Tanya's county roundup
On a day so grey and dank that it shuffled along in a dripping gaberdine coat, swathes of rain orchestrated when and where cricket would be played.
At Edgbaston, with floodlights on, Kemar Roach rolled up his sleeves and laid into the Warwickshire batting. Two early wickets were topped off with a super caught-and-bowled to dismiss Michael Burgess for a duck. The rest of Surrey’s bowling was nearly as impressive and only 55 from Dan Mousley kept them at bay. Jordan Clark grabbed two wickets in two balls, including Chris Woakes for a sprightly 27, but Chris Rushworth played out the hat-trick ball before rain returned with Warwickshire 143 for 8.
Ben Compton’s long-suffering 38 not out was the only ballast in Kent’s innings against Middlesex. Ethan Bamber took three for 26 and the player manager, Tim Murtagh, picked up two, including Zak Crawley for 11.
In Division Two, Alex Lees got Durham off to their now-typical cantering start against Derbyshire at Chester-le-Street, with 45 at less than a run-a-ball, but the bouquets went to Ollie Robinson – who scored his first hundred for Durham since moving from Kent during the winter.
It was an innings of beautiful timing, sweet with straight drives. Brydon Carse, fresh from his heroics against Glamorgan last week, was unbeaten on 77 when bad light stopped play. Matt Parkinson, on loan from Lancashire to fill in for the injured Australian leg-spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, made his Durham debut.
Leicestershire could be pleased with their work after being put into bat by Glamorgan at Grace Road. There were four wickets for Timm van der Gugten, from a 17-over slog, but Peter Handscomb and Rehan Ahmed stitched together an unbeaten 73 for the sixth wicket.
The rain fell early at Bristol, where only 16 overs were possible, with Gloucestershire. Sussex were asked to bat, Ali Orr’s unbeaten 31 the only bright spot on the day as they reached 47 for one.
Updated
Right, with play only at The Riverside, and Carse a busy 45 not out from 335-7, time for me to write up for the paper. Please carry on chatting BTL.
They’re off for bad light at Edgbaston but not before a little two-wicket burst from Jordan Clarke. Chris Woakes was lbw to one that nipped in and then Hassan Ali fell first ball in similar fashion. Chris Rushworth dug out the hat-trick ball - a yorker - but once again the game has moved into stasis, Warwickshire 143 for eight after 51 overs. A very efficient performance from Surrey today, if that is indeed that.
Wake up at the back! Jordan Clark has two in two. Woakes and Hasan Ali. Not a full Tom Price though. Warwicks 143-8.
It seems Durham fear Matthew Kuhnemann may have a stress fracture – though yet to have the results of a scan . Perhaps Matt Parkinson’s loan spell at Durham could end up being for longer than two weeks.
Updated
In reply to Gary Naylor’s earlier thought. The Gluhwein, incidentally, is a brilliant idea.
In April, the counties sell wooly hats, gloves, fleeces, warming food & drink (glühwein?).
— Stephen (@SH_Berkhamsted) April 27, 2023
For me, as an out-of-county member, I pay @SomersetCCC as an act of loyalty & faith but locals who attend regularly will, rightly, feel differently.
A second wicket for Reece at The Riverside, a natty caught and bowled, as Raine delivers the ball back to the bowler. Durham 296-7, can Carse find a companion to stay with him? Last week’s 91 was his highest f-c score.
Called it a day at Lord's too
Rain spoils things at Lord’s. Kent in trouble at 113-6, with only Ben Compton standing firm. Three wickets for Bamber, after six in the last match, against Notts.
A 4.20 restart at Edgbaston, should the weather gods continue smiling in Birmingham.
A vodka and red bull followed by cold cup of tea of an innings by New Zealand.
New Zealand 222/2 from 39.3 overs
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) April 27, 2023
New Zealand 288/7 from 50 overs
Pakistan restricted them to 66/5 from the last 10.3 overs#PAKvNZ #Cricket
No daddy for Ollie Robinson, but a smashing innings of 114, falling to a ball from Reece that skidded low before splatting the pads. Durham 276 for six.
That's a good initiative from Leicestershire @tjaldred, but why not go further?
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) April 27, 2023
How much would it cost to make all county cricket free entry in April? What would be lost on the gate might be made up in the bars, and some would come back and pay for Blast and even CC matches.
I know what you mean but I wonder if it would devalue membership too much. And I expect it mostly is members who sit through games in April. Perhaps free entry for kids during the Easter holidays?
Tea time scores
Division One
Lord’s: Middlesex v Kent 113-6 rain delay
Edgbaston: Warwicks 112-6 v Surrey rain delay
Division Two
Chester-le-Street: Durham 272-5 v Derbyshire
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Sussex 47-1 play abandoned for the day
Grace Road: Leicestershire 211-5 v Glamorgan
£10 bargain to spend the evening with Chris Woakes:
JUST ANNOUNCED: Second City's Finest: An Evening with @chriswoakes 🏏
— Hockley Social Club. (@HockleySocialCl) March 30, 2023
Join us in May as we celebrate the pretty incredible career of local lad and 2 time World Cup Winner, Chris Woakes - as he's interviewed by @nickowentv.
🎟 Tickets are just £10: https://t.co/11z2GYOhr1 pic.twitter.com/rFium0OOal
Thanks to Chris Drew, who sent me this last week. There might still be tickets available for day 2. I’ve been impressed by Leicestershire on and off the field – hope this early form isn’t a flash in the pan. EG, saw they had carbon audited their travel last year with the aim of reducing it this year.
📢 Don't forget, #SupportYourCounty returns next week for our @CountyChamp clash vs Glamorgan.
— Leicestershire CCC 🏏 (@leicsccc) April 22, 2023
We're offering 𝟰,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 to our community to showcase the wonders of four-day cricket. 🏏
🎟️ Claim yours (maximum of 10). 👇
🦊#FoxesFamily
Updated
A hundred for Ollie Robinson
The first to get over the line this round! Classy and speedy: 93 balls, 14 fours, two sixes. Durham 253-5.
Click that Rehan Ahmed is batting, put on the Grace Road stream… to see the groundsmen fiddling with the covers, they’ve taken tea. Rehan Ahmed 26 not out, Peter Handscomb 18 not out. Leics 211-5.
Brydon Carse, fresh from his heroics against Glamorgan, strides out at The Riverside. Durham 232-5 off just 54 overs. Robinson still there on 84, Clark the man out, a first wicket for Conners.
Called it a day at Bristol
Poor old Gloucesters still getting the short straw with the weather – just 16 overs possible today. This after the their first game was washed out without a ball bowled and they were denied probably victory at New Road by the wet stuff. They will restart tomorrow (hopefully) with Sussex 47-1.
For those wondering what Feroze Khushi has been up to:
🔘 Feroze Khushi 1️⃣5️⃣2️⃣
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) April 27, 2023
🔘 @Will_Buttleman 8️⃣5️⃣*
Our Second XI are putting pressure on the Kent bowling attack down in Canterbury.
📲: https://t.co/Y1nZtZ2qzn
🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle pic.twitter.com/u8x6vB3Y6c
Bad light at Lord's too
Kent 113-6.
But catch of the day at Durham:
Haider Ali takes a stunning catch at second slip!
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 27, 2023
That remarkable grab gives @DerbyshireCCC their fourth wicket against Durham#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/iOIwDaO66G
A third fifty of the short season for Ollie Robinson, whose batting seems to have survived his move to the Riverside.Durham 189-4.
Just plugged my electric throw in.
A little flurry of boundaries at Edgbaston, followed by a flurry of rain that’s seen the hover cover cruise onto the field like a stately zeppelin. Hard to say how long they might be off, there’s no discernible change in the cloud - it’s as grey and overcast as it has been all day. Impressed by young Mousley today, he biffed away on a flat one a fortnight ago but here he’s had to hunker down amid some pretty relentless lines from the Surrey attack. He’s 46 from 100 balls and Warwickshire are 112 for six from 41.3 overs.
Rain watch
Now raining at Edgbaston, Warwicks 111-6, as well as Hove, Sussex 47-1.
Oooh what a catch! After a promising 45-run stand between Dan Mousley and Ed Barnard was broken by the wily Worrall - Barnard caught second slip for 18 - Kemar Roach has just removed Michael Burgess for a six-ball duck with an excellent tumbling effort off his own bowling, the ball nestling in his paws just above the turf. Warwickshire are 93 for six and Chris Woakes has just entered the fray. And as I type that, he gropes at fresh air. It’s hard work out there.
Middlesex, buoyed by last week’s win, which in turn was swept along by damp weather and a bold declaration by Notts, have Kent in deep trouble: 87 for five.
Attritional cricket, strictly for the purists, under Lord's leaden skies @tjaldred.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) April 27, 2023
It's a good test for Joey Evison, a cricketer with plenty about him, who has Ben Compton at the other end in his bubble and a swinging, seaming ball coming towards him.
Chris Woakes watch
He’s in, at a cold and brusque Edgbaston. Burgess, superbly caught and bowled by Kemar Roach – who has pocketed his third wicket of the day. Warwicks 93-6.
A fourth wicket at The Riverside, and this time it is Jones for a careful 43. A second for Aitchinson. Durham 132-4
And more excellent work by Leicestershire’s batters, fifty for Lewis Hill and nearly-fifty for Ackermann. The partnership a hundred, Leics 152-2.
Compton’s 31 off 103 balls glueing Kent together at the moment. Billings the latest to go for 14, a second for Murtagh. Kent 71-5.
Just caught up with the Sri Lanka scorecard. Not a bad effort by the top four: 205, 115, 245 and 100 not out. 704-3 in 151 overs. Oi, over here, Stokesy!.
Mousley and Barnard have added 26 for the fifth wicket at Edgbaston, not an unfamiliar scoreline for Ed Barnard to walk out to during his New Road years.
Great start from Surrey @tjaldred. I know Jamie Overton is a really big loss but Jordan Clark and Tom Lawes have really plugged a considerable hole. Lawes is deceptively quick and whippy and Clark has a distinct whiff of Chris Woakes in his action. We have a really solid attack.
— Guy Hornsby (@GuyHornsby) April 27, 2023
And the hot new is, it is still raining at Bristol.
Lovely piece by Jim Wallace.
Interesting lunch-time chat between Kevin Howells Neil Snowball, ECB managing director for county cricket, talking about players going freelance, amongst other things.
Exc. Stars consider quitting England or county contracts for IPL dealshttps://t.co/1lCsjoHxj1
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) April 26, 2023
A morning for bowlers it seems, apart from at Grace Road where the revitalised Foxes sniffed the air and danced away. Time for me to grab some lunch, back soon.
Lunchtime scores
Division One
Lord’s: Middlesex v Kent 66-4
Edgbaston: Warwicks 63-4 v Surrey
Division Two
Chester-le-Street: Durham 99-3 v Derbyshire
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Sussex 47-1
Grace Road: Leicestershire 123-2 v Glamorgan
Durham slipping off the express rails onto the slow stopper. Now 98-3, though Jones is still there on 27.
A piece of luck for Warwicks, and they need it, as Ryan Patel can’t hold on to a flying chance off Mosely on 16.
Updated
Surrey are dominating proceedings superbly here, two lengthy and productive spells from their opening bowlers followed up by a sustained examination from Jordan Clark and Tom Lawes. Sam Hain and Dan Mousley looked to be riding it out but without the scoreboard progressing much, another wicket has fallen, Lawes pinned Hain lbw by the wiry Lawes going full and straight. Warwickshire are 47 for four as lunch approaches.
Kent have slumped to 50-4, fallen to an attack of the two-syllable bowlers. Two for BAmber, one each for Higgins and Murtagh. Billings, and the not out 29 off 78 balls Compton, trying to make it through till lunch.
An email! Hello Tim Maitland
“Am I the only one surprised that the ECB didn’t get the glitches and oversights fixed on their live scorecard page for the new season?
”I know they have a particularly sunny outlook about anything they touch, but isn’t it faintly ridiculous that they don’t have any way of noting that rain, sleet, snow, bad light or skin-shrivelling heat has stopped play or making overly optimistic estimates about when play might resume?
”Unless it’s an issue with my browser, they also seem to have some completed games get stuck one scoring shot or wicket taken short of the denouement.”
Er, this isn’t my speciality as I tend to use BBC. Anyone else have this problems?
Alex Lees has fallen, after another bells and whistles innings, this time 45 in quick-time. Durham 69-1.
After two wickets fell for 9 runs to TVDG, Hill and Ackermann are rebuilding at Grace Road. Leicestershire: 85-2
And it is raining at Bristol, where Sussex are 47 for one.
A look at sports betting, which is fully entwined around cricket’s crucial organs. The ICC recently voted to allow national teams to do sponsorship deals with betting companies, although the ECB has said they will not.
Some injury news: Brett D’Oliveira’s X-ray came back all clear after being whacked on hand by Marchant de Lange. Prescribed ice and painnkillers and should be fit for Worcestershire’s next game.
I can’t find news on Keaton Jennings and his hamstring – anyone read anything?
We have two new batters at the crease at Edgbaston in what is proving a suboptimal start for Warwickshire. Will Rhodes fell to a lovely catch from Ollie Pope at second slip, the ball dipping after the edge was found by Worrall. And then Alex Davies slightly squandered a promising start, the opener already halfway to the pavilion when his top-edged pull shot off Kemar Roach was safely pouched by Ben Foakes. The in-form Sam Hain and the usually aggressive Dan Mousley are the men now battling away under lights at 23 for three amid some excellent probage from Surrey’s new ball experts.
In Division Two: Alex Lees and Michael Jones, as is their wont, bazball away against Derbyshire, 54-0. Five fours already to Lees. Matt Parkinson is currently down to bat No.11, one below Matthew Potts.
Sussex have lost Tom Haines for 3, to de Lange, who was so stormy last week. Ali Orr, 24 not out, has already cleared the ropes.
Ali Orr has swatted away Tom Price twice this morning
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 27, 2023
Seriously good shots by a seriously talented player#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/TR2HthSxRB
And Leicestershire are 49 for one against Glamorgan, Budinger speeding along at just under a run a ball until losing his bails to Timm VDG.
𝗕𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗗 '𝗜𝗠
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) April 27, 2023
It's that man TVDG again as he strikes with his third ball, smashing Budinger's off stump out of the ground 🔥@leicsccc 43/1
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 👉 https://t.co/7JL2FLJJ61#GoGlam | #LEIvGLAM pic.twitter.com/uQ5twelWrJ
Updated
Right, let’s polka round the grounds:
Division One: Warwickshire have shuffled along to 19 for one against Surrey, three maidens so far between Roach and Worrall. While at Lord’s, Zac Crawley, fresh from his highest Championship score in the last round, drove Murtagh with great majesty through the covers, before having his stumps dismantled. Kent 29 for one.
Updated
If you were disappointed to find no Championship cricket at Guildford this year, you can pop along today to watch the second XI game against Warwicks. But only advisable if it is significantly warmer down there than it is up here.
SECOND XI: Captain Ben Geddes (91*) and Josh Blake (28*) have started proceedings for Surrey 2nd XI on day three at Guildford 🏏
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 27, 2023
The Three Feathers are 154/2 (50).
Scorecard 👇
Really good read from Gary Naylor as ever. Wise words on Crawley, though I’m definitely too nesh for the “pink ball ,play till 9pm” suggestion in April.
Hello from Edgbaston, where the two most recent champions* meet in this slimmed down fourth round. It’s a cold, grey but at least dry morning in leafy south Brum - v little breeze - and pretty sparse in the stands. Out in the middle Kemar Roach is sending down his right-arm stingers from the City End, Dan Worrall his from the other, after Surrey won the toss. Warwickshire are unchanged, which means they are once again stuffed to the gills with seamers, the visitors welcome back Ben Foakes and rest Shaun Abbot. And a wicket! Rob Yates caught fourth slip off Roach sees Warwickshire none for one in the third over.
*Warwickshire’s 2021 pandemic win still subject to ratification from Stuart Broad.
Updated
For Surrey, Ben Foakes in, Sean Abbott rested.
There has been a disturbance in the force:
Can’t wait to get going 😀😀 https://t.co/AMjRoapiTK
— Matt Parkinson (@mattyparky96) April 26, 2023
Great little interview here with Sam Northeast, who returns to Grace Road, theatre for his 410 not out last year. “That day was one of the best days to have in a career.
Right, where were we?The first wicket of the day goes to Kemar Roach as Warwickshire get off to the worst possible start against the Champs. Yates gone for a duck, Warwicks 0-1.
Jofra watch:
Stuart Broad presses play:
This seems to be getting the desired response… https://t.co/be0jslfgRn
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) April 27, 2023
DIVISION TWO TABLE
1 DURHAM (played 3) 40
2 WORCESTERSHIRE (played 3) 35
3 LEICESTERSHIRE (played 2) 34
4 SUSSEX (played 2) 28
5 GLAMORGAN (played 2) 21
6 GLOUCESTERSHIRE (played 3) 21
7 YORKSHIRE (played 3) 21
8 DERBYSHIRE (played 2) 14
Updated
DIVISION ONE TABLE
1 Hampshire (played 3) 45
2 Essex (played 3) 40
3 Warwickshire (played 2) 35
4 Surrey (played 2) 32
5 Nottinghamshire (played 3) 29
6 Lancashire (played 3) 29
7 Kent (played 3) 28
8 Middlesex (played 3) 26
9 Northamptonshire (played 3) 23
10 Somerset (played 3) 22
Fixtures
Division One
Lord’s: Middlesex v Kent
Edgbaston: Warwicks v Surrey
Division Two
Chester-le-Street: Durham v Derbyshire
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Sussex
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Glamorgan
Preamble
Good morning! We’re up to round four, wild garlic in the woods but still no swifts, at least not here in Manchester. Just five games in cricket’s Hokey-Cokey: two in the first division: the south east derby, Middx v Kent,;and Warwicks and Surrey, third v fourth, who have a chance to leap over Hampshire and Essex to the top of the table spot.
In Div 2, three games – Durham v Derbyshire, where Matt Parkinson will make his debut, dispatched to the Riverside on a two-week loan. “Following conversations between Matt and the Club’s coaching staff, it was agreed that game time in the County Championship would be preferable.”
Then Gloucestershire v Sussex at Bristol, and Leicestershire v Glamorgan at Grace Road. There are bits of drizzle floating about, but the forecast is generally more promising than the damp duvet of the last round. I’ll be following from my kitchen table, but Ali is in the hot seat at Edgbaston.
Updated
