Lizzy has news of wickets
We’ve had three wickets. Yes we really have. Steven Crook removed James Foster for 35 and then Napier had a waft and edged behind for one. Rob Keogh trapped Malik for two who got trapped playing no shot. Essex are 480 for eight – their highest second innings score since in may 2005 also here at Wantage Road.
The lead is 312 and if they wrap up the innings very quickly now, they’ll still need more than a run a ball to knock them off. They might have a go to start with but it’s a long shot.
Lizzy Ammon reports
133 runs were piled on this morning moving Essex’s lead to 265 and it’s pretty much killed off this game as a contest. Northamptonshire have dropped two slip catches including one to Stephen Peters which has done him some damage and he’s left the ground with the Northants physio.
When this one inevitably ends in a draw at 4.50, it will mean that all four home LVCC matches here at Wantage Road this season have ended in pretty dull draws. Not great is it?
Lizzy sends another update from Northampton
Both the Essex centurions have gone. Westley went to a steep rising delivery by Kleinveldt for 179 breaking the 258 run partnership. Jesse Ryder has just gone for 124 punching a back foot drive straight to Steve Peters at point. James Foster has had a very quiet season and he cut a lone figure before play standing on the crease going through some visualisation for about five minutes on his own. He’s joined Ten Doeschate at the crease.
Stone has just bowled a very good over getting Ryder and then having Foster in all sorts of trouble. The lead is 221.
Gloucestershire don’t appear to be rattling along at Bristol 68 from 35 overs. Chris Dent 25 from 104 balls.
Lizzy Ammon writes from Wantage Road
Jesse Ryder has brought up his 21st first-class century and it’s been a splendid one. Restrained when it’s needed to be but some expansive shots yesterday evening. It came from 202 balls and included 12 fours and one six. The new ball has been taken but it’s not really doing much. Nineteen runs have come off the first three overs of the day. I suspect that has set the tone for the day.
While I am on, just a quick plug for The Death of a Gentleman docu-film produced by Jarrod Kimber and Sam Collins, which was premiered in Sheffield on Monday. Have a look at the trailer below. It tells the story of those in cricket who hold the power and how greed is leading to contraction of the game.
Lizzy Ammon sets up the day
Good morning. Welcome to the county blog. I’m sailing the ship alone today as Richard and Will’s matches finished yesterday. As did three of the other seven matches this round.
So it’s just us at Wantage Road and the Gloucestershire versus Lancashire match at Bristol still on going.
Here at Wantage Road, a superb unbeaten 164 by Essex’s Tom Westley has dragged his side firmly back into this match. Essex will resume this morning three down leading by 132. If Northants can break this partnership, Essex have a notoriously long tail this season so we might have a run chase on our hands later. The pitch is flat flat flat though so my money’s on a 4.50pm shaking of hands.
At Bristol, Gloucestershire need another 225 with nine wickets remaining to beat division leaders Lancashire.
Last night on TMS, Alec Stewart was bemoaning the state of pitches in the county championship saying that they don’t prepare anyone for international cricket. Perhaps so but do spectators really want to watch the sort of dull run fests that go on at the Oval? County Cricket isn’t just about developing players for England, it’s also about winning trophies and entertaining the spectators and I wonder if sometimes people forget that.
Morning all
Today we have Lizzy Ammon at Wantage Road for Northamptonshire v Essex. Here are the reports from yesterday’s play:
Northamptonshire v Essex
Tom Westley climbs into Northants to turn game on its head
A cold and cloudy day in Northampton saw Essex drag themselves firmly back into this match thanks in the most part to Tom Westley’s unbeaten 164. The Cambridge born right-handed batsman has come through the Essex ranks and looked a cut above any of his county team-mates in this match. The 26-year-old consistently found the middle of the bat playing an array of firm but elegant drives and delicate cut shots, displaying nimble footwork at the crease.
Yorkshire v Middlesex
Yorkshire knock Middlesex off top after doling out first defeat of season
The champions Yorkshire inflicted a first defeat on the previous Division One leaders Middlesex although they were made to sweat for their reward on a pitch laced with mischief. Ultimately, it took a 71-run alliance between their England Test batsmen Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance – the highest of the contest – to snap the back of a testing chase because for extended periods of this match, Middlesex – the last team to defeat Yorkshire in Championship cricket when they mastered a 471-run chase at Lord’s last April – threatened to repeat the dose and inflict only a fourth loss in Jason Gillespie’s four seasons as coach.
Sussex v Hampshire
Fidel Edwards helps Hampshire beat Sussex
Hampshire have their maiden win of the 2015 season – and in some style. They entered the day a single run behind, with five Sussex wickets to take and, either side of a 120-run stand between Luke Wright and Ben Brown, were utterly clinical. The nightwatchman went in a flash, then after the resistance the tricky wicket brought the final three and the 126 required was knocked off without fuss. The season remains young but a win – their first in Sussex in nine attempts – removes Hampshire from Division One’s foot to the relative heights of sixth.
Enjoy the cricket
Updated
