Roundup: Durham could lose points over Maddinson's bat
Durham face a possible points deduction after their overseas player Nic Maddinson came to the crease carrying a bat that was too big. The umpire Hassan Adnan tried, and failed, to squeeze the bat through his measurement guage, and it was duly confiscated by the match referee. If the bat fails a second test after play, it will be packed off and sent to the ECB. It topped a disappointing day for Durham, who lost five wickets for 26 in the final session to give the promotion hopefuls Derbyshire a spring in their step.
In the Roses match, 20-year old Fin Bean, who lit up Yorkshire’s second XI in June with a record 441 against Nottinghamshire, made an assured 42 on first-class debut at Old Trafford. A studious player, he took 19 balls to get off the mark, but found his feet, driving smartly and quick-stepping between the wickets with George Hill. With 50 beckoning he was trapped like a toddling faun by a Tom Bailey yorker. It has been a second coming for Bean, who in 2020 turned down an academy contract to work as a mechanic.
Feroze Khushi’s maiden first-class century lit up a grizzly Canterbury and slotted Essex into a dominant position. Khushi kissed the ground after reaching his century and later lifted Denly over his head for six to tot up 500. Kent’s reply began with Ben Compton’s stumps spreadeagled by Jamie Porter, and did not get much better.
Hampshire dashed to maximum batting points as they eyed up the title, thanks to a swashbuckling 94 from Aneurin Donald and a frisky cameo from Kyle Abbott. Sensibly-shod Northamptonshire reached 77 for one at the close.
At the top of Division Two, Nottinghamshire set Leicestershire an implausible 499 to win, after knocking up 390, thanks to half centuries from Haseeb Hameed, Lyndon James and Joe Clarke.
A career-best 172 by Gareth Roderick put Worcestershire in a strong position on a soggy day at Sophia Gardens, while Imam-ul-Haq’s 90 on Championship debut helped Somerset avoid the follow-on against Gloucestershire.
As Manchester empties its skies over Old Trafford, that’s it for now. Congratulations to Feroze Khushi and Gareth Roderick, commiserations to Nic Maddinson and his enormous bat. Thanks to Ralf for his help, and for all the BTL chat – have a lovely evening. Good night!
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