Youngster McCann shines again for Notts but Surrey struggle
There was a to-and-fro scrap at Trent Bridge, the difference being Nottinghamshire’s 20-year-old England Lion Freddie McCann, who hit a wonderful century, already his third in the Championship. Kyle Abbott collected five wickets for the 43rd time in his career – it could have been more but Hampshire dropped five catches.
The 2024 champions had a difficult day at Edgbaston. Tom Latham, who only arrived in Birmingham on Tuesday after recovering from a broken hand, frolicked to an unbeaten 139 on his Warwickshire debut. Alex Davies had set the mood, playing wantonly at the Surrey attack, slapping a couple of early sixes, until he was bowled by a full toss from Dan Lawrence. Surrey, shorn of Jamie Smith and Ollie Pope by England, picked Jason Roy for the first time in five years.
It was a memorable day for off-spinner Jack Carson, who celebrated a maiden first-class century at a sunny Hove. It was an intelligent rescue act after Sussex, sitting pretty at 80 for nought, promptly lost six for eight as Tom Taylor (five for 56) ran riot. The last-wicket stand of 73 was particularly galling for Worcestershire.
James Wharton’s careful innings of 63 not out just about knitted Yorkshire together on a day when they lost nine for 108 on a two-faced Chelmsford pitch. Matt Critchley collected four for 49. Essex then lost their opening pair and the nightwatchman before the close.
Glamorgan, boosted by news that Marnus Labuschagne would be returning for two games (and a sixth season) later this month, had a good day against Kent at Canterbury, where a north wind confused the seasons. Young specs-wearing Asa Tribe was bowled by Matt Parkinson six runs short of a first Championship century, Ben Kellaway was unbeaten on 91.
A ding-dong unrolled at the County Ground, where Northamptonshire were reduced to 67 for six before the last four batters added 171 – much to Lancashire’s frustration. Lewis McManus cooked up a half century and was well supported by Liam Guthrie and the tail. Lancashire lost both George Bell and Josh Bohannon for nought, but yet another fifty from Marcus Harris smoothed the waters.
That’s all from us on day when international politics moved firmly onto cricket’s territory. Thanks for your company, have a lovely evening.
