Tanya Aldred's county roundup
Haseeb Hameed’s first opportunity to captain in Championship cricket proved tricky, Nottinghamshire hampered as both Brett Hutton and Jake Ball left the field at the Oval clutching various parts of their body. Things had started well with Rory Burns out to the second ball of the day, and again with Surrey 70 for four, but a steady innings from Ben Foakes and big hitting from Jordan Clark – who cracked his first century of the year – left the champions in a strong position.
Casey Aldridge and James Rew kept Somerset in the hunt at Taunton, coming together after a familiar top-order fumble, this time at the hands of Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott who grabbed four for 20 and a run-out. Somerset rested some key players before the Blast Finals Day but Dom Bess returned on a short-term loan from Yorkshire.
Matt Parkinson, on loan to Durham before moving to Kent, took three wickets at the Riverside to haul back Gloucestershire, including a ripper to remove James Bracey’s off stump. There were half‑centuries from Chris Dent and Miles Hammond. Kent were dismissed for 171 by Warwickshire, who were already in touching distance by stumps. Kent’s blushes had been saved by a late-order swashbuckle from Grant Stewart.
It was a carefree day’s batting for Sussex against Derbyshire at Hove, Tom Clark top‑scoring with 96 and Ollie Carter passing 50 for the third match in a row. Meanwhile Northamptonshire meandered to 219 all out against Middlesex.
At New Road, Finlay Bean and Adam Lyth knocked up 154, Yorkshire’s highest opening stand for six years, before the weather intervened. Worcestershire dropped three catches.
As The Oval groundstaff tart up the pitch for tomorrow, the flags on the pavilion still flapping away, pigeons tucking into grassy delights, time for me to go. Rain still playing its hand in July, but plenty to keep an eye on – from Jordan’s Clark century, to the orgy of runs from Sussex and Kent’s wobble at Canterbury. Thanks from me and from Kyra – till tomorrow – bye!
