgbaston.
It has been an unexpectedly fruitful start to the season for
Warwickshire who only hung onto Division One status last year by half a fingernail in a final day thriller.
Chris Rushworth finished with eight wickets in the match as Essex were dismissed for 215, an unbeaten fifty from Simon Harmer at least giving their bowlers something to run in for. And Warwickshire’s victory charge wasn’t without its scares as an easy chase of 100 turned sticky before an unbeaten 23 from Ed Barnard got them over the line to win by four wickets.
Northamptonshire had a day to forget after being thrashed by an innings and 25 runs by Nottinghamshire, their second innings very soon resembling Piglet’s limp balloon, all out for 72. South Africa’s Dane Paterson cut through the top order in ideal bowling conditions, pocketing five for 16. Saif Zaib (26) was the only man to reach double figures. Northants have now lost three of their five games, and promoted Notts polish their buttons in third.
Tom Alsop made a fine unbeaten 182 in Sussex’s 430. Rehan Ahmed swung merrily on his way to 59 but it wasn’t enough to get Leicestershire past the follow-on. Cheteshwar Pujara’s decision to enforce squeezed yet further Steve Smith’s chances of a decent innings for Sussex before the start of the Ashes. Surrey are on top in the London derby, after a wonderful 97 from Jamie Smith and some tail wagging. Middlesex had lost three wickets by stumps and were still 43 in arrears.
A rip-roarer at Chester-le-Street will tip into the fourth day, with Durham needing 33 more runs and Yorkshire two more wickets, one of them the crocked Carse, for their first win of the season. Fifties from Ben Charlesworth and Miles Hammond gave Gloucestershire the best of the day, though Derbyshire opener Harry Came scored a finely-judged maiden first-class century. And Kent have a sniff of a draw with Hampshire after an unbeaten stand of 66 between Zak Crawley and Ben Compton at Canterbury.
Preamble
Good morning! A very heavy dew on the dog walk but all is bountiful and sunny, at least in Manchester, at least for now. Looks as if we should get almost a full day countrywide: Low cloud clearing from most parts of England and Wales through the morning then warm sunny spells and just the odd shower. Band of rain moving south-eastwards across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England and Wales. Sunshine and showers in northwest (with thanks to the Met office).
Three games finished on Saturday, wins for Glamorgan, Warwickshire and Notts, but all eyes turn to The Riverside, where a humdinger is in progress. The game swung this way and that as Durham chased Yorkshire’s total down. This morning they need just another 33, and Yorkshire two wickets – one of them the injured Brydon Carse.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 and 66-0 v Hampshire 373
Old Trafford: Lancashire 326 v Somerset 361 and 114-3
The County Ground: Nottinghamshire 255 BEAT Northants 158 and 72 by an innings and 25 runs
The Oval: Surrey 380 v Middlesex 209 and 128-3
Edgbaston: Warwicks 242 and 100-6 BEAT Essex 126 and 215 by four wickets.
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 251-9dec v Gloucestershire 195-5
Riverside: Durham 227 and 213-8 v Yorkshire 254 and 218 Durham need 33 more to win
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 258 and 82-0 BEAT Worcestershire 109 and 227 by ten wickets.
Grace Road: Leicestershire 270 and 16-0 v Sussex 430
