Roundup: Anderson injury scare gives England fresh headache
Nineteen-year-old James Rew’s second Championship century in three games was overshadowed by Jimmy Anderson’s no-show for Lancashire on Friday, a “minor issue” believed to be a groin twinge and a red alert for England’s Ashes hopes with the first Test less than five weeks away.
The Guardian understands the 40-year-old will not bowl again in the match, having slipped unnoticed off the field about 15 minutes before stumps on Thursday evening. He remained off the field all day on Friday, with Lancashire tight-lipped about his progress. “A minor issue is being assessed,” was all they would say, with Anderson under the close eye of the Lancashire physio, Sam Byrne.
England’s band of walking wounded fast bowlers is filling up rapidly: Jofra Archer flew home early from the IPL after feeling discomfort from recent elbow surgery and Olly Stone has been ruled out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury. Jamie Overton is recovering from a stress fracture and “unlikely” to have recovered in time for the Ashes, five Tests squeezed into a six-week window, and coming up rapidly on the rails. Meanwhile Saqib Mahmood is still working up to full match fitness, and Ben Stokes has been out of sorts at the Indian Premier League with a sore toe, and a chronic left knee problem.
Without Anderson Lancashire were unable to pin Somerset down, as the visitors first crawled, then skipped to 361. They got there thanks to a classy innings from Rew, who soaked up pressure at a cold and cloudy Old Trafford, and some late-afternoon larruping from Craig Overton and Matt Henry.
There were contrasting fortunes for Australia’s Championship players. Michael Neser, hovering in the Ashes wings, clunked 86 to give Glamorgan a sizeable lead over Worcestershire. But Sussex’s Steve Smith, who spent Thursday watching Grace Road’s groundstaff mop and squeeze, managed only three before meandering into a ball from Leicestershire’s Wiaan Mulder. Cheteshwar Pujara ruined his 100% conversion rate of 50s to 100s, when he was caught for 77.
Surrey finished the day on top in the London derby against Middlesex, led by 88 from Rory Burns and 55 not out from Jamie Smith, while at Chester-le-Street Jonny Bairstow made a circumspect 16 not out for Yorkshire against Durham.
Updated
Handshakes at OT, after Balderson safely plays out Aldridge’s over. The evening runs swiftly in, floodlights on, heavy cloud, Lancashire trail by 289. A super day for James Rew, a fretful one for England’s selectors after James Anderson’s “minor issue” no-show. That’s it from me, till tomorrow, good night!
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Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 v Hampshire 103-0
Old Trafford: Lancashire 72-2 v Somerset 361
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 158 v Nottinghamshire 157-4
The Oval: Surrey 190-3 v Middlesex 209
Edgbaston: Warwicks 242 v Essex 126 and 86-4
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 130-5 v Gloucestershire
Riverside: Durham 227 v Yorkshire 254 and 91-3
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 258 v Worcestershire 109 and 195-7
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Sussex 319-4
Just popping back briefly with an email from Mike Daniels:
“I think Sussex have found a good cricketer in YJC (Young James Coles).
“He’s completed a brisk and excellent fifty. Looks strong, composed, organised and plays shots all round the wicket.
Will be interesting to see how he bowls.”
With the game finally underway at Canterbury, and Lancs under the cosh at OT, I need to start writing for first edition. Do keep an eye on events BTL
Fabulous catch by Henry! He leaps and parries a return catch from Wells with his right hand and gets his left mitt around it on the rebound. Brilliant though now wrings his hand with the impact. Lancs 5-1.
Before Coverton tries to flash the selectorial eye, with some injuries around the England fast bowling stocks, a quick look round the grounds.
Division One:
Inspection at 5pm at Canterbury, still no play today.
The big trio of Hameed, Duckett and Slater all back in the hutch at The County Ground, Notts 75-3.
In the London derby, Surrey 190-3, Burns caught behind just short of his century. More runs for Jamie Smith 55 not out, Foakes 22 not out. Surrey only 19 runs behind.
Essex, who started their second innings in arears, have already lost Browne. To whom? Do you really need to ask. Essex 24-1.
Some great on the ground reporting. Thanks to Mike Daniels for watching closely as Steve Smith was sent on his way : “I’m in the scorebox side at Grace Road and the consensus here was that it looked a bit high. Unlucky Smithy.”
Now Leach joins in, two successive fours off Williams, an innings which comes to an end with a fabulous diving catch at mid-on by Dane Vilas, who launched into mid air, swallowed and survived the bump to earth. Somerset 361 all out.
Fifty for Matt Henry!
A huge irritation for Lancs but invaluable for Somerset, cane off 39 balls, four fours, three sixes.
Matt Henry hits the balcony of the point! Huge six. And another! Not quite as big, slipping under the shelf. Then one more into the concourse! Hartley’s over : 6, 2,0,6,6, 1 and Somerest pass 350. Henry 49 not out from 38 balls. Quite the effort from 12-3.
Key event
The contrasting figures of Hassan Ali and Olly Hannon Dalby are adding a bit of razzle-dazzle here at Edgbaston. In tricky conditions, under lights, they came together at 172 for nine - just 46 runs ahead - and between them have now added 60-odd runs for the final wicket, pushing the lead past three figures. The more diminutive Hassan is unbeaten on 52 from just 34 balls, cracking four fours and four sixes in pugnacious fashion, but even more eye-brow raising is the usually stoic OHD deciding to free his arms a bit. He’s just sent Snater over the rope twice in two balls with two perfect pull shots, doubling his career sixes in the process. It’s like watching a 6ft 7in Brian Lara. Any more of this and that currently sticker-less bat might attract a sponsorship offer or three. And as I type that he’s been winkled out for 18 from 43 balls, Warwickshire 242 all out and 116 runs ahead.
I went in urgent search of strong coffee at tea and there’s a whip of a cold wind blowing across Old Trafford. Stewards are in woolly hats, experienced spectators in cagoul and fleece. Regretting my light spring jacket.
Also wanted to give a shout out to Polly the lovely Somerset scorer who I met at lunch. She is the second female first XI scorer at a club, the first was Dawn Pugh at Worcestershire, who died last year. after a fabulous few years. RIP. There are now a record-breaking five women on the first XI men’s circuit: Debbie at Surrey, Jane at Derby, Sue at Worcestershire, Fiona at Hampshire and Polly at Somerset. Thanks so much for showing girls it is a job for them too.
Tea-time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 v Hampshire 89-0 no play before lunch
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Somerset 302-8
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 158 v Nottinghamshire 51-0
The Oval: Surrey 160-3 v Middlesex 209
Edgbaston: Warwicks 193-9 v Essex 126
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 96-3 v Gloucestershire
Riverside: Durham 227 v Yorkshire 254 and 6-1
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 258 v Worcestershire 109 and 112-6
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Sussex 208-4
With the departure of Brett d’Oliveira, Worcestershire are five down now, still nearly 50 short of making Glamorgan bat again, with Azhar Ali - who played some gorgeous shots early in his innings but has gone into his shell a bit - stuck at the other end watching them fall. In other news the near-naked spectator now appears to be wearing a vest and a shirt and a jacket, which is quite the turnaround.
Smith out for three
Ashes prep is over-rated. Smith lbw for a desultory three, a third for Mulder. He turns and marches off.
☝️ | 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 (𝟑), 𝐥𝐛𝐰 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫.
— Leicestershire CCC 🏏 (@leicsccc) May 12, 2023
Mulder gets Smith! The Australian survived a huge LBW shout from Scriven at the start of his innings, but he's sent on his way this time. A massive scalp. 💪
SUS 198/4
🔴 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/iuBTJrZiYp
🦊#LEIvSUS pic.twitter.com/cvlDJhWil1
While here at OT, another Lancashire attack of dropsy, this time a caught and bowled by Mahmood. Henry the lucky man. Oh, and Somerset got their batting point, 302-8. We make that seven catches dropped in the match. So far.
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A wicket for Hartley! Davey fancies a thrash but gets caught by mid-on for nine. Somerset 285-8, three overs and 15 runs needed for the batting point.
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A quick glance round the grounds:
10,000 runs for Rory Burns, who has moved to 88 not out, Surrey 137-3. Durham are all out, 27 runs short of Yorkshire. Four wickets for George Hill.
Ben Duckett flying along to 14 not out in Notts’ 18-0 on the charge for Northants ‘158. And Hasan Ali trying to bat collapsing Warwicks to a first batting point against Essex. Warwicks 193-9.
Steve Smith is in
And Cheteshwar Pujara is out, for a mere 77, thus ruining his otherwise pitch perfect record of converting fifties for Sussex. Sussex 189-3.
Biff-boff, Coveton is freeing up Somerset now – four fours in his 17 not out. And that’s the end of Rew who fishes outside off stump and edges through to Wells for 105. Fabulous, pressure-soaking, effort, made the most of being dropped, and a second first-class century of the season. Well played!
Somerset still need another 32 for a second batting point in seven ish overs.
A second century of the season for James Rew
What a way to reach a hundred! Rew reaches three figures with a crack of a square cut, successive hundreds against Lancashire, two hundreds in three games. He gets a huge bear hug from Craig Overton, takes his helmet off to reveal gingery hair, shyly raises his bat. And he’s just 19.
Lancashire hold a catch! A clearly cross Aldridge drives to reach his second first-class fifty (the first made against Lancs at Taunton just last month) and is caught at slip by Luke Wells. Just after notching up the hundred partnership with James Rew off just 213 balls. The wicket is Mitchell’s.
But Aldridge, just 22, is on the up and up. Enter COverton.
The watching Rew, 19, is just five runs short of his third century in successive games against Lancashire.
Ryan Patel follows Sibley back to the pavilion. Surrey 68-2
Still no play at Canterbury, where Kent’s rain dance continues in the car park.
In this stodgy slow burner at OT, Rew earns six runs through four overthrows to jump to 88. Somerset 228-5.
Rain at the County Ground, where Northants remain in deep trouble at 137-9.
And while our man at Edgbaston has other pots to wash, will just comment that the Warwicks train, 144-4, going well with Rhodes and Barnard at the controls.
That man Tom Price makes the breakthrough at The County Ground, Haider lbw for two. Derby 25-1. Harry Came, the great grandson of former England captain RWV Robins, a swift 22 not out.
County caps for Kemar Roach and Dan Worrall
Kemar Roach and Dan Worrall thoroughly deserve their Surrey County Caps 👏🏏 https://t.co/JHVZRFgzVj
— James (@Surreycricfan) May 12, 2023
Surrey slip! Dom Sibley the man to go, feathering Ethan Bamber through to slip for 13. Surrey 51-1, Rory Burns looking in fine touch, 36 not out.
At Old Trafford, a boundary! As James Rew steps into the eighties – he’s in great nick at the moment. In the last two games: 117 and 49 v Lancs last month, and 89 v Northants last week.
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Hello from Sophia Gardens, where Ed Pollock’s wicket has thankfully diverted attention from the member of the audience who decided his enjoyment of the cricket would be augmented if he sat in the stands wearing nothing but some really very brief shorts and a wide-brimmed hat. There may be something on his feet as well, but from my seat in the press box I simply can’t tell. There had been some concerns that the wicket had become completely becalmed, but Timm van der Gugten has demonstrated that there’s life in it yet.
It has taken the best part of two hours for my earlier jinx to kick in - to the point of wondering whether what we say ATL really influences proceedings out in the middle - but Essex finally have their first wicket of the day at Edgbaston, Sam Hain bowled by Shane Snater. It was a lovely piece of bowling too, Snater trotting in and kissing the right-hander’s off stump with a ball that pitched on middle and nipped past what appeared a very correct defensive shot. Still, a fine innings of 45 from a nice neat 100 balls has been one half of a 91-run stand with Will Rhodes, 48 not out, that has pushed Warwickshire to within 18 runs of their opponents, three down.
A triumph for Gloucestershire seconds who have plucked victory from the jaws of defeat, beating a star-studded Surrey 2nd XI with an unbroken last wicket partnership of 101 from Jared Warner and Luke Charlesworth. Amar Virdi five for 50.
Gloucestershire wake up! Play to start at Derby in one minute. Biblical cloud bursts, plague of frogs not withstanding.
And another catch bites the dust at Old Trafford - albeit a very hard one, this time sub Rob Jones at slip who leaps to parry a high one off James Rew on 70.
Updated
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 v Hampshire 89-0 no play before lunch
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Somerset 181-5
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 137-9 v Nottinghamshire
The Oval: Surrey 26-0 v Middlesex 209
Edgbaston: Warwicks 103-2 v Essex 126
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire inspection 2pm
Riverside: Durham 123-5 v Yorkshire 254
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 258 v Worcestershire 109 and 0-0
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Sussex 91-2
In the party division-Jordan Thompson is marching through Durham (3-34) Ollie Robinson and Graham Clark providing some resistance: 124-5, trail Yorkshire by 130.
Ooof Michael Neser. Flexed the Ashes bowling muscles, now time to flex the Ashes batting muscles – 86 not out with 13 fours. Glamorgan 258-9, a lead of 149. Fear Worcestershire will not see out the day.
Pujara and Alsop have put on 23 at Grace Road – Sussex 76 for two.
George Balderson being screamed at like a member of Take That in their heyday, running into Casey Aldridge from the Brian Statham end. While Northants have joined the sudden tumble down the stairs party: from 113-2 to 128-7. Vasconcelos surveying the bloodied steps with 62 not out.
Fast bowler injury update
Not Jimmy, I’m afraid, but have just bumped into Warwickshire’s Liam Norwell on his way to the Colts Ground. He looked absolutely cherry ripe when I saw him bowl in pre-season but a random slip in wet conditions jarred his back and a disc is now impinging on a nerve. As such, he’s due to have an injection next week and see how it pulls up. Some days he feels good to go, others less so. So frustrating for him after last season’s combination of injury and final day heroics ... at least the feelings of guilt he had in 2022 are offset by the depth in bowling this season. Very much enjoyed doing this piece with him and OHD.
Steve Smith watch
He’s next in at Grace Road, where Wiaan Mulder grabbed both Orr and Clark in the twenties. But Leicestershire have to get Pujara first (or more likely Alsop).
Another drop at OT, this time poor George Bell, hits him on the wrist and dies.
Round the grounds, rain at Canterbury, The Oval and Derby (no play before lunch, wet outfield). Gloucestershire’s weather curse continues.
Updated
Apologies, my computer is playing up – hopefully this gets through. A wicket at OT – Lammonby for 38 – but Rew has picked up fifty. Oh, and Saqib Mahmood has just left the field.
A wicketless first hour at Edgbaston but it’s not for a lack of effort from Essex, who have probed away, beaten the bat and just seen what looked like a strong lbw shout turned down off the bowling of Shane Snater. But - and no doubt this will prompt accusations of chucking a hex their way BTL - they have met some very disciplined resistance from Sam Hain and Will Rhodes in a 50-run partnership. Hain gambolled out of the nets this morning and has played some beautiful punch drives and cuts through the covers since. He’s enjoying a fine start to the season and is growing into the role of senior bat in this Bears side. Warwickshire 69 for two in reply to the visiting side’s 126 all out.
Enough with the Anderson distraction – more news when we get it. Plentiful supporters here at Old Trafford on a day of light clouds and gusty breezes. Clutches of excited school children are meeting Lanky, eating ice creams and playing cricket. On the field, its been slow and steady accumulation by Somerset – now 134-4, and Rew (41) has overtaken Lammonby (38).
Interesting chatting to Sam up from Somerset about Tom Kohler-Cadmore who played such a frenetic innings yesterday. Apparently he spoke last week about his role in this Somerset team.
“I have wanted to bat like that all season,”said Kohler Cadmore after his century last week.“Some days you get off to quicker starts than others, but I like to think that if I face 40 balls I can score significantly, rather than scratch around for five runs.
“I am going to play some shots that will have people tearing their hair out and maybe suffer some awful dismissals. But for me, it is all about making sure I am confident and fully committed.
“If I had been tentative with that first shot it would have ended up in a slip’s hands. Because I was fully committed to it, the ball flew over the slips.”
Ashes walking wounded - to date
Jofra Archer: elbow
Olly Stone: hamstring
now Jimmy Anderson: “minor issue.”
Jamie Overton: stress fracture of the back
Craig Overton: playing but still carrying an injury
Updated
Jimmy Anderson 'minor issue' keeping him off field
“Hi Tanya,” writes Keith Fenton, “do you know why Jimmy is off the field.” Keith, we just have news.
“A minor issue is being assessed.” He came off last night shortly before the rain delay and hasn’t retaken the field today. He’s currently being assessed by Lancashire’s physio Sam Byrne.
Updated
Jimmy Anderson not on the field
Don’t want to worry anyone but Anderson hasn’t been on the field for the first half hour of play.
The fourth catch of the match slips between the soapy fingers of the Lancashire fielders. This isn’t going to be their year, is it. James Rew gets a life, Somerset 109-4.
It\s cold and cloudy at Grace Road and the floodlights are on. Let’s see what Steve Smith can do with that! Oh, and Mr a hundred percent conversion rate Pujara. Ali points out that Sussex are without Nathan McAndrew, who might be ideal for the conditions – because they are playing Smith and only two overseas players are allowed.
Rain watch
Kent will be devastated that the rain is currently falling on yesterday’s dogs dinner.
At last, cricket’s authorities start to understand that less is more.
Thursday's round-up
A downpour of wickets, 66 in all, on another damp County Championship Thursday. Kent suffered the biggest malfunction, all out for 95 after James Fuller made hay with five for 21. Zak Crawley clapped one four before becoming Keith Barker’s 500th first-class wicket. Hampshire were just six runs behind, with all 10 wickets left, at stumps.
Australian Ashes hopeful Michael Neser followed up his seven for 32 against Yorkshire with four for 40 against Worcestershire, who crumbled to 109 all out. James Harris pocketed four for 18. Glamorgan crunched past, with 42 for Marnus Labuschagne and a morale inducing 48 from the previously out of luck David Lloyd.
Humidity and heavy cloud gave Jimmy Anderson dream bowling conditions at Old Trafford, and he took advantage, grabbing two for 16 from 14 overs, with three catches dropped off his bowling, including a caught and bowled. Somerset recovered from 12 for three to the relative riches of 109 for four, Tom Lammonby gripping on to a three-hour 34 before the rain fell. At the County Ground, Northamptonshire reached 86 for two against Nottinghamshire.
Chris Rushworth’s triple-wicket maiden before tea, and Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s trio afterwards for Warwickshire knocked over Essex in double-quick time: 126 all out in an innings containing four ducks. Jamie Porter’s two wicket evening burst made things interesting.
Middlesex suffered a banana-skin slide against Surrey after encountering an inspired Dan Worrall at the Oval, slipping from 166 for one to 209 all out. It had all seemed so different when Sam Robson (76) and Pieter Malan (66) were at the crease. Gus Atkinson removed both just before tea, then Worrall’s 26-ball spell of five wickets for one run changed the match.
Yorkshire collected the only batting point of the day, new captain Shan Masood, fresh from Pakistan duties, top-scored with 44 against Durham. Jonny Bairstow, in his second game back, notched 27. There were four wickets for Matthew Potts.
No play was possible at Derby, or Grace Road, where Sussex’s Steve Smith is alert for more Ashes toe-touching stretches.
Meanwhile in India, Joe Root’s wait for an IPL innings continues, after Rajasthan Royals chased down Kolkata Knight Riders’ 149 for eight in 13.1 overs.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 v Hampshire 89-0
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Somerset 109-4
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 86-2 v Nottinghamshire
The Oval: Surrey 21-0 v Middlesex 209
Edgbaston: Warwicks 17-2 v Essex 126
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire no play Thursday
Riverside: Durham 42-2 v Yorkshire 254
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 177-6 v Worcestershire 109
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Sussex no play Thursday
Preamble
Good morning! Birdsong and breezes in south Manchester, and not too bad round the rest of the country either. The Met office summing up reads: Cool and breezy across east and southeastern areas with low cloud, then some rain affecting the southeast for a time. Sunny spells across western areas where it will feel warm by afternoon.
So many wickets yesterday even with two games completely washed out, time for the batters to strike back this morning. Hampshire’s openers showed the way last night. I’m just on my way to Old Trafford, so grab a coffee and dive in BTL.
