Derbyshire's final hopes hit by batting collapse
Derbyshire’s hopes of making the final of the Bob Willis Trophy rested on broken glass after a spectacular collapse at the hands of Lancashire’s young team of talented springer spaniels, all muddy trousers and excited yelps.
Danny Lamb took three wickets on his 25th birthday while George Balderson, only 19, whose fluid run-up would make a ballerina drool, grabbed three more. Derbyshire, who had dismissed Lancashire quickly in the morning session, slumped to 17 for four in their first seven overs of a must-win game, made worse when Matt Critchley ducked into a full toss from George Burrows and was given out lbw.
Only late afternoon stoicism from Harvey Hosein, unbeaten on 44, and Mattie McKiernan gave Derbyshire even a sachet of hope with their supper. And all the while, watching starlings gathered on the threads of the nets.
Aaron Beard’s three wickets in 21 balls shredded Middlesex’s dreams of setting Essex a tricky second-innings chase. With the help of Simon Harmer and Sam Cook, the South Group leaders reduced Middlesex to 123-6 at stumps, a lead of just 25. Earlier an unbeaten 83 from Adam Wheater had guided Essex from a tricky 87 for 5 to the riches of 236; Martin Andersson took 4-38.
Central Group leaders Somerset got the best of a big-dipper day at New Road. Worcestershire were sitting pretty thanks to another 50 from Jake Libby, the tournament’s leading run scorer. But a rain break proved inspirational for bowlers Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Lewis Gregory and Jack Brooks and Worcestershire spilled their last nine wickets for 77. Jack Leach also had his first competitive bowl for 10 months.
Thirteen wickets fell at Canterbury, but Kent may rue their six dropped catches in an afternoon as Hampshire recovered from 23-5 to 108-5. At Sophia Gardens, Glamorgan recovered from 29-3 to post a small first-innings lead against Warwickshire.
Surrey suffered a late collapse of four wickets for six runs against Sussex after an opening stand of 164 between Rory Burns (103) and Scott Borthwick. Nottinghamshire’s Ben Duckett made a fabulous unbeaten 146 against Durham and rain washed out play at Headingley.
They’re drawing the curtains on the press tent here at Aigburth so it is time to go. Another great day round the grounds - still all to play for. Big congratulations to Rory Burns and Ben Duckett, the day’s centurions. We think Derbyshire can still do it if they make 200 and Worcestershire win.....thanks for the general good humour below the line, and see you tomorrow!
A fighting recovery from Glamorgan - currently 124 for 6, while Middlesex have tortoised their way into a ten run lead over Essex, with five wickets in hand. I must shuffle together a round up - but do keep an eye on the match at New Road.
Finally, and belatedly, congratulations Ben Duckett, unbeaten on 117 as Notts conjure up untold riches - 201-2.
Worcestershire all out for 200 - three wickets each for Coverton and Davey - a deficit of 51. Recent history tells us Somerset will be bowled out cheaply before Coverton bowls Worcestershire out for cheaper still. A humdinger in store over the next two days.
It’s officially a wash-out for the day at Headingley. Yorkshire have so far lost over 450 overs to rain and bad light in their three home games in the North Group. Something for the Yorkies to mull over in the winter .
Rory Burns moves past fifty in his first red-ball match of the year for Surrey, while Pennington and Leach attempt to lurch Worcetershire past the magic 200 - currently 198, 61 behind Somerset.
Wickets suddenly all the rage. Middlesex 84-5 and slipping towards the inevitable. Worcestershire 182-7 and with work needed. Glamorgan 96-5 (an improvement). Hampshire 34-5 - Podmore and, inevitably, The Ancient Mariner. Derbys 71-7 - dreams shattered. Only Surrey (59-0) and Notts (162-2) escaping the new fashion.
A huge shout for lbw on the brink of tea from young Balderson. The ump shakes his head but a shaken Derbys retreat on 71 for 7; the Lancashire springer spaniels giddy with achievement.
A nice note from Gary Naylor. Does the Mersey in Manchester count?
Hi @tjaldred. I hope you get to see the sun setting over the Mersey (much more beautiful than it sounds).
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) September 7, 2020
I saw it every day for 18 years and then... gone, huge metal sheds built within the Freeport perimeter, as the view went from sublime to as ugly as ugly gets.
Love this! Thank you Joe Nickel.
Reading a compilation of Guardian cricket coverage. Some issues are constant;
— Joe Nickel (@PointyConeHead) September 7, 2020
1904: there's too much cricket played, impacting quality - championship needs reform
1923: counties don't have the fast bowlers they need, used to each have a genuine quick
@GuardianCricket @tjaldred pic.twitter.com/RyVva9OSK8
Rain, rain, rain at Headingley, Trent Bridge and Sophia Gardens. Very tight at New Road, where Worcestershire lost three for five but Wessells and D’Oliveira are fighting back. Worcs 146-4, 105 behind Somerset’s first innings.
Watching George Balderson bowl from the River End is rather a joy. He’s so lithe and fluid, with wonderful acceleration. Coltish almost in his long legs. Derbys 59-5. And he gets a wicket! A fantastic catch, one handed by Tom Hartley in the slips. Hudson Prentice gone for 9. Make that Derbys 59 for 6.
Tea at Chelmsford, where Middlesex are 58-2, Robson and Gubbins back in the pavilion. A wicket for Harmer on the brink of the break.
I should never have doubted Kent. They clawed onto the Hampshire first-innings score and pulled themselves within welding distance. Now they’ve reduced Hants to 13-3 in their second innings: Northeast, Holland and Alsop all gone, their first-class batting seasons over.
Jamie Bowman thinks we might have seen Critchley’s dismissal before...
You don't see that often! Strange way for Critchley to be dismissed 🤷♂️
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) September 7, 2020
Live Stream ➡️ https://t.co/IafLnlInv0 @MyActionReplay pic.twitter.com/zCT62jbNtl
Remind you of anything? @tjaldred @scottread16 @edwardscricket @TomEvansEcho https://t.co/WRNsMgvmT1
— Jamie Bowman (@JamieBowman77) September 7, 2020
Twenty five players have made their debuts in the first four rounds of the Bob - with another two here at Aigburth, and power to add round the grounds. Anyone particularly caught your eye? Balderstone is certainly a very impressive picky by Lancashire.
Ooof, and that is a very unlucky way for Matt Critchley to be out, lbw, crouching into a ball from Burrows that didn’t rise as much as he was expecting. Unlucky. Derbys now 44-5, after a mini recovery.
It’s getting darker here as Hudson Prentice has a big swing at birthday boy Lamb for a streaky boundary through the slips. Derbys 38-4.
Sussex are all out 415, no wickets for Jamie Overton in his first stint in the brown cap. Nor for his opening partner Adam Finch to be fair. A game to be got through perhaps. Surrey now 16-0 in reply, Burns and Borthwick at play.
Only just seen this from @AzeemRafiq30 . It's a must-watch. Intelligent, deeply personal and well-judged. Who is educating young pros about what banter is permissable and what is not? Who is building structures that protect minorities? https://t.co/vVqmotveQq
— David Hopps (@DavidKHopps) September 7, 2020
Jam tarts and tea cakes to Podmore and O’Riordan - a vital last wicket partnership of 42 for Kent, who are now only 26 behind Hampshire’s 191.
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A missive arrives, officially stamped.
Dear Tanya
Hello Brian! Lovely to see you the other side of an OBO.
Having defended you BTL I have now actually read your Essex predictions and will be taking legal advice on a cease and desist order should there be any wilful repetition. If you must comment further please emphasise that Essex are in uncharted and potentially treacherous waters, having so little experience of a first innings lead.
Piffle, they’re unjinxable!
Raining now at Trent Bridge too (Notts 94-2, an unbeaten fifty for Duckett) as they push the covers off at Aigburth and Lancashire resume, full of beans, and Derby, full of dread.
Nick Wood types an a-hem: “Exciting game going on at Chelmsford today I hear Tanya - lack of images appearing on your feed though ;)“
Yes, quite right, apologies, lots of distractions today. Let’s see - Middlesex 8-0 in a - can I, dare I, say - fruitless attempt to stop the Essex juggernaut. A captain’s innings from Adam Wheater (83 not out) led Essex to a total of 236. A kit kat says this will be over today.
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The starlings are gathering on the strings of the cricket nets and making a beautiful racket. Play due to start here at 2.15 - 55 overs, tea at 4 pm.
Starlings gather on the cricket nets at Aigburth. pic.twitter.com/He9o6mLTXS
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 7, 2020
Raining at Headingly, Aigburth and YE GODS! New Road.
Hass has fallen, to give Rushworth his second wicket. Notts 71-2.
Wheater stranded on 83 not out, as Essex are bowled out for 236. That lead of 98 could well be more than enough. A win in two days?
Kent 114-8, with no DI Stevens heroics possible a he’s already been out for a duck. Hopes slipping away there I think.
And Sussex in impressive 362-8. Did I say Haines had been out? For an impressive 117. Think Surrey are going to complete a win-less Bob.
We’ve just been standing staring at the Aigburth sky, which isn’t giving much away. It is clear for now and the groundsmen are loosening ropes. Let’s see what else has been happening round the grounds.
Lunchtime scores
NORTH GROUP
Aigburth: Lancashire 219 v Derbyshire 17-4. EARLY LUNCH, RAIN.
Trent Bridge: Notts 54-1 v Durham 294
Headingley: Yorkshire 36-2 v Leicestershire 124. NO PLAY BEFORE LUNCH, RAIN.
CENTRAL GROUP
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 91-5 v Warwickshire 186 (Bell 50)
Bristol: Gloucester 66-6 v Northants. MATCH ABANDONED
Worcester: Worcester 98-1 v Somerset 251
SOUTH GROUP
The Oval: Surrey v Sussex 344-7
Chelmsford: Essex 219-8 v Middlesex 138
Canterbury: Kent 101-6 v Hampshire 191
The rain is steady here at Aigburth and we’ll be taking lunch at 12.20. Feels quite set. Not sure there’s a way back for Derbyshire from here.
Mind you... Worcestershire are holding their own against Somerset at New Road (75-1); while Essex, with a lead of 67 and two wickets left, already look impregnable. Wheater 69 not out; the recovered Ten Doeschate (with a runner) 35 not out. Three quick wickets for Martin Andersson.
Still raining at Yorkshire. Kent in a bit of a pickle at 85 for 6.
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Some transfer news:
BREAKING - Paceman @JaredWarner96 pens three-year deal with Gloucestershire ✍🤝
— Gloucestershire Cricket🏏 (@Gloscricket) September 7, 2020
🗣 "As a bowler my main strength is my pace, and I’d like to think this can complement the current Gloucestershire bowling attack nicely."
Read here ⤵ ⤵#GoGlos 💛🖤
Derbys saved by the pitter patter of rain on the roof of the tent and out on the square What an absolute horlicks of an innings - 17 for four.
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Hammed and Duckett guiding Notts away from a ... hang on a minute! Derbyshire losing wheels, screws, old bits of junk as George Balderstone joins the party, grabbing his first wicket - Wayne Madsen lbw for 4. Derbys 17 for 4
Holy moly, Derbyshire are in trouble. Danny Lamb has, on his birthday, now taken three wickets for one run in ten balls. Derbyshire, 15 for 3.
The breakthrough! A balletic appeal by Gregory brings the raised finger. Worcestershire 61-1.
REPLAY: ☝️#WeAreSomerset #WORCvSOM pic.twitter.com/g3sVFMFiBg
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) September 7, 2020
So Derbys, now we see what you’re made of. An early breakthrough for Lancashire as Reece gets a touch on Lamb leaves Derbys 5 for 1. They need to scores quickly (weather and batting points) but carefully.
I’m reminded by BBC local radio that Derbys have only won four trophies in their existence - the County Championship in 1936, the Sunday League in 1990, the Gilette Cup in 1981 and the B and H Cup in 1993. The Bob would sit beautifully on the shelf.
Bob Willis Trophy tie-breaker rules
With thanks to Wisden.com, where I found the best explanation.
If two group winners finish on equal points, the following tie-breakers will come into play. In this order: most wins, fewest losses, the result between the sides in the group stage, most wickets taken, most runs scored.
Most wins (at start of final round)
Somerset, Essex (3)
Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Kent, Middlesex, Hampshire (2)
Fewest losses (at start of final round)
Somerset, Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Essex (0)
Kent, Middlesex, Hampshire (1)
Results between sides
Somerset v Worcs - currently being played
Kent v Hants - in play.
Essex v Middx - in play
Essex v Kent - Essex win
Middx v Hants: Hants win
Middx v Kent: draw
Essex v Hants: draw
Derbys v Yorks: draw
Most wickets (at start of final round)
Somerset: 78
Kent: 69
Worcestershire: 66
Middlesex: 67
Hampshire: 63
Essex: 60
Derbyshire: 55
Yorkshire: 52
Most runs (at start of final round)
Worcestershire: 2,156 runs
Middlesex: 1,882 runs
Somerset: 1,847 runs
Kent: 1,759 runs
Derbyshire: 1,679 runs
Essex: 1,611 runs
Yorkshire: 1,573 runs
Hampshire: 1,058
Derbyshire struggling here to split Lancashire’s last pair, now 219 for 9. They need to get a move on.
Glad to see that kindness and understanding is now an acceptable part of player welfare, as England let Jos Buttler take a game off after TEN WEEKS! without seeing his family.
Durham have been bowled out for a steady 294, four wickets for Zak Chappell; Kent have found Currie irresistible, slipping to 51-4, in pursuit of 191. Mathematically, they still have a slither of a chance, should Essex slip up. Virdi has just picked up his third wicket, Rawlins for 65, as Sussex continue to impress. Wishing Joverton a wicket -a little confidence booster on what must have been a big decision.
Clouds are closing in a bit here. Lunch is being taken (very) early at Headingley, hoping to restart at 12.45.
In the big game at New Road, Mitchell and Libby have made a good start (38-0) while Essex have inched into a first-innings lead against Middlesex (of 6), but Ryan ten Doeschate has retired hurt with a back spasm on 31; Adam Wheater 45 not out.
At Sophia Gardens, Glamorgan are falling in a rather weepy puddle: 14-2. A couple for Luis Reece.
If you need a recap, heres’s what happened yesterday - Covid, Stevens, Bell and all.
To the hum of the generator, Morely edges his first, first-class runs. What a shame his mum and dad can’t be here. Maybe they’d be pleased to learn that though Derbyshire’s kit is definitely white, Lancashire are in the traditional cream.
Around the country, there is cricket everywhere except Headingley - more frustration for Yorkshire, in with a tilt of the final, play was called off at 4pm yesterday after they’d bowled Leicestershire out for 124.
Good morning from Aigburth where it is currently cloudy, blowy, nippy but fine. The players are out, with Lancashire’s two youngsters, Jack Morley and Tom Hartley, at the crease. Derbyshire, leaders of Group North, will want to rattle through the rest of this innings quickly and smash and grab through the runs - rain is forecast later. Somerset and Essex , the leaders of the Central and South groups have also started on time.
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