Westley scores century against Yorkshire while Durham decision is punished by Surrey
County Cricket Day 2025 was distinguished by soft Kookaburra balls and soaring temperatures. At York, the groundsman had left enough grass on the pitch to give it a minty sheen, but a combination of ball, disciplined Yorkshire bowling and heat-induced inertia tested the patience of even the most loyal fan.
The ground became more and more lopsided as spectators slid towards the shade of the oak tree behind the scorebox while Essex’s Tom Westley (107) and Dean Elgar (94) plodded on. And on. Westley’s hundred was his second in successive matches.
It was a good day for Ben Compton at Canterbury: a county cap, a three-year contract extension and 66 runs, as Kent batted their way to a comfortable 325-4 against Northamptonshire, with additional half centuries for Daniel Bell-Drummond and Tawanda Muyeye.
Tom Banton, whose season hit a spectacular high in the first round with 371, but who has since found runs hard to mine, ground an unbeaten 57 against Nottinghamshire. There were also fifties for Tom Abell and James Rew after Somerset had wobbled at 22 for two.
Centuries from Dom Sibley and Sam Curran put Surrey in the driving seat at the Oval. A swashbuckling Dan Lawrence half-century after tea put the tin lid on Durham’s decision to have a bowl.
Sam Robson clocked his first hundred of the season for Middlesex at a flat, dry Grace Road. Leicestershire were shorn of their first-choice attack due to injuries and Ian Holland’s presence at Major League Cricket, but Roman Walker pocketed three wickets.
Lancashire recovered from the depths of 44 for four at Derbyshire thanks to a self-denying 106 from Keaton Jennings and a chirpier 121 from Chris Green. Zak Chappell grabbed four wickets.
Henry Crocombe, replacing Jofra Archer, spirited away by England after one game, kept Sussex in the match against Warwickshire with three wickets. Mason Crane also grabbed three for Glamorgan against Gloucestershire.
And at Southampton, Barry Richards was one of the spectators as Worcestershire’s Adam Hose frying-panned the Hampshire attack during his 266 at more than a run a ball. Thirty one fours and seven sixes peppered the lounging crowds and switched the narrative of a broiling day.
Eight centuries, one double, and packs of weary bowlers. Time for me to head back to Scarborough and cool off in the north sea. Thanks for your company, till tomorrow – bye!
