Roundup: Ali's century thwarts Robinson and Sussex
An eye-poppingly dramatic last day in the Championship, as four games went down to the wire, was soured by the sight of Ollie Robinson limping off the pitch, and Olly Stone limping on to it.
Robinson’s hobble at New Road turned out to be a false alarm, when he confirmed after the game that he had cramp after a mammoth bowling effort for Sussex, reeling off 45.4 overs in the match and collecting best first-class figures of 14 for 117. It was Azhar Ali of Worcestershire who stood in Robinson’s and Sussex’s way, with an unbeaten 103.
With four balls to go at Trent Bridge the Nottinghamshire No 11 Stone, waiting for a scan on a hamstring injury, shuffled to the crease, with nine men round the bat, seven in helmets. He saw out the over, receiving a congratulatory hug from Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson and teammate Stuart Broad at the other end.
There was another last‑over finish at Headingley, where Glamorgan filleted through the Yorkshire tail in the evening session, after a magnificent 174 from Adam Lyth had seemed to take Yorkshire to safety, with even thoughts of a win mid‑afternoon. Yorkshire lost seven wickets after tea, and it was only an unbeaten fifty from Jordan Thompson which saved them. Glamorgan were left to rue what might have been, after a delayed declaration and dropping Lyth twice.
A brilliant 130 from the Australian Sam Whiteman batted Northamptonshire to safety against Somerset, where Jack Leach finished with six wickets in the match; an unbeaten 39 from Jamie Smith saved the game for Surrey against Essex at Chelmsford; while Leicestershire, bowled out for 122 on day one; were grateful to grab a draw against Derbyshire.
Chris Rushworth ripped through Hampshire, pocketing seven for 38 as Hampshire’s second innings collapsed, all out for 97. Warwickshire join Surrey at the top of Division One with 60 points.
Six draws does NOT illustrate how dramatic that was! Huge cheers here at Leeds when Jordan Thompson saw off the final ball, and a sensational effort from Olly Stone to hobble out at Trent Bridge. Thanks for sticking with us over the Coronation weekend. Time to head homeward as an ice-cream van’s tune drifts over Headingley. We’ll see you on Thursday – good night!
