County roundup: Goldsworthy glistens
The County Championship returned, the heat padding round the boundary of Southport’s Trafalgar Road ground like a cat. It was the beginning of three July rounds of Championship cricket, stretching into the first week of the school holidays, with outgrounds given their chance to unroll the bunting and white canvas.
At Southport, a somnolent crowd watched Somerset settle in for the long game against Lancashire, fighting back after an early double strike from Tom Bailey. Lewis Goldworthy, 21, stroked his way to an unbeaten 103, his first century for Somerset, and the 18-year-old James Rew made a promising 70 on his Championship debut.
Adam Lyth reached his hundred with a six for Yorkshire at his home ground, on his way to 152 in an unbeaten sixth‑wicket stand of 239 alongside Jonny Tattersall (104) at a scorching Scarborough. Surrey ploughed through eight bowlers.
The wickets tumbled at Merchant Taylors’ School with Middlesex rescued from 68 for six by half-centuries from No 7 Luke Hollman and No 9 Tom Helm. Worcestershire fared little better in reply, 100 for five at stumps after Tim Murtagh plucked out the openers, and Umesh Yadav, on debut, followed up. Yet another rescue job for Ed Barnard awaits.
The Canterbury festival proved fluctuating for Northamptionshire’s opening pair against Kent: Ricky Vasconcelos caught off the first ball of the day, Emilio Gay making 112. At Chelmsford, Simon Harmer’s five for 44 strangled Gloucestershire after they won the toss. Alastair Cook and Tom Westley both made fifties in Essex’s reply.
Chris Rushworth scrambled seven for 44 at the Riverside, despite a century from Derbyshire’s Leus Du Plooy against Durham. Leicestershire bore a long day in the field after Sussex knocked up 407 for four, with 150 for Tom Alsop. There was bad news for the captain, Tom Haines, whose sustained a broken hand while batting, out for six weeks.
Nottinghamshire’s Brett Hutton took four wickets to restrict Glamorgan to 318, and Warwickshire recovered from 104 for seven to reach 217 against Hampshire, despite Kyle Abbott’s five for 45.
Updated
There’s a live band playing in the hospitality tent at Southport and the heat of the day is drifting away. Kids are earning pocket money picking up rubbish and happy punters chat and nurse a pint as the groundsmen cover up the square. It’s been a good day. That’s it from me - thanks for all the messages. Good night!
