Women's match has prestige slot for Old Trafford double-header
The Blast games at Old Trafford on 1 June will be the first known double-header to have a women’s match, Thunder v Vipers, in the prestige evening slot and the men’s, Lancashire Lightning v Derbyshire Falcons, in the afternoon.
Lancashire, who this spring were the first county to take the women’s and men’s teams away together on a pre-season training trip, have recently converted the men’s away dressing room to the Thunder home dressing room. The women previously had to change in the cricket centre.
On the field Lancashire suffered a spectacular afternoon collapse against Essex. They were 32 for five when the rain saved them, the rot starting when Keaton Jennings was lbw for four and continuing as Josh Bohannon fell lbw without scoring. Steven Croft was sent on his way for a golden duck, Luke Wells shouldered arms ill advisedly, giving Sam Cook a second wicket, and Dane Vilas played on to Shane Snater’s fourth ball.
Earlier Essex were eventually dismissed for 391, thanks to an attacking 72 from Snater, which delighted an audience of 1,700 cheerful school children making the best of the overcast weather and attempting to pet Lanky the giraffe. Dan Lawrence, who had to call for a runner after tweaking his right hamstring again, went on to make 120.
Rain interrupted play all round the grounds but Kent passed 500, rather than conceding it. Ben Compton was eventually out for 140 and there were fifties for Jack Leaning and a fly-by-night Grant Stewart, who then took one of two quick Northamptonshire wickets to fall before stumps.
At Headingley Adam Lyth, 118 not out, and Harry Brook, passing 50 charmingly for the eighth time in nine innings, gave Yorkshire a lead against Warwickshire with a partnership of 157. Joe Root was out for just eight.
A clearly thrilled Azhar Ali jigged to an unbeaten 202 for Worcestershire at New Road against Leicestershire, joined by Jack Haynes, 21, who made his third hundred in three matches in a third-wicket partnership of 281. Toby Roland-Jones finished with four for 72 as Durham were bowled out for 350 at Lord’s, Ben Stokes dismissing Middlesex’s Mark Stoneman just before bad light stopped play.
Ben Duckett’s 86, supported by runs from down the order, ensured Nottinghamshire a first-innings lead against Derbyshire and at Taunton an inspired Craig Overton took three for 21 from 18 overs to leave Hampshire wobbling at 144 for five against Somerset.
So with rain at New Road and Headingley and no further play today at Old Trafford, I’m going to hop on my bike and zip home to write up for second edition. Middlesex (65-0) are still wicketless at Lord’s, Notts (334-7) being urged on by Liam Patterson-White’s unbeaten 34, Hampshire have lost Ian Holland for 49 (115-2) and Northants (2-0) get to face Darren Stevens in the gloom. That’s it from me for today, have a lovely evening!
And it is stumps here at OT. Lancashire will resume tomorrow morning at 32-5, 359 behind Essex.
The party is over for Kent 519-9 declared, Stewart last man out for 61.
Quite the signing for Hornchurch CC.
Imagine rocking up on Saturday after a heavy Friday night on the beers, being put in on a helpful deck, getting the tap on the shoulder & a "pad up you're opening" from the skipper then seeing Mohammed Amir at the top of his mark. 😬 https://t.co/85M2ayzjcS
— Adam Sutherland (@ADSutherland_) May 20, 2022
And two more county caps given:
Honored to have been awarded my @SomersetCCC county cap alongside @mattrenshaw449. Very special to have club legends Andy Caddick & Marcus Trescothick present them to us. Always cherish these moments and what the counties and English county cricket means to me. #WeAreSomerset https://t.co/gep1sgMLMI
— Peter Siddle (@petersiddle403) May 20, 2022
It is now raining at Headingley, but they’re back on at Taunton. At Northampton, Grant Stewart has 55 in 40 balls, with five sixes. Kent pass 500, rather than conceding it.
A quick scoot around the grounds:
Rain at Old Trafford (Lancs 32-5) and Taunton (Hampshire 95-1).
At Headingley, Harry Brook has just been out for 82 more marvellous runs, to Hannon-Dalby, a partnership of 158 with Adam Lyth, who is still there on a steady-as-you-like 117. Yorks 267-4, a lead of 23.
Kent have moved on to 474-8, 62 from Jack Leaning, and an unbeaten 48 from Grant Stewart, bolstering Compton’s 140.
In Division Two, Middlesex have survived the opening onslaught, 32-0, after bowling Durham out for 350. Four wickets to TRJ. Notts have a first-innings lead of 43 over Derbyshire, with contributions all down the order. Notts 305-6. And at New Road, Azhar Ali is still there on 161, but he lost Jack Haynes for 127. Worcs 382-3
I’m back, and can report the covers firmly stapled to the wet turf at Old Trafford as Lancashire chew on a dog’s dinner of a batting display.
Thanks to Mes for this:
James Anderson now has as many first class wickets as 6 foot 1, 21-stone, beer-drinking, 19th Century Kent round-arm bowling all-rounder Alfred Mynn pic.twitter.com/0s7RwBG7UP
— Mark Puttick (@GryllidaeC) May 20, 2022
Just returning quickly to point out that Lancs are now 24-5 as Vilas plays onto his stumps. Snater, wearing a thick white headband, strikes with his fourth ball.
Right, as tea approaches please excuse me for a while, I’ve got to write something up for early Friday deadlines. Updates will come, I’m sure, BTL.
The reassurring presence of Phil Salt.
A deeply ill-advised leave from Luke Wells, and he’s LBW for 6 to Cook (2-4). A very slow trudge back. Lancs 14-4.
For those of your of an IPL persuasion:
Moeen Ali hits Trent Boult for 26 in an over at the IPL (644444)
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) May 20, 2022
And a first fifty of the season for Liam Trevaskis. Three for Murtagh, two for Roland-Jones. Durham 289-7. And I should have said that Dan Lawrence is off the field having his hamstring injury looked at.
The tension is released by an overthrow, and the hat-trick ball passes by.
Ben Duckett falls, 16 short of his century, bowled by Thompson. Still 47 behind, they have six wickets in hand. And they’re sitting watching the rain again at Taunton, Hampshire moving onto 69-1.
And Lancs making rather a hash of this - 8-2. Bohannon misses and is hit just below the knee, lbw for a duck. Oh and another Croft gone first ball, well snaffeld at first slip by Alastair Cook. Porter will be on a hat-trick at the start of his next over. Lancs 8-3.
A very happy Azhar Ali, now slotting nicely into the required overseas player run-machine role.
✊ @AzharAli_ enjoyed that one!
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) May 20, 2022
A first century in @WorcsCCC colours 🍐#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/vyiXgYXU6Q
Jennings not a happy bunny to be given out lbw for four. Sam Cook, shrug, it’s a wonderful world. Enter Bohannon, who could do with runs to stay on the England radar. Lancs 5-1.
And a century for Jack Haynes too
A third hundred in three successive games. Paul Edwards next to me is not surprised, Worcestershire are delighted with him after a slow start. He’s only 21.
A century for Azhar Ali
Well played! After a run of single-figure scores, four successive innings of fifty or more, and a century at last. Worcs 255-2.
At Headingley, Root is a third catch for Burgess, only single figures. Lyth is hanging on for a stonewalling 46 off 144 balls, man of the moment Harry Brook one not out. Yorks 115-3.
Hampshire have lost Felix Organ for 20, a wicket for Craig Overton. 66-1, 145 behind. Somerset need quick wickets.
And Ben Compton has been caught in the gully, for another thorough hundred, this time 140. Totting up on the abacus that makes it...810 runs at 101 now. Superb work. People say that he is not the most aesthetically pleasing of batsmen, but he certainly gets the job done. Hope he’s enjoying every moment, after toiling without success in his early twenties. Kent 314-3
And a direct hit by Bohannon does for Porter, eager to escape some short stuff from Hassan Ali. Essex a worthy 391 all out.
Updated
All games now in play, except at Lord’s where they’ll jog on at 2.40. And, at last, Snater goes, lbw to Hassan for a tasty 72 off just 82 balls. Very nicely done. Ok, let’s take a stroll round the grounds.
This is getting quite frustrating for Lancs now - Essex have passed the 350 which Nick Browne yesterday earmarked as even stevers. Snater has 55, Cook is hanging around. Essex 373-8.
Key event
Play abandoned at Hove, where Sussex were due to play New Zealand in a four-day game.
A rainbow flag is flying over the Hilton, the point and the pavilion.
At Edgbaston, there has been a world-record attempt on the largest cricket lesson in history. More than 650 primary school children took part in a lesson delivered on the Edgbaston outfield by Warwickshire Cricket Board Schools Manager Danny Maskell, with pupils from Kings Rise Academy and other schools .
If approved, the record will surpass the previous single venue record of 580 at Lord’s, in 2017.
Respect to Danny Maskell.
Hassan Ali: ‘Wasim Akram told me you should go to play county cricket and finally I’m here and it is amazing.'
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) May 20, 2022
By @tjaldred https://t.co/cP3QVNaPnw
Four games have picked up post lunch: the three that were muddling along, on and off, at Trent Bridge, Headingley and Old Trafford, and at New Road. There, both Haynes and Azhar are into the seventies. Solidity at three and four, at last.
We resume, with Hassan Ali bustling from the Brian Statham end. A lovely scene at lunch, with kids everywhere and a face painter sketching impressive Lancashire roses. Some impressive numbers have been released from the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, which provided cricket provision for more than 75,000 participants last year, distributing £425,000 into cricket at all levels in Lancashire. There was also a 61 percent rise in the number of women’s and girl’s teams playing in Lancashire in 2021.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Old Trafford: Lancs v Essex 341-8
The County Ground: Northants v Kent 286-2 No play before lunch, rain.
Taunton: Somerset 211 v Hants 29-0 No play before lunch, rain.
Headingley: Yorks 61-1 v Warwicks 244
DIVISION TWO
Lord’s: Middx v Durham 256-6 No play before lunch, rain.
Trent Bridge: Notts 121-2 v Derby 260
New Road: Worcs 159-2 v Leics 148 No play before lunch, rain.
Victory for the Salford devil - but that smelt like a false start. Anyway, lunchtime scores to follow.
Dane Vilas signs autographs while the five mascots line up - Lanky is up against a policeman, a shark, a star and a devil.
We get the new ball for the pre lunch over, this time from Hassan Ali.
Lanky is causing chaos lining up next to the kids in preparation for his big race.
A fifty partnership in three-four time at OT, Snater getting stuck in. The diggers are rolling about in best Richard Scarry style where the old Red Rose Suite stood, and Hassan Ali is stretching in front of happy children. Essex 334-7 - no make that eight, Lawrence gone, furious with himself after chipping Wood to Jimmy at midwicket, for 120.
Here comes Matt Critchley as Lawrence’s runner. After yesterday’s incident with Rossington, I predict chaos. Bailey and Anderson watch the whole thing unfold with folded arms from a distance. Fast bowlers’ prerogative.
A break in play here, ah no, it is Lawrence, he’s pointing at the back of his leg. Hope that’s not the hamstring, he’s only just recovered from the last injury. He’s calling for a runner.
Raining at Headingley now too, but, like a weather house, they’re back on again at Trent Bridge.
Some more news from Surrey, they have signed West Indies all rounder Kieron Pollard for the 2022 Blast season.
Hassan Ali is fielding down on the rope in front of the damp excited/bored kids, who are baying for attention. Bailey toiling in.
Lanky et al will be taking part in a mascot race at Old Trafford at one o’clock. The cricket starts in seven minutes. Still only two games in play round the grounds - at Headingley, where Yorkshire have crawled to 54-1, and at Trent Bridge where - no, cancel that, the rain has arrived in Nottingham too. Notts 98-2, Duckett not out a quick-fire 23.
Play will start at 12.20 at OT, if no more rain falls. The drying rope is being driven round and round in circles.
The groundstaff are inspecting at Old Trafford, pulling the tent-pegs out of the ground. There’s been a second wicket at Derby, Slater a second for Conners, Notts 82-2. And an email, which arrived too late last night. Hello Tone White!
“I was especially pleased to see the snap of Greg and Ava with Greg wearing a real pair of trousers that go all the way up to his waist, something impossible to find for us chaps unless we want to fork out a grand for a customised number.
The hipster and semi-hip have become ubiquitous, along with the button cross fastening above the flies. Obviously we hear nothing of these lapses in traditional men’s wear from the brexiters, and where are the sovereign dress controls?”
Tony, I can’t really comment on gents’ trousers, but us women of a certain age have long migrated to the high-waisted trouser department.
Has is looking good, I was going to type. No longer. Hass is out. Caught by a flying Wayne Madsen, holding back the years. Notts 67-1, Slater an-almost-run- a-ball 38.
Updated
Surrey, what an impressive outfit they are.
Impressive- respect. https://t.co/4AcO8Qw9S9
— Jason Gillespie 🌱 (@dizzy259) May 20, 2022
An early wicket at Headingley, as George Hill is snaffled for 25 off Henry Brookes. Yorks 37-1, trail Warwicks by 207.
A quiet little earthquake will happen on Wednesday June 1 in a Blast double-header at Old Trafford - where the men will play first and the women take the prestige evening slot. We think that’s the first time that has happened, in the UK at least.
Here comes the hover cover.
A delayed start also at Taunton, due to a wet outfield. It’s spitting at Old Trafford but they’re ploughing on - crowd pressure don’t you know.
Rain round the grounds, there is a delay at Lord’s, New Road, Northampton - but I think we will start on time everywhere else.
Keaton Jennings is getting an ecstatic reception.
It’s schools day today at Old Trafford, 1700 kids are running around having the best time - remote control cars, hula hooping, bowling, meeting Lanky. It’s raining, of course, but only a little, and we’re hoping to start on time
More bad news for Mark Wood - the recovery from his elbow surgery is going slower than expected:
and Ellyse Perry has been included in a powerful looking Australian squad for the Commonwealth Games, but may only bat as she too recovers from a stress fracture.
Thursday's round-up
On a sun-kissed Manchester day, Essex’s Dan Lawrence, excluded on Wednesday from England’s squad for the first Test against New Zealand, turned a shapely ankle towards the selectors.
From an awkward start, Lawrence, who has been out with a hamstring injury all spring, found his form with drives, nudges and speedy running between the wickets . He was missed on 77, edging Jimmy Anderson between first and second slip, the first of three misses off successive Anderson overs, which left Lancashire’s finest stalking menacingly back to his mark.
Lawrence reached his hundred in the penultimate over of the day, but not before running out Adam Rossington with a single that wasn’t there. Simon Harmer then gloved a snorter from Luke Wood’s first ball as the new ball continued to do its work.
Yet another hundred from Ben Compton, his fourth, gave Kent one of their better days, reaching 286 for two against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. Zak Crawley, off the mark with a haughty pull before edging just short of the slips second ball, made his highest championship score of the year with 62. Daniel Bell-Drummond marched to a steady 83.
Shan Masood’s race to a thousand runs before the end of the month was thwarted when the Derbyshire opener was caught for 18, his lowest score of the season. He needs 156 in the second innings against Nottinghamshire. There were a couple of wickets for Stuart Broad. At Lord’s, Durham’s Alex Lees rattled to 44, but Ben Stokes made just 15, before holing out to the young Middlesex leg‑spinner Luke Hollman.
It was a miserable day for Leicestershire under new red-ball captain Callum Parkinson, dismissed for 148 just after lunch. Azhar Ali passed 50 for the fourth successive time as Worcestershire took the lead by stumps at New Road. From 43 for four against Yorkshire at Headingley, Warwickshire recovered thanks to 96 from Michael Burgess. Hampshire rattled through Somerset at Taunton, hindered only by 44 from Craig Overton.
Scores on the doors
Preamble
Good morning! It’s a muggy Manchester morning, with no sign yet of the showers due to hit later. There were no runaway scores yesterday - though Kent look close to breaking free - too early to tell yet whether the new batch of Dukes balls had anything to do with it. Dan Lawrence starts today unbeaten on 100, Compton on 125 - maybe this will be the day that Azhar Ali, unbeaten on 60, crosses the three figures marker.
