Top three in Division One all win
A round of fixtures that started in a heatwave ended with a number of teams looking to the heavens or their weather apps. The most nervous were probably Hampshire, second in Division One, who won their race against time to beat Gloucestershire by six wickets at Cheltenham.
Kyle Abbott took a hat-trick either side of lunch, including Miles Hammond for a career-best 169, and picked up the last five wickets in 12 balls. With rain forecast, Hampshire scarpered to their target of 82 in 9.3 overs.
Things were less frenetic at the Oval, where Surrey completed a comfortable six-wicket win over Essex. Tom Lawes, the teenage nightwatchman, batted through for 32 not out and even hit Simon Harmer for six.
Surrey are 14 points clear of Hampshire and 31 ahead of Lancashire, who consolidated third place with an impressive four-wicket victory against Northamptonshire. Josh Bohannon was out for a fine 103 before Will Williams and Washington Sundar added an unbroken 69 for the seventh wicket.
Kent overcame a first-innings deficit to hammer the reigning champions Warwickshire by 177 runs at Edgbaston. The Kent captain Sam Billings took five catches in the second innings to set a new County Championship record of 12 dismissals in the match. At one stage the world record of 14 was on, but the last four wickets fell without Billings getting his gloves dirty.
The final Division One game, between Somerset and Yorkshire, was drawn after rain washed out the final day at Taunton.
The Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire were also frustrated by the weather at Derby. No play was possible until 1pm, and an opening partnership of 161 between Harry Came and Luis Reece ensured a comfortable day for Derbyshire.
In a match that started a day later, Glamorgan’s Colin Ingram and Sam Northeast added 306 against Leicestershire. They fell seven short of Glamorgan’s highest third-wicket partnership, but a rampant Northeast soon had eyes on a more significant record: the highest score for Glamorgan. He made a Brobdingnagian 308 not out and will resume on Saturday needing two runs to overtake Steve James’ unbeaten 309 against Sussex in 2000.
That match at Grace Road is on course to be a high-scoring draw. So was the game at Lord’s at the end of day three, but Sussex suffered a scare before securing a draw against Middlesex. Tom Helm’s jaffa to Cheteshwar Pujara was the highlight of a middle-order collapse of six wickets for 43 runs, but the lower order dug in and the time/runs equation slowly moved back in Sussex’s favour.
Northeast finishes on 308 not out!
He hit the last ball for four, when a six would have given him the record. No matter: he needs two tomorrow to make the highest score in Glamorgan’s history.
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 563-5
𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗧â𝗻 🔥🔥🔥
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) July 22, 2022
Sam Northeast becomes just the 2⃣nd player to ever score 3⃣0⃣0⃣ in an innings for Glamorgan 🔥
We are in awe of a majestic innings 👏👏👏
Glamorgan 557/5
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/F3GGp6mm3i#LEIvGLAM | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/xeb164X09y
Updated
Four overs remaining at Grace Road, and Sam Northeast is 287 not out. I don’t think he’s going to break the record tonight (if at all).
Northeast watch 280 not out, seven overs remaining tonight.
Sam Northeast is now 272 not out. There are nine overs remaining tonight, plus a whole day tomorrow.
The highest score in Glamorgan’s history is Steve James’ 309 not out against Sussex in 2000. Sam Northeast is currently 262 not out.
Nice way to finish the week for @Wjacks9 🔥
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 22, 2022
Will joins the list of capped Surrey players on the Honours Board in the Members’ Pavilion 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xQ5AS7Ji28
Results
All the games are done bar Leicestershire v Glamorgan, which concludes tomorrow. As I type, Sam Northeast is 248 not out.
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 337 (f/o) lost to Hants 457 & 82-4 by six wickets
County Ground Northants 235 & 174 lost to Lancs 132 & 278-6 by four wickets
Taunton Somerset 424 & 225-6 drew with Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey 319 & 162-4 beat Essex 271 & 208 by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire 225 & 147 lost to Kent 165 & 384-9d by 177 runs
DIVISION TWO
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 249-4 (f/o) drew with Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 drew with Sussex 523 & 181-9
Middlesex draw with Sussex
That’s a good recovery from Sussex, who were in trouble at 96-7 but dug in to end on 181-9.
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 181-9
Derbyshire draw with Nottinghamshire
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 249-4 v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
A double hundred for Sam Northeast!
Sam Northeast is so damn hot right now: he hit 56 and 105 not out against Notts last time out, and now he has scored the first double hundred of his career. Glamorgan are 412-5, still 172 behind Leicestershire.
The latest scores in Division Two
Derbyshire still trail by 63, so there could be life in that game yet.
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 237-4 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 161-8
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 386-5
The second ODI between England and South Africa is set to start at 4.45pm, and it’ll be 29 overs per side. Woot! Woot woot!
Updated
The latest scores in Division Two
It looks like we’re heading for three draws, although Nottinghamshire have taken another wicket against Derbyshire.
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 218-3 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 153-8
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 365-5
“It’s only taken 45 years,” writes Tim Springett, “but thanks to Kyle Abbott, Hants finally have revenge for Mike Procter. If you’re younger than I am, I’m referring to the 1977 Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final at Southampton when Procter got rid of Barry Richards, Trevor Jesty and John Rice in successive deliveries in one over. Gloucs won by 7 runs.”
The newspaper deadline is earlier on a Friday, so I’m going to start writing the round-up. I’ll check in later, especially if there’s any drama at Lord’s or Derby. See you then.
Results (Division One) and latest scores (Division Two)
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire (201 & 337 f/o) lost to Hants (457 & 82-4) by six wickets
County Ground Northants (235 & 174) lost to Lancs (132 & 278-6) by four wickets
Taunton Somerset (424 & 225-6) drew with Yorkshire (276)
The Oval Surrey (319 & 162-4) v Essex (271 & 208) beat Essex by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire (225 & 147) lost to (Kent 165 & 384-9d) by 177 runs
DIVISION TWO
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 189-1 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 143-8
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 345-5
Tea: Sussex eight down at Lord’s
Middlesex still have an outside chance of victory after taking another wicket on the stroke of tea. Archie Lenham was bowled offering no stroke to Toby Roland-Jones, ending a dogged innings of 19 from 82 balls. Sussex lead by 181.
In fact, the Glamorgan scorecard is a beauty: 2, 1, 139, 159*, 9, 0, 0*.
Glamorgan 336-5 v Leicestershire
Chris Wright has taken two in two at Grace Road: Kiran Carlson bowled for 9 and Billy Root caught first ball by Colin Ackermann. Glamorgan, who were 315-2 before I cursed them by talking about record partnerships, have lost three for 21.
Updated
Tea: Derbyshire 191-2 (trail Notts by 109 runs)
Luis Reece has fallen to the last ball before tea, caught off Liam Patterson-White for a patient 86. Notts still have an outside chance of victory; they need eight wickets, the cheaper the better, in the final session.
Middlesex v Sussex
The time/runs equation is starting to tilt in Sussex’s favour at Lord’s. Archie Lenham and Aristides Karvelas have taken them to 137-7, a lead of 175. There are 43 overs remaining. I think.
The latest scores in Division Two
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 189-1 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 133-7
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 332-3
Division One results
In fact, that means we’re all done in Division One. These are the results, and we’ll have an updated league table shortly.
Cheltenham Gloucestershire (201 & 337 f/o) lost to Hants (457 & 82-4) by six wickets
County Ground Northants (235 & 174) lost to Lancs (132 & 278-6) by four wickets
Taunton Somerset (424 & 225-6) drew with Yorkshire (276)
The Oval Surrey (319 & 162-4) v Essex (271 & 208) beat Essex by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire (225 & 147) lost to (Kent 165 & 384-9d) by 177 runs
Somerset drew with Yorkshire
The match at Taunton has been abandoned, with no play possible on the final day.
Somerset (424 & 225-6) drew with Yorkshire (276)
Glamorgan’s record third-wicket partnership
“Andrew Hignell is the official historian of Glamorgan county cricket and he wrote this article,” writes Romeo. “Cricinfo is, most awfully sadly, wrong and you’re right.”
Hampshire beat Gloucestershire by six wickets!
Liam Dawson sweeps the winning boundary to give Hampshire their seventh victory of the season and keep up the pressure on the leaders Surrey.
They had a frustrating morning, but Kyle Abbott’s hat-trick either side of lunch blew the game open, and they rushed to a target of 82 in just 9.3 overs.
Gloucestershire (201 & 337 f/o) lost to Hants (457 & 82-4) by six wickets.
Updated
Hants 70-4 (Fuller b Higgins 9)
Hampshire continue to lose wickets in their charge for the finishing line. Ryan Higgins now has peculiar figures of 4.3-0-40-3.
Derbys v Notts
Harry Came has been bowled by Ben Slater, ending a mighty opening partnership of 170 with Luis Reece. Derbyshire, who were forced to follow on, need another 127 runs to make Nottinghamshire bat again.
Hampshire 64-3 (target 82)
Nick Gubbins has gone now, caught off Zafar Gohar.
Gloucs v Hants
James Vince has gone for a 16-ball 24, but James Fuller has belted his first ball for six and Hampshire are now only 18 runs from victory.
The latest scores
I forgot to say that it’s raining against at Taunton. Ach.
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 337 (f/o) v Hants 457 & 45-1 (target 82)
County Ground Northants (235 & 174) lost to Lancs (132 & 278-6) by four wickets
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey (319 & 162-4) v Essex (271 & 208) beat Essex by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire (225 & 147) lost to (Kent 165 & 384-9d) by 177 runs
DIVISION TWO
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 158-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 110-7
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 319-3
Leicestershire v Glamorgan
Colin Ingram is out for 139, ending a third-wicket partnership of 306 with Sam Northeast. According to Cricinfo, that equals the Glamorgan record, but it looks like Emrys Davies and Willie Jones added 313 against Essex in 1948. It’s unlike Cricinfo to be wrong, though. If anyone can shed any light, please do so BTL.
Updated
England v South Africa
Still no prospect of play at Old Trafford, I’m afraid. But you can chat about this, that and even the other with Adam Collins.
Sussex seven down at Lord’s
Middlesex are moving closer to a sensational victory after conceding 523 in the first innings. Tim Murtagh has bowled Danial Ibrahim for 13 to leave Sussex in big trouble at 97-7, just 135 ahead.
Tim Murtagh strikes 🔥
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 22, 2022
Watch the #LVCountyChamp live ➡️ https://t.co/lBNsyS6zOQ pic.twitter.com/6KyIS9FwZs
Updated
Gloucestershire v Hampshire
It’s becoming a race against time for Hampshire, with rain on the horizon at Cheltenham. Felix Organ has gone for 17 from nine balls, and they are 28.1 from 2.4 overs.
Updated
The weather-conscious pair of Felix Organ and James Vince are hurrying Hampshire to victory at Cheltenham. They’re 18-0 after 1.3 overs, needing a further 64 to win.
Updated
Glamorgan’s record third-wicket partnership is 313, between Emrys Davies and Willie Jones against Essex in 1948. As I type, Colin Ingram and Sam Northeast have added 298 against Leicestershire.
Division One looks like a three-horse race now. Fourth-placed Essex are 64 points behind Surrey, albeit with a game in hand. Here’s the updated table.
The latest scores
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 337 (f/o) v Hants 457
County Ground Northants (235 & 174) lost to Lancs (132 & 278-6) by four wickets
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey (319 & 162-4) v Essex (271 & 208) beat Essex by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire (225 & 147) lost to (Kent 165 & 384-9d) by 177 runs
DIVISION TWO
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 129-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 94-6
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 298-2
Middlesex v Sussex
Sussex have two 17-year-olds at the crease, Danial Ibrahim and Archie Lenham, as they attempt to grind out a draw against Middlesex. They are 94-6, leading by 132.
Leics v Glam
The Glamorgan rampage continues. Colin Ingham and Sam Northeast have extended their third-wicket partnership to 287, with Ingram on 131 and Northeast 140.
Gloucestershire 337 all out The last man Josh Shaw falls to Kyle Abbott, who finishes with figures of 19.2-5-76-6. That includes a spell of five for eight in 12 balls to wrap up the innings.
Hampshire need 82 to win.
Another one for Kyle Abbott! Ryan Higgins holes out on 63 to give Abbott four wickets in eight balls, and 5-70 in the innings. Hampshire, weather permitting, are heading for victory.
Updated
💥 💥 💥
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 22, 2022
HATTRICK FOR KYLE ABBOTT!#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/uMRJ7XG9R8
Updated
Somerset v Yorkshire
We have a provisional start time at Taunton: 2.35pm.
Tom Helm has got another at Lord’s! Delroy Rawlins has gone, caught by Sam Robson for 7, and Sussex are now 85-6.
A hat-trick for Kyle Abbott!
It has all changed at Cheltenham! Kyle Abbott dismissed Miles Hammond with the last ball before lunch, and he has picked up Zafar Gohar and Tom Price with the first two deliveries of the afternoon session. Tremendous stuff.
Gloucestershire are now 316-8, a lead of 60. That’s Abbott’s second hat-trick for Hampshire; his first was against Worcestershire in 2018.
Updated
The latest scores
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 316-6 (f/o) v Hants 457
County Ground Northants (235 & 174) lost to Lancs (132 & 278-6) by four wickets
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey (319 & 162-4) v Essex (271 & 208) beat Essex by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire (225 & 147) lost to (Kent 165 & 384-9d) by 177 runs
DIVISION TWO
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 101-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 85-5
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 257-2
Gloucs v Hants A big moment on the stroke of lunch at Cheltenham, where Kyle Abbott dismissed Miles Hammond for a career-best 169.
Gloucestershire are 316-6 in their second innings, leading Hampshire by 60 runs.
Hammond out for an extremely well made 169 👏
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) July 22, 2022
His expansive drive is well caught by the captain at first slip 🤲 https://t.co/P4Ih3G4yHj pic.twitter.com/EzaSzhGXz3
Updated
Lunch
Play is ongoing at Derby, where the start was delayed because of rain, and Cheltenham, but it’s lunchtime in all the other live games.
I’ll leave you with the latest scores. See you in half an hour!
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 315-5 (f/o) v Hants 457
County Ground Northants (235 & 174) lost to Lancs (132 & 278-6) by four wickets
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey (319 & 162-4) v Essex (271 & 208) beat Essex by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire (225 & 147) lost to (Kent 165 & 384-9d) by 177 runs
DIVISION TWO
County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 79-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 69-5
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 242-2
Updated
Surrey beat Essex by six wickets
📺 HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the best bits as Surrey wrap up victory vs Essex in Division One of the LV= County Championship. #SurreyCricket
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 22, 2022
Robin Smith’s square cut ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rDGFY0SaHM
— 80s/90sCricket (@80s90sCricket) February 5, 2021
Sussex are suddenly in all sorts at Lord’s. They’ve slipped from 53-1 to 69-5, an inadequate lead of 107. Tom Helm has 3-14, while Umesh Yadav has just bowled Tom Clark for 56.
Updated
This is an absolute snorter from Tom Helm to get rid of Cheteshwar Pujara.
Tom Helm gets Pujara! 😍
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 22, 2022
Middlesex can't, can they? Watch it unfold here ➡️ https://t.co/7dvDskMIku pic.twitter.com/3UaMrqBHpP
Lancashire beat Northamptonshire by four wickets
Will Williams (29*) and Washington Sundar (34*) have taken Lancashire to victory at Northampton. That’s an outstanding win for Lancashire, who trailled by 103 on first innings in a low-scoring game.
Northants (235 & 174) lost to Lancashire (132 & 278-6) by four wickets
Updated
Kent beat Warwickshire by 177 runs
Matt Milnes dismisses Oliver Hannon-Dalby to complete a crushing victory for Kent at Edgbaston. Sam Billings ends with 12 dismissals, a new County Championship record, while the champions are being dragged into a relegation table.#
Warwickshire (225 & 147) lost to (Kent 165 & 384-9d) by 177 runs
Updated
A bit of news on Olly Stone, who is apparently heading to Nottinghamshire.
Olly Stone looks set to leave Warwickshire at the end of the season.https://t.co/i8IBB038TT
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) July 22, 2022
Northants v Lancashire
Lancashire are closing in on a really hard-fought victory at Northampton. Will Williams and Washington Sundar have guided them to 268-6, needing another 10 to win.
“Not quite in King Viv’s league but a lovely square cut all the same,” writes James Calder. “The batsman is a South African kid called Tiaan Brits, who’s made a few waves in Scottish club cricket this season. He scored a cracking ton in this match (against a Meigle side who made the last 16 of the Voneus Village Cup this season) but has sadly done his knee ligaments in and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Get well soon, Tiaan!”
A lovely sound off the bat as well.
Centuries for Ingram and Northeast
Glamorgan continue to gallop along at Leicester – they are 227-2 from 57 overs in reply to Leicestershire’s 584. Colin Ingram is 100*, Sam Northeast 106*.
No world record for Sam Billings
Another caught and bowled at Edgbaston, this time by Jack Leaning to get rid of Craig Miles. Kent are one wicket away from a crushing victory over the champions, and Sam Billings is still stuck on 12 dismissals.
Scorecard connoisseurs of the world unite
Here’s the scorecard again if you want to have a look.
Here’s the updated Division One table. If Hampshire don’t win today, Surrey will have a decent cushion at the top.
Middx v Sussex
Sussex have lost a couple of quick wickets at Lord’s, including Cheteshwar Pujara. They are 65-3, a lead of 103, with Tom Clark 54 not out.
Well batted, @tomclark2702. 👏
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) July 22, 2022
5⃣0⃣ 🌟 pic.twitter.com/QYG0qqSI9A
Updated
The latest scores
Play is due to start at Derby in just under 20 minutes’ time.
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 276-5 (f/o) v Hants 457
The County Ground Northants 235 & 174 v Lancs 132 & 253-6 (target 278)
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey (319 & 162-4) v Essex (271 & 208) beat Essex by six wickets
Edgbaston Warwickshire 225 & 110-8 (target 325) v Kent 165 & 384-9d
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground (Play to start at 1pm) Derbyshire 318 & 79-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 63-2
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 213-2
Warks 107-8
Matt Milnes seems determined to deny Sam Billings a world record. After cleaning up Dom Sibley, he has now caught Danny Briggs off his own bowling. Kent are two wickets away.
Billings sets new County Championship record
It’s worth dwelling on Sam Billings’ performance for Kent. He’s the first man in County Championship history to effect 12 dismissals in a match. The only other time it has happened in first-class cricket in England was in 1868.
The world record is 14 dismissals. Second on the list is the Zimbabwean keeper Wayne James, who dismissed 13 Mashonaland batters in a Logan Cup game in 1996. And he made 99 in both innings.
It sounds like I’m making that James performance up, but it’s true. I remember reading about it in the news section of Wisden Cricket Monthly. Quite why this has stayed in the bank ahead of some of the more soulful or seismic moments of my life, I have no idea.
Updated
Dom Sibley won’t be carrying his bat. He’s been bowled by Matt Milnes for 33, and Warwickshire are 98-7. This has been a helluva comeback from Kent, who trailed on first innings but are probably going to win by around 200 runs.
Updated
Northants v Lancs
Lancashire continue to get ‘em in singles (mostly). Will Williams and Washington Sundar have added 31 in 17 overs, and Lancashire need another 38 runs to win.
Warwickshire v Kent
The home side are subsiding at Edgbaston. They’re now 98-6, chasing 325, with Dom Sibley alone on the burning deck. He’s 33 not out and could end up carrying his bat.
Thanks to viriditan BTL for pointing out that the Kent wicketkeeper/captain Sam Billlings has now taken 12 (T-W-E-L-V-E) catches in the match.
Updated
Spoiler: it’s raining
Updated
Surrey beat Essex by six wickets
That’s another good win for the leaders, their sixth of the season, and they pick up 22 points. Ollie Pope finishes the job with a reverse sweep for four off Simon Harmer.
Surrey 319 & 162-4 v Essex 271 & 208
Surrey win by six wickets
This how @OPope32 wins a game in style 😎 #LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/awUXLZnwao
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 22, 2022
Updated
Surrey v Essex
Jamie Overton has biffed Surrey to the cusp of victory, falling a moment ago for a 14-ball 21. Surrey need four to win.
Miles Hammond hits 150!
Gloucestershire continue to frustrate Hampshire at Cheltenham. Miles Hammond has extended his career-best innings to 151 not out: 235 balls, 23x4, 3x6, 2xdropped this morning.
Miles Hammond is motoring at Cheltenham 🏎
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 22, 2022
Watch him bat here: https://t.co/HCHJkayICR#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/K1RtvsFvVR
Updated
Leics v Glamorgan
Colin Ingram and Sam Northeast are rattling along at Leicester. As I type both men are 84 not out – Ingram from 151 balls, Northeast from 122.
It’s day three there, and a high-scoring draw is on the cards.
Lancs 232-6 (target 278) v Northants
The latest scores
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 256-5 (f/o) v Hants 457
The County Ground Northants 235 & 174 v Lancs 132 & 229-6 (target 278)
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey 319 & 135-3 (target 161) v Essex 271 & 208
Edgbaston Warwickshire 225 & 88-4 (target 325) v Kent 165 & 384-9d
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground (Inspection at 12.40pm) Derbyshire 318 & 79-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 37-1
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 186-2
Warks v Kent
Nonchalant six-hitting champion Matt Quinn has taken a wicket with his fourth ball of the innings at Edgbaston.
Warwickshire 86-4 (target 325; Rhodes c Billings b Quinn 15)
A wicket at the Oval
On the 12th anniversary of Murali’s 800th Test wicket, Simon Harmer has taken his 800th first-class wicket – Ryan Patel, caught behind for a 171-ball 38.
Surrey are 132-3, chasing 161.
Gloucs v Hants
Miles Hammond has been dropped again, this time by Felix Organ. It sounds like that was a much easier chance.
It’s turning into a frustrating morning for Hampshire despite the early wicket of Graeme van Buuren.
It's that man again 👏
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) July 22, 2022
Keith Barker makes the breakthrough early into day 4🙌@Gloscricket: 201/5 (4.5), trailing by 55
Watch LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/zjozn6gwhM pic.twitter.com/RtHlXlUJIQ
Surrey v Essex
Tom Lawes is leading Surrey’s stroll to victory at the Oval. He’s made 25 in a partnership with 41 with Ryan Patel, and Surrey need another 36.
Off for a quick screen break; see you in five minutes. Talk amongst yourselves, no leaving the classroom.
Updated
Gloucs v Hants
The centurion Miles Hammond has just been dropped by James Vince off the bowling of Liam Dawson. Sounds like it was a pretty tough chance.
The latest scores
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 220-5 (f/o) v Hants 457
The County Ground Northants 235 & 174 v Lancs 132 & 223-6 (target 278)
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey 319 & 118-2 (target 161) v Essex 271 & 208
Edgbaston Warwickshire 225 & 73-3 (target 325) v Kent 165 & 384-9d
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground (Inspection at 12.40pm) Derbyshire 318 & 79-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 33-1
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 158-2
Updated
Sutcliffe, Hutton, Boycott, Root…
Surrey v Essex
No real joy for the bowlers so far this morning, with Surrey adding 17 to their overnight score and moving to 102-2.
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 22, 2022
Harmer coming on for the first time today.
It looks like Surrey are cruising to victory, though stanger things have happened at the Oval.
All this talk of King Viv reminds me of one of my favourite bits of cricket writing, Mike Selvey’s profile of him on Cricinfo.
You knew when he was coming. The outgoing batsman would already have disappeared into the pavilion, and the expectation of what was to follow filled the air. Viv kept you waiting... time to ponder. Then he appeared, sauntering, swaggering, arms windmilling slowly. He would take guard, and then, head tilted back slightly and cudding his gum, he would walk a few paces down the pitch to tap it while looking the bowler in the eye. It was calculated menace and magnificent theatre from arguably the most devastating batsman of all time.
How to bowl to him? Get him to the other end, perhaps. Hold your nerve, do not take what might follow as personal. Occasionally he was vulnerable early on if his desire to dominate overwhelmed him. But he had no weakness until his eyesight infinitesimally but inevitably started to let him down and those eye shots became harder.
His strengths were on the front foot. So far forward could he get that he was able to plant that left foot outside the line of off stump, at once eliminating lbw and creating his own leg stump line from where he would flick bowlers relentlessly through midwicket. Or he might send a similar ball skimming through extra cover. Straighten the ball down the line of the stumps and the bowler stood a chance, but he rarely missed and they ran a terrible risk.
His power was awesome, he hooked devastatingly and never wore a helmet, rocking back from his front-foot base to take the ball from his eyeline in front of square. Occasionally, for no apparent reason, he would block an over in immaculate fashion, seemingly in defensive position before the ball had left the bowler’s hand. Then, refreshed, off he would go again.
“Some more aesthetically pleasing batting for you,” begins James Calder, “as the Master Blaster disdainfully socks it to a youthful Aggers (and some aesthetically pleasing knitting too!).
(The video should start at the relevant bit – if not, it’s 24m37s)
Updated
Northants v Lancashire
Lancs have inched to 214-6, needing a further 64 runs. Will Williams has 2 from 39 balls, Washington Sundar 1 from 15.
There’s some good footage of Lewis after around 7mins of this video. He was seriously quick on that tour.
The latest scores
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 212-5 (f/o) v Hants 457
The County Ground Northants 235 & 174 v Lancs 132 & 214-6 (target 278)
Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey 319 & 94-2 (target 161) v Essex 271 & 208
Edgbaston Warwickshire 225 & 61-3 (target 325) v Kent 165 & 384-9d
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground (Start delayed) Derbyshire 318 & 79-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 19-1
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 137-2
Gloucs v Hants
Hampshire are in and amongst at Cheltenham, where Keith Barker has picked up Graeme van Buuren for 29. That’s his fourth wicket of the innings.
Gloucestershire are 206-5, needing 50 to make Hampshire bat again. Miles Hammond is still there on 117.
I’ve just remembered the answer to the Northants question (11.01am): Bishan Bedi, especially when photographed by Ken Kelly.
A century and out for Josh Bohannon
Talking of players in the England cab rank, Josh Bohannon reached his hundred at Northampton - only to fall two balls later to Jack White.
It’s getting very tense now: Lancashire are 209-6 chasing 278.
What a match Jack White is having! 🤩
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 22, 2022
Northants need 4 wickets and Lancashire need 64 runs. Watch it here 👉 https://t.co/mHBqASl6lX#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/npHgHnoGW0
Updated
Surrey v Essex
The nightwatchman Tom Lawes has been dropped, a sharp chance to Matt Critchley in the slips off the bowling of Shane Snater.
Surrey are 88-2, needing another 73 to win.
Updated
Latest scores
DIVISION ONE
- Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 201-4 (f/o) v Hants 457
- The County Ground Northants 235 & 174 v Lancs 132 & 205-5 (target 278)
- Taunton (Start delayed) Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
- The Oval Surrey 319 & 88-2 (target 161) v Essex 271 & 208
- Edgbaston Warwickshire 225 & 51-3 (target 325) v Kent 165 & 384-9d
DIVISION TWO
- The County Ground (Start delayed) Derbyshire 318 & 79-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
- Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523 & 12-0
-
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 125-2
The first wicket of the day has come at Edgbaston: Hain c Billings b Saini 16. Warwickshire are in trouble, 51-3 chasing 325 to beat Kent.
No wickets in the first 10 minutes. Lancashire have crept to 201-5, needing another 77 runs to beat Northants, and Surrey are now 88-2. They’re chasing 161 to beat Essex.
Beauty is in the ear of the beholder
On the subject of aesthetically pleasing batting, listen to this first shot.
The start has been delayed at Taunton and Derby, but they’re under way everywhere else.
Play is underway here at The Kia Oval.
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 22, 2022
Shane Snater is opening the bowling from The Vauxhall End.
Surrey require 76 runs to win.
Live Stream ➡️ https://t.co/vAEfy5Ewqy #SurreyCricket
Updated
It’s not a Warwickshire clip but this is always worth watching.
It could be a bowler as well. Frank Tyson’s action was beautiful when he wrote about it, if not necessarily on the screen. And I’m not suggesting you’re old enough to have seen Tyson bowl.
BBC Rewind
I’m sure most of you have seen this, but just in case: there are umpteen cricket clips in this new BBC digital archive. Here, for example, is one for the Worcestershire fans.
Mind you, I’ve just realised that if you search for ‘Geoff Boycott’ you get an interview with ‘Geoff Capes’. I bet Beefy wouldn’t have run him out deliberately.
Updated
Fantasy update (SFW)
Gloucs v Hants
There’s a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Cheltenham, so Hampshire might have their work cut out taking the final six wickets (and knocking off however many runs they need).
Question for today Who is the most beautiful player you have watched for your county? Not the best, the most aesthetically pleasing.
I’ll start. As a Kent supporter, there’s only one answer: Carl Llewellyn Hooper.
You can email your thoughts or chat in the comments section. In fact, you lot should probably be telling me how this thing works.
Updated
That’s an excellent point about Haseeb’s strike rate this season it’s 63.06 in the Championship, as against a career strike rate of 40.00.
I don’t want to get carried away - his recall last year was miserably premature and, even if they do drop Zak Crawley during the South Africa series, I hope they give Haseeb more time. Despite being in our lives and hearts for what feels like forever, he’s still only 25.
Matt Quinn’s school of lower-order batting
Walk in to bat, don't bother taking a guard, biff it for six, stride off.
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 22, 2022
Strike rate of 600, thanks for coming.
(🎥 @KentCricket) pic.twitter.com/LcATDlMSNN
There’s also a men’s ODI between England and South Africa at Old Trafford this afternoon. Yeah, about that.
This is the current scene at @EmiratesOT this morning ☔️
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) July 22, 2022
We’ll keep you updated with the prospects of play for #ENGvSA ahead of a scheduled 1pm start.
🌹 #RedRoseTogether pic.twitter.com/Jz9HUboZ8C
England clinched the multi-format series against South Africa with an emphatic win in the first T20 last night. Sophia Dunkley batted beautifully in her new role as opener, and Raf Nicholson had the pleasure of waatching.
Yesterday's round-up
Surrey, top of Division One, look likely to extend their advantage after another dominant day at the Oval. Daniel Worrall’s 5-66 – giving him match figures of 11-122 – as Essex collapsed from 130-3 to 208 all out. Chasing 161 to win, Surrey ended the day on 85-2.
Second-placed Hampshire looked in similarly good shape after asking Gloucestershire to follow-on 256 behind. But Miles Hammond’s 109 not out helped reduce the deficit to 65, and with weather forecast for tomorrow, a draw looks likely.
Behind them, Lancashire are locked in a tremendous fight with Northants thanks, in the first instance, to Will Williams’ fifer – which included three wickets in five balls. Needing 278 to win, they closed on 192-5 with Josh Bohannon 92 not out.
Elsewhere in the upper echelon, Somerset lead Yorkshire by 373 and will presumably declare overnight to try and manufacture a win. Meanwhile, at Edgbaston, Joe Denly made 141 as Kent set Warwickshire 325, but tomorrow’s forecast is poor.
In Division Two, Brooke Guest’s hundred could not prevent Notts from inviting Derbyshire to follow-on 300 runs behind. But with the deficit reduced to 221 without the loss of any second-innings wickets, the league leaders have work to do if they’re to force victory.
Otherwise, the matches at Lord’s and Grace Road look likely to be drawn. Replying to Sussex’s 523, Middlesex were dismissed for 485 with John Simpson making 109, while Leicestershire – whose 584 included 156 from Wiaan Mulder– made little headway against Glamorgan, who closed on 111-2.
Updated
Middlesex v Sussex
When Selve talks about bowling, we should all listen. Or read, in this case.
Watched a young left armer Brad Currie bowl beautifully for Sussex yesterday on a very good batting pitch. Thoroughly deserved his 6 wickets .
— Mike Selvey #StandWithUkraine (@selvecricket) July 22, 2022
Check out the Wasim Akram tribute inswinger. Pure summer 1992, even down to the camera following the ball when the stumps have been detonated.
Start-of-play scores
DIVISION ONE
Cheltenham Gloucestershire 201 & 191-4 (f/o) v Hants 457
The County Ground Northants 235 & 174 v Lancs 132 & 192-5 (target 278)
Taunton Somerset 424 & 225-6 v Yorkshire 276
The Oval Surrey 319 & 85-2 (target 161) v Essex 271 & 208
Edgbaston Warwickshire 225 & 28-2 (target 325) v Kent 165 & 384-9d
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground Derbyshire 318 & 79-0 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 618-8d
Lord’s Middlesex 485 v Sussex 523
Grace Road (day three) Leicestershire 584 v Glamorgan 111-2
Preamble
<Big Brother fella> Day four, except at Grace Road, and the top three in Division One are hunting victory.
The unbeaten leaders Surrey will resume on 81 for two at the Kia Oval, needing 161 to beat Essex. At Cheltenham, Hampshire are in a dominant position after making Gloucestershire follow on; and at the County Ground, Lancashire need 86 more runs to complete a memorable comeback against Northamptonshire.</Big Brother fella>
Yep, hello and welcome to today’s county blog. Tanya, Jim and the Daniels are away. But I’m here, proudly performing the same role as Alan Igglesden at the Oval in 1989.
The weather forecast is mixed – heatwaves are so earlier this week – so there are likely to be interruptions in some of the games. Which is fine, as it gives us more time to chat giddily about what Haseeb Hameed x Bazball might mean for our serotonin levels.
I shan’t prattle on any longer as there is much to do. Let’s proceed directly to the start-of-play scores.
Updated
