County cricket roundup
At a sun-dappled Lord’s, cherry tree blossom dangling over the ground, stacks of Panama hats in the MCC shop, Middlesex had one of their better days. They passed 200 for the second time in 2023, avoided the follow-on and picked up their first batting point of the season thanks to Ryan Higgins’s 53 plus support from the tail. Stuart Broad finished with four for 68 for Nottinghamshire.
Zak Crawley hit the accelerator at Canterbury, screeching to his first century for Kent since the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy. After playing out a cautious few overs before lunch, Crawley let loose, cutting ferociously, depositing Simon Harmer back over his head to reach 50, pulling him through midwicket to tick over to three figures, off 96 balls. He fell to Jamie Porter for 170, his highest first-class score for Kent. Harmer reeled his way through 31 overs in just over two sessions, pocketing four for 141 for Essex.
Northamptonshire collapsed to the eighth-heaviest defeat in their history, in two and a half days, losing to Hampshire by an innings and 270 runs. Their batsmen dropped like tired Christmas tree needles, 14 wickets falling in three hours as they were first dismissed for 149, then, following-on, 63. James Fuller finished Northants off in the first innings, with six for 37, Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott gave them no chance in the second.
A delighted James Vince, whose Hampshire had fallen to a nine-wicket loss to Surrey, was buzzing: “A bounce back with a performance like that after defeat last week at the Oval, we did all we can. We’ve got a week off now, which will be good, and then another batch of three matches so if we can make sure we’re bang on it for those, and get some more good results, it takes us near enough halfway through the season where the table will take a bit more shape.”
A freak hamstring injury cut Lancashire’s Keaton Jennings off in his prime as he attempted to stuff another double-century into his daddy ton bag. He had to limp off with 189 chalked against his name, having tried and failed to carry on playing with a runner at a chilly Taunton.
Within nine balls Dane Vilas and Colin de Grandhomme followed and Lancashire’s runaway train first innings came to a halt with a lead of 113. There were three wickets each for a disciplined Lewis Gregory and Peter Siddle, and six catches for James Rew behind the stumps to go with his first-innings century. Somerset’s openers batted through till stumps, seeing off six overs from Jimmy Anderson in the gloom. “You have to pinch yourself when you’re playing guys you are used to seeing on TV,” said Tom Lammonby, “but it’s good to test yourself against the best.”
Heaters were rolled on to the pitch at New Road to dry the bowler’s run-ups after Friday’s deluge, but it did not distract Ajeet Dale who nipped out the final three Worcestershire wickets to finish with six for 41 – his first first-class five-wicket return. Chris Dent and James Bracey made half-centuries as Gloucestershire stretched their lead to 246, Josh Tongue taking all three wickets.
It was a promising day for Durham, but a mixed day for Marnus Labuschagne. He snaffled four for 81, career-best bowling figures, by bowling off-spin for the first time in a professional game; but was out for 17 as Glamorgan lost five wickets on a rainy day at Sophia Gardens. Earlier, Brydon Carse had hacked his way to a career-best 91 before Durham declared on 471 for nine.
Sprightly half-centuries for Adam Lyth and Shai Hope put a first victory of the season in touching distance for Yorkshire after Sussex had reduced them to 39 for three chasing 201 for victory. Sussex squandered a first-innings lead of 63 by being bowled out for 137, three wickets to Dom Bess.
With the skies slowly darkening and the hover cover in place, that’s it from me for today. The weather forecast tomorrow is awful, but hope springs eternal. We’ll be here to keep an eye on Yorkshire’s victory canter and the other matches round the grounds. Till then, good night!
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 342-7 v Essex 451-5dec
Lord’s: Middlesex 274 v Nottinghamshire 364 and 158-6
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 149 and 63 v Hampshire 482-8dec Hampshire WIN by an innings and 270.
Taunton: Somerset 441 and 41-0 v Lancashire 554
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 153-5 v Durham 471-9dec
Hove: Sussex 361 and 137 v Yorkshire 298 and 138-3 Yorkshire need 63 to win
New Road: Worcestershire 157 v Gloucestershire 231 and 172-3
With the sun beaming down at Lord’s, and John Simpson’s shadow squatting to the side of him , I must write up for the Observer. I leave with Notts 82-3, Slater and Clark putting building brick on building brick. Zac Crawley still there at Canterbury, on 164, though Kent have semi-slumped to 272-5. Yorks remain three down as they chase 201 for their first win of the year, and Gloucestershire having stretched the lead over Worcs to 235.
I glance at the scorecard from Hove and imagine Adam Lyth (29 not out)shaking his noble bald head in despair. A third wicket, Malan caught off Hudson-Prentice. Yorks 47-3, 154 needed.
Bad light/rain watch
Off at Sophia Gardens, New Road and Taunton.
Zac Crawley passes 150!
Flick over to twitter and find Jordan Cox with silken whip. Crack. A slightly-more reserved Crawley passes 150. Kent 254-3.
Shot, @jjordancox 🔫
— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) April 22, 2023
LIVE STREAM & Match Centre ➡ https://t.co/sgU9z7aWy1 pic.twitter.com/qsKYM8EAPH
A third wicket here at Lord’s! Montgomery snappily caught by Simpson, close up to the stumps – his third of the innings. Notts 50-3 – the lead 140.
Saud Shakeel isn’t living the dream on his Yorkshire debut, caught off Hudson-Prentice for six. Yorks 31-2. Just noticed seven lbws in Sussex’s second innings.
James Vince chews the cud. “I didn’t expect it to happen quite that quickly but from the start, we’ve got ahead in the game and stayed ahead and it’s as complete a performance as you can hope for. So, a really impressive win by us.
“There is some weather around tomorrow, so we were going to give it a good push and not leave anything in the tank….James Fuller was brilliant, and the other guys just hammered away at length and got every little bit out of that wicket that was in there. It couldn’t have gone any better over the three days and I can’t really pick fault at any time.
“A bounce back with a performance like that after defeat last week at The Oval, we did all we can. We’ve got a week off now which will be good and then another batch of three matches so if we can make sure we’re bang on it for those, and get some more good results, it takes us near enough halfway through the season where the table will take a bit more shape. So, a fantastic bounce back, enjoy our week off and come hard again against Warwickshire.”
I see it’s raining at Sophia Gardens, and Yorkshire have lost an early wicket. Crawley is still batting by the way, now 143 not out. Harmer has picked up the only two Kent wickets to fall – Compton and Bell-Drummond. Kent 226-2
Slightly delayed by bumping into Lord Selve, back doing a bit of commentary on the streams. It’s gorgeous outside: dappled sunlight, cherry blossom, stacks and stacks of Panama hats.
Lord's in spring. pic.twitter.com/bjle2MLg6D
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) April 22, 2023
Updated
Going to quickly stretch my legs round Lord’s in the sun. Don’t hate me.
Tea-time scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 212-2 v Essex 451-5dec
Lord’s: Middlesex 274 v Nottinghamshire 364 and 28-1
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 149 and 63 v Hampshire 482-8dec Hampshire win by an innings and 270.
Taunton: Somerset 441 all out v Lancashire 554
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 143-5 v Durham 471-9
Hove: Sussex 361 and 137 v Yorkshire 298 Yorkshire need 201 to win
New Road: Worcestershire 157 v Gloucestershire 231 and 105-1
Yorkshire need 201 to win
Roll up for a breathless hush at Hove tonight. Sussex all out 137, the lowest innings of the match by far. 201 should be within Yorkshire’s reach. Depends if Sussex remember to roll up Ollie Robinson properly during the tea break.
I watch as Ben Duckett trudges off the huge Lord’s square, pulls off his helmet and runs a hand through his hair as Hameed leans on his bat and watches his retreat. Notts 20-1, Duckett nicks TRJ behind to the safe gloves of Simpson.
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Day one: The Sunrisers, I am told by someone with better knowledge than me, are in sight of their first ever RHF win. They notched up 288-7, and Southern Vipers in trouble at 107-4.
But a less enjoyable day for Western Storm, who have so far bowled 34 wides against Northern Diamonds.
A century for Zak Crawley
Vintage Zak. Nineteen fours, one six, 96 balls, utterly dominant. Has Kent’s bowlers reeling, 155-0. Ben Compton peeps his head out of his shell now and again, 46 not out off 76 balls.
Crawley’s first century for Kent since 2020.
A final nick to slip at Lord’s, as Bamber gives Hutton a second wicket, Middx all out for 274 – their highest score of the season, and only the second time they’ve passed 200. An almost respectable deficit of 90.
Updated
Some divine carrot cake has appeared in the Lord’s box. Big slice, generous icing, soft middle. It would be rude not too. And I’m sure it’s vegan.
Roland Jones and Bamber having some late-order fun with the Notts’ attack. Middx 267-9.
Hampshire beat Northants by an innings and 270 runs
All over in two and a half days, the eighth heaviest defeat in their history.
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 149 and 63 v Hampshire 482-8dec Hampshire win by an innings and 270. Abbas four for 31, Abbot three for 9.
A Middlesex/ Northants style collapse by Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, who needed 31 to win off 36 balls with nine wickets in hand, and lost by seven runs.
Higgins’ third fifty in five innings comes to an end, bowled byJames. Middlesex well past the follow on though, and a first batting point of the season in sight.
Updated
In Division Two, Labuschagne has followed his best bowling figures of 4-81 by being lbw to Ben Raine for 17. Glammy in a spot of bother, 84-4 in reply to Durham’s 471-9dec.
It’s a buttock-gripper at Hove, where Yorkshire mounted something of a morning recovery, adding 82 for the last three wickets, including 45 to five-wicket Ben Coad. Five wickets for Jack Carson. Sussex, batting again, are 89-5 – Pujara gone cheaply again – the lead 152.
And Gloucestershire continued to have the upper hand at New Road. Ajeet Singh-Dale picked up where Tom Price left off, with 6-41, as Worcs all out for 157. Dent and Harris have made a decent start to Gloucestershire’s second innings.
I must tell you that the gloom has suddenly come down at Lord’s, with Middlesex still five runs away, and another wicket down.
But, enough, let’s skip happily round the other Division One grounds.
At Canterbuy, Essex moved rapidly on to 451 before declaring, some rapid hitting by Pepper and Harmer hurrying things along. Kent are cruising in reply, Zac Crawley 38 not out, 32 of them in boundaries.
Northants’s scorecard is a sorry sight. Following on, they are 48-8. That’s 13 wickets lost in 2 hours 40 minutes. Three for Abbas, three for Abbot. Oh, and a run out. They still trail Hampshire by 285.
And Lancashire zip on, despite Jennings retiring hurt on 189. Three wickets for Lewis Gregory, the lead over Somerset 38, give wickets left.
In case you’re interested, this was the Extinction Rebellion Cricket Club. I found them at Hyde Park this morning and they were due to move on to parliament square this afternoon.
Great to meet @XRCricketClub playing cricket for the rebellion at Hyde Park. pic.twitter.com/Dm6iZuuhhp
— TheNextTest (@TheNextTest) April 22, 2023
I count 50 or so members in the top tier of the pavilion. To post- lunch chatter, Paterson rumbles in from the Nursery End. Untold riches for Middlesex as 200 flashes up on the scoreboard.
Hello! Thank you to everyone in the office for keeping the blog going. I’ve made it to Lord’s where the sun has just been hidden by a cloud and the bell has tolled to summon the players from lunch back onto the field. Apparently Notts have given nothing away and I missed Stuart Broad take a couple of wickets. Middx, with four wickets left, need to shuffle together 18 more runs to avoid the follow on.
Keaton Jennings retires on 189
Tanya is still on manoeuvres so another quick look at the doors for some scores …
The news is that no sooner had he reached 189 in our last entry, but Keaton Jennings had to retire, limping off against Somerset at Taunton. He was looking it great nick as well. Lancs are 440-4.
And it’s getting no better for Northants. It’s getting far worse. They’ve been reduced to 17-5 by Hampshire after following on.
Keaton Jennings has made it to 189 at Taunton, but Josh Bohannon was out soon after our last update – for 85. Peter Siddle claimed the wicket. Dane Vilas is 17 and the visitors are 413-2.
Meanwhile, Northamptonshire are batting again, having been dismissed by Hampshire for 149 in reply to 482-8 declared. And they’re already 7-1 after following on. James Fuller took 6-37 in that first innings and these highlights are worth a gander:
James Fuller with two of the more comprehensively bowled dismissals you'll see!
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 22, 2023
He's claimed 6/37 as Hampshire bowl Northamptonshire out for 149#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/c5l8BXtJIs
Some score updates for you …
Lancashire are now 374-1 at Taunton. Keaton Jennings is 169 not out, with Josh Bohannon on 85 alongside him.
Essex are 345-4 against Kent, opener Nick Browne still there and unbeaten on 125.
And down at Hove, Yorkshire are 251-9 in reply to Sussex’s 361.
Updated
A few early images from the Saturday’s play:
In case you missed it yesterday
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent v Essex 289-1
Lord’s: Middlesex 111-1 v Nottinghamshire 364
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 95-5 v Hampshire 482-8dec
Taunton: Somerset 441 all out v Lancashire 302-1
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Durham 382-6 no play Friday.
Hove: Sussex 361 v Yorkshire 216-7
New Road: Worcestershire 118-7 v Gloucestershire 231 no play Friday.
Friday's round-up
Lancashire took the game at Taunton by the collar and gave it a good shaking. James Anderson kept on rolling, picking up another five-wicket haul, his 54th in first-class cricket, while a beefed up Saqib Mahmood collected his first wicket since he was ruled out with a stress fracture last summer. Somerset’s Tom Abell passed 150 for the first time, Jack Leach galloped to a happy-go-lucky 40 not out. Luke Wells teed off a Bazballing Lancashire reply and Keaton Jennings reached his first century as Lancashire captain.
Ethan Bamber, with four for 89, was the pick of the Middlesex bowlers as Ben Duckett muscled 177 for Nottinghamshire. The Middlesex openers reached fifty before being parted.
Hampshire’s James Vince lorded 186. Mohammad Abbas then trapped Northants’ Ricardo Vasconcelos with the first ball of the innings, and they later suffered a further crumple, losing three further wickets for one run. A final wicket for Abbas before stumps left the hosts in a hole.
At Canterbury, Nick Browne and Tom Westley reached centuries for Essex as the Kent bowling continued to suffer on a rain-affected day.
At Hove, Ollie Robinson made his first Championship appearance of the year. In he cantered and quickly had Yorkshire’s Finlay Bean dropped twice at leg slip. But the pick of the bowlers was Jack Carson, who grabbed three wickets with the close in touching distance. Earlier, Sussex’s last wicket pair of Carson and Henry Crocombe had irked Yorkshire with a partnership of 57.
At New Road and Sophia Gardens, they pulled the plug early.
Preamble
Good morning! It’s day three, round three, and after rain hovered about yesterday, sticking its nose in here and there and wiping out any action at New Road or Sophia Gardens, the forecast is better – heavy rain moving rapidly northwards, mere scattered showers dancing around the south.
Northants and Yorkshire (promotion favourites anyone?) are looking in a sticky place; while Lancashire, powered by a Keaton Jennings hundred and a half century from Josh Bohannon, dance away from Somerset. I’m heading to Lord’s , where Middlesex’s top order found their ballast at last, and three games need good weather for the chance of a result – at Canterbury, Sophia Gardens and New Road.
Apologies in advance, as I’m going to be largely absent from the morning session, trying to track down the Extinction Rebellion Cricket Club playing cricket to save the world somewhere in Hyde Park. If you’re there too, come and say hello. And if not, do keep yourselves company BTL.
