Roundup: Kent recover after Yorkshire's Rauf runs through top order
On a suitably overcast Leeds day, Yorkshire stepped back on to the Headingley turf for the first time since the turbulent events of the winter. After the ECB-choreographed moment of reflection, the 2000-strong crowd burst into a fair rattle of applause as the players ran on to the field. Haris Rauf, who on his last appearance at Headingley was kerpowed over the top of the Howard Stand and into the rugby ground by Liam Livingstone, harried in from the same end and decimated Kent’s top order.
First the immovable Ben Compton, then the flighty Zak Crawley, yet to sing for his supper this season, and finally the former Yorkshire player Jack Leaning. But from the depths of 20 for three, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Jordan Cox built a foundation, judiciously sending the loose balls for four. Cox was lbw in Dom Bess’s first over, but Bell-Drummond eased to his second consecutive hundred, an innings full of handsome strokes.
In the north-east stand, groups of friends in thermal hiking trousers and warm coats sat together, happy to be back. One was Deirdre, a member, who voted through the reforms. “I’m optimistic for the future,” she said, “it is critical that people embrace the change.”
Surrey too recovered from a dreadful start, with their stacked middle order making glorious runs – an unbeaten 111 for Jamie Smith, 84 for Ollie Pope, and more boundary-laden runs for Sam Curran. Mohammad Amir’s Gloucestershire debut went wicketless, though a couple of catches were fumbled. At the Rose Bowl, Hassan Ali continued his scintillating form, skittling his way through Hampshire to take five for 45. Jimmy Anderson was at his erudite best, taking three for 24.
Somerset enjoyed a remarkably perky day at Taunton against the county champions, Warwickshire, inspired by a century from Matthew Renshaw, and half-centuries from Tom Abell and Tom Lammonby. While on a friendly Chelmsford pitch, Northamptonshire painstakingly picked a path towards respectability against Essex, thanks to sixties from Will Young and Luke Procter.
In Division Two, 17 wickets fell at Trent Bridge as Stuart Broad’s return was overshadowed by Dane Patterson who clattered through Worcestershire, with career-best figures of eight for 52. Haseeb Hameed top-scored for Nottinghamshire with 53.
Showman Shaheen Shah Afridi thrilled a large group of watching schoolchildren at Lord’s, reducing Leicestershire to 32 for three, fizzing out Hassan Azad and Colin Ackermann in successive balls. Tom Helm then led the rest of Middlesex’s attack to dismiss Leicestershire for 149. Mark Stoneman was 80 not out at stumps.
Shan Masood was cut off in his prime, for 60, his fifth consecutive half century (or more), but Derbyshire powered on against Glamorgan with a hundred from Brooke Guest. Sussex had Durham in an unexpected mess at 128 for seven, until Liam Trevaskis bashed 88 to take them to respectability. Tom Haines then shimmied to his third fifty of the season.
Round-up done, time to head home to some warmth. Dom Bess spoke very well at the end, about how he’s learning his craft and how Otis Gibson is talking to them as a bowling unit. Thanks for all the messages, sorry it was a bit haphazard today. Till tomorrow - good night!
