A dazzling century by Emilio Gay worried Surrey at Wantage Road after Northants lost the toss and were told to get the pads on. It was Gay’s first century on his home ground, and he twinkled throughout, finally out for 145, hooking merrily to deep square leg just before drizzle brought the players off for the day. Rob Keogh finished 75 not out. Tom Curran started his first red-ball game since before Covid as Surrey tried to eat up their seven point deficit on Hampshire, and leapfrog back to the top of the Championship table. The day had started, as it did around all the grounds, with a minute’s silence and a rendition of God Save the King.
Sam Cook became the first English seamer since Derbyshire’s Alan Ward in 1971 to take 200 first-class wickets at less than 20. Fresh from ten wickets against Kent, he snared three for 31, and Shane Snater’s three for 39, as Essex ran through Yorkshire at a damp Headingley which slumped under floodlights all day.
Rain ruined all but 22 overs at Grace Road, where Leicestershire debutant, Sol Budinger, helped his team to 97 for two against Nottinghamshire. Budinger had never played a first-class game before despite being on the books at Trent Bridge, and he warmed to his task with a clamouring six in his 63 not out. All this despite losing a chunk out of his bat to the first ball of the day from Ben Raine. Matty Potts picked up a wicket just before the clouds opened.
It was a damp relegation battle at Edgbaston, where India’s Mohammed Siraj made short work of Somerset’s top order - including Pakistan’s Iman ul Haq – for Warwickshire. However, from 46 for five Somerset fought back - thanks to an unbeaten 60 from Lewis Gregory.
Another recovery at Hove where Sussex wrestled themselves out of the slime-filled pit of 23 for five. Half centuries from Fynn Hudson-Prentice, James Coles and Jack Carson drove the drive for respectability, with Carson playing his first Championship game for nearly a year after recuperating from knee surgery. Worcestershire’s Joe Leach finished with four for 37 and Ed Pollock and Jack Libby picked up easy runs in the afternoon.
James Harris made a happy return to Lord’s in the promotion shoot-out. A spell of three for 0 in nine balls kept Glamorgan in the hunt after they had been dismissed for 214, with Middlesex’s Toby Roland Jones and Tim Murtagh dismissing the top order and Ryan Higgins dismantling the tail.
Updated
With a delay at Northants, and stumps called at Headingley and Grace Road, I must write my round-up. Keep an eye on events at Lord’s – setting up for a low-scoring thriller – Hove and Edgbaston.
Emilio Gay out for a drop-dead gorgeous 145 – and shortly afterwards bad light stop play. Northants 249 for four against Surrey.
Middlesex having their clothes cut up by their ex. James Harris takes a third from the Nursery End and on a hat-trick! Middx 92 for four.
Fifty for Lewis Gregory! From 66 for six, 140 for eight – great riches for Somerset.
Four down the hill by Ed Pollock off Faheem Ashraf who seems to be wearing double zero on his back, Worcestershire still thriving – 52 without loss chasing 220 in Sussex’s first innings.
But a wicket at Lord’s, where Steve Eskinazi has been caught smartly by Cooke for 31 . Grey gravy approaching from behind the Grandstand. Lights very much on. Middx 91 for 2.
Emilio Gay the man of the day – currently 125 not out – next highest score 63 not out by Sol Budinger for Leicestershire. Ah, they’ve called stumps at Grace Road – Leics 97 for two, just 22 overs possible.
Pollock and Libby skipping along at Hove – Worcestershire 36 for 0; as are Stoneman and Eskinazi – Middx 56-1. The devil seems to have gone from both pitches.
Nathan Buck, Brandon Glover, Charlie Thurston and Ben Curran to leave Northants at the end of the season. Rotten luck for all of them. Ben’s is a particularly poignant tale: what to do when your brothers are superstars.
The Club can confirm Nathan Buck, Ben Curran, Brandon Glover and Charlie Thurston will leave the squad at the end of the season.
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 12, 2022
Everyone at Northamptonshire would like to thank them for their contributions to the Club and wish them all the best in whatever they do next.
A wicket at Lord’s – serves the commentators right for going on about what a gorgeous day it is down south. Through the Manchester gloom I squint at the scorecard – Sam Robson gone for 26, well caught by Shubman Gill off Michael Hogan. Middx 36 for one.
The rain giving Yorkshire a moment to regroup after being skittled out for 132 by Essex – three for Cook, three for Snater. Still raining at Grace Road. Tea at Northants.
Somerset giving Yorkshire’s 132 a run for its money – currently 94 for seven. Three for the speedy Siraj, Lewis Gregory (23 not out) looking for someone to stick with him.
Wag of the year from the Sussex tail: first five wickets for 23, second five for 197. Last man out Jack Carson, run out for 58 on his first game back for nearly a year.
A hundred for Emilio Gay!
A first century at Wantage Road for Gay, and against the probable Championship winners too, 118 balls, 13 fours.
Tea-time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
-
The County Ground: Northants 166-3 v Surrey
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Somerset 65-5
Headingley: Yorkshire 134 v Essex rain
DIVISION TWO
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Durham rain inspection 4pm
Lord’s: Middlesex v Glamorgan 214
Hove: Sussex 219-9 v Worcestershire
Updated
Two in two for Siraj as Someset lose three for nowt: 46 for five.
Up in the heady heights of Division One: Somerset are 46 for three and Tom Kohler-Cadmore can’t arrive quickly enough. Yorkshire are going to post the lowest score of the day – currently 132 for nine, Allison (2-15) and Snater (3-39) throwing their weight around too.
Surrey have broken through at Wantage Road – Kemar Roach removing Young and Procter, Worral grabbing Cobb. Gay still there though – 83 off 99. Northants 131-3.
Two hundred for Glamorgan! An invaluable 32 from 19 from Patel.
Patel having a hit and giggle at Lord’s.
Plink-plonk, Glamorgan are eight down, as Cooke is bowled for 52. Sniffing up towards 200 though (169-8). Raining still at Grace Road, but what hey Sussex – 152 for seven, a partnership of 46 by Coles and Carson against Worcestershire.
As England have won six Tests in seven this summer, could that mean that last winter: Joe Root was captaining a series too far, England were battered by Covid, Australia were a much better side, the ECB were over-committing their players, the County Championship could be improved, or a mixtures of all of the above ? In which case, the peg for the High Performance Review may not have been so urgent after all (though England do play too much cricket, the fixture list is in a mess, there is a short-ball competition too many, franchise cricket does threaten bi-lateral cricket etc etc)
Six wins in seven Tests for our Men's team this summer. pic.twitter.com/xdNRVpPjfQ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 12, 2022
Asia Cup final
In case you missed it, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs in Dubai yesterday in the T20 Asia Cup Final. Player of the match – Bhanuka Rajapaksa for his 71 not out, Player of the Tournament – Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lanka’s coach: the much-maligned Chris Silverwood!
Superstar team…Truly deserving!! #CongratsSriLanka pic.twitter.com/mVshOmhzhe
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 11, 2022
Updated
Northants playing a different game to everyone else – 77 without loss, 56 to Emilio Gay. Meanwhile Yorkshire are chewing their socks at 87 for six; Glamorgan 144 for six and Sussex 126 for seven.
Oh this is very sad. Swann, who was just 39, was the head coach of Northants’ Emerging Player Pathway.
Wantage Road has paused for a minute's applause to remember Luke Swann.
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 12, 2022
Luke played a formative role in the journey of so many young Northamptonshire cricketers as Head Coach of the Club’s Emerging Player Pathway and will be deeply missed by all.
Rest in peace, Swanny. pic.twitter.com/nLOc5qzlZS
Raining at Northampton, raining at Edgbaston, raining at Grace Road. But hot, apparently, at Lord’s.
Quite the recovery by Sussex: the heights of 110 for seven from 23 for five. A half century for Fynn Hudson-Prentice and two not out for Jack Carson on his return. Leach now a profligate four for 32.
Face Sam Cook at Headingley or Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones at Lord’s? Yorkshire lose George Hill after lunch –Cook’s third (for 22). Yorks 72 for five.
At Lord’s, Glamorgan are now six down, Murtagh picking up his third by giving Simpson (who might make the CC team of the year actually) his fourth catch. Kiran Carlson gone for 36, after a stand of 59 with Chris Cooke.
Time for a bite to eat and to quickly return some library books – back shortly!
Lunchtime scores
-
DIVISION ONE
The County Ground: Northants 70-0 v Surrey
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Somerset 17-1 rain
Headingley: Yorkshire 58-4 v Essex
DIVISION TWO
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Durham
Lord’s: Middlesex v Glamorgan 109-5
Hove: Sussex 90-5 v Worcestershire
In Division Two: Leicestershire have slipped, but only just, from 74-0 to 97 for two against Durham. Sol Budinger – who google tells me has joined Leicester on loan ahead of a two year contract – 63 not out. Well played!
Such a shame the Test series screamed past at such double-pace. According to the future tours programme,South Africa won’t play a Test against England, home and away, until 2027 at the earliest. (If I’ve read that wrong, please tell me)
Here we are - the last day of the Test summer. It’s glorious but also quite sad. Who knows when South Africa will be back to play Tests in England? Who knows when they’ll next win a series here?#ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/gZoJcvZZBc
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) September 12, 2022
It is also raining at Northampton, Northants 70 for one, and they’ve taken lunch at Edgbaston with Somerset 17 for one.
How about a CC team of the year? Off the back of an envelope, and allowing for two overseas players: Emilio Gay, Keaton Jennings, Ben Compton, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Ben Foakes, Jordan Clark, Sam Cook, Hassan Ali, Keith Barker, Matt Parkinson.
England have won by the way – don’t know how they’re going to sell five-day Tests to clubs at this rate.
Gay and Young off to a cracking start at The County Ground against Surrey – 68 without loss, with Gay just two short of his half century. Rain, though, is skirting about.
One, two, three, four, five batters back in the pavilion at Hove. Leach three for 16, one each for Gibbon and Pennington. Anyone on the ball at Hove? I understand that this is a rebuilding season – with all sorts swirling behind the scenes – do you think progress is being made? Sussex 28 for five.
A couple of catches for Rossington as the Yorkies lose both their openers for 22. A rude-awakening for Finlay Bean, who played so well in the Roses game on debut, out for a duck. Kohler-Cadmore and George Hill rebuild. Yorks 38-2.
Updated
And the rain has started at Edgbaston, Somerset 17-1.
Imam ul Haq falls to Mohammad Siraj for five, lovely to see India bowling to Pakistan but not sure it will warm the cockles of Somerset’s heart. Out comes the weary Tom Abell at 12-1.
Bit of a flash that Imam:
Siraj gets Imam-ul-Haq! 😍
— Warwickshire CCC 🏏 (@WarwickshireCCC) September 12, 2022
Big wicket.
Match Centre 🖥 https://t.co/7qmT8n1G3L
🐻#YouBears | #WARvSOM pic.twitter.com/QDdM5uGxmb
Updated
Division Two table
1 Nottinghamshire 215 (played 12)
2 Glamorgan 172 (played 11)
3 Derbyshire 169 (played 12)
4 Middlesex 165 (played 11)
5 Worcestershire 144 (played 11)
6 Durham 137 (played 11)
7 Sussex 105 (played 11)
8 Leicestershire 75 (played 11)
Updated
In Division Two – Glamorgan (who have already lost two wickets in the first 20 mins) and Middlesex are battling out for the chance to join Nottinghamshire in the promotion elevator. Glamorgan, who travel to Lord’s, are seven points ahead of Middlesex.
Leicestershire and Durham are divided only by Sussex in their position at the foot of the table. Durham, who travel to Grace Road, denied Derby in the last round; Leicestershire are desperate for a first win of the season. And at Hove, Sussex are already three down against Worcestershire – Joe Leach on the rampage.
Division One table
1 Hampshire 217 (played 12)
2 Surrey 209 (played 11)
3 Lancashire 188 (played 12)
4 Essex 158 (played 11)
5 Northamptonshire 133 (played 11)
6 Yorkshire 129 (played 11)
7 Kent 115 (played 12)
8 Somerset 111 (played 11)
9 Warwickshire 104 (played 11)
10 Gloucestershire 74 (played 12)
So, in brief, while Hampshire rest this round, Surrey look to claw back their eight point deficit and retake their place at the top of the table. They have a game in hand. Tom Curran has been recalled into the Surrey squad for the first time post-Covid, Northant’s Lewis McManus is out for the rest of the season after an operation for a broken finger. Northants are safe barring some kind of mathematical situation which isn’t going to happen.
Essex, who snatched victory over Kent just before the rain came at Canterbury last week, travel to Headingley. Yorkshire also look pretty safe from relegation – though there could yet be an ECB points deduction/relegation order.
And it’s gloves off at Edgbaston where third from bottom Somerset meet second from bottom and last year’s Champions Warwickshire. Somerset’s wobbly batting is pegged up by Iman ul Haq; Warwickshire’s 999 brought India’s Mohammad Siraj (last seen against Zimbabwe three weeks ago ) and Jayant Yadav.
Updated
A minute's silence
Every game will observe a minute’s silence in memory of the Queen today, with players wearing black arm bands. Here is a tribute from Northamptonshire:
The thoughts of all at Northamptonshire County Cricket Club are with The Royal Family at this time.
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) September 8, 2022
May her Majesty rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/YA0KA5DcBF
Northants today host Surrey, where the Queen was patron up until the turn of the century, when she passed the patronage on to the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles. The Queen was also the patron of Lancashire CCC – though she never visited Old Trafford.
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
The County Ground: Northants v Surrey
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Somerset
Headingley: Yorkshire v Essex
DIVISION TWO
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Durham
Lord’s: Middlesex v Glamorgan
Hove: Sussex v Worcestershire
Preamble
Good morning! Surrey on the charge, shoot-out at Lord’s, relegation battle at Edgbaston, and more.
Updated
