Roundup: Notts up, Middlesex set to join them
A seat-squirming day at Headingley could not provide a happy ending for club institution Steven Patterson, last man out after a valiant 27-ball duck as Yorkshire fell just 18 short of victory against Gloucestershire. The result leaves them reliant on Hampshire denying Warwickshire victory in order to stay in Division One next year.
Dom Bess was stranded on 79 not out, nearly carrying Yorkshire over the line after the middle order had foundered. Zafar Gohar and David Payne finished with four wickets each, and already-relegated Gloucestershire end a forlorn season with two victories and a spring in their step. One bit of good news for White Rose fans came from Otis Gibson, who confirmed Shan Masood as Yorkshire’s captain next year.
Warwickshire fought desperately to bowl out Hampshire at Edgbaston but were held up by a pretty 98 from James Vince and 76 from their former player, Keith Barker. The visitors reached 311, with Warks 62-2 in their second innings, a slender 23-run lead. The home side’s only hope of avoiding relegation is to somehow complete a victory on the last day of the season.
Lancashire delivered six of the best to Surrey, thrashing them by an innings and 130 runs to hand the champions their only defeat of the season. Surrey were dismissed for 209 in their first innings and folded for 173 in the second, with young slow left-armer Tom Hartley taking five for 52, including Rory Burns, for 61, and Hashim Amla. The trophy presentation followed, as dusk blew the collar of Old Trafford for the last time this year.
Middlesex are but an outstretched finger from crossing the line in their quest for Division One status. They pocketed maximum batting points with just 10 balls to spare, thanks to a century from Stevie Eskinazi and 90s for John Simpson and Pieter Malan. A draw tomorrow against Worcestershire ensures they are promoted alongside Nottinghamshire – who declined the chance to make Durham follow on, but still had them 14 for two at stumps chasing an unlikely 577 for victory.
Somerset collapsed like a faulty deckchair against Kent, losing by an innings and 151 runs. Hamidullah Qadri hit a career-best 87 as Kent reached 492, Kasey Aldridge collecting six wickets and Craig Overton limping off with an injury. Somerset were then blown away for 139 in just 40.4 overs.
The sun is setting over Headingley and it’s time to go home. Nottinghamshire, and Middlesex – in all but name – safely promoted, just the one relegation spot to confirm. We’ll be here to sweep up the odds and ends on the last day of the season. See you there. Good night!
Good night from Headingley. pic.twitter.com/rbFCyLwCZo
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 28, 2022
Lancashire beat Surrey by an innings and 130 runs
Lancs 512 BEAT Surrey 209 and 173 by an innings and 130 runs
After a roar from the knowledgeable Edgbaston crowd regarding events at Headingley (poetic license at play here), the mood soon takes a dip as Warwickshire lose their first wicket before the deficit is fully wiped off. Mohammad Abbas the bowler to strike, finding the edge of Rob Yates’ bat with a beauty and James Vince safely holding on at first slip. There are 15 overs remaining but only in theory, with Henry Brookes out there as the bad lightwatchman and the hosts 30 for one.
Got totally absorbed in that match and must disappear to write up but what on earth is happening at Hove? Sussex 246-0 off 42 overs, Orr 156 and Haines 85?!.
Gloucestershire beat Yorkshire by 18 runs
No fairy-tale for Patterson, who in attempting his first attacking shot of the innings is caught at backward point. Delight for Gloucestershire, despair for Yorkshire – who must now wait on the result at Edgbaston to see which division they will play in next year. All the players and umpires gather to clap Patterson warmly off the field, he turns and waves to Headingley one more time before looking up at his children who are shouting “Daddy.”
Bess is playing an absolute blinder for his 79 – splitting the field for another boundary to reduce the total needed to 19. Patto steady on 0 not out .
I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to this – but someone may BTL?
W7 D6 L1 🌹
— Gavin Willacy (@gavinwillacy) September 28, 2022
Fantastic trophyless season for @lancscricket - could end up runners up in all three comps (four if you included Mcr Origs with 5 Lancs players & the coach - in the 100). Has anyone ever done that before @GeorgeDobell1 @ZaltzCricket @Cricket_Ali @tjaldred
Surrey nine down; Yorkshire need 27. Much arranging and re-arranging of fielders
The sun comes out as Bess biffs two consecutive fours – but now Patterson must survive an over from Gohar. 27 more to win. Use those long leavers Patto. Four men round the bat.
More applause as Patterson blocks out the last ball of Gohar’s over. He’d just survived a ball that dug in but hit the helmet handing Yorkshire five penalty runs. 35 needed
Thanks to Graham for pointing out that Lancashire’s impending victory over Surrey is actually quite useful for Yorkshire, as it means that Hampshire have to draw the game with WArwickshire to finish second. No risking it all on a run-chase at the end just for the lols.
Bess carves Payne over the top of slip for four more – target down to forty.
Key event
Hampshire have finally been bowled out for 311 at Edgbaston - a first innings lead 39 runs - as Liam Norwell finishes with figures of four for 38 from 16.5 overs. The scoreboard suggests there are 24 overs left in the day but I’d suggest there will be fewer. So a tricky little session for Warwickshire’s openers coming up, with time running out in this match to force an unlikely win but a hard new ball to negotiate in the gloaming.
Surrey messing up like they’ve already won the Championship. I was planning on one more trip to OT tomorrow to watch them lift the trophy. 152 for eight following-on, still 151 behind.
Bess going for it now, on one knee, helping Payne round the corner for four. 46 needed.
The slowest walk off yet, in a day of slow walk offs , by Ben Coad. A massive round of applause for Steven Patterson from the crowd in his last innings for Yorkshire. A touching round of applause from all the Glocks fielders. Now Patto, just the fifty runs needed.
Swing and thwack from Ben Coad. Four. Target drops under 60.
They say once a bear, always a bear round these parts ... but Keith Barker is placing his lifetime membership in jeopardy with a battling half-century that is driving his old team stir crazy. The left-hander has chiselled and occasionally thrashed his way to 66 not out and taken Hampshire to a 17-run lead, seven wickets down. Two chances along the way, Barker thrashing one back to OHD on 32 - it was hit so hard, it was a quarter-chance to be fair - and then Jacob Bethell has just this second put a swirler down in the deep. The second new ball is four overs away, there are 31 left in the day and if there is to be a great escape for last year’s champions, they’d better get the painted wooden duck, Robin Hood costume and a miniature trumpet out very soon.
Whoops galore from Gloucestershire as Fisher is caught at first slip off Payne. Fisher hits his bat repeatedly into the Headingley turf as he walks despairingly back to the pavilion. Ben Coad tucks his bat under his arm and crosses the rope. Yorks 172 for eight , need 69 more to win. Should Bess now try and do this all himself?
On my trot around Headingley, I discovered it was cold and dark. I am also full of admiration for the spectators who have decided to spend eight hours huddled in fleeces and woolly hats with a thermos for a friend.
Clouds gathering at Headingley - Yorkshire need 73 more to cling onto Division One. pic.twitter.com/pBi5QtSeXW
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 28, 2022
A third wicket for Zohar brings Matt Fisher to the crease in only his Championship game of the year. The other game also involved Gloucestershire. Dom Bess, 42 not out, now playing the Adam Lyth role.
Middlesex make 400 and claim maximum batting points
Middlesex make the magic 400! So unless they somehow contrive to lose the match from here – they are promoted to Division One alongside Notts. Congratulations all round and commiserations to Sophia Gardens who fought the good fight.
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Time for a quick stroll round the ground – back in ten mins.
Tea-time scores
DIVISION ONE
Kent 492 BEAT Somerset 202 and 139 by an innings and 151 runs
Old Trafford: Lancashire 512 v Surrey 209 and 127-2
Wantage Road: Northants 163 v Essex 263 and 23-2
Edgbaston: Warwicks 272-4dec v Hampshire 242-7
Headingley: Yorkshire 183 and 151-6 v Gloucestershire 190 and 233 Yorkshire need 90 to win
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 568-9dec v Leicestershire 249 and 49-0
Trent Bridge: Notts 662-5dec and 81-2 v Durham 207-9
Hove: Sussex 258 and 88-0 v Glamorgan 533-9dec
New Road: Worcs 225 v Middlesex 392-6
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Kent beat Somerset by an innings and 151 runs.
Kent 492 BEAT Somerset 202 and 139 by an innings and 151 runs
A huge round of applause for Dom Bess and Jordan Thompson as they walk in at tea – a battling 32 from 45 balls. Scores to follow.
Middlesex lose a sixth…still need 8 runs for max bowling points with three and a bit overs left. This isn’t really jeopardy, but let’s pretend.
Key event
While all eyes are on Headingley, we have just had a crucial breakthrough at Edgbaston. James Vince was looking set for his 28th first-class century, all languid ease with those low slung hands so straight in defence and punishing anything loose. But the belated introduction of spin in this match has finally told, Vince cursing himself when, on 98 and having throttled back from that 50-ball half-century, he went to cut Danny Briggs and tickled a catch through to Alex Davies behind the stumps. Vince and Keith Barker, who has nudged and deflected his way to 22, had put on a 63-run stand but Hampshire are now 230 for seven and trailing by 42 runs. (apologies to Ali, who sent this a while ago)
Er, Somerset? 126 for nine? End of term itus.
Just in case…
Some potential carnage to look out for at the top of Division Two: if Glamorgan win (looking likely) and Middlesex draw with four batting points (between 350 and 399, currently 200-4), then they'd both end up on 224 points. Glamorgan would be promoted on games won...
— Nick Friend (@NickFriend1) September 28, 2022
In the wings, they’re loosening the strings to draw the curtains over Yorkshire’s season. A brute of a delivery from Gohar, flying out of the foot-holes, catching him on the glove on the way through to slip. Appreciative applause for Adam Lyth after a 114-ball 49. Yorks 119 for six, need 122 to win.
LYTH GOES FOR 49! 👌
— Gloucestershire Cricket🏏 (@Gloscricket) September 28, 2022
Zafar gets one to spin and bounce and Lyth edges to Ollie Price! 👏
Yorkshire are now 119/6 🏏#GoGlos 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/XJxQWtnqf5
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Another email wings in, this time from Dan Read:
“Loved the latest issue of the Spin [thank you!], and chuckled away at the awards of the season, but I must take offence at the “Moment of madness award for dropping the ball”
“ Agreed that Hampshire did indeed drop the ball, but “against the most unlikely of opponents in Kent”? Really? Why are Kent the unlikely opponents?
“I know we are not a Test match or ODI county (at least as far as the men are concerned), and that the ECB would probably like it if we quietly disappeared along with the other 9 counties that don’t host the Hundred, but we have shown good form in the 2nd half of the season, and were the last county to drop into division 2 when the original 2 division split occurred. It looks like, thanks to the win over Hampshire that we will comfortably stay in Division 1, so why unlikely opponents to knock Hampshire over for 57? Just curious. Is there an in-built dislike of Kent, in the same way as I have an inbuilt dislike of Surrey and Essex? I suspect not as later in the mail you highlight the legend that is Stevo, and the fitting tribute on Stevo day.”
No inbuilt dislike of Kent I promise – though I haven’t been to Canterbury for nearly 20 years, unfortunately. I just don’t think of them as having a particularly potent attack in the way that, say, Hampshire or Essex (when Harmer is in town) do.
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Middlesex have to make 51 more in 13 overs – Eskinazi (79) and Simpson (83) looking unjinxable. Then they’re up – so long as they don’t lose.
1000 runs for John Simpson , first @Middlesex_CCC keeper to reach that in a season since John Murray in 1970...Brilliant this season.
— Mike Selvey #StandWithUkraine (@selvecricket) September 28, 2022
Harry Duke’s off and leg stumps splay outwards like a ten to two gait , bowled by Payne for one.
At the non strikers’s end, Lyth turns his back, removes his gloves and throws them both on the grass. Yorkshire in a whole heap of trouble at 106 for five.
I missed the beautifully named Charlie Tear putting together his maiden first-class half-century at the wet-behind the ears age of 18. Say what you like about Sussex – they’ve given a good few debuts recently.
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Nottinghamshire are promoted to Division One
Ok so Durham aren’t follow on. Notts are batting again because… well, because they can. And they’ve lost a wicket almost immediately as Matthew Potts has Slater caught behind for eight. And, I should have said, they earlier confirmed their promotion to Division One with a collection of full bowling points alongside the wicket of Potts.
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Tom Haines carries his bat for 108 but Sussex follow on
Glamorgan doing all they can do. Three wickets each for Harris and van der gugten, two for Hogan and Patel.
Oh dear, dear. Tattersall bowled by David Payne for seven. Harry Duke kneels before the boundary rope and makes a big entrance wheeling his bat. Yorks 95 for four and with a very long tail. Adam Lyth doing very much what he did at The Oval last week – standing at the other end and watching the carnage.
James Vince and Nye Donald upped the ante at Edgbaston either side of lunch, crashing 77 runs in 11 overs and the former bringing up his half-century with a six pulled square. But just when Warwickshire were starting to scratch their heads, the wicket comes. Donald the man to go for 36, slashing Henry Brookes to backward point where Dan Mouseley held on above his head. Hampshire are 169 for six in the 40th over, Vince on 60, with Keith Barker the new man in the middle. Apparently there’s 68 overs remaining, which even with today’s bright sunshine feels optimistic.
Not much of a reception for Kohler Cadmore, who tries to smash Gohar for six and gets caught at long on. Yorkshire 82 for three.
A lovely email from Iestyn Pryce:
“Thank you for the CCLive! coverage this year, it’s the first year I’ve really got into it and followed the CC season end to end (after about 20 years of primarily following test matches). Even got me to make a couple of trips to the Oval & Lords in May/June for CC matches (when they played on a rare weekend!). At the end of the season it all feels more relevant and more exciting, particularly with the relegation/promotion stakes still to play for going into the final days.
“Maybe next year I’ll understand half what’s going on BTL. Keep up the good work and flying the CC flag.”
So lovely to hear from you and know fresh people are following the games and the blog. There seems, by hook or by crook, to always be something to keep interest in the race right up to the bitter end.
A gorgeous drive by Lyth cracks into the boundary boards.
Right, down to Division Two where things are hotting up: Middlesex on the search for maximum batting points meaning – if I’ve got my sums right – need 112 in 28 overs.
And off walks a very, very reluctant George Hill, head down, possibly saying bad words to himself. Singh-Dale the wicket taker. Yorks 69 for two. Enter Tom Kohler-Cadmore who plays so prettily.
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Plenty of Headingley applause as Lyth and Hill swing gaily along: 66 for one.
I agree with this actually – much better than the festival cricket idea and means you can keep the same number of county games. If some sides are weaker then so be it – has always been the way with Test call ups, injuries etc. Bad luck for Surrey though – but maybe it gives their second team a chance.
Interesting interview with Mark Chilton. Have to agree that playing a couple of championship games at the same time as the 100 maybe a compromise Members & Counties could agree on. He rightly said the Championship is compromised whenever it is played these days.
— Lancs Action Group (@lancscccaction) September 28, 2022
Durham have had a … forgettable? …season. Now seven wickets down – make that eight because Bedingham can’t bat. A follow on, all done and dusted before tea and crumpets. Though if you’d asked me to list the Div 2 table off the top of my head I’d have definitely put Derbyshire ahead of Durham – so perhaps they’ve/ Matthew Potts have done better things than I remember.
Gohar approaches, waiting to get his claws into Yorkshire. Hill clatters him down the ground for four. Yorks 45 for one.
Just running into Headingley to buy a sandwich – but need to quickly confess that I shouldn’t have slagged off the ECB for not awarding Surrey their trophy at The Oval. Apparently it was because if there was a points deduction etc, it was still possible for Hampshire to overhaul them.
A characterful morning from Warwickshire, even if they’re still in the foothills of trying to get the win they need here, reducing Hampshire to 122 for five at the (delayed) lunch interval. Liam Norwell has been the bowler to compound the strikes detailed below, his second spell of right-arm bustle from the Pavilion End bowling Nick Gubbins off the inside edge for a 10-ball duck and then having Ben Brown caught at third slip for nine by young Jacob Bethell. James Vince will resume after the break on 44, his side 150 runs behind. Some dreamy stuff - as per usual - but a strong lbw shout from Norwell in there too. We’re also yet to see an over of spin in this match, the big lads having pounded away throughout.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 492 v Somerset 202 and 19-2
Old Trafford: Lancashire 512 v Surrey 209 and 2-0
Wantage Road: Northants 117-5 v Essex 263
Edgbaston: Warwicks 272-4dec v Hampshire 122-5
Headingley: Yorkshire 183 and 36-1 v Gloucestershire 190 and 233 Yorkshire need 205 to win
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 468-4 v Leicestershire 249
Trent Bridge: Notts 662-5dec v Durham 155-6
Hove: Sussex 218-6 v Glamorgan 533-9dec
New Road: Worcs 225 v Middlesex 260-4
Somerset lose Andrew Umeed (14-1) and Surrey are following on – all out for 209. And that’s lunch. Will catch up the Division Two scores now – apologies – but Sussex aren’t doing Middlesex any favours, already 211 for six against Glamorgan.
An email as Yorkshire’s stroll past 20. Hello Julian Davies.
Hi Tanya,
Just finished the Spin and particularly enjoyed the Catford article [by Emma John – see below:]
“ I don’t know if you are the correct person to write to but I have a real irritation from this weekend and the Rachel Heyhoe-Flint final at Lords.
“Eventually the game was transformed into a hugely exciting climax. However, part of it , left me completely bemused. The first 10 overs of the Vipers innings was a throwback of maybe half a century and the innings of Boycott, Brearley and Gavascar in 50 over games. 17 runs were scored in 10 overs of the powerplay. I think that included 4 byes. There was no attempt whatsoever to be aggressive to to put pressure on the fielding side. What made this approach incomprehensible was the loss of two wickets as well. It was my opinion that this decision to block was a significant cause of the Vipers’ defeat. The lack of ambition was also a disappointment for the spectators. Is this a usual tactic in the women’s game or have I been spoilt by watching Wil Jacks open for Surrey.
“There I’ve got it off my chest! I’m a fan of the women’s game but surely this was an opportunity lost at Lords to showcase the women’s game.”
Hi Julian – I wasn’t there and didn’t see it, but my press-box colleague was. He says that the issue was that Linsey Smith bowled like a dream, on a used pitch, chasing a lowish target.
Make that Surrey 190 for nine.
A glimpse round the Division One grounds:
Kent are finally all out for 492, bolstered by a highest first-class score of 87 from Hamidullah Qadri. A career-best six for 110 for Casey Aldridge. Somerset are 0 for 0 in reply, 220 behind. This feels as if it can only go one way.
Surrey at huge risk of losing their unbeaten record. I know the tail is awesome, but can Lawes, Roach and Moriarty really inch them past the 182 they need for the follow on? Will Williams 3 for 41.
And in the forgotten game – Northants are 102 for five against Essex’s 263, three wickets for Ben Allison.
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No-one has made a century for Yorkshire in the last four rounds. The press-box aren’t brimming with confidence that it will happen today. Sparkling sunlight though at Headingley. Yorkshire five for one.
A brace of wickets have come Warwickshire’s way at Edgbaston, with Alex Davies snaffling two excellent catches behind the stumps to see Hampshire 54 for three in the 21st over. It’s come from the change bowlers too, Will Rhodes finding the inside edge of Ian Holland - Davies flying down leg one-handed - and then Henry Brookes finding the outside of Joe Weatherley’s wafted willow.
Gosh Surrey in the mire at Old Trafford – 169 for eight, needing 194 to avoid the follow-on.
Wharton plays a lovely shot to get off the mark for four and ooof – he’s bowled very next ball – hook, line and kitchen sink.
And more news from Headingley:
Yorkshire have assured members at Headingley today that they will agree a binding vote on the Strauss Review and will hold an EGM. That's another vote against assuming any potential new leadership team respects the promise. New membership categories may yet complicate things.
— David Hopps (@DavidKHopps) September 28, 2022
Yorkshire need 241 to beat Gloucestershire
Arrive at Headingley to hear a huge cheer from the stands as Singh-Dale is run out by Matthew Fisher. Gloucestershire 233 all out, Yorkshire need 241 to win and – definitely – avoid the drop.
Hyde Park, incidentally, was looking beautiful – all crisp leaves and startling sunshine.
And, as my train approaches Leeds, a wicket for Will Williams at Old Trafford – the Surrey wobble continues. Old Lancashire boy Jordan Clark on his way back to the visitor’s dressing room.
And Sibley atones... Liam Norwell has been hunting the edge in this morning spell with a full length and finally gets a second snick, the ball flying low to first slip off an angled defence from Felix Organ. Good hands this time as Sibley gets under it. Hampshire 23-1, 249 runs behind.
Swings and roundabouts in Division Two as Glamorgan take a wicket - Tom Alsop, but Middlesex lose one – Max Holden.
Oh no no ... here at Edgbaston we’ve just seen Dom Sibley shell Ian Holland at first slip off the bowling of Liam Norwell, third over. Sheepish hand gestures afterwards suggest some wobble but it was catchable height and the kind the home side desperately need to stick if they’re going to pull off an escape. It comes after Felix Organ was dropped by Sam Hain at second yesterday evening too ... Hampshire 11-0 but there should be a two in that second column.
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Respect to Zak Crawley for this interview. By all accounts , he played like an absolute dream yesterday.
"'Up and down is generous' - I think it was more just down!"
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) September 28, 2022
Zak Crawley spoke well yesterday on "the worst summer" he's ever had
⏩https://t.co/NqO9QBj49w pic.twitter.com/bsjvFZqzs0
From the Pakistan team’s media manager. England take on Pakistan today at Lahore in the fifth match of an is-anyone-even-counting-any-more seven-match series.
It has arguably been a finishing ground for English batters
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) September 28, 2022
The next crop of England white ball players have had an amazing experience of high quality cricket in challenging conditions https://t.co/SSpmUf0Zz7
Interview with Richard Thompson
This is a thought-provoking interview with Richard Thomspon, the new ECB chair, who did so much good stuff with Surrey.
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Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 405-7 v Somerset 202
Old Trafford: Lancashire 512 v Surrey 123-5
Wantage Road: Northants 32-2 v Essex 263
Edgbaston: Warwicks 272-4dec v Hampshire 4-0
Headingley: Yorkshire 183 v Gloucestershire 190 and 204-6
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 356-2 v Leicestershire 249
Trent Bridge: Notts 662-5dec v Durham 53-2
Hove: Sussex 38-1 v Glamorgan 533-9dec
New Road: Worcs 225 v Middlesex 146-2
Updated
Tuesday's round up
Kent will fight another year in Division One after collecting all eight bonus points available at Canterbury. They bowled out Somerset for 202 before powering to 405 for seven, with an opening stand of 176 between Zak Crawley and Tawanda Muyeye and a half-century from Ollie Robinson in his final game before he moves to Durham.
Kent’s position was confirmed when Warwickshire declared against Hampshire at Edgbaston. At the lunch interval on what Kent had declared “Stevo day” the retiring Darren Stevens did a lap of honour shaking hands with the crowd, and Kent announced they had retired the No 3 shirt in his honour.
Kent’s survival means a shootout between Warwickshire and Yorkshire to join Gloucestershire in Division Two. Just 32 overs were possible at Edgbaston, on a day when the players played push me‑pull me with the weather, but Rob Yates did grab a hundred in what has been a frustrating year.
Yorkshire stumbled badly at Headingley, first being bowled out for 183, as Zafar Gohar took five for 40; then allowing Gloucestershire to build a lead of 211.
In the Division Two promotion games, Nottinghamshire are almost assured Division One status after scoring 662 for five declared against Durham, with centuries for Lyndon James and Steven Mullaney. Middlesex were thwarted by the weather in their match against Worcestershire at New Road, but there was time for Pieter Malan to hit a half‑century. Centuries for Shubman Gill and Chris Cooke put Glamorgan in a powerful position against Sussex at 533 for nine declared.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that Essex would not be docked any points for an unfit pitch following their match against Lancashire at Chelmsford last week. The match ended in just over four sessions, with 26 wickets falling on the first day. The match referee Wayne Noon adjudged it “poor”; the ECB then had to judgewhether there should be a points deduction based on whether – with the information available – Essex had actively sought to prepared the best quality pitch they could
Lancashire’s director of cricket, Glenn Chapple, had called the pitch “completely ridiculous” after Lancashire at one point found themselves six for seven in their second innings just before stumps on day one.
Preamble
Good morning! A very late change of plan means I’m whizzing to Leeds, just in case Yorkshire implode. Trans-pennine express can’t work magic so I’m going to miss the opening overs – fingers crossed for the train wifi. The good news is that a very cold morning has given way to sunshine that feels warm, at least through the window. To recap from last night: Kent are safe, Notts are up bar dotting the Is, which leaves Warwicks and Yorks avoiding the drop; Glamorgan and Middlesex fighting over the promotion cake. Play starts at 10.30am – set the alarm, we’ve only two days to go.
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