Here's a roundup of the day's play
At Chelmsford, Simon Harmer did what he does best: pluck ripe batsmen from the overhanging tree. Beard neatly trimmed, sunglasses on, short sleeves flapping over his long-armed underskin, Harmer bowled unchanged all day, despite an abductor strain. He snaffled eight for 64, plus a slick catch at second slip to deny himself the possibility of all 10: match figures of 14 for 131. A 51-run stand between Will Jacks and Jamie Smith had given a young Surrey side hope, before a post-lunch slide. Essex sit pretty at the top of the South Group after a 15th consecutive victory at Chelmsford; Surrey sink to the bottom, winless.
Nottinghamshire slipped to defeat at Trent Bridge after another head-in-palm batting collapse. Set just 188 by Yorkshire, chests were puffed – but deflated rapidly as 16 for nought became 16 for two. Ben Duckett top-scored with 19 as the wickets continued to tumble and Notts were all out for 97. Duanne Olivier and Jordan Thompson took three wickets each to secure a second win for Yorkshire. After a spirited first-innings, Notts’ hopes had been high, but in the words of their captain, Steven Mullaney: “We’ve not been able to get over the line and it’s something we need to address quickly because it’s not good enough.”
Hampshire duly defeated Middlesex, but not without a wobble. A doughty half-century from Joe Weatherley saved the day, winning the match with a cover drive, as chaos reigned at the other end in the pursuit of 98. Weatherley was supported by judicious biffing from Keith Barker; Tim Murtagh (three for 41) Thilan Walallawita (three for 28) nearly pulled off an unlikely victory for Middlesex.
Glamorgan hung on for a draw against Worcestershire despite being a dicey five for three in the fifth over. Chris Cooke, the captain, guided his team to victory with 74.
Despite a dogged rearguard action by Tim Bresnan and Oliver Hannon-Dalby,
Gloucestershire beat Warwickshire with 29 balls to spare. Ryan Higgins roared through the Warwickshire batting with seven for 42. Oliver Hannon-Dalby finished with 12 wickets in the match.
Well done to Glamorgan for holding on, and to Worcestershire for persevering against that doughty last-man stand of Bresnan and Hannon-Dalby. It’s been a great Bob round - so many things to remember, from the return to strength of the inevitable Harmer, to the youthful promise of Jordan Cox. Thanks for all the messages - it all begins again on Saturday! Goodnight!
At New Road, Cooke has gone to his fifty - 24 overs left in the game. 23 over left at Bristol. That’s it from me for now as I do the round-up and the games drift to a close.
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“He’s off my Christmas card list.”
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A Glammy wobble. A second for Pennington as Billy Root is caught behind for 32. Can they hold on? (88-4)
And Warwicks looking as if they won’t limp to the finish line either. A fifth for Higgins - Bresnan and Alex Thomson together. (104-6)
Just having a google at Billy Root - who is having a fabulous game, 32 not out building a recovery after a first-innings century. Had forgotten that he was at Notts for two years before Glamorgan - a man who likes his batting line-ups wobbly. In the words of his cricinfo profile:
“An influx of new signings at Notts by the end of 2018 - Ben Slater, Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke in the space of a few weeks - persuaded Root that it was time to move on. Glamorgan were attracted by the fact that he averaged more than 30 in all three formats - albeit only just - as they sought to address the fear that their homegrown players were not up to the task.”
Ryan Higgins! With his first ball after tea, he nips out a fifth Warwicks batsman: 80-5, Warwicks need another 159 to win in 26 overs. Higgins now 4-10 and fancying his chances against Tim Bresnan.
This from Andrew Samson:
Simon Harmer is the first bowler to take 14 wickets in a first-class match 3 times since Derek Underwood who did it 4 times between 1967 and 1983.
And this from Steven Mullaney, the Notts captain:
“It’s obviously very disappointing. We’ve given ourselves two huge chances to win two games and we’ve not been able to get over the line and it’s something we need to address and need to address quickly because it’s not good enough to get bowled out for under one hundred on a decent pitch.
“Obviously there was some poor shots and some good bowling. You know that Yorkshire are going to come at you and if you give them half a sniff you know they are a good team. Not good enough on our part.
“Everyone knows what the results have been like in four-day cricket. The positives are we’ve given ourselves two chances to win two games, we’ve just not been able to see it home in the fourth innings. Yorkshire played better than us in crucial moments, which is what it’s all about really.”
And then there were two:
Glamorgan need 301, with 7 wickets left. B Root 27 not out
Warwickshire need 160, six wickets left. Rhodes 48 not out
Batting much easier for both sides on the brink of tea.
And that was Essex’s TENTH! consecutive first class win at Chelmsford. To contrast with poor old Notts who I don’t think have won a first-class game for 26 matches.
Essex beat Surrey by 169 runs
Essex 262 and 261 (Finch 4-38, Virdi 4-85) v Surrey 187 (Jacks 70, Harmer 6-67, Porter 4-53) and 167 (Smith 45; Harmer 8-64).
Harmer 14-131
Broad on Broad: (Test starts on Thursday)
Stuart Broad one incident away from a one-match ban thanks to his old man's punishment ... although one of his demerit points, Rishabh Pant send-off in 2018, expires 20 August ... so just needs to keep his nose clean this week
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) August 11, 2020
Statty stuff on the Overtons:
Twins both scoring a fifty and taking 4 wickets in an innings in a first-class match:
— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) August 11, 2020
A Bedser 73 & 4-14 & E Bedser 60 & 6-56
Surrey v Glamorgan Cardiff 1951
C Overton 53 & 4-12 and J Overton 68 & 4-26
Somerset v Northamptonshire Northampton 2020
And Surrey falling in a heap too - 158 for 9. The irrepressible, unplayable, Harmer 7-57. Both Surrey and Notts replicating last season’s (lack of) form. Surrey obviously missing lots of players; Notts just look shot. Peter Moores is a sensational coach, but perhaps just time for a change. The team are certainly a lot less than the sum of their parts - the exact opposite of Derbyshire.
Yorkshire have now won both their games in the Bob and play Derbyshire in a table-topper on Saturday. Notts retire to lick their wounds at the foot of the table, just above Durham. Their opponents next week? Lancashire. Yikes.
Yorkshire have beaten Nottinghamshire by 90 runs
What to say?
Yorkshire 264 and 278 (Bairstow 75, Lyth 50) v Nottinghamshire 355 and 97 (Olivier 3-29, Thompson 3-6)
Delighted to see Dillon Pennington in the wickets - Carlson caught behind. Glamorgan 5-2. What is happening this afternoon? Glamorgan actually now 5-3 as the seemingly irresistible Joe Leach goes on the prowl again.
And Notts have slipped from 46 for 2 to 97 for 9.
Is there a step that comes after a Notts-up? I think we may have reached that stage. Chappell sticks out his bat and ball loops to midwicket to Jack Shutt. Notts 89-8.
One, two, three, four, five, six wickets for Harmer. Rikki Clarke, the potential doorstop, the latest to go. Young n talented Jamie Smith 37 not out. 122-6, need an unlikely 211 to win.
Moores goes for 8. Notts 80-6. Jack Shutt comes into the attack and Notts fans start to pack up their picnics. They now close the lids: Trego lbw to Shutt for 7, his first first-class wicket! 82-7
@tjaldred maybe Notts losing by 50 runs was me being optimistic....
— YummyBear (@Beardo7) August 11, 2020
Are Worcestershire going to stop batting? I’m confused. The Central group at the moment reads
Somerset 40
Worcs 29
Warwks 18
Northants 13
Glam 7
Gloucs 7
I guess they’re working on the assumption that Somerset will slip up at some point - but surely better to have two wins under the belt?
Hampshire beat Middlesex by three wickets
Hampshire 296 (Murtagh 4-61) and 161-7 (Weatherley 64 not out; Murtagh 3-42, Walallawita 3-28) beat Middlesex
252 and 201 (Gubbins 46, Organ 4-42) by three wickets
Suddenly Notts are in a mess - 62-5, Olivier and Patterson the chief slayers. Moores made his first 100 for two years in the first innings - perhaps he can do it again? Hampshire on the brink of victory.
A cake walk for Hampshire here - Barker takes a massive slog at Souter for four and Hampshire need only 12.
That Warwickshire position has become wobblier still after Ryan Higgins grabbed his third in an over. Alas, Ian Bell, for 0. Warwicks 4-3.
A Spin on the joys of not watching cricket, which should suit everyone BTL (in the days before live streams).
Woe the Bears - 4 for 2 post lunch. Clarke and Mullaney hanging on in there at Trent Bridge -138 to win, seven wickets left. Surrey immune to Simon Harmer after a morning flurry. All eyes to Hampshire, where the injured Liam Dawson won’t bat.
Lunchtime scores
Yorkshire 264 and 278 (Bairstow 75, Lyth 50) v Nottinghamshire 355 and 46-2. Nottinghamshire need 143 to win.
Essex 262 and 261 (Finch 4-38, Virdi 4-85) v Surrey 187 (Jacks 70, Harmer 6-67, Porter 4-53) and 86-3. Surrey need 251 to win.
Worcestershire 455 for 8 and 228-4 lead Glamorgan 374 (Root 118, Carlson 79, Leach 4-67) by 308
Hampshire 296 (Murtagh 4-61) and 131-7 need 27 runs to beat Middlesex 252 and 201 (Gubbins 46, Organ 4-42)
Gloucestershire 210 (Hannon-Dalby 6-33) and 275 (van Buuren 72, Higgins 51; Hannon-Dalby 6-77) v Warwickshire 247 (Lamb 65) and 0-0 Warwickshire need 239 to win.
Gloucestershire all out: a sensational 12 wickets in the game for Hannon-Dalby, six in each innings. Must be worth Warwicks going for the win - 238 runs in two sessions.
Ten wickets for Oliver Hannon-Dalby - will Warwicks try to chase 250-odd this afternoon. And another one down at Radlett, a third for Walallawita! Weatherley Hampshire’s only hope now, 40 not out. Seven down, 46 to win!
It turned out that Hass wasn’t pencilling this game into his 2025 autobiography after all. Caught by Bairstow for a 15 ball one. Apologies.
Gosh, I’d taken my eyes of Hampshire who are suddenly SIX DOWN. They still need 54 to win - batsmen Walallawita-ed and Murtagh-ed.
A doubting Notts member writes:
@tjaldred as a long suffering (well in recent years) Notts member my money is on Yorkshire winning by 56 runs. - we fold faster than Superman on laundry day when there is any pressure on us.
— YummyBear (@Beardo7) August 11, 2020
Chris Nash out already, lbw Olivier for 11. I hesitate to type this but, perhaps this is the match Hameed will talk about as the start of his triumphant comeback?
Some news to gladden your heart. Northants have announced that slow left-armer Simon Kerrigan has joined on a two year contract. Kerrigan, 31, played for Lancashire for 8 years before being released, and had played a integral part in Lancashire’s Championship triumph in 2012, before a disastrous call up to the Test team where he suffered from the yips, bowling long hops and full tosses as Shane Watson thrashed him for 53 in eight overs. He never really recovered. Hopefully this is the start of a new chapter for him.
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Ryan Patel plays a dogs-breakfast of a shot and Simon Harmer has his third. Tick. Tock.
From the guru:
Tim Murtagh is bowling beautifully this morning. Absolute pleasure to watch.
— mike selvey (@selvecricket) August 11, 2020
Aha! This should be fascinating. Yorkshire all out 278 leaving Notts 188 to win. Notts’ batting record has been so slurry and blindfold dreadful over the last 18 months or so that it is hard to believe they can win this but... there were signs of hope in the first innings. Where’s your money?
Good news from New Zealand, but the future seems so uncertain even there. My brother sent me at message this morning saying Auckland is going back into three days of lockdown after four new Covid cases
New Zealand Cricket confirms hosting Pakistan, Australia https://t.co/WZYG6V6LAn pic.twitter.com/zaaE9iHdot
— 24 News HD (@24NewsHD) August 11, 2020
Is this the beginning of the end? Borthwick c Wheater b Harmer 5. Surrey 35-2. If Essex aren’t victorious by tea, I’ll clean the bathroom in penance.
A slowish start to the morning except at Radlett in the one game likely to finish before lunch. That man Murtagh had Sam Northeast for 8. Hampshire 76 for 3 need another 82. Middlesex need Murtagh on a roll.
Oh and at Trent Bridge where Yorkshire are now eight down, Olivier a fourth for Chappell.
Ah and Jack Taylor to the unstoppable Hannon-Dalby, Gloucs 213-7 a lead of 176.
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I was lucky enough to interview Rachael Heyhoe Flint once. She was five foot and a smidge in her court heels, but a special combination of charming and formidable. I met her at Lord’s, and then we hopped in a taxi to the The House of Lords where she showed me around, took me to the canteen and bought me a kitkat. She knew all the names of the workers in the canteen and was chatting to them about their lives. I said my goodbyes and set off for home, only to realise that I’d left my ipad behind, a complete hoo-hah which somehow involved her phoning my land line where she had a great chat with my 12 year old daughter. At the time she was combining caring for her husband with her work in the Lords. A wonderful example of someone who never took no for an answer - what a legend.
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I didn’t have space to write about it in the round up but thought this was a lovely story from yesterday, when Essex paid tribute to lifelong member Peter Meggs, who died on Sunday.
The club flag was lowered to half mast, the players wore black armbands and two Essex tops hung on the boundary edge, one had his name printed on it and the other “bowling Napes” – Peter Meggs’ catchphrase when Graham Napier played for Essex. Rest in peace.
We are saddened to hear the news that lifelong Essex Member, Peter Meggs passed away today.
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) August 9, 2020
Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time 🙏#RIPPeter pic.twitter.com/USh81qe7M3
ECB announce Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
In an echo of the Bob Willis Trophy, the ECB have announced the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy - a month long 50-over tournament to start on the August bank holiday weekend. The eight teams from the new domestic structure will play six games each, in two groups of four. The two top teams will meet in a final on September 26.
North: Central Sparks, Lightning, Northern Diamonds, Thunder
South: South East Stars, Southern Vipers, Sunrisers, Western Storm
Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s son, Ben, said: “Mum has provided our family with so many reasons to be proud and we are grateful that her determination to give women’s cricket the platform it deserves continues to be recognised.
“We are honoured that this competition has been named after her, but I know mum would only have cared that female cricketers had yet another opportunity to play the game they love in difficult times, which is something she was very used to.”
Preamble
Good morning from a humid Manchester, where huge thunderstorms lit up whole streets late last night. This is the last day of the second round of the Bob Willis Trophy. Just five games left after yesterday’s victories by Kent, Derbyshire and Lancashire, and Somerset’ two-day triumph on Sunday.
The scores on the doors:
Yorkshire 264 and 259 for 7 (Bairstow 75, Lyth 50) lead Nottinghamshire 355 lead by 168 runs
Essex 262 and 261 (Finch 4-38, Virdi 4-85) lead Surrey 187 (Jacks 70, Harmer 6-67, Porter 4-53) and 27 for 1 by 310 runs
Worcestershire 455 for 8 and 98 for 2 lead Glamorgan 374 (Root 118, Carlson 79, Leach 4-67) trail by 179 runs
Hampshire 296 (Murtagh 4-61) and 60 for 2 need a further 98 to beat Middlesex 252 and 201 (Gubbins 46, Organ 4-42)
Gloucestershire 210 (Hannon-Dalby 6-33) and 197 for 6 (van Buuren 72, Higgins 51) lead Warwickshire 247 (Lamb 65) by 160 runs
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