Tanya's roundup
On the runs piled, century after century. At Taunton, James Rew crafted his maiden double hundred, to put on the wall alongside his four other Championship tons of 2023 – all at the tender age of 19. Rew strode in with Somerset 41 for four on Monday against Hampshire, and was last man out just before tea on Tuesday as the scoreboard ticked over to 500. An innings of patience, sudden changes of pace and luck – he was dropped once at slip by James Vince – finally came a cropper to Vince’s medium pace, for 221. Rew pulled off his helmet, gave his ginger mop a shake, and waved his bat to the standing, applauding Taunton faithful – 952 Championship runs under his belt for the summer. He was helped along the way by Casey Aldridge, a ding-dong 54 from Dom Bess, temporarily back home, and 44 by the No 11 and fellow teenager Shoaib Bashir.
There was a maiden double century too for Warwickshire’s Rob Yates, the 23-year-old who has had an up-and-down time since his breakthrough year in 2021. An innings of 228 not out in nearly nine hours included a six that smashed a glass panel in Kent’s dressing room.
Finlay Bean cracked a career-best 135, his third hundred of the season, helping Yorkshire to secure four batting points against Worcestershire. He earned a rookie contract last year on the strength of his 441 for the second XI and hasn’t looked back.
There were hundreds also for two of England’s discarded men, Alex Lees (10 Tests last year) and Tom Westley (five in 2017). Lees shot to his third hundred in successive Championship innings, zipping Durham past Gloucestershire’s total. Westley held Essex together with his third century of the year – his dismissal for 135 the catalyst for Lancashire taking five for seven runs. New Zealand’s Will Young had fun on his Nottinghamshire debut with 106 not out against Surrey.
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 171 and 55-1 v Warwickshire 549-7dec
Blackpool: Lancashire 37-1 v Essex 282
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 277 v Northamptonshire 219 and 55-2
Taunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire 58-2
The Oval Surrey 355 v Notts 248-5
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 433-8 v Gloucestershire 316
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 54-1 v Leicestershire, rain
Hove: Sussex 402 v Derbyshire 212-3
New Road: Worcestershire 46-2 v Yorkshire 407
That’s all from me today -with centuries galore from young bucks – Rew, Bean, Yates – from wiser heads – Westley and Lees – and New Zealander Will Young on his Notts debut. Time for me to stop staring at a screen, thanks for all your messages – good night!
Some lovely words coming in from Taunton
“I’m lost for words really and don’t know what to say,” said Rew. “The Hampshire attack challenged me all through my innings and it wasn’t easy to score runs against them.
“It’s a friendly batting pitch which has not done as much as the one for our previous home game with Notts. I just try to stay in the moment and remain nice and relaxed.
“I am having a great time batting with Kasey Aldridge this season. We have had a few partnerships and he played beautifully both last night and today.
“I was overjoyed when I brought up my 200. I couldn’t really believe it and it’s hard to put into words exactly how I felt.
“It was good to help the team put 500 on the board. The tenth-wicket stand with Shoaib Bashir was one of the most enjoyable of my career.
“Bash is so funny and I get on really well with him as a bloke. I was giggling when he came out to bat because everything he does is hilarious and when he started hitting those sixes, I was smiling all over my face.
And there was praise from both Somerset head coach Jason Kerr: “Right now James Rew is ridiculously good. To be the leading run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship shows he is having an outstanding season.
“People see the runs on the pitch. But more important to me is that as a character he is incredibly level headed.”
and from his Hampshire counterpart Adi Birrell: “All of us were impressed by James Rew. We knew all about him and prepared to face him, but he is obviously a player of high potential and showed that today.”
Just looking up Shoaib Bashir to see he went to Woking College, where I made a dogs dinner of my A-levels back in the 90s. And with Hampshire two down for not many, Middlesex all out for a lead of 58, Warwickshire DECLARING at 549-7, Essex losing 3 for 0, HH out for 67, Durham rocking on, Derbyshire making steady progress thanks to Brooke Guest, Yorkshire passing 400 and the game still to get off the mark at Sophia Gardens, time for me to write up for the paper. Do chatter on BTL
Double century for Rob Yates!
The sun it shineth! Two double centuries in the Championship in less than half an hour – this time Rob Yates. A patient effort off 402 balls, a maiden double century and at just 23. He’s had up and down time since that breakthrough year in 2021, well played son.
Warwicks 524-7, a lead of 353 over Kent who have a tricky couple of days ahead. Maybe couple of days is optimistic.
150 for Alex Lees!
Batters love those faded Kookaburras. A rapid 160 not out, off just 171 balls, at The Riverside by Alex Lees. Typically sparky and free-flowing. Durham 280-4, 36 behind Gloucestershire, as the rain comes in.
From 273-3, Yorkshire have wobbled to 330-7 against Worcestershire. Three wickets for Finch, two for Waite. Bean finally out for 135 and a fifty for George Hill.
Jack Brooks chuffing like a runaway engine around Taunton after bowling Joe Weatherley with the very first ball of the innings. Hampshire 0-1.
Time for a cup of tea.
Sad times at Cardiff:
Another inspection at 4:45pm. ⏰ https://t.co/QMiOYJTEC1 pic.twitter.com/Ft4WecAO4K
— Leicestershire CCC 🏏 (@leicsccc) July 11, 2023
Tea-time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 171 v Warwickshire 443-6
Blackpool: Lancashire v Essex 247-5
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 262-8 v Northamptonshire 219
Taunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire
The Oval Surrey 355 v Notts 139-1 rain
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 242-4 v Gloucestershire 316
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 0-0 v Leicestershire, rain
Hove: Sussex 402 v Derbyshire 129-2
New Road: Worcestershire v Yorkshire 314-5
Updated
A wicket for Vince! Long, lean-legged inswing, lbw, a fed up swing of the arm. Rew last man out for 221, pulls off his helmet and raises his bat round the ground. Somerset 500 all out. Open the bubbly.
Running out of words.......
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) July 11, 2023
952 runs this @CountyChamp summer, averaging 73.23 with 1 double hundred and 4 hundreds.
19 years old......#WeAreSomerset #SOMvHAM pic.twitter.com/ZivyaIv8g5
Updated
Elsewhere in Division One:
Rob Yates is also approaching a double century, 183 not out, in Warwicks’ mammoth 439-6. Maxwell, a quick-fire 81 not out.
Westley (115) keeping Essex going nicely , 224-5 at Blackpool . Walter just out for 76, a second wicket for Williams.
Middx, 227-7, have a lead of 8 over Northants.
And it is still raining at The Oval.
And at Taunton, James Vince prepares to bowl.
Updated
200 for James Rew!
A standing ovation for Rew! His first double century, his fifth Championship century of the year, he punches the air, pulls his helmet off, gives that ginger mop an airing, grins, gets a big hug from fellow teenager Bashir. The first Somerset double-ton since Marcus Trescothick. What a season, what a player!
Marks calls for Rew, on 198, to dink it to square leg. He indeed sweeps, but just one. Dont’ do anything silly Bashir.
Beach ping-pong cricket from Rew and Bashir at Taunton, sticking their legs down the pitch and ruining the figures of the Hampshire mighty attack. Somerset 450-9.
100 for Tom Westley!
Hundreds coming thick and fast round the grounds – well played Tom Westley – a third century of a productive year for a man who played five Tests in the forgotten years. Essex 207-4 in a partnership of 152 with Walter (75 not out).
Just one Div 2 game rain unaffected, at The Riverside, where Alex Lees is close to a rapid century. Durham 169-4, a couple each for Shaw and Goodman.
No. 11 Bashir slicing THE Mohammad Abbas for four. Dreamy days for Somerset.
Rew brings up the Somerset 400 and collects another batting -point with a wristy loft over square leg; while the rain has hit London and halted play at The Oval and Merchant Taylor’s – Notts 139-1 v Surrey in the south; Middx 201-6, 18 behind Northants, in the north.
Updated
Fifty for Has, Fifty for Young!
An unbeaten partnership of 112 at The Oval between Will Young and stand-in skipper Haseeb Hameed. Forgot to mention yesterday but HH was giddy as a colt in the field, chasing after everything full pelt. Notts cruising: 139-1.
A fourth wicket for Dawson, Somerset’s 9th, as Brooks is lbw for 12. Rew still there, joined by offsipinner Shoaib Bashir. Two 19 year olds touch gloves at the crease with Summerset in touching distance of 400.
Updated
Still nowt to see at Cardiff, and rain at Hove where the game has come to a halt with Derbys 96-2.
In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy, the match between Central Sparks and Western Storm has been abandoned without a ball bowled; and a rain delay at Southern Vipers v The Blaze, with Blaze needing 260 to win.
Northern Diamonds were all out 167; Thunder currently 61-3 needing another 106 from 35 overs
And Sunrisers going slowly, 32-0 off 8, chasing South East Stars’ 290-9
If anyone is in need of some TLC, you can listen to Vic on the Somerset stream here:
Fifty for Dom Bess! 150 for James Rew!
A happy return to Taunton, 54 and out, nicking behind. Strolls off, wind buffetting his shirt, shaking his head and muttering. But a job well done. Somerset 363-7, Rew still there on 151 – his first f-c 150.
Updated
A century for Finlay Bean!
Belated congratulations to Bean, now 118 not out. Yorks skipping along, 245-3. What a day for young tigerish batters, wonder if Luke Wright is on duty anywhere.
Lunchtime-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 171 v Warwickshire 271-5
Blackpool: Lancashire v Essex 88-4
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 127-4 v Northamptonshire 219
Taunton: Somerset 329-6 v Hampshire
The Oval Surrey 355 v Notts 81-1
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 100-2 v Gloucestershire 316
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 0-0 v Leicestershire , rain
Hove: Sussex 402 v Derbyshire 56-1
New Road: Worcestershire v Yorkshire 216-1
Updated
A hundred for Rob Yates!
A second hundred in a season of slim pickings – well played! 102 not out; Warwicks 271-5.
James Rew’s 124 is now his highest first-class innings! And he celebrates with a kiss of a shot, a no-effort, hands high, perfectly together, vertical bat, on drive for four.
In Division One:
Notts batting carefully at The Oval; Has, 30, 20 of them in boundaries, and Young easing Notts towards lunch: 64-1, 291 behind.
Bess and Rew still trotting along at Taunton, Somerset 304-6 (remember they were 80-5 yesterday).
The Middlesex top three are back in the pavilion, two for white, one for Sanderson. A half century for Stoneman. Middx 122-3, 97 behind Northants.
Essex have continued to lose regular wickets at Blackpool, 75-4, Westley still there not out 41.
And Warwickshire have a lead of 87 over Kent, now2 58-5, with Yates on the brink of a patient century after lean times.
Not sure which way the weather is going, but it is now raining in Manchester.
Updated
Typically thoughtful column by Jonny Liew, but what do you think about the cost of county cricket? How much has that gone up? Like Jonathan says, it’s a bit of a blind sport for journalists as we get in for free.
Gulf Giants are owned by Adani, who have been the targets of protests by, amongst others, the Chappell brothers.
✈️ Rehan will be heading back out to the ILT20 this winter after being retained by @GulfGiants.
— Leicestershire CCC 🏏 (@leicsccc) July 11, 2023
Congrats, @RehanAhmed__16 👏 https://t.co/FzIHq7fMta
Was alerted to Dom Bess batting, so turn on the Somerset stream to see him in the familiar maroon helmet, tipping the ball away off his toes. I do hope this saga ends in a permanent happy return to Taunton. Somerset 288-6, Rew still there 113; Aldridge done by Dawson for 88.
Updated
An hour in, let’s wander round the grounds. First the Party Division: Raining still at Sophia Gardens and New Road.
Gloucestershire collapsed, losing their last four wickets for 36; and Durham cantering away in the now customary manner – 56-1 off ten.
Sussex all out for 402, losing their last three for 22 this morning. Still scored at a cracking rate though – whoever said BTL yesterday that they’d be chasing honours in a few years if they could hold onto their players: firm agree. Derbys 33-1 in reply.
Rew the first to pass 800 runs this year too:
James Rew reaches his fifth #LVCountyChamp of the season in style
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 11, 2023
The 19-year-old is the first batter to pass the 800 run mark this year pic.twitter.com/U9SEGhwqNY
A hundred for James Rew!
The second hundred of the round, and a FIFTH hundred of the year for the calm, classy and extremely talented James Rew. Somerset 245-5.
Updated
Somerset continue to race along at Taunton, James Rew’s race towards his hundred helped by James Vince letting him slip through his fingers at slip on 86. Somerset 229-5.
And Dan Lawrence, just after being announced in the unchanged Test squad, is caught for one as the Blackpool express speeds up. Essex 22-3.
An early Lancashire breakthrough at the seaside as Sir Alastair is snaffled by Keaton Jennings at slip, Essex 20-1.
Men's Ashes squad for Old Trafford
Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
Moeen Ali (Warwickshire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Josh Tongue (Worcestershire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
Another catch for Tom Moores, his almost namesake Tom Lawes! The first time he’s taken six catches in an innings and five wickets for Lyndon James for the first time too. Make that six wickets for James, as Dan Worrall holes out next ball.
Surrey 355 all out – done and dusted in a sneeze.
Updated
Oh dear, the weather gods not looking kindly on Sophia Gardens – start delayed there after a day of sky watching on Monday. No play yet at New Road either, but we do have action at Blackpool!
On we go, round the grounds, with Surreysd Jordan Clark the most contented man on the grass These were his thoughts last night:
“I’ve been a little bit frustrated through the season with how I’ve played and how I feel I’m capable of playing, so I’m glad to get that one out of the way and it’s just good to get a score,
“Sometimes when you don’t get that score, it plays on your belief and your confidence a little bit. Now I feel I can play with a bit more freedom.
“With a wicket like that, there’s a ball with your name on it and the aim of the game is to try and score runs, so it’s better to put the pressure back on them rather than waiting for the ball to nip back and nick it.”
Monday's round-up
Haseeb Hameed’s first opportunity to captain in Championship cricket proved tricky, Nottinghamshire hampered as both Brett Hutton and Jake Ball left the field at the Oval clutching various parts of their body. Things had started well with Rory Burns out to the second ball of the day, and again with Surrey 70 for four, but a steady innings from Ben Foakes and big hitting from Jordan Clark – who cracked his first century of the year – left the champions in a strong position.
Casey Aldridge and James Rew kept Somerset in the hunt at Taunton, coming together after a familiar top-order fumble, this time at the hands of Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott who grabbed four for 20 and a run-out. Somerset rested some key players before the Blast Finals Day but Dom Bess returned on a short-term loan from Yorkshire.
Matt Parkinson, on loan to Durham before moving to Kent, took three wickets at the Riverside to haul back Gloucestershire, including a ripper to remove James Bracey’s off stump. There were half‑centuries from Chris Dent and Miles Hammond. Kent were dismissed for 171 by Warwickshire, who were already in touching distance by stumps. Kent’s blushes had been saved by a late-order swashbuckle from Grant Stewart.
It was a carefree day’s batting for Sussex against Derbyshire at Hove, Tom Clark top‑scoring with 96 and Ollie Carter passing 50 for the third match in a row. Meanwhile Northamptonshire meandered to 219 all out against Middlesex.
At New Road, Finlay Bean and Adam Lyth knocked up 154, Yorkshire’s highest opening stand for six years, before the weather intervened. Worcestershire dropped three catches.
Updated
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 171 v Warwickshire 155-2
Blackpool: Lancashire v Essex 12-1 rain
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 23-0 v Northamptonshire 219
Taunton: Somerset 196-5 v Hampshire
The Oval Surrey 339-8 v Notts
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham v Gloucestershire 280-6
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Leicestershire no play today, rain
Hove: Sussex 376-7 v Derbyshire
New Road: Worcestershire v Yorkshire 154-0 rain
Preamble
Morning! Cloudy but fresh here in Manchester, I’d like to say it bodes well for the day but the Met office aren’t hanging out the bunting yet.
Rain clearing from the southeast during the morning. Elsewhere it’s a day of sunny spells and showers, these most frequent in the north, perhaps with thunder and hail.
Things whizzing along at Merchant Taylor’s and at Canterbury – where Kent already look in big trouble against Warwicks; Surrey have clocked together a tricky-looking total against injury-hit Notts, batters racing away at Hove, while Rew and Aldridge rescued Somerset at Taunton. I’m just off to walk the dog quickly – back soon!
