Roundup: Bohannon underlines England credentials with double century
With just seven overs left, Hasan Ali sheared James Bracey’s middle stump diagonally in two with a blazing yorker, reminiscent of the days of Wasim Akram. It left Gloucestershire going into the final day without their top three, and topped a day of playing second fiddle to Lancashire.
Jimmy Anderson had made the first breakthrough, taking his first wicket of the season, dismissing the dangerous Marcus Harris who went up on his toes but couldn’t avoid a ripper, which he edged behind. Chris Dent then tried to cut Saqib Mahmood and was caught by a swooping Phil Salt.
Gloucestershire had spent most of the day chasing leather as Josh Bohannon whipped the lid off his marker pen and scribbled available on the England team-sheet for the Test series against New Zealand. He galloped past his previous highest score and on past 200, finally out for 231, edging a sweep, gathered gratefully by Bracey. He marched off to a standing ovation, from the crowd, from Gloucestershire, from his teammates, swishing his bat ruefully.
Essex’s Dan Lawrence, batting at No 7 and with a runner, thumbed his nose at Warwickshire. His brave 44 and a boisterous 60 not out from Simon Harmer at least averted an innings defeat.
At The Oval, a scintillating match that has swung with the wind was halted after Ben Foakes clashed heads with first slip Jamie Overton, while taking a brilliant diving catch. Ollie Pope stood in for him and caught Peter Siddle off the final ball of the day; Surrey taking seven for 73 after tea. There were fifties for Somerset’s Toms Banton and Abell, and earlier Craig Overton bowling to brother Jamie.
At Northampton, baby-faced George Hill flew to a glorious unbeaten 151 in just his 11th first-class game to put Yorkshire in a dominant position against Northamptonshire. He was helped by more measured runs from Dawid Malan (75) and tempestuous hitting from Harry Brook (77).
Hampshire luxuriated in 652-6 declared, with centuries from Ben Brown and Liam Dawson in a record partnership of 273 for the fifth wicket. Kent then lost early wickets, including Zak Crawley for 29. Their one hope? That the immovable Ben Compton was still there at stumps.
A revitalised Middlesex duly prevailed, an innings win over Glamorgan inked in by midday. Toby Roland-Jones ruined any stonewalling dreams with two wickets in his first eight balls.
Two other Division Two matches ended in innings wins. Nottinghamshire picked apart Durham in a manner befitting their status as promotion candidates. A maiden unbeaten double century for Ben Slater and a frustrating bit of bat throwing by James Pattinson took Notts to a first-innings lead of 258, Matthew Potts took six for 107. Durham then deflated like a balloon.
Sussex lost 15 wickets in the day, and not even a first-innings century from Cheteshwar Pujara could prevent them from following on and then collapsing again. Joe Leach took two wickets in successive balls for the second time in the match and Brett D’Oliveira grabbed the last two wickets. It was Worcestershire’s first win of the season.
In the remaining game, Leicestershire are holding on – just. Mattie McKiernan,who spent 12 years at Lancashire without making a senior appearance, made his maiden first-class century, before Derbyshire lost six for 27, with Ed Barnes grabbing his first five-fer. Still, with 531 on the board, life is easy, and Leicestershire finished six down, still 172 behind.
That’s me done. TIme to go home from Old Trafford where the sun is suddenly blazing. See you tomorrow - good night!
I’d better write up, keep an eye on proceedings for me.
Salt leaps to catch a bluebird, as Dent attempts to cut a ball he’ll wish he hadn’t.
In Division Two.
CHESTER LE STREET: Definitely not as planned for Durham who have lost three for 18 and are 85-5, still 173 behind Nottinghamshire’s vast first innings.
NEW ROAD: Worcestershire running through Sussex, who still need another 116 to avoid an innings defeat. Sussex 106-6.
GRACE ROAD: Azad is gone, and with it Leicestershire’s hopes of holding on. Leicestershire 83-3, trail by 235.
Abell no longer. Caught behind for 53.
Round the grounds? Right:
THE OVAL: Tom Abell has made another 50 against Surrey, off just 57 balls. Somerset 129-2 lead 158.
CANTERBURY: Crawley and Compton making a good stab at a hearty reply against Hampshire’s 652-6dec. Kent 49-0 trail by 298.
OLD TRAFFORD: Gloucestershire undergoing a testing time after losing Harris for 7 to Anderson. And as I type, George Balderson replaces Hassan Ali at the Brian Statham end. Gloucs 22-1, trail by 282.
WANTAGE ROAD Northants 8-0 chasing a ridiculous 491 more. Four sessions to survive.
EDGBASTON: Essex have nearly knocked off the deficit, but they’ve only four wickets left. Essex 204-6
The wind is blowing into Richard Illingworth’s back at square leg, his shoulders hunched, his black gloves on, his snood up to his ears. And that’s OUT! Harris goes up on his toes but can’t avoid a ripper which he edges behind for 7. Gloucs 13-1 and Anderson’s first wicket of the season, his 1027th.
Yorkshire have declared. Northants need 499 to win (laugh emoji). George Hill 151 not out - a daddy ( that’s a daddy, right?) for his first Championship hundred.
A better first over from Anderson and Dent somehow survives leaving Hassan Ali’s first ball which lurches in and burps over off stump.
Jimmy has the ball.
Hassan is out in the middle, bowling on the practise pitch.
The roller is out and Lancs have declared.
Tea-time scores
Division One
Canterbury Kent 305 (Bell-Drummond 149) v Hampshire 652-6 (Vince 111, Dawson 171, Brown 157)
Old Trafford Lancashire 556-7dec (Bohannon 231, Vilas 109) v Gloucestershire 252 all out
Northampton Northamptonshire 204 all out v Yorkshire 296 and 360-3 (Hill 131 not out)
The Oval Surrey 308 v Somerset 337 all out (Abell 150 no) and 89-2
Edgbaston Warwickshire 385 (Burgess 170) v Essex 168 and 183-6
Division Two
Riverside Durham 230 and 61-2v Nottinghamshire 488-9dec (Slater 225, James 108)
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 and 132 v Middlesex 336. Middx win by an innings and 82
Grace Road Leicestershire 213 and 65-3 v Derbyshire 531 (Shan Masood 219, McKiernan 101)
New Road Worcestershire 491 (D’Oliveira 169 no) v Sussex 269 and 81-5
Lancs will declare at tea. Won’t they?
Rossington, fresh from fifty, must go. Essex are six wickets down, still 39 behind Warwickshire’s first innings. The injured Lawrence hangs on, 39 not out.
Danny Lamb is having a laugh, three boundaries from Warner’s over, this one for six over the burger van into the nets. A declaration imminent.
Grind them Hampshire, grind them: 628-6, with three centurions and, hey, Organ and Barker to join them. Kent watch and weep.
This is going to haunt Matt Renshaw’s dreams...Somerset 61-2.
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 23, 2022
Updated
Zafar Gohar Khan has earned his four wickets - he has now bowled more overs in an innings for Gloucestershire than anyone since at least 1950.
Updated
A maiden first-class century for George Hill
... as the Yorkshire lead over Northants stretches to 400. Bravo!
Mickey Arthur, a love letter;
Shan Masood talks about Mickey Arthur's impact on his career.#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/NleHqKdwGL
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) April 22, 2022
Notts declare, Slater 225 not out
A career-best for the indefatigable Ben Slater. Notts have a lead of 258 over Durham who have a looooog day and a half ahead of them.
And that’s it for Josh Bohannon. He sweeps, edges and is gathered by Bracey. A standing ovation as he marches off, swishing his bat ruefully. Gloucestershire applaud him in the middle, his teammates clap him in from the balcony. Mission accomplished.
Salt polkas down the pitch - and splat - is stumped by Bracey. Lancs 486-5.
Hells bells, Sussex are three down following-on - and one of them is Pujara. And one of them is Haines.
Phil Salt - does he have the best one syllable name in cricket? Anyway, he pulls Dale for a brusque four. Lancashire 477-4. When will they let Jimmy and Hassan and Saqib and Parky loose?
Hill and Malan going great guns for Yorkshire, a partnership of 149, the lead 342. Time to call it quits at tea? Hampshire are up and away - Dawson 153 not out; Brown 119 not out - his first for his new club, the lead over Kent 202.
Somerset haven’t lost a second-innings wicket; Essex have lost three: Critchely and Rossington holding by their finger nails.
Those Aussies, they love the County Championship:
I think @marnus3cricket spoke to soon 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/sdE9VXQ8Pb
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 23, 2022
Surrey are all out for 308. Coverton didn’t get Joverton, nobody got Joverton, who finishes 27 not out. Peter Siddle finishes with 6-51. The west country lead is 29 and Somerset are batting. ARHGHGHGHGHGHGHG
While we wait for Phil Salt to light the touch-paper, an email!
“Hi Tanya,” Hello Mike Wiltsher!
“Enjoying the blog as always and excited for the season to come. A question for the wisdom of the crowd on the cc live blog:
“Lots of talk about Vince, Abell or A.N. Other curve ball as the next England captain. Although we may hope for more, experience suggests Vince would nick off to the slips for a silky 37. I would take this if he added significant value as a captain but don’t follow Hampshire closely enough to know if this is the case. Similar logic applies to Burns. Could anyone give me an appraisal of Burns, Abell, Vince or (insert name here) the captain?”
The floor is open BTLers...
Vegetable lasagne and chips and a stroll half way round the ground to nip the top off the carb overload. Loads of people out in the middle at lunchtime, young kids, teenagers in cricket whites and an assortment of the over-18s. Bohannon cover drives crisply to 212; then Vilas cuts a fat one from Shaw straight to cover. Out for a handy 109.
Lunchtime scores
Division One
Canterbury Kent 305 (Bell-Drummond 149) v Hampshire 457-4
Old Trafford Lancashire 418-3 (Bohannon 202, Vilas 100) v Gloucestershire 252 all out
Northampton Northamptonshire 204 all out v Yorkshire 296 and 207-2
The Oval Surrey 293-8 v Somerset 337 all out (Abell 150 no)
Edgbaston Warwickshire 385 all out v Essex 168 and 74-3
Division Two
Riverside Durham 230 all out v Nottinghamshire 429-7
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 and 132 v Middlesex 336. Middx win by an innings and 82
Grace Road Leicestershire 213 all out v Derbyshire 531 all out
New Road Worcestershire 491 (D’Oliveira 169 no) v Sussex 269 all out
And a second hundred on the trot from Dane Vilas, who has re-found his form that slunk behind the radiator last season. No wickets fall in the morning session for the third day in a row at OT. Lancs 418-3, a lead of 166. Lunchtime scores round the ground to follow.
200 for Josh Bohannon!
After just ducking under a lofted thwack from Vilas, Bohannon dabs into the off side, jogs a single and that’s the 200 - his first in f-c cricket! He smiles in perfect opposition to his droopy. moustache, takes off his helmet, kisses his bat and raises it to the pavilion and the dressing-room. Dave Vilas envelopes him in a bear hug. Smashing innings, intelligent, pugnacious and at a smart pace.
Bohannon has eight minutes to move from 199...
Timeout
Overton ➡️ Overton
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 23, 2022
Things are heating up between the twins 😂#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/7iNo2k8Wpt
Division Two, sorry: what’s going on?
Glamorgan are down and out - 22 points to Middlesex, 3 to Glamorgan.
Sussex in real trouble, with Pujara gone for 109, Rawlins and Stewart before and after. Dillon Pennington took two in two overs, Sussex 243-8 still 247 behind Worcestershire.
Derbyshire, overflowing with riches, chillax on 515-8. Du Plooy 49 not out. Four wickets for Ed Barnes.
And Notts bat on, despite losing four early morning wickets. Four for Potts, three for Raine. Slater still there undefeated on 191.
Updated
Gloucestershire have persuaded the umpires to change the ball here at OT - they certainly need something to prick Lancashire’s concentration. Bohannon, incidentally, has glided past his previous highest score of 174. He needs 21 for the double ton; Vilas 11 for the hundred.
At The Oval Overton C bowls to Overton J.
Updated
Must be time for a straight-talkin non Brit: The England manager list in full: Micky Stewart, Keith Fletcher, Ray Illingworth, David Lloyd, Dumcan Fletcher, Peter Moores 1, Andy Flower, Ashley Giles, Peter Moores 2, Trevor Bayliss, Chris Silverwood, Paul Collingwood.
Former India head coach Gary Kirsten keen on England Test job. By @Cricket_Ali https://t.co/2EqQBqupBC
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) April 23, 2022
Middlesex beat Glamorgan by an innings and 82 runs
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 and 132 v Middlesex 336 all out
Glamorgan lost four wickets for 28 this morning. Still, ten more than the first innings, Glammy fans! A couple for Tom Helm, a couple for TRJ, who finishes with 5-40. Glamorgan have now won one, lost one and drawn one.
Let’s potter round the grounds in a leisurely Saturday manner - bring your dog, a newspaper and an almond croissant: In Division one, it feels very much like Vilas (72) and Bohannon (162) are still going to be batting at lunchtime, Lancs 346-4, a lead of 94. Liam Dawson has now reached his hundred at Canterbury, where Ben Brown has one of those useful fifties he used to nurdle so well for Sussex. Hampshire 395-4, a lead of 90. Dawid Malan retains his sure touch, as he and Lewis Hill bat on after the loss of Adam Lyth: Yorks 131-2 and building an intimidating lead for Northants.
At The Oval, Sam Curran (71) and Jacks have reduced Somerset’s lead to under three figures, Surrey 241-5. And Essex hold on for dear life after losing Browne last night. 29-1, with a mountain to climb.
Updated
Another hundred for Pujara
Providing ballast where there was none. Sussex 190-5, still a hill and dale behind Worcestershire. And apologies to Joe Leach, who took three wickets in six balls yesterday evening but whose achievements were not celebrated in the Saturday Guardian.
Cheteshwar Pujara reaches his second century for @SussexCCC 👏
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 23, 2022
Watch him bat LIVE 👉 https://t.co/G3sCdZsFd3#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/6OzFRvlS0n
Glamorgan are not long for this day, two quick wickets for Toby Roland-Jones: 116-8.
Fifty and out for Adam Lyth at Wantage Road.
Sam Curran moves past fifty in his first innings of the season, he’s in free-swinging form and Somerset need to get rid quick or that lead of 123 is going to disappear before lunch.
Bohannon passes 150 for the third time in f-c cricket, just in time for this fan-mail to land from Gary Naylor:
Vilas (42.0) and Bohannon (46.7) bring a combined average of almost 90 across almost 12000 FC runs to the crease at Old Trafford just now @tjaldred.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) April 23, 2022
Can any other partnership match that today? I suspect there may be a few - but not many.
Dane Vilas starts the day brightly with a couple of boom-boom fours to make it 51 off 51 balls.
Play round the grounds - and bad news for Dan Lawrence, who seems very unlikely to bat again after pulling his hamstring fielding.
Hassan Ali asking for more cricket:
Hassan Ali "We had a lot of departmental & regional teams before & having more domestic teams and therefore more cricket, would be beneficial for Pakistan. We have a population of over 220 million so having just 6 First-class teams does not fit our requirements" #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) April 23, 2022
Friday's round-up
Lancashire’s Josh Bohannon made an unbeaten 142 against Gloucestershire to the accompaniment of blustery winds which screamed across Old Trafford, from the rubble of the now dismantled Red Rose suite to the empty space where the party stand sometime shakes. More pertinently, perhaps, James Taylor, England selector, was watching a pugnacious innings of crisp strokes and a gritty dead bat. Bohannon, who had a breakthrough summer in 2021, scoring two hundreds and averaging over fifty in Championship cricket, spent part of the winter with the Lions, and is thought to be more than a twinkle in England’s future plans.
Shan Masood’s superlative spring in a Derbyshire shirt continued against Leicestershire as he majestically strode to his second consecutive double century, pound for pound the best value signing since a wet behind the ears Jamie Vardy autographed the dotted line. Already more than half way to a thousand runs before the end of May, he is galloping towards becoming the first man to do it since Graeme Hick in 1988.
Tom Abell made a career best unbeaten 150 as Somerset kicked on against Surrey at The Oval. Ollie Pope and Ben Foakes brought balance after early wickets, but both fell by stumps, Pope snaffled by an astonishing one-handed boundary catch by Tom Banton.
A frolicsome century by James Vince, at less than a run a ball, kept the runs flowing for Kent against Hampshire at Canterbury; while Michael Burgess skimmed to his second tempestuous mega hundred in successive innings, as the 2021 county champions, Warwickshire, lorded it over the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy winners Essex.
Middlesex built a huge lead against Glamorgan thanks to an undefeated stoical hundred from John Simpson and some entertaining pots and pan bashing from Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shaheen then dismissed Marnus Labuschagne cheaply for the second time in the match, and the middle-order crumpled. Glamorgan’s prospects look bleak; as do Sussex’s against Worcestershire at New Road.
Overnight scores
Division One
Canterbury Kent 305 (Bell-Drummond 149) v Hampshire 337-4
Old Trafford Lancashire 289-3 v Gloucestershire 252 all out
Northampton Northamptonshire 204 all out v Yorkshire 296 and 85-1
The Oval Surrey 204-5 v Somerset 337 all out (Abell 150 no)
Edgbaston Warwickshire 385 all out v Essex 168 and 0-1
Division Two
Riverside Durham 230 all out v Nottinghamshire 371-3
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 and 104-6 v Middlesex 336 all out
Grace Road Leicestershire 213 all out v Derbyshire 437-4
New Road Worcestershire 491 (D’Oliveira 169 no) v Sussex 169-5
Good morning from Old Trafford, where blue skies have clouded over - and that’s just for Gloucestershire - boom, boom. Josh Bohannon starts today unbeaten on 142 not out - waving a red hanky at the selectors. So did James Vince, with a more luxurious ton - though perhaps his England race is run. Ollie Pope too has started the season well - his innings ending just short of fifty by a superb catch by Tom Banton. And Harry Brook, who will have another chance to bat today, with Yorkshire on top against Northants.
Absolutely stunning from Tom Banton in the deep!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥#WeAreSomerset #SURvSOM pic.twitter.com/na8A3J7o5v
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) April 22, 2022
Others hoping for runs in these early rounds haven’t done so well - Hameed, Sibley, Burns, Clarke ( of whom more later). Time for a coffee, back shortly.
