Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Tanya Aldred at Old Trafford

County Championship: Somerset beat Warks, Lancs see off Worcs

Tom Abell leads Somerset off the pitch after defeating Warwickshire.
Tom Abell leads Somerset off the pitch after defeating Warwickshire. Photograph: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

County cricket roundup

Nails were chomped at Taunton as Warwickshire put up an unexpectedly good fight. Starting the day needing 136 with only four wickets in hand, they got to within 49 runs before Oliver Hannon-Dalby was caught for a dogged 13. Sam Hain, a broom-handle up the batting, finished 92 not out; Lewis Gregory the pick of the bowlers with four for 48. Leaders Somerset have three wins from four games, bottom-of-table Warwickshire none at all – with rumours that new coach Paul Farbrace is on the prowl for personnel.

Runs flowed at Beckenham, as Surrey set Kent an unlikely 425 runs to win, with Kent 27 for one at the close. Sam Curran biffed his way to 80, going to his fifty with a six, and Scott Borthwick 58. Matthew Milnes pocketed four for 74. And on the Isle of Wight, a declaration leaves Nottinghamshire chasing 397 on the last day, with both their openers already out. Earlier, both Sam Northeast and, on debut, Ajinkya Rahane, made centuries for Hampshire.

In Division Two, it was a knee-trembler at The County Ground as Glamorgan, chasing 246, pulled themselves through nettles to beat Derbyshire by two wickets as the minutes ticked away on the final afternoon. Despite short balls and rogue bounce, wicketkeeper Tom Cullen, who was only playing because of injury, nurdled the tail deftly, and at nearly six o’clock drove a Matthew Critchley full-toss for four to give Glamorgan their first Championship win of the season.

As the flags on the Old Trafford pavilion flew at half mast to mark the two-year anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing, Lancashire beat Worcestershire by six wickets to chalk up wins in their first three matches of the season for the first time since 1995. Richard Gleeson started the day by grabbing Worcestershire’s last wicket, his third five-fer in four innings. But Lancashire, only chasing 126, were soon in trouble at 32 for four, prodding and poking, despite the visitors missing Wayne Parnell with a hamstring injury. Dane Vilas and Rob Jones, with an unbeaten partnership of 95, then steadied the ship in front of crocodiles of schoolchildren brought in for the day.

At the Riverside, despite the best efforts of Matt Salisbury and Chris Rushworth, Gloucestershire ambled to a six wicket victory. Durham have lost every match of their 2019 campaign. Sussex built up a handy lead of 346 over Northampton thanks to 122 from Philip Salt.

Wow! They did it!

Glamorgan beat Derbyshire by two wickets.

.
Daffadowndilly: A Glorious victory Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Updated

29 needed...8 down...

I must write up, but I’m keeping an eye on events at Derby...Glamorgan 33 to win, seven wickets down ....

Updated

Sam Curran out for 80. Ricky Clarke whalloping fours like he’s 22. Surrey 263/ 7 lead of 408.

Thanks twitter for this nugget. Indians to score a hundred on Championship debut:

Piyush Chawla for Sussex, 2009

Murali Vijay for Essex, 2018

AJINKYA RAHANE for Hampshire, Today!

The Glamorgan target falls to 39. Cullen still there on 29, Salter still there on 19....

Surendranath Halder writes in with a Game of Thrones question:

“Got to ask like anyone not living under the rock... Did you watch Game of Thrones? A) If you did, what did you think of the final season, and the finale itself? B) If you did not, what do you have to say about the massive outpouring of mixed emotions about art in these modern digital times? C) Either ways, surely the sport needs a similar petition to catch the attention of ICC and its various, hmmm... thought processes?

I’m slightly embarrassed to say I haven’t seen GOT but I like the thought of an ICC-based dungeons and dragons series.

Phil Salt JOvertoned for 122. Sussex 180/2 - a lead over Northants of 234. Enough, already.

,
A happy hundred: Phil Salt Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA

When one centurion goes, another centurion follows. Sam Northeast Rahane back to the pavilion for 133 - Hampshire 272/4.

Which reminds me, I read on a tweet, that I now can’t find, that none of the Hampshire players who applied to join the CPL will be allowed to leave before the end of the season. They’ll be ‘late entries.’

Oh my Cullen and my Salter !

Glamorgan 181/7 need 65.

And with his third six, Sam Curran goes to fifty

.
Sealed with a six: Sam Curran goes to fifty Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

TEA-TIME SCORES

Division One

Taunton: Somerset 209 & 164 (Norwell 7-41), Warwickshire 135 (C Overton 5-31) & 189 (Hain 92 not out; Gregory 4-48). Somerset win by 48 runs.

Beckenham: Kent 294 (Dickson 128), Surrey 439 (Jacks 120) & 212-6 (Sam Curran not out 52). Surrey lead by 351 runs

Newport: Hampshire 310 & 266-3 (Rahane 119, Northeast 130 not out), Nottinghamshire 239 (Mullaney 102). Hampshire lead by 337 runs

Division Two

Riverside: Durham 158 & 132, Gloucestershire 174 & 119-4. Gloucestershire win by six wickets.

(not tea)Northampton: Northants 368(Vasconcelos 83), Sussex 422 (Jordan 166, Brown 156) and 149-1 (Salt 102 not out). Sussex lead by 203 runs

Old Trafford: Lancashire 201 (Parnell 5-47) and 127/4 (Vilas 60 not out), Worcestershire 172 (Anderson 5-25) & 154 (Gleeson 5-37) Lancashire win by six wickets

Derby (day 4): Derbyshire 378 (Reece 111) & 213 (Madsen 47; Douthwaite 4-48), Glamorgan 346 (Rampaul 5-94) & 163-7 (Rampaul 3-45). Glamorgan need 83 runs to win

And a great selection for the World Cup Final

Updated

And, so as to be fair, reports from the other three games - all in their intervals before the final act.

Surrey 181 for six - with Sam Curran a relatively sedentary 28 off 66. Surrey lead by 326.

Hampshire 222 for two - oh gosh with two centuries - SamNortheast and Ajinkya Rahane. Hampshire lead Notts by 297 runs

Sussex 110 for one - a lead of 164.

.
Rahane - century on debut! Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Critchley removes Jeremy Lawlor for 25 - Glamorgan 160/6 need 86 to win.

Incidentally, it had passed me by that Dan Douthwaite was on debut. Congratulations!

From zero to hero?

Ok, Glamorgan need 101 with five wickets in hand. What do we think?

Sorry about the delay - I was just listening to John Gwynne tell a story of how he interviewed Godfrey Evans about Laker’s 19 wickets here at Old Trafford in 1956. And Evans told how Tony Lock was getting more and more aggrieved that Laker was having all the luck. Evans said he told Lock, “Jim’s letting the pitch do the work, stop getting so het up and firing it in, relax and you’ll get wicket.” He took no bloody notice!”

.
Tony Lock: ‘He took no bloody notice” Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Updated

Lancashire win by six wickets!

Handshakes at Old Trafford. Vilas and Jones take Lancashire over the line to win their first three games of the season for the first time since 1995.

An unbroken partnership of 95 made it easy-pickings in the end.

Updated

Remember Sam Curran?

And all is quiet round the grounds. Batting not much of a problem. All eyes then turn to The County Ground, where Glamorgan need another 132.

.
David Lloyd: a battling 37 for Glamorgan Photograph: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans/REX/Shutterstock

Hmmmm, Warwickshire contemplating opening the bank vault again:

“Farbrace, who started his new job as director of cricket at Warwickshire about six weeks ago, is so concerned about the performance of his new side that he is on the search for reinforcements with David Willey and Liam Dawson among the more eye-catching targets.”

The dudes in the hats?

And Billy Root’s gone since lunch. Lbw Rampaul, his third of the innings. From 92/4 Glamorgan, I’m afraid, need another 154.

News on Wayne Parnell’s niggle - it’s a hammy.

Updated

Back in my seat for a cracking square cut by Vilas, then another boundary and that’s the fifty partnership. In the bag, I tell you. Just 44 to win.

Outside, the Lancashire foundation have done a grand job - bucketloads of happy, dancing, playing kids. Nearly as happy as the members when Jones and Vilas scampered through for a quick two.

Much chatter about Sam Hain over lunch (with vinegary red cabbage salad on the side). His first-class average is 33.75 - despite a stellar first year for Warwickshire in 2014 when (thank you Cricinfo):

“Aged 18 years and 336 days, he broke Ian Bell’s records to become the youngest man to score a first-class and County Championship century for Warwickshire. It was only his fifth first-class innings. Later in that same 2014 season, Hain also became the youngest Warwickshire player (at 19 years and 57 days) to score a first-class double-century for the club. On both occasions, Northants were the opponents. He finished the season with four first-class centuries - including one on debut at Lord’s - as Warwickshire’s highest run-scorer in the Championship campaign and as the third youngest man in the history of the County Championship to have made a double-century.”

Since then he’s only scored another four first-class centuries.

But in list-A games he averages 59.78 - the highest List A average in cricket - with Virat Kohli clawing behind in second.

.
Enigma: Sam Hain Photograph: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Division One

Taunton: Somerset 209 & 164 (Norwell 7-41), Warwickshire 135 (C Overton 5-31) & 189 (Hain 92 not out; Gregory 4-48). Somerset win by 48 runs.

Beckenham: Kent 294 (Dickson 128), Surrey 439 (Jacks 120) & 85-3. Surrey lead by 230 runs

Newport: Hampshire 310 & 126-2 (Rahane 61 not out, Northeast 54 not out), Nottinghamshire 239 (Mullaney 102). Hampshire lead by 197 runs

Division Two

Riverside: Durham 158 & 132, Gloucestershire 174 & 119-4. Gloucestershire win by six wickets.

Northampton: Northants 368(Vasconcelos 83), Sussex 422 (Jordan 166, Brown 156). Northants trail Sussex by 54 runs

Old Trafford: Lancashire 201 (Parnell 5-47) and 59/4, Worcestershire 172 (Anderson 5-25) & 154 (Gleeson 5-37) Lancashire need 67 runs to win

Derby (day 4): Derbyshire 378 (Reece 111) & 213 (Madsen 47; Douthwaite 4-48), Glamorgan 346 (Rampaul 5-94) & 76-3. Glamorgan need 170 runs to win

SOMERSET WIN BY 49 RUNS

But Sam Hain unbeaten on 92. Gregory 4-48.

Northants! They trail Sussex by just 65 now - Procter’s 49 not out and Nathan Buck’s 51 rather sneaking under the radar.

And that’s lunch here - lunch-time scores to follow.. after the mascot race

Vilas drives through the covers, lovely-jubbly - four. 67 needed.

And at Taunton.... Hannon-Dalby’s 49-ball 12, and Hain’s 165- ball 84 continues. Just 59 needed, Gregory bowling.

Look at the wee highlighted chubby-cheeked thing!

Rob Jones gets immaculately forward. Ten minutes till lunch. Jones and Vilas both on ten. Lancashire 52/4 need another 74.

It’s getting quite exciting at Taunton -just 66 needed. The mighty Sam Hain 78 not out. The stream is here if anyone is interested

Oh dear, Glamorgan: 51 for 3, needing another 195... I’m not sure, I don’t think....eeeek, Glamorgan.. Billy Root and David Lloyd in single figures with much hoeing and digging in and patting down and planting of seedlings to do.

I wonder if Joe Root has alerts on his phone for when Billy walks in?

Surrey’s lead building over Kent - 210 (Borthwick 22); and Ajinkya Rahane and Sam Northeast building a tasty lead over Notts of 165 - with eight wickets in hand.

Hat-trick ball - Vilas takes a huge stride forward and bats it away.

Gloucestershire win by six wickets at the Riverside. James Bracey guiding them home with a steady 25. A commiserating pat to Matt Salisbury, who bowled his heart out in defeat: 3-41.

Livingstone caught at slip for a golden duck. LAncashire 32/4. Warren Hegg enters the press box, and looks at the scoreboard.

Updated

A wicket! A wicket! The impeccably buttoned-up and pressed Keaton Jennings walks in a protractor straight line back to the dressing-room after chopping on against Leach. Lancashire 32/3. Livingstone, you presume rightly.

Sam Hain still there, but fast running out of partners. Oliver Hannon-Dalby his only hope. Warwickshire 140/9.

As the pad of my second finger lightly pressed the return key... Lehmann decided to pad up to Barnard’s first ball. Lancashire 30/2.

.
First ball strike: Ed Barnard Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Keaton Jennings’s four to square leg gets a huge squeal from the school kids. A tickle, really. Two balls later a lusty lbw appeal by busy Joe Leach, but no. And so they remain. 30/1, requiring 96

Northants in excelsis, and the Warwickshire target falls below 100

Good news for Lancashire - Wayne Parnell won’t bowl today, a “niggle” keeping him even out of the warm up.

And Sam Hain deserves a picture - one of only three batsmen in double figures in this innings for Warwickshire.

.
Where all falls about him: Sam Hain Photograph: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

In fact, it would be victory in the first three games for the first time since 1995.

Ah, and the Glamorgan run chase is on - 244 to win. Hampered just a tiny bit by the loss of an early wicket: Nick Selman gone for 2.

Gloucestershire have lost their third wicket (Hammond) - with 34 still needed.

If, IF, Lancashire win this - they will have won their first three matches of the season for the first time this century. Also, the sun has gone in.

It is a bit insipid?

Hass gone. Driving, edged to slip in Morris’ first over. Lancs 8/1.

Oooh-errr, that’ll do nicely

Jeetan Patel joins the procession - a second for Craig Overton, who has had a good game. Warwicks 124/8. But fifty for Sam Hain!

I can confirm that the lemon drizzle arrived in the press box. All wrapped in foil, moist and lemony with a delicious crust.

Three balls into the innings, all looks well. Lancs 3/0

and... Jamie Overton out for 19 at the County Ground. Northants 264/7 - still trailing by 158. And Josh Shaw out to Rushworth (who else?) in Gloucestershire’s run-canter. They still need 50 -8 wickets in hand.

The heavy roller is out at Old Trafford. Lancashire need 126 to win.

,
Richard Gleeson: a well-deserved hug after 5-37 v Worcestershire Photograph: Barry Mitchell/REX/Shutterstock

Surrey and Hampshire both lose a limb - Burns for 15, Darren Steven’s golden arm (21/1); and Soames to Broad for 2(17/1)

And that’s it! Gleeson’s fifth wicket - Leach caught by Anderson at mid-off for 9 -his third five-fer in two games at OT. Not bad at all.

Warwickshire’s inevitable march to an early lunch starts: Brookes out for 2. 109/7

And a man has been removed from Trafford town hall roof and taken to hospital.

While we wait for a wicket or 25 - this looks good

And Richard Gleeson takes the ball from the Jimmy Anderson end (as tipped off by Jimmy yesterday). The flags above the pavilion are flying half mast to mark the two year anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing - deepest sympathy to any readers who were affected by it.

Updated

All sorts of excitement here - Lanky the giraffe rousing the kids into ecstasies before the players come onto the pitch. David Lloyd has just bumbled into the press-box: he reports that the umpires have said it will be “tricky.”

Eoin Morgan and England’s retro kit:

Updated

Good morning!

After a damp night, play will start on time here at Old Trafford where crocodile upon crocodile of school children are here to watch Worcestershire’s last wicket try to nurdle together another twenty or thirty.

Elsewhere, my money’s on Somerset and Gloucestershire to win before lunch...

Start of play scores

Division One

Taunton: Somerset 209 & 164 (Norwell 7-41), Warwickshire 135 (C Overton 5-31) & 103-6. Warwickshire need 136 runs to win

Beckenham: Kent 294 (Dickson 128), Surrey 439 (Jacks 120) & 11-0. Surrey lead by 156 runs

Newport: Hampshire 310 & 3-1, Nottinghamshire 239 (Mullaney 102). Hampshire lead by 74 runs

Division Two

Northampton: Northants 242-6, Sussex 422 (Jordan 166, Brown 156). Northants trail Sussex by 180 runs

Old Trafford: Lancashire 201 (Parnell 5-47), Worcestershire 172 (Anderson 5-25) & 149-9. Worcs lead by 120 runs

Riverside: Durham 158 & 132, Gloucestershire 174 & 64-1. Gloucs need 53 runs to win

Derby: Derbyshire 378 (Reece 111) & 171-9 (Madsen 47; Douthwaite 4-33), Glamorgan 346 (Rampaul 5-94). Derbyshire lead by 203 runs.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Kylie Jenner 'Ozempic Hands' Explained: Plastic Surgeon Reveals Truth Behind Inside 'The Kardashians' Star's Transformation
Kylie Jenner faces renewed 'Ozempic hands' rumours, but a plastic surgeon suggests her slimmer look could be normal weight loss, as the story also revisits her comments on postpartum recovery and the harsh scrutiny of women's bodies online.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
10 Photos of Sarah Tena: Quick Facts About the Model Alleging Timothée Chalamet 'Blindsided' Her
Discover the story of Sarah Tena, the former adult entertainer who claims to have had a secret romance with Timothée Chalamet, sparking global curiosity.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
"I was like, 'Wow, I'm about the same size as this huge animal!'" How a close encounter with wolves, a rough break-up and a Spider-Man director helped Evanescence produce one of their most important singles
Needing a follow-up to one of the biggest albums of the 2000s, Amy Lee wrote some brutally honest lyrics and a classic song to soundtrack them
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
‘That is a CLEAR sign not to drink from that’: Chicago woman buys water bottle from Primark. Then she puts it in the dishwasher
Years since the Stanley Cup craze, water bottle tumblers still remain extremely popular. Nearly every retailer has some form of them in various brands, colors, and sizes making them convenient and sustainable. But how durable are they if they run through the dishwasher? If this thought has ever crossed your…
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
U.S Soccer releases new World Cup kit. Fans have thoughts
‘The Waldo remix,’ joked one onlooker
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Ex-Adult Entertainer Speaks Out On Alleged Romance With Timothée Chalamet Before Kylie Jenner
“I see these things about him dating Kylie Jenner, and I was very confused about that,” Sarah Tena said.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play