Roundup: Brook makes England case
The Yorkshire crowd rose out of their plastic seats in unison to salute Harry Brook, who gloved a short ball behind for 194. A tired shot, it was unbecoming of a chanceless, utterly unruffled innings, full of shots.
Brook, who sits just behind Ben Compton in the Division One runs tally, said he was disappointed he had not been able to better his dad’s highest score of 210, but was phlegmatic about the future. “I’ve looked towards bigger things in the past,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay in the moment.”
All the while, the England selector James Taylor looked on. Zak Crawley was out cheaply as Kent replied, but Compton, as sticky as wallpaper paste, remains, 67 not out.
Somerset’s season burst to life with an innings thrashing of last year’s champions, Warwickshire. Following-on, Warwickshire managed six single-figure scores between them.
Jack Brooks took four for 44, but there were a couple of wickets each for Jack Leach and Craig Overton – who also excelled himself at slip, poaching a salmon at third to send Alex Davies on his way. Sam Hain and Will Rhodes batted carefully, before falling in consecutive overs, Hain to a sucker punch on the boundary.
“That was close to how we were playing our cricket a couple of years ago,” said the Somerset captain, Tom Abell. “I feel we are getting our identity back”
Middlesex completed an innings victory over Leicestershire at Lord’s. This despite Ben Mike’s tromboneing counter-attack, laying into Middlesex, without the injured Tom Helm, and hooking Shaheen Shah Afridi for six. He was left high and dry on 99 before Mark Stoneman and Sam Robson then charged to victory in 10.3 overs.
Essex made a much better fist of their second innings, sent into bat again after being bowled out for 193 by Northamptonshire, riches indeed from the depths of 83 for eight. Shane Snater had kept the flag flying with an unbeaten, and career-best 79. The second innings was wobbling at 58 for three, with Alastair Cook out cheaply again, but Paul Walter and Matt Critchley stitched together an unbeaten 91.
On the Bristol featherbed, Gloucestershire duly made a king-size fluffy duvet against Surrey. Chris Dent raced to a double century, batting all day for his 207; Marcus Harris 124, a sole wicket for Colin de Grandhomme on his debut.After the first-wicket pair were finally prised apart with the score on 296, poor James Bracey, bowled for a duck, was the scorecard anomaly, with Miles Hammond also unbeaten on 75 at the close.
For the first time in his career, Nick Gubbins made two centuries in a Championship match to give Hampshire the edge in the squeaker at Southampton. James Anderson started the day in typical style with four maidens and the wicket of Liam Dawson. But from then on it was Gubbins, who dominated, with Ben Brown the more than competent wingman compiling 72, leaving Lancashire needing 342 to win after ending the day 9-0.
Nottinghamshire rolled to their third Championship victory of the season, despite stubborn resistance from Worcestershire. Ed Barnard knocked his socks off with a career-best 163 not out, made over seven and a half hours, against Stuart Broad aiming to get his Test place back after being given the green light by new England supremo Rob Key. Set 233 to win, Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke both made fifties.
Marnus Labuschagne raced to his sixth century for Glamorgan, and his first since 2019. In reply, Derbyshire’s Shan Masood, out for 42, fell three runs short of a world record number of runs for April.
Updated
Close of play scores
Division One
Essex 193 & 149-3; Northants 390 all out. Essex trail by 48 runs
Gloucestershire 443-2; Surrey 603. Gloucs trail by 160 runs
Hampshire 246 & 344; Lancashire 240 & 9-0. Lancs need 342 runs to win
Yorkshire 571; Kent 291 & 118-2. Kent trail by 162 runs
Result Somerset (458) beat Warwickshire (209 & 167) by an innings and 82 runs
Division Two
Derbyshire 368 & 170-2; Glamorgan 387. Derbyshire lead by 151 runs
Sussex 538; Durham 223 & 169-0. Durham trail by 146 runs
Result Middlesex (370 & 52-0) beat Leics (149 & 272) by 10 wickets
Result Nottinghamshire (266 & 233-5) beat Worcs (159 & 339) by five wickets
Right, I need to write up, with rain in the air, I think, at Headingley. One one more game set to finish today, Notts closing in quickly on Worcestershire.
Somerset beat Warwickshire by an innings and 82 runs
Somerset 458 v Warwickshire 209 & 167. Somerset win by an innings and 82 runs
After seven barren games on the trot, Somerset thrash the champs! Four wickets for Brooks, a couple each for Coverton and Leach. Somerset points; Warwickshire points.
Middlesex beat Leicestershire by ten wickets
Middlesex 370 v Leicestershire 149 & 272. Middlesex beat Leicestershire by 10 wickets
Top of the table Middlesex, take a bow! Middx chase down the 52 needed in just over ten overs. A consolidatory pat on the back for Ben Mike, whose four for 15 was followed by a barnstoming, counter-attacking, 99. Ultimately irrelevant, but magnificent all the same. Middx 23 points; Leicestershire 3 points.
Noooo! I’ve just seen poor Ben Mike was stranded on 99 in Leicestershire’s second innings.
Looks like Middlesex (8runs to win) are going to beat Notts (84 runs) and Somerset (2 wickets) to it...
Don’t do that! Daniel Bell Drummond has a flush of blood and drives straight to Karunaratne at cover. He leans on his bat in disappointment. Kent 27-2.
Teatime scores
Chelmsford: Essex 193 and 75-3 v Northants 390 all out
Bristol: Gloucestershire 333-2 v Surrey 603
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 246 and 273-6 v Lancashire 240
Taunton: Somerset 458 v Warwickshire 209 and 135-8
Headingley: Yorkshire 571 v Kent 291 and 24-1
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 368 and 60-1 v Glamorgan 387
Lord’s: Middlesex 370 v Leicestershire 149 and 272
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 266 and 108-2 v Worcestershire 159 and 339 Notts need 125 to win
Hove: Sussex 538 v Durham 223 and 42-0
News from the front line: Haris Rauf has a slight niggle of his left side. They’re off for tea here, scores round the grounds to follow.
Lancashire and Somerset shoving each other out of the way in their haste to take wickets. Hampshire 273-6, Gubbins still there 116, a game bubbling up for a storming final day. Meanwhile Warwickshire are slipping towards defeat, now 129-8. Brooks 4-28.
A bravo 150 for Chris Dent! Gloucs 320-2. And, oh my, Zak Crawley can’t believe it as he pumps a full toss straight back to Revis who takes a reaction catch neatly to his body with both hands. Crawley stands, bewildered before making his way back. Another low-scoring match under the belt, 4 and 5.
Yorkshire’s attack definitely missing the fizz and energy of Haris Rauf. Would pedestrian be harsh? Kent 18-0.
Suddenly, things are moving: Warwickshire have lost both the men who had put down roots, Hain and Rhodes. 115-5. One to Gregory, one to Leach, who has whirled through 13 overs; while Gloucestershire’s 296 run opening partnership came to an end when Harris was caught for 124, off new signing de Grandhomme. Bracey followed for a duck the next over. Gloucs 302-2.
Division Two: Glamorgan all out with a lead of 19. Shan Masood sees Pujara, and secretly raises him. Derbyshire 15-0. Leicestershire, well played! From 46-4, 224-6, Mike 66, Barnes 36. The final act has started at Trent Bridge, Notts, 49-1, need another 184. Has is still there, 17 not out. And Durham have started their second innings....315 behind.
Crawley and Compton come out, Crawley striding masterfully, Compton slow, practising his forward defensive. The good news for Kent, Haris Rauf is not on the field.
Another double hundred for Pujara!
Only the two in April. Sussex 538 all out. Rizwan 79 not out.
And the ball after reaching his first first-class fifty, Revis holes out to cover. Right Kent, what are you made of? 49 overs left in the day.
Revis having a ball out there, just a couple of runs from his fifty. Kent look hot, and fed up. Seven men round the rope..
A twirl round division one: Browne and Cook making a better stab of things at Chelmsford, Essex 32-0, 165 behind. At the Bristol featherbed, Chris Dent has his century, 129, second fiddle, Marcus Harris, 90 not out. Gloucestershire 250-0, handshakes lined up for 5 o’clock tomorrow. Tight, tight, tight at the Rosebowl, where Nick Gubbins has a superb hundred ( against the Lancs attack, you get double points), incredibly his second of the match and 56 not out for Ben Brown. At 229-4 and with a lead of 235... a declaration overnight for Hampshire likely. Warwickshire 76-3, Hain and Rhodes building a recovery, but still 173 behind Somerset. And Yorks 543-8, the prologue season, before the real action begins. Revis swinging for fun.
Notts need 233 to win as Worcestershire are finally dismissed for 339 . A career best, unbeaten, 163 for Ed Barnard. Bloody fantastic effort, that.
A lovely few minutes in the sun on the top of the upper east stand, thanks for having me DaddyPig, Steve et al. Dom Bess missed out on a hundred, driving half-heatedly to slip for 89 - his second highest score for Yorkshire. Yorkshire 504-7.
Lunchtime scores
Chelmsford: Essex 193 v Northants 390 all out
Bristol: Gloucestershire 215-0 v Surrey 603
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 246 and 182-4 v Lancashire 240
Taunton: Somerset 458 v Warwickshire 209 and 45-3
Headingley: Yorkshire 485-6 v Kent 291
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 368 v Glamorgan 339-6
Lord’s: Middlesex 370 v Leicestershire 149 and 113-5
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 266 v Worcestershire 159 and 322-8
Hove: Sussex 490-5 v Durham 223
Another nice touch from Leicestershire, who’ve done good things this season - a cricket swap shop of old gear, a huge give-away of tickets for the Sussex game, and free tickets for kids to the women’s ODI.
Lovely touch from @leicsccc! Sending all former players a season ticket.
— Rob Taylor (@robtaylor1989) April 30, 2022
Thanks guys. pic.twitter.com/NkEuacjUse
Headingley rises out its plastic seats in unison to Brook, who gloved/edged a short one behind for 194. A tired shot, and the first chance he’s given. Quelle dommage, a beautiful innings, utterly unruffled, full of shots.
Harry Brook has overtaken Ben Compton to become the leading run-scorer in Division One, currently on 510. Bess, meantime, has been having a glorious time, 73 off 91 balls. Yorkshire 455-5.
In the Division Two garden, batting is easy: Labuschagne not out 109, though he’s lost Cooke and Cullen in quick succession.Glamorgan 331-6. At Lord’s, Mulder and Swindells had put on 59, before Swindells was lbw to Roland-Jones for 26. Leicestershire 105-6, still 113 behind. Barnard, whose batting has been bristling this season is biffing Notts round the ground, 152 not out, and has found an ally in Finch, 22 not out. Worcestershire 310-7, a lead of 203. And Pujara (160) and Rizwan (69) bat gloriously on, and on, Sussex 459-5.
Brook is picking off anything off line or over-pitched - in the last five minutes, a pitch-perfect straight drive and two successive on drives, one lofted, one trimming the grass. He moves to 174.
At Hove, beautifully, this is happening. Eat your heart out IPL.
A rare and pleasant sight - an Indian and Pakistani batting together #Cricket #CountyCricket2022 pic.twitter.com/hiwcfLJo3c
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) April 30, 2022
Pujara 147 not out; Rizwan 51 not out. Sussex 427-5, a lead of 204.
Updated
A hundred for Marnus Labuschagne
His sixth for Glamorgan, his first since 20119. Just 137 balls. Bendigedig!
A Saturday stroll round the grounds:
Warwickshire are under the cosh: now 14-2, with Sibley (alas, cheaply again) following Davies. A wicket each for Davey and Coverton. Warwicks 15-2.
Essex, slowly building: Northants are wicketless this morning, Snater and Steketee have put on 55. Essex 138-8.
Is the wicket at Bristol benign? Gloucestershire 136-0 v Surrey’s 603. Dent, 68, outscoring Marcus Harris, 47.
James Anderson has taken a third wicket at the Rosebowl, Dawson for 24. Hants 142-4, a lead of 148.
And Brook and Bess are batting beautifully this morning at a sun-dappled Headingley. Brook has moved past 150, with cuts and drives through midwicket . Yorkshire 382-5.
Stuart Broad has made the breakthrough at New Road, Ben Cox for 55, ending a partnership of 142, and one makes two, with Josh Baker following shortly afterwards. Worcs 243-7, a lead of 140.
At the County Ground, it is Marnus-time. Labuschagne is 75 not out, Glamorgan 274-5, trail Derby by 93.
Back-to-back boundaries from the World's no.1⃣ ranked men's test batter 🔥
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) April 30, 2022
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/lePIsjBCey#DERvGLAM | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/GciqR9JkaL
Somerset enforce the follow-on!
Fully deserving of an exclamation mark. Warwickshire 209 all out. Davey 3-30, Coverton 2-12.
England selector James Taylor, who watched Bohannon get his double hundred at Old Trafford, is at Headingley today. Just thought you’d like to know.
Just been chatting to Graham Hardcastle, freelancer on the Yorkshire and Lancashire beat, about Josh Bohannon, Tom Haines and Harry Brook - possibly the three next cabs off the rank for England. Graham was pointing out that today was a huge day for Brook - who has made at least fifty in every innings this year and is 131 overnight. Both Haines and Bohannon have already made double centuries - this is his chance to do the same.
He also pointed out that Rob Key’s last tweet before he was appointed England MD was this:
Looks a bloody good player tom Haines imho.
— Rob Key (@robkey612) April 7, 2022
Start of play scores
Chelmsford: Essex 95-8 v Northants 390 all out
Bristol: Gloucestershire 86-0 v Surrey 603
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 246 and 103-3 v Lancashire 240
Taunton: Somerset 458 v Warwickshire 197-9
Headingley: Yorkshire 326-5 v Kent 291
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 368 v Glamorgan 240-4
Lord’s: Middlesex 370 v Leicestershire 149 and 37-3
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 266 v Worcestershire 159 and 225-5
Hove: Sussex 362-5 v Durham 223
Preamble
Good morning! The sun is out and the Yorkshire players are having a game of touch rugby on the Headingley outfield. I’m borderline queasy after consuming a delicious but spectacularly enormous almond croissant in Tim Linley’s Cafe on the Crescent at Hyde Park Corner, as everyone piled in after their morning parkrun. On day three, all eight games are still in progress...
