Round Up
After 22 wickets fell in a single day yesterday it was a more sedate affair at Edgbaston on day two. Warwickshire were staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat as Middlesex reduced them to 69 for three but salvation came in an obdurate 110-run stand between Dan Mousley and Sam Hain.
The home side duly wiped off the first-innings deficit and had crept to a 50-run lead by the time the rain arrived in Birmingham to wash out the evening session. Hain occupied the crease for nigh on five hours and will resume on 66.
Headline writers in Taunton were gifted a double-glazed opportunity by Jamie Overton midway through the afternoon session, the Surrey all-rounder biffed Somerset’s Shoaib Bashir over long-on and straight through a window in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion. Earlier, both Tom Latham and Will Jacks departed for 99 as Surrey eventually posted 368 to put themselves firmly in control.
Of the other Division One games the most pulse quickening is at the Ageas Bowl where Hampshire managed to dust down Essex for 169 and went to 122 for six thanks to a steely 44 not out from Nick Gubbins. The home side have four wickets in hand to grow a tricksy lead that currently sits at 73 runs.
The matches at Old Trafford and Trent Bridge were on the simmer as the rains arrived at tea. Lancashire lost Keaton Jennings to post 121 for one in response to Northamptonshire’s 342 whilst Ben Geddes and Jack Leaning steered Kent to 102 for two to trail Nottinghamshire by 248. Brett Hutton kept his spot at the top of the Championship’s wicket table by pinning Ben Compton lbw for his 46th scalp of the season.
Worcestershire recovered from 18 for three against Gloucestershire to close on 265 for seven on a truncated first day at Cheltenham College, and Derbyshire battled bravely to reach 95 without loss in response to Glamorgan’s highest ever total (521 for eight) at Derby.
At Scarborough, Durham closed on 106 for one in reply to Yorkshire’s 340. Adam Lyth struck his third century of the season.
Updated
Nipping back to post the round up. Thanks for your company and comments. Tanya will be back tomorrow to expertly guide you through what looks to be a rain-affected day. Goodnight!
With rain falling I’m going to use this time wisely and start writing up for tomorrow’s paper. Hold the fort and keep on truckin’ below the line.
As the rain falls, here’s something to get stuck into – Duncan Spencer bowling a rrrrrapid spell at a 41 year old (and of course sans helmet) Viv Richards. Oooft.
In the reverse of yesterday, Scarborough is now the only place without rain in the land. Durham have made their way to 42-0, Alex Lees doing his thing with 34 off 29 balls and a more sedate Michael Jones on 8 off 21. This pesky weather eh?
Just spotted that this was 25 years ago today! With rain around for the foreseeable maybe let’s have your suggestions for the most enthralling duels in domestic cricket from over the years?
25 years ago today @TrentBridge.
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 26, 2023
Allan Donald & Mike Atherton took part in one of the greatest duels in recent Test history.
What do you remember? #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/CIFvUBvbrK
“This looks like it will be a proper band of rain. No messing about, just solid rain for 15+ hours. Happy Cricket Season everyone” Hmm.
Tea Time-Ish Scores
Division One
Southampton: Hampshire 120 & 117-6, Essex 169 (Hants lead by 68 runs with 4 wickets remaining)
Manchester: Northamptonshire 342, Lancashire 121-1 (Lancs trail by 221 runs with 9 wickets remaining)
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 350, Kent 93-2 (Kent trail by 257 runs with 8 wickets remaining)
Taunton: Somerset 170 v Surrey 360- (RAIN – Surrey lead by 198 runs)
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 60 & 189-4 v Middlesex 199 ( RAIN – Warwickshire lead by 50 runs with 6 wickets remaining)
Division Two
Derby: Glamorgan 521-8 dec, Derbyshire 95-0 (RAIN – Derbyshire trail by 426 runs with 10 wickets remaining)
Scarborough: Yorkshire 340 v Durham (Yorks lead by 340 runs)
Cheltenham: Worcestershire 265-7 v Gloucestershire
Some tea time reading? Forgive the shameless plug but here’ something I wrote at a very small hour this morning about a lesser known Ashes yarn. You all subscribe to The Spin of course? Yes? Thought so.
Yorkshire are ALL OUT for 340 in Scarborough, they’ve headed off for a cuppa and a sarnie at Marine Road too.
Updated
James Fuller and Nick Gubbins rebuilding for Hampshire against Essex, they’ve eked out a lead of 53 and counting with four wickets left to come.
There’s rain around by the looks of it with a few places taking an early tea. Will do a whizz around the grounds for a quick tea-time-ish update.
100 up for Lancashire at Old Trafford. They’ve just lost Keaton Jennings for 55 but ticking along nicely against Northants.
“Well, Jacks and Latham may have failed to bring up three figures, but Craig Overton has.”
Big Craig has shipped 106-0 from his 22 overs in Taunton this far.
“We’ll call that a Somerset moral victory, seeing as moral victories are all the rage this summer”
LongHop sending down some neat stuff BTL.
Derbyshire are chipping away at Glamorgan’s record total at the Incora. Their opening pair of Harry Came and Luis Reece have put on a fifty-stand.
Kent have done the same in response to Notts’ 350 but they have lost Ben Compton lbw to Brett Hutton in the process.
Hampshire are in trouble… James Vince and Ben Brown have both come and gone, the home side spluttering on 56-4. A lead of seven runs with six wickets in the hutch. Nick Gubbins is hanging in there, an hour and twenty minutes at the crease for his 18.
Updated
Stick a flake in them, they’re done! What are the chances?! Will Jacks falls for 99 just a couple of hours after teammate Tom Latham was sent on his way one shy of a century too. Ben Green the man to break South London hearts this time around. Surrey are 317 -7
OVERTON WINDOW!
Oh, and Jamie Overton just did this:
Send the repair bill Jamie Overton's way!
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 26, 2023
The @surreycricket man hits a six and smashes a window at Taunton in the process#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/qoc3RDuHYK
Anyone got a number for a glazier in the South-West?
Dan Mousley and Sam Hain have got Warwickshire into the lead at Edgbaston. A watchful partnership of nudges, nurdles and putting away any loose deliveries. As I type Ethan Bamber gets one to nip prodigiously off the still very green surface! I’ll take my leave and let them get on with it.
Just seen this. Raymond Illingworth would not have stood for it.
Mark Wood is chaos 🤣#BBCCricket #Ashes #Barbie #StarWars pic.twitter.com/yGg9VvYMRc
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 26, 2023
The players are back out after some scran. My nipper had precisely two pieces of pasta and then flounced off. Typical.
Lancs are 30-0 at Old Trafford and Surrey are pulling away in Taunton – the power couple of Will Jacks and Jamie Overton are at the crease and the lead is up to 107. Could be a lot more unless Somerset can winkle one or both of the current pair out pronto.
Oh and it’s positively serene at Edgbaston today – Warwickshire are 122-3, now just 18 shy of Middlesex’s first innings. Tiny acorns…
Shot @Wjacks9 🚀
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 26, 2023
Will Jacks is on the attack after lunch , taking Surrey to 270/6 - leading by 100.
WATCH LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/fYQ3aOCT8w
🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/xVyFEzjSIi
Updated
Lunchtime Scores On The Doors
Division One
Southampton: Hampshire 120 & 22-2, Essex 169
Manchester: Northamptonshire 342, Lancashire 21-0
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 350, Kent 8-0
Taunton: Somerset 170 v Surrey 246-6
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 60 & 119-3 v Middlesex 199
Division Two
Derby: Glamorgan 521-8 dec, Derbyshire 16-0
Scarborough: Yorkshire 211-3 v Durham
Cheltenham: Worcestershire 119-0 v Gloucestershire
Updated
1pm ticks around. Give me two minutes to serve some very bland pasta to a very excitable two year old and I’ll be back to post a lunchtime round up.
Apologies that didn’t post for some reason…
Updated
Jamie Porter and Sam Cook are putting Hampshire under the pump in Southampton. Both Ian Holland and Fletcha Middleton have fallen LBW for the home side with Cook and Porter sharing the spoils. Hants are 12-2 and still 37 runs adrift.
News filtering through from Taunton that Kasey Aldridge has suffered a dreaded side strain. That makes Somerset’s job of winkling out fifteen more Surrey wickets in the match decidedly harder.
Glamorgan post their highest ever score at Derby! 521/8 declared, over to Derbyshire to dig in.
𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) July 26, 2023
A fantastic display from the batters see us amass 521/8 before Lloyd calls us in, Ingram top-scored with 136 😍
Full batting points ✅
📺 https://t.co/4XEQ0hXPNr#OhGlammyGlammy | #DERvGLAM pic.twitter.com/LsmTeep3uD
Northants ALL OUT for 342. Lancashire strike back this morning with five wickets costing just 40 runs.
Gah! Tom Latham does indeed fall for 99 at Taunton! First ball back after the brief rain delay the Kiwi batter tries to cut Shoaib Bashir but gets a meaty edge to Craig Overton who juggles the catch at slip before clinging on. Latham will have to wait for his maiden Surrey century.
Despair for Tom Latham as he departs on 99
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 26, 2023
Craig Overton takes the catch after quite the juggle!#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/hJ3idllAKX
Updated
Well played Adam Lyth! Yorkshire going nicely at Scarborough, 195-3.
It's back-to-back #LVCountyChamp centuries for Adam Lyth
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 26, 2023
A fine innings from the @YorkshireCCC opener#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/5Iwb6xZVhn
NEWS: No ch ch ch changes for England ahead of tomorrow’s fifth and final Ashes Test:
England are unchanged. #BBCCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/AYjOofPQWe
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 26, 2023
Game on at the Ageas - Essex are all out for 169 and will take a lead of 49 runs after one knock each.
Elsewhere there is some rain around at Taunton and the players have taken cover. Spare a thought for Tom Latham who is currently 99*
Notts, Northants, Yorkshire, Glamorgan all ticking along nicely and it has calmed down at Edgbaston, for the time being…
Updated
Worcestershire are 34 for 3 at Cheltenham! Matt Taylor has a quick brace and Tom Price in the W column too.
Can everybody stop gettin’ out.
Exciting situation brewing down at the Ageas!
Essex lead Hampshire by 36 runs with 2 wickets remaining, but one of those is the injured Shane Snater who is expected not to bat.
Ethan Bamber has his seventh wicket of the match at Edgbaston. Rob Yates the man to go with a tickle of an edge through to keeper John Simpson. Mousley and Hain currently at the crease trying to get Warwickshire to parity and then perhaps a tricksy lead.
They currently trail by 67 runs with 7 wickets remaining.
“Morning James, morning everyone.”
Dr Cozzer will see you now… (BTL)
“It’s another fine morning in the nation’s capital. If only there were matches happening here. (There’s a decent game on tomorrow in South London , Doc)
“Was there any discussion of ToRoJo’s dismissal here yesterday? I didn’t see any. I watched the footage last night, and then there was extensive discussion on my club’s WhatsApp group. I can see why the umpires gave it (particularly as they don’t have access to the footage), but I think he has every reason to feel aggrieved. Apart from whether or not he hit his stumps after the six was scored (or signalled), I don’t think he did it as part of executing the shot. He swings his bat behind his back, and then holds the pose for a second or so, and then walks back into the crease swinging his bat back.
But I suppose it’s one of those: if you don’t want to be given out wrongly for hit wicket, just be careful not to hit your wicket.”
The good doctor is of course referring to this. Just when you think you’ve seen it all…
All-timer stuff from Toby Roland-Jones at Edgbaston: pic.twitter.com/4Ph1oZD9C9
— Nick Friend (@NickFriend1) July 25, 2023
Cheltenham… Gloucester… off to boil the kettle and will be humming this for the duration. They don’t make them like they used to!
In case you missed ‘em, here are the overnight scores.
Welcome along also to Worcs and Gloucs who start today down at the Cheltenham Festival.
Division One
Southampton: Hampshire 120, Essex 145-6
Manchester: Northamptonshire 302-5 v Lancashire
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 275-5 v Kent
Taunton: Somerset 170 v Surrey 138-4
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 60 & 53-2 v Middlesex 199
Division Two
Derby: Glamorgan 408-6 v Derbyshire
Scarborough: Yorkshire 142-2 v Durham
Cheltenham College: Gloucestershire v Worcestershire (begins today)
This re-bound grab makes for hypnotic viewing too. Yes, I have watched it six times this morning.
As the clock ticks round to 11am play is about to begin up and down the land. Keep me informed as to how things are going, I’ve only got so many eyes and ears. Drop me an email, a tweet or join in BTL. PLAY!
This match keeps on delivering!
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 25, 2023
Davies is removed thanks to some brilliance in the slips#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/LZ3VMHIk0Q
Take a look at all the wickets to fall at Edgbaston yesterday. 22 in a day!
Enjoy all 22 wickets from a crazy first day at Edgbaston#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/PCJXXGVzCH
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 26, 2023
We’re all set now. Apologies for locking you out. It wasn’t me guv.
@Jimbo_Cricket James, can you turn on comments on CC Live?
— Billy Mills https://www.patreon.com/user?u (@BmillsBilly) July 26, 2023
Preamble
Good morning and welcome to Day Two of the Guardian’s county cricket blog. Sequel’s are often better than the original aren’t they? Think the Godfather, Terminator and erm, I dunno - Shrek?
In all honesty today will have to go some to beat the thrills and spills of the first day across the shires. Before we get stuck into day two, why not catch up on how things stand? I’ll be back.
Day One Round Up:
On the day their chairman, Rod Bransgrove, announced he was stepping back from the role after more than 23 years at the helm, Hampshire fell to 120 all out against Essex at the Ageas Bowl. James Vince’s bowlers pegged back Tom Westley’s side in the afternoon to leave the visitors on 145 for six.
England fans would have no doubt rolled their eyes at the sunny scene on display at Old Trafford yesterday morning where Lancashire chased leather during a partnership of 207 runs for Northamptonshire’s Emilio Gay and Luke Procter. Gay eventually fell for 144 as Northants secured only their second and third batting points of the season by scoring 302 for five.
The Overton twins duking it out at Taunton provided the box-office moment of the day in the shires. In this fixture last year Craig was forced to retire hurt after being clocked on the helmet by a bouncer from his younger sibling. That thought was surely not far from the senior Overton’s mind as he strode out with Somerset struggling on 140 for seven in bright sunshine. Four balls later he was back in the hutch after Jamie had sent down a searing delivery that kissed his glove and ended up in Ben Foakes’s mitts behind the stumps. Surrey closed on 138 for four in response to Somerset’s total of 170.
On a bonkers day in Birmingham 22 wickets fell in total on green Edgbaston pitch. Both sides found batting difficult but Middlesex were well on top by the close – a battling 53 from Ryan Higgins saw them reply to Warwickshire’s 60 all out with 199. Ethan Bamber added another wicket to his five for 20 in the first innings as the home side closed on 53 for two, 86 runs adrift.
Nottinghamshire cruised to 275 for five against Kent, Ben Slater falling for exactly 100 at the top of the order and Glamorgan rattled along to 408 for six against beleaguered Derbyshire. Afternoon rain and hailstones meant a truncated day in Scarborough, Durham’s Matt Potts striking with two late lbw dismissals to leave Yorkshire 148 for two at stumps after just 38 overs of possible play.
