Burns hits 227, Smith inspires Cox and Bairstow
While Jamie Smith was making hay at Old Trafford, the country’s other wicketkeepers flexed their wrists in the County Championship.
Jonny Bairstow bristled with intent as he marched out like a soldier in burning boots at North Marine Road. His boundary-heavy 57 delighted supporters sitting on the wooden-slatted benches in the face of a mischievous wind, but he was one of five players to fall to Jack Carson, and his wicket precipitated a middle-order collapse. Still, Yorkshire have a valuable first-innings lead over Sussex.
Jordan Cox, released by England on the eve of the Test, slammed a vivacious 141 off just 124 balls on a slow Southampton pitch, after Essex were inserted by Hampshire’s James Vince. Cox took the tempo, which had been slow and steady in the hands of Dean Elgar and Tom Westley, and wrestled it into a galloping pony. Alongside, Elgar fashioned an elegant third hundred of the summer, finally out for 136. But with the first day lost to rain – and terrible weather predicted for Saturday – Essex will need the game to fast-forward on Sunday to keep leaders Surrey in near sight.
At the Oval, where Surrey ground Lancashire’s attack into flour, Ben Foakes made his highest score of the summer, a classy 82 against a rosy-cheeked attack of ingenues. But the drinks were on home side’s captain, Rory Burns, who hit a fluent and career best score of 227 as Surrey declared on 444. And James Rew made 49 at Edgbaston, bolstering Somerset’s middle order with Kasey Aldridge, but Ed Barnard’s five-fer ensured Warwickshire finished on top.
At the other end of the Division One table, Kent’s second innings started disastrously when Ben Compton was run out for a duck, though his opening partner Tawanda Muyeye finished unbeaten on 80. This after Worcestershire had knocked up a lead of 276, Akeem Jordan finishing with five wickets on his Kent debut.
Another intriguing day – with Surrey pressing the accelerator, led by a double hundred from Rory Burns, but Essex playing catch up thanks to a vibrant innings from Jordan Cox. Thanks for all your messages, till tomorrow – good night!
