Stoneman steadies Surrey's title hunt
The briskness of September is in the air, but with five rounds yet to play the County Championship has a trick or two up its sleeve.
All eyes turned to the Oval where Surrey, 32 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Somerset, have a chance this week of blowing the dust from their celebration livery. The leaders were in trouble against Nottinghamshire at 36 for three, but an unbeaten 99 from Mark Stoneman in partnership with Ben Foakes and Will Jacks steadied them.
Somerset were well placed at Headingley, finishing on 374 for eight, with James Hildreth, Azhar Ali and Steven Davies all out in the eighties. Yorkshire’s Jack Brooks, who will join Somerset next year, took four for 103.
At Southport, where 1800 turned out to experience the infamous local micro-climate, bottom club Lancashire faced second bottom, Worcestershire. Tom Bailey took four for 41 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 222 just after tea – resistance coming mostly from the captain, Brett D’Oliveria, who made 65. Lancashire’s reply was direct in its shock value, four for two after two overs, with both Haseeb Hameed and Rob Jones out for ducks to Josh Tongue. Alex Davies and Dane Vilas led a recovery before Vilas was cruelly run out thanks to the bowler Tongue hot-stepping a Davies drive into the stumps. Two balls later Davies was lbw for 47. Lancashire closed on 96 for five. Play was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Chelmsford.
In Division Two, 62 wickets fell in the day. There were five for Mohammad Abbas as Gloucestershire were dismissed for 202; Leicestershire 11 for one in reply. At Lord’s Middlesex made a total of 169 as Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer took three wickets each. Sussex were 120 for six at the close. Durham collapsed to 129 all out at Chester-le-Street before 60 from Alex Wakely gave Northamptonshire a 60-run lead. An unbeaten 53 from Craig Meschede helped Glamorgan limp to 203 against the leaders Warwickshire, who finished 116 for three with Ian Bell 43 not out. But Kent were playing in a different universe – 365 for six against Derbyshire, with Zak Crawley falling agonisingly close to a first Championship century and Joe Denly making 106. Tanya Aldred
It’s flipping cold in this tent but now the wifi works perfectly. Not a great day for Lancashire in the relegation battle, but a cracking one for Somerset and Surrey dug themselves out of the mire in true Champions-in-waiting style. Like to have seen Kent playing today, real shame for Crawley, and fingers crossed for another Bell beauty at Colwyn Bay. There was something in the water at Bristol, Lord’s and Chester-le-Street. Don’t drink it. Have a lovely evening everyone and see you tomorrow.
Ah, shucks, that was incredibly unlucky. Vilas run out for 18, after Davies drilled the ball back and the bowler Josh Tongue did a little quick-step-of-intent and knocked the ball into the stumps. Lancashire 81/4 after a cracking little partnership between Davies and Vilas and oh gosh a wicket two balls later. Davies lbw for 47. Lancashire 85/5.
Kentish thoughts from Dean Kinsella: “Kent going about things in a more traditional way today. They’ve mostly been skittled in the first innings this year and somehow contrived to win it in the second effort.”
The bell tolls for Croft, out for 14. A good catch at third slip by Twohig off Parnell. Lancashire 27/3.
Ok DIV-2: and by the way Croft and Davies hoping to hit themselves out of trouble here, and doing pretty well.
Middx 169 all out; Sussex 45/1. Gloucestershire 169/5. Bracey 75 not out. OOOHH, it’s Bell and Trott at Colwyn Bay, Warwicks 53/2, Glam 203 all out. Northants already have the lead at Chester-le-Street : 144/2, Wakely 47 not out. And Kent are batting on another plane: 313/4. Denly 106.
Hmmm, a few technical hiccups here - will do a very brief round up while hoping wifi works at some point - DIV 1: a fifty for Davies, Somerset 280/5. At The Oval, Stoneman a hard-working 74, Surrey 186/4. Lancs -up 8/2; Tongue 2-4. Worcestershire 222 all out. No play at Chelmsford.
Lots of encouragement for Worcestershire’s bowlers from the slip cordon. Has the story of the day been written yet? I don’t think so though I’m not telling Glen Chapple who has plonked down onto a fold-up chair just outside the press tent. Eeek. As if on cue... Lancashire 2/1. Hameed out first ball.
And as I desperately wait for the wifi to work so I can turn Gloucestershire into Worcestershire in the previous post, Lancs lose another, in the same over, almost identically: Jones for a duck.
Lots of encouragement for Gloucestershire’s bowlers from the slip cordon. Has the story of the day been written yet? I don’t think so though I’m not telling Glen Chapple who has plonked down onto a fold-up chair just outside the press tent. Eeek. As if on cue... Lancashire 2/1. Hameed out first ball.
A super catch by Vilas to dismiss Tongue for 17. Worcestershire now 215/9 - and that’s four wickets for Tom Bailey. On what is usually a spinner’s paradise! And Middlesex are all out for 169, with three wickets apiece for Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan.
A huge welcome from ATL, and I’m sure BTL, to Ceri Davies, here at Southport with @MobilooUK and providing accessible loos for wheelchair users & others
https://twitter.com/welshmanupnorth/status/1034822740996513793
@tjaldred Pls give a shout out on your thread. I’m here with @MobilooUK providing a fully accessible toilet facility for wheelchair users & others with disabilities & it’s been busy (Ps I can trump your Double Decker and shandy! I was invited into the Pavilion for a hot meal!) 😎 pic.twitter.com/586znK0wOs
— Ceri Davies (@welshmanupnorth) August 29, 2018
There’s a heavy dose of nostalgia in the air today. A lovely email from Patrick Blewer:
“Reading the graun blog has got me misty eyed. Just realised that it’s my 30th anniversary as a Surrey / county cricket fan. Saw Sylvester destroy Lancashire as an early birthday treat in 1988. Match figs of 10-90 against a pretty good lancs team. He was AWESOME. Really fast and nasty, could hardly pick it up.
Sausage sandwich with the old man in a café that no longer exists pre game. Was great. I was hooked. Some pretty good players on the pitch that morning
http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1988/ENG_LOCAL/CC/SURREY_LANCS_CC_25-27AUG1988.html
Tea: DIVISION ONE
Southport: Lancashire v Worcestershire. Worcestershire 199/8 (D’Oliveria 65; Bailey 3-31)
Chelmsford: Essex v Hampshire. No play today.
The Oval: Surrey v Nottinghamshire. Surrey 138/4 (Stoneman 58 not out)
Headingley: Yorkshire v Somerset. Somerset 2045/4 (Hildreth 81; Azhar 82 not out)
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derby v Kent. Kent 260/2 (Crawley 96, Denly 101 not out)
Chester-le-Street: Durham v Northamptonshire. Durham 129 (Procter 5-33, Sanderson 3-46) Northants 63/2
Colwyn Bay: Glamorgan v Warwickshire. Glamorgan 203 (Meschede 53 not out; Stone 4-28)
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Leicestershire. Gloucestershire 149/3
Lord’s: Middlesex v Sussex. Middlesex 156/8 (Holden 47 not out; Jordan 3-26)
Updated
Commiserations to anyone who’d planned a summer day at Chelmsford:
RAIN CHECK: Supporters who have purchased a ticket for today's game can redeem a rain check voucher from the Membership & Ticketing office to use at a future Specsavers County Championship game. #ESSvHAM
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) August 29, 2018
Azhar Ali making the Yorkies toil at Headingley, 77 not out from 199/4 and an unbeaten fifty for Stoneman at Surrey, one of what now seems more than a handful of possibly-nearly-not yet-not-quite-England men dancing around the edges of county cricket. Tea scores to follow.
This may have been mentioned btl earlier but for those who have just joined us, a timely nudge from Michael Keane.
“If anyone’s interested, the BBC is showing live international cricket between two Test nations being played in the UK! Who knows when this last happened?
“If any live blog followers are interested, Ireland are going quite well in chasing Afghanistan’s 183.”
With runs drying up in the Southport micro-climate, another wicket for Lancashire. Twohig c Vilas b Lester 1. Worcestershire 193/8.
Some reminising from Gary Naylor
“Memories of Southport: 1. Running out of beer at 2pm on the day Charles and Di were married (a 100% male crowd). 2. Ken McEwan hitting a century before lunch, each boundary pinging off the bat with”that” sound. 3. U-19s match: 202-0d vs 154-6 and I got a first baller.”
That’s you and Barneyrubblesbubbles btl Gary in 1981. I was waving at the Royal Train at Walton-on-Thames station.
Bailey extends his lead at the top of the Div 1 leading wicket-takers’ table
WICKET WATCH Lovely delivery by @TomBaildog bowls Parnell for 4. Worcs 183/7 #LANvWOR pic.twitter.com/43RWKah2bJ
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) August 29, 2018
Spiffing! A Boys’ Own wicket for Tom Bailey. Bails flying off as if popped by a cork-gun, as Parnell seems to play down the wrong line, out for 4. Worcs now officially struggling at 183/7.
Thought I couldn’t trump double-decker and coffee? Think again. The steward has just delivered a round of drinks to the press tent, half a bitter shandy, thank you, in late-summer sunshine. This doesn’t happen at Old Trafford.
Ah, Test update: Pope not released for Surrey till tomorrow in case of injury to anyone overnight.
Middlesex now 110 for 6, Harris a second wicket for Robinson, for a duck. Gloucestershire pottering along to 97/3, Bracey and Roderick holding the fort. Glamorgan resistance crumbling, Stone 4-21. Denly inching towards that still-elusive first century of the day at Kent, 78 not out. And, this minute, a breakthrough for Lancashire, D’Oliveria c Croft, b Bailey for 65.
And a special OBO award for onset-of-middle-age-due-care-and-attention to Eoin Morgan, out for 6 off 78 balls at Lord’s - something to do with the beer festival?
And a fine half-century for D’Oliveria, off 95 balls, 7 x 4. Nothing flashy, just sensible plugging away, though a possible chance flew past the hands of gully when he was on 29.
England have a bloke batting at three who likes to bat four, a bloke batting four who likes to bat five, a bloke batting five who likes to bat six, a bloke batting six who was picked as a specialist no 7 and a no 7 who scored 219 last week batting at no 3 https://t.co/MIsBZOGFKB
— Nick Hoult (@NHoultCricket) August 29, 2018
I didn’t mean, I really didn’t mean, to jinx Zak Crawley. Not a 20-year old. Not that close to his first f-c century. Anyway, ho-hum,out for 96, Kent 175/2. Glamorgan rallying, you hear, 142 for 6, unbroken partnership of 24 between Meschede and Cooke. I think I missed it somehow, but I presume Khawaja has gone for good?
And with a slam of the text book, Durham are all out for 129. Five wickets for Procter. And another wicket here, Worcestershire 139 for 5, Cox a touch unlucky to be lbw to Onions for 14.
Updated
In Division Two: Durham nearly down and out, 129/9 - Procter 4/33. And Kent’s Crawley inching towards the first century of the round at Derby. By the way did anyone see the best 50 young players in the world in Wisden Cricket Monthly? Hass, Joe Clarke, Harry Brook and both Currans in it from memory.
Just overheard Paul Edwards calling the cottage pie in the back “decent scran.” Never heard that growing up in the soft underbelly of Surrey.
Updated
Cripes, Surrey in trouble at 36 for 3, Burns, Elgar and Foakes all gone. Hurry young Pope! Hildreth 76 not out as Somerset consolidate (136/2). Still no play at Chelmsford
As said BTL, England have released young Pope – who can feel rightfully aggrieved –(hoping to get to Surrey by tea) and Woakes (out with an injury), as well as Vince. They go in to the Test with Moeen batting 7, Curran batting 8, Buttler with the gloves and a hobbled-Baristow at 4. Interesting.
No wickets have fallen after lunch here at sunny Southport where the seagulls’ cries roll in with the breeze. Durham tumble onwards – 122/8.
Sorry again about the lack of updates, iffy wifi here at times. Just been reminded that Maharaj has a lot to do to beat Murali’s first match here, and his first bowl for Lancashire, in1989. He took 14 wickets, yet Lancashire still managed to lose...
Scores on the doors - with apologies to Durham-watchers
DIVISION ONE
Southport: Lancashire v Worcestershire. Worcestershire 98/4
Chelmsford: Essex v Hampshire. No play before lunch.
The Oval: Surrey v Nottinghamshire. Surrey 29/1
Headingley: Yorkshire v Somerset. Somerset 105/2 (Azhar 41 not out; Hildreth 55 not out)
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derby v Kent. Kent 131-1 (Crawley 76 not out, Denly 47 not out)
Chester-le-Street: Durham v Northamptonshire. Durham 102/7 (Sanderson 33, Procter 3-19)
Colwyn Bay: Glamorgan v Warwickshire. Glamorgan 101-4
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Leicestershire. Gloucestershire 56/3 (Abbas 2-10)
Lord’s: Middlesex v Sussex. Middlesex 68/4 (Wiese 2-11)
Updated
Lovely scenes at lunch
Never stop doing this cricket. Lunch @SNBCC pic.twitter.com/k9nI1KLT4z
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) August 29, 2018
Yet, from the other end it is brute force that does the job! On the stroke of lunch Clarke b Clark for 36, Worcestershire 98 for 4 and a good morning for Lancs. Further lunch scores to follow.
Just borrowed some binoculars and watched Maharaj for an over - what a treat. He’s all long arms and legs, slender as a grass, twitching at his long sleeves between balls, applauding with very correct hands a smooth piece of fielding by Hass in front of the pavilion.
First fifty of the round to Zak Crawley, 79 not out, as Kent zip past 100 at The County Ground. Middlesex having a dog’s-breakfast of a morning in their promotion battle at Lord’s 46/3.
And 1000 runs to Rory Burns! Bravo that man. Next cab on the rank and all that. Here, under almost-blazing Lancashire sunshine Maharaj comes on to bowl from the Harrod End and is cut first ball for four by D’Oliveria.
Is it just me or is there a hint of clock-watching desperation in this tweet from Yorkshire? Oh, Durham, not another one - 60/4, Lees for 25. Apologies, btw, for the slight sluggishness in posts, the wifi has intermittent snoozes.
James Vince has been released by England.
Hey Maharaj! A nifty run-out from mid-wicket by the newbie, Milton gone for a duck. Worcestershire 65/3.
The rain has abated at The Oval - Burns and Stoneman march out dominant tread after dominant tread. No play before lunch at Chelmsford and Glamorgan and Durham both now 3 down.
That thud echoed around Southport: Fell lbw Bailey for 11, another victim for the leading wicket-taker in Div 1, Tom Bailey. Worcestershire 55/2. And the SUN has appeared.
And a very last thought on Final’s day, a super piece from Gary Naylor:
Ticket queues at Taunton for Blast Finals day, with just 500 tickets allocated to the finalists
Lots of members queuing for #BlastFinalsDay Tickets here @SomersetCCC. Been here since 8.30. pic.twitter.com/iOGVgbIuEf
— Jamie Jewell DTO (@Jamie_Jewell) August 29, 2018
A pre-Test snifter
Yikes Durham. 16/2, a second for Sanderson, Harte for 6. Somerset 36/2- Trescothick for 4, Byrom for 1. A wicket at Colwyn Bay - Selman for a 14 ball duck, and Kent whizzing along with Zak Crawley 42 not out.
A query from Barcelona airport where Finbar Anslow writes...
“Good morning! I have a question about the T20 finals; it seems unfair that the second semi final is so close, timewise, to the final; surely this is an advantage to the winners of the first semi, any statistics on this?”
Anecdotally I’m told that when Warwickshire won the morning match a few years ago Ian Bell had time to have a round of golf at Edgbaston golf club before coming back for the final, but I think.... and I’ve got to check this...feel free to get there before me....that the stats are pretty even.
And a WICKET at Southport: Mitchell out for 9, caught behind after being dropped on 5. Worcestershire 20/1
Updated
This is what the ECB are searching for - innovation and sustainability from Lancashire’s Ken Grime as the sun threatens a brief appearance.
Innovation, Lancs style pic.twitter.com/2ZE8QgHgby
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) August 29, 2018
And early wickets at The County Ground, where Kent are 21/1, Dickson lbw to Viljoen for four, and Chester-le-Street where Durham are 6/1, Steel out for 2.
Can anyone trump my double-decker and coffee elevenses? I doubt it. Very good americano from the re-ferbed Citroen van at the far end, should anyone be popping down to Southport later.
And starts delayed by rain at The Oval, Chelmsford, Lord’s and Colywn Bay.
If you’re deliberating then yes, bring the thermos
View from the conmentary box* at Southport.
— Charlie Taylor (@CharlieTaylor4) August 29, 2018
*trestle table
Big game as bottom plays second bottom. #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/LpufjJy8mJ
Here Worcester have won the toss and will bat. That decision and Lancashire’s selection has left the locals scratching their heads...
Davies, Hameed, Jones, Vilas (c), Croft, Clark, Bohannon, Maharaj, Bailey, Onions, Lester.
— Luke Adams (@chronicleladams) August 29, 2018
Shocked not to see Parkinson. Always turns at Southport.
- having picked three spinners in their 14, Lancs have left out Parkinson and Parry (and Chanderpaul). Worcestershire on the other hand have picked their left-armer twirly-man Twohig
Updated
Good morning from Southport, so lovely to be back - it’s been a while. Heatwave long in the memory, new-term stationery lusted over and bought, Northern Rail chugger stop-starting through verdant Lancashire flat-lands on a damp late-August Wednesday. But what’s this? Still five rounds left in the Championship, and centre-stage at last for the proud old thing, save for the Blast finals on September 15 (FYI: Lancashire Lightning v Worcestershire Rapids 11am; Somerset v Sussex Sharks 230pm; Final 645pm, brrrrrr)
And so to the next four days. All heads turn to The Oval where Championship favourites Surrey, who have a whopping 32-point lead at the top of Division One, entertain Nottinghamshire. Current silver-medallists Somerset are away at Headingley, where Yorkshire find themselves in relegation danger after that thrashing by Worcestershire at Scarborough, and there’s a wooden-spoon face-off here at bonny Southport where Lancashire and Worcestershire fight it out for oxygen. In a not-at-all-a-panic-measure, Lancashire have just signed South African spinner Keshav Maharaj (22 Tests, 90 wickets @ 27.65) – to join their burgeoning clan of twirlers -till the end of the season
In Division Two, in-the-doldrums Glamorgan at least have the lovely Colwyn Bay to keep them chipper, though they must entertain leaders Warwickshire. In the chasing pack, Middlesex and Sussex battle at Lord’s – which is co-currently hosting a beer and cider festival.
DIVISION ONE
Southport: Lancashire v Worcestershire
The last draw here was in 1989, and both sides are desperate for points. Worcestershire moved off the bottom after their win against Yorkshire and Lancashire replaced them after the six-run defeat thriller against Surrey – a game which the Worcestershire team watched on the team coach on the way back from Scarborough. Maharaj makes his debut on a Southport pitch which often helps spinners. Moeen Ali may join Worcester on the second day if not needed by England
Chelmsford: Essex v Hampshire
Both sides are safeish… but a win will bring precious ballast. Hampshire are without James Vince, wanted by England, and Dalye Steyn, who injured his groin in the win against Nottinghamshire.
The Oval: Surrey v Nottinghamshire
Surrey can almost pocket the title this week if they win and Somerset lose against Yorkshire . Tom Curran makes his first Championship appearance of an injury-interrupted season, replacing younger brother Sam if he plays in the Test. Jade Dernbach is out with an injured groin muscle sustained during the nail-biting win against Lancashire. South African Test opener Dean Elgar returns for his second spell as overseas player this season and Gareth Batty could make his first Championship appearance of the year alongside Amar Virdi. Notts, not-so-fresh from the Blast quarter final defeat at Taunton, are still missing Chris Nash – but Ben Slater, their recent signing from Derbyshire, could make his debut.
Headingley: Yorkshire v Somerset
Yorkshire are still missing Steven Patterson and Ben Coad, but Mat Pillans, who recently signed from Surrey, could make his debut, and Kane Williamson is available for his last appearance of the season. Jack Brooks is in the squad to play the team he will join next season. Somerset are buoyant after last week’s Jack Leach-inspired victory over Essex kept them in the race.
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derby v Kent
Third-placed Kent’s chase for promotion is boosted by the return of New Zealander Matt Henry, fabulous in early-season. Derbyshire have made a loan signing of Tom Lace, a young opener from Middlesex, after losing Ben Slater to Nottinghamshire, with Luis Reece out with long-term injury.
Chester-le-Street: Durham v Northamptonshire
Durham earned their third win of the season last week against Glamorgan in Cardiff, ; Mark Wood will continue in their seam attack. Northants, who somehow managed to lose to Middlesex after enforcing the follow-on last week, are without Ben Duckett with a broken finger
Colwyn Bay: Glamorgan v Warwickshire
The first and only time top-of-the-table Warwickshire have travelled to Colywn Bay they won, with a youthful Jonathan Trott scoring a hundred. Not quite the precedent Glamorgan want after their sixth defeat out of nine to Durham last week left them 14 points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Leicestershire
Leicester hope to have Zak Chappell and Neil Dexter back in the side in their guise as unexpected promotion candidates. Gloucestershire are expected to give a home debut to Ben Charlesworth, a 17-year-old opener who played for England Under-19s this summer.
Lord’s: Middlesex v Sussex
Middlesex hope to capitalise on their unlikely win against Northampton last week, but it is Sussex who are in the box seat - currently second 39 points ahead of Middlesex. Luke Wright returns to their Championship squad after missing last week’s win against Derbyshire.
Your tables here: Division One
What will this look like after the next round of matches? pic.twitter.com/sLEUipxtwW
— County Championship (@CountyChamp) August 27, 2018
Division Two
Who gets promoted? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jStxsiCkbS
— County Championship (@CountyChamp) August 28, 2018
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