Bashir target for Lawrence hitting
Shoaib Bashir had the misfortune to meet Dan Lawrence on a mission at New Road. Lawrence bashed five consecutive sixes before five wides and a single off a no ball. The over equalled the Championship record 38 bashed by Andrew Flintoff for Lancashire against Surrey at Old Trafford in 1998.
To complement his highest first‑class score, Lawrence took two wickets as Worcestershire slipped into the ditch against Surrey.
Durham continued to charge at Chelmsford, galloping to 587, Ollie Robinson’s 198 the highlight. Simon Harmer’s four for 188 were his most expensive Championship figures. Essex faltered until an unbeaten partnership of 129 between Paul Walter and Matt Critchley.
Cakes and ale for Josh Bohannon (182 not out) and Luke Wells (150) in a second-innings partnership of 312 for Lancashire against an immature Kent. Kent went two sessions without taking a wicket.
A hundred too for Tom Abell in his second Championship game of the season, as Somerset played catch up with Nottinghamshire. Hampshire’s Keith Barker rattled the timbers of his old club with six for 74, though Jake Bethell (69) and Dan Mousley (57) kept Warwickshire’s deficit to mini sausage roll proportions.
In Division Two, Marnus Labuschagne fell seven short of his century as Glamorgan built a lead of 111 over Northamptonshire. Half centuries too for Kiran Carlson and Chris Cooke. Yorkshire were unable to capitalise on Sunday’s record-breaking opening partnership, losing seven for 87 under suddenly cloudy skies.
Gloucestershire also found batting tricky. There was a first Lord’s hundred for Luis Reece and 43 not out from Aneurin Donald as Derbyshire fought back against Middlesex. Peter Handscomb’s 92 wasn’t enough to lift Leicestershire out of trouble against Sussex.
Meanwhile Rocky Flintoff crashed a century off 103 balls for England Under-19s against a Young Lions Invitational XI.
"I just fancied my chances"
That’s it from me – the last word, I think, should go to Dan Lawrence, who had lots of fun at New Road today.
“When we lost J.T. at number 10 it was a no brainer for me to then put my foot down and try and score as many runs as quickly as possible.
“After three balls, I was going to try and go for all of them (sixes). It was downwind and a short boundary and I just fancied my chances.
“I tried to hit six every ball. Thankfully I got five away and I couldn’t get the last one. I had some fun and thankfully bowled okay as well.”
Thanks for your company, see you tomorrow!
