That's all folks!
Well another round down. Two left. Congrats to Essex on topping the table! Attention turns to the bottom of Div 1 and top of Div 2 now. Eight days of cricket left, and plenty to play for. I’ll be back on Tuesday to take you all through it. Do join me. Results:
Division One:
- The Champions Essex beat Warwickshire by an innings and 57 runs
- Somerset beat Lancashire by 7 wickets
- Surrey drew with Yorkshire
- Middlesex drew with Hampshire
Division Two:
- The leaders Worcestershire beat Leicestershire by 6 wickets
- Northants beat Glamorgan by 7 wickets
- Kent drew with Gloucestershire
- Derbyshire beat Sussex by 45 runs
The tables are here, by the way. Until next time!
All over at Hove! Podmore gets Wiese and Derbyshire win by 45 runs!
55 required...
Wicket! Podmore gets Garton, and Sussex are nine down. But it also ruins Hardus Nails’ 10!
George Garton goes 6, 4 off Podmore and Sussex need 58 to win...
Sussex probably aren’t going to chase 390. It’s all on Wiese now, at 319 for eight.
All eight have fallen to Hardus Viljoen, who took seven in the first innings! 15 in the game!
The Division One table is an extraordinary thing right now.
Surrey are third, but are only 13 points above relegation. Hampshire are a point below them. The main stoush is between Middlesex (123), Yorkshire (124), and Somerset (123).
Right, I’m back. Match drawn at Bristol! Kent 12, Gloucestershire 11. The end of Kent’s promotion hopes, you’d have to think
Be back shortly.
Surrey get 12 points, Yorkshire – who are a point above the relegation zone – 10.
Match drawn here, as the players head through to shake hands. Whoop!
Covers going on. This match is a draw, whether they announce it now or in 15 minutes.
Sussex six down now! Wright gone for 80 and it’s over to the tail... Viljoen has 13 in the match. 118 to win, four in hand.
I suspect the aim of the game here is to wait until 4.20 and then call it off. The light is fine!
Brown gone first ball! Nails’ 12th of the match. Decent effort, that. Five in hand, 119 required.
Sussex have lost a wicket, and still need 123. Van Zyl gone, for 85. Wright still there on 76, with Ben Brown. 30 overs left.
Match drawn at Uxbridge! Thank the lord. Nine points for Middlesex, eight for Hampshire. On games won, Middlesex are in the relegation zone.
One point will separate Yorkshire (124), Somerset (123), and Middlesex (123). Anyone remember where we were a year ago?
Quite literally the only reason I want the players to return here at the Oval is because I made G.Ballance the captain of my fantasy team this morning and there are easy runs to be had. But I’m more than happy to sacrifice them in order for Yorkshire to hit the road and avoid the worst of the traffic.
Off for bad light! Oh no, said no one.
Lights are on at the Oval, but they may as well save on the electricity bills and call the game off.
Rain at Uxbridge! What a shock.
Northamptonshire beat Glamorgan by seven wickets! That didn’t take long. They take 22 points. They are third, but 29 points behind Notts.
Finish them!
NEW BALL : We're underway after tea, and @kentcricket take the 2nd new ball straight away. @Gloscricket 233-7, lead by 232. pic.twitter.com/i1UB4cEqYN
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) September 15, 2017
Well the final session of this match is about to start. The umpires are on their way out to the middle, but they’ve no players with them yet. Bit dark, so maybe it’s just an inspection?Oh no, here come the players. Or should that be: Oh no! Here come the players.
Northants need nine to win when play resumes at 3.30 in Cardiff.
The baton has been handed over...
Congrats @rtendo27 and @EssexCricket on becoming County Champions. Enjoy the celebrations
— James Franklin (@jecfranklin) September 15, 2017
Worcestershire beat Leicestershire by 6 wickets!
Ashwin hits the winnings runs, and Worcestershire have bagged a maximum point win! They are top of Division Two by nine points, having played a game more than second-placed Notts.
Worcestershire have lost Joe Clarke but require just eight for a big victory. Impressive one too, given they conceded 404 in the first innings of the match!
Tea at Bristol too, where a draw looks likely. Be fun if Glosters dangled the carrot, because Kent would go for it. 41 overs in the game, Glosters’ lead is 232.
Tea! Wahoo. When we return, I think we will have to play for 50 minutes before hands can be shaken. Yorkshire 277 for two.
An over until tea here. Ballance has zipped his way to 23.
Unlucky
Oh no! Is there a more unfortunate way to get be dismissed?! 🙈https://t.co/R5CKzsExd6 pic.twitter.com/OjTLlNfDeL
— County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 15, 2017
Sussex need their runs at about four an over, with seven wickets in hand. Wow. 165 required.
Worcestershire need 29 runs to go top of Division Two...
Inspection at 3pm at Cardiff.
Tea at Uxbridge! Edwards bowled by Finn and Hampshire are all out for 146. 58 behind.
Surrey have taken the new ball.
Good news for Northants. Half an hour until tea here. I can’t wait, because it’ll be 20 minutes’ relief from this pitch.
UPDATE// It has stopped raining in Cardiff but early tea has been taken while the mopping up operations begin #GLAvNOR
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) September 15, 2017
Are Sussex having a look? They are 192 for three, needing 198 from 47 overs. Would be a mental, monumental chase.
Fell falls to Raine and the Woosters are three down needing 63 more against the Lesters.
It is quite a funny rain delay. Northants will still win.
@willis_macp apologies to all TMN fans. You don't deserve This rain delay in Cardiff
— Chris Drew (@mesnilman) September 15, 2017
Hampshire nine down. FULL BOWLING POINTS FOR MIDDLESEX. They and Somerset will be level on points (but Somerset above because they have won more games).
How embarrassing for Alex Lees! He is actually out! Not before scoring 102 runs though. He’s been bowled by van den Bergh, trying to cut I reckon. Gary Ballance MARCHES OUT. Yorkshire 239 for two, and There are around about 110 minutes until this game can mercifully be put out of its misery.
And 100 for Alex Lees! He gets there with a cut too, off van den Bergh for three. 198 balls, 14 fours.
Updated
100 for Shaun Marsh! Gets there with a lovely deft late cut off Meaker. That’s his 15th four, from his 226th ball. Yorkshire 223 for one.
Updated
Kent can still win at Bristol, can’t they? Glos 201 for six, but a man down. 55 overs in the game. The lead is 200.
A big old uh oh for Northants....
Very heavy rain arrives with just 10 needed to win #bbccricket
— Alex Winter (@_alexwinter) September 15, 2017
And they are back on at New Road.
Oooohhh a rain delay at New Road with Worcestershire 81 from victory.
Felix Organ is out!
Oh, no! Felix Organ, the newly-crowned best-named man in county cricket, goes to Harris. Hampshire are 101 for seven, still 103 behind. Middlesex couldn’t get among them could they?
Oi oi Parky.
The Worcs 50 is up but the next ball Mitchell is bowled for 34 to give Parkinson a 10-for in the game
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) September 15, 2017
At best, Kent are going to have quite a big chase to pull off in quite a short time.
Bancroft lbw b Milne 72. Glos 186-5 with only 10 batsman: https://t.co/XSUzm1Z6Sj pic.twitter.com/X5FCUWBzBf
— Kent Cricket 🏏 (@kentcricket) September 15, 2017
Hardus Nails has three, and Sussex are 147 for three in the unlikely pursuit of 390.
Lol
Groundsman has produced another result wicket at the Oval I see.... https://t.co/eBdrCztb2q
— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) September 15, 2017
Two bowling points for Middlesex! Big. 92 for six, Finn gets Dickinson.
And Yorkshire lead. Draw, incoming.
Sack that, Marsh moves to 91 with a rather nice cut.
Both batsmen on 87 here, and that’s about as interesting as its been all day.
Worcestershire are one down in pursuit of about 120 against Leicestershire. Cal Parkinson gets his ninth of the match, B-Dolly.
He might have played with intent, but he is out. Middlesex a wicket away from a second bowling point. Most importantly, Felix Organ is still there.
WICKET: Holland (23) has played with intent, but is bowled by Harris in the first ball of his spell - 89-5. 🌹& 👑
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) September 15, 2017
As Shaun Marsh gets tucked into Ryan Patel, Yorkshire are nearly in the lead!
61 required for Northants as Kerrigan goes for a career-best 62. Great effort, they are just three down.
Hampshire 46 for four! Finn gets Ervine.
Essex’s social media is on point.
🏆 | When everyone says you are going to get relegated but you win the title. #25YearsOn pic.twitter.com/uh3wQU5daD
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 15, 2017
Felix Organ is batting for Hampshire, and I am happy about this.
Here come cricketers at the Oval.
Lunchtime reading!
Lunch! Scores on the doors
A wicketless first session at the Oval. Boring. Yorkshire are doing well though and are now just 42 behind Surrey. Here’s where we are:
Division One:
- Somerset beat Lancashire by 7 wickets!
- Yorkshire 394 & 156-1 v Surrey 592
- Hampshire 46-3 v Middlesex 204
Division Two:
- Sussex 271 & 110-1 v Derbyshire 338 & 322-8d
- Northants 310 & 149-2 v Glamorgan 207 & 320
- Worcestershire 493 & 4-0 v Leicestershire 404 & 220
- Gloucestershire 385 & 156-4 v Kent 386
Enjoy your sarnies, particularly you Essexites...
Updated
Middlesex have a bowling point! Good morning for them so far.
Hampshire two down! Helm gets Weatherley. Seven wickets required...
So Middlesex really need wickets. Eight of them, for three bowling points. Hampshire currently 46 for one. If Middlesex do get three bowling points, they will leave Uxbridge with nine points, which takes them level with Somerset on 123...
That game at Taunton in the final week is huge! Before then there are two big’uns in London. Middlesex v Lancashire at Lord’s, and Surrey v Somerset at the Oval. Let’s hope the weather plays ball next week.
Leicestershire 220 all out! Worcestershire need 132 to win. Ashwin with the final wicket, his third!
This bloke is a great man.
For Doug Insole, everyone involved at our great club and all past players and coaches. Thanks for all your support. #eagles
— Ryan ten Doeschate (@rtendo27) September 15, 2017
Ignoring the situation at the top, that is an enormous win for Somerset. They take 22 points from it, and are above both Yorkshire and Middlesex (for now), who are ambling towards draws...
50 for Alex Lees at the Oval, where there’s still nothing happening... Yorkshire 73 behind.
Leicestershire have lost a wicket at New Road... Brown gets Chappell and Leicestershire’s lead is 125 with two wickets in hand.
Somerset beat Lancashire by 7 wickets! Essex are champions!
Bartlett smacks Parky for six. Three to win. Down the other end, Abell hitsParry for four and that is that! Ploughed through the legside!
Somerset have won their last two, but more importantly ESSEX ARE THE COUNTY CHAMPIONS!
Somerset need three to win!
Kent still haven’t worked out how to get Cam Bancroft out...
Umpire Warren turns down big lbw appeal by Haggett against Bancroft. Glos 119-3, lead by 118 pic.twitter.com/7a1No2wf2M
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) September 15, 2017
Updated
And now Newton gone! Northants two down...
Northants are just one down and need 93 more to beat Glamorgan...
15 to win...
Love that delayed reaction!
#WicketWatch: Great catch from @HaseebHameed97! Somerset are 49/3. pic.twitter.com/x4BT2j7uDn
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) September 15, 2017
Middlesex have a wicket! Helm gets Adams. They want eight more. That would mean they take nine points from the match.
Abell survives the hat-trick ball, with a tidy flick to leg for three... 19 needed...
Another wicket! Parkinson gets Hildreth first ball! Caight by Hameed close in. They can’t can they? He’s on a hat-trick...
Parkinson has got Trescothick out now! Looks like he’s swept him hard to square-leg or midwicket. Ball before went for six and Somerset need just 21...
Tom Helm and Steven Finn with the new ball for Middlesex; a rarity for both.
Somerset are halfway there...
50 for Shaun Marsh! His second of the match. Both these sides are interested in him next year. Audition.
Spin from both ends at Taunton. Tres pushes Parry’s first ball away for one, and it’s 26 for one after 5.1. 42 required...
Play to resume at New Road with three overs lost. Leicestershire are effectively 85 for three...
Tres sweeps Parkinson and, thanks to some ropey fielding, that’s four! 24 for one, 44 required.
Rain at Worcester...
Middlesex 204 all out! They really want three bowling points today. Really want it.
Wicket! Parkinson has bowled Lord Byrom with a loop leggie that might just have taken the inside edge... 19 for one, 49 still needed.
With Somerset 19 without loss, Lancashire turn to Matt Parkinson...
After a couple of slightly ropey overs from Mason Crane, Middlesex have a batting point!
Now Tres is in on the act! He cuts Jarvis and Somerset are 19 for none...
There are some very angry clouds just west of the Oval. Batting is easy, and Yorkshire trail by 100...
Great scenes. Bit of car sickness kicking about...
The lads are keeping an eye on what's going on at Taunton on the coach back. Come on @SomersetCCC. #WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/SRCChd1tFt
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 15, 2017
Two cut fours in the over for Lord Byrom off McLaren! 11 without loss Somerset.
Come on @Trescricket @SomersetCCC #intreswetrust pic.twitter.com/YR9jdqxmz4
— jamie porter (@jamieporter93) September 15, 2017
Morning Stuie! Looking very much that way...
@willis_macp morning will! Draw for glos?
— Stuie Neale (@MrNeale92) September 15, 2017
Somerset 3 for 0 chasing 68 after two overs.
Zak Chappell and Lewis Hill are building Leicestershire’s lead. It is 76 with three wickets in hand against Worcestershire...
Bit of cloud about at the Oval, where very little is happening. Well, Rikki Clarke is bowling to Shaun Marsh, so something is happening.
McLaren kicking things off for Lancashire, against Tres. Lord Byrom waiting at t’other end. Somerset are away with a single to fine leg.
Middlesex nine down as Fidel pins Helm in front. In comes the Watford Wall. They are 28 shy of batting point, and poor old John Simpson is still there. He’s always still there.
The last wicket was taken by Coverton, pinning Tom Bailey – who has assumed Shiv Chanderpaul’s stance – lbw. Somerset went bananas. They need 68 to win.
Lancashire all out for 269! Somerset need 68 to win
And if they do ... Essex win the title, and Somerset will pick up 22 vital points in the relegation race.
At Taunton, Craig Overton is bouncing Matt Parkinson. It’s all a bit unfair.
Stream if you wanna go faster baby!
You can watch this stuff!
Hampshire have another wicket ... Crane catching Rayner at square-leg off Abbott. 168 for eight and in grave danger of failing to get a batting point. That would be careless.
Sussex one down in their chase of 390. Gus Robson gone to Hardus Nails.
There goes Jarvis. Coverton has become a properly superb bowler.
👊👊👊#SOMvLAN pic.twitter.com/UktBc3mO5E
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) September 15, 2017
Stevo’s been busy at Bristol! Two wickets in an over... Glos 67 for two.
Good point. He’ll be at the crease soon. I thought he should have been just now, when Scurran had a huge lbw shout against Lees. Looked very out, but no dice.
@willis_macp I assume Gary Ballance played Fives at Harrow and not football. that's for the oiks.
— Rob Kaye (@Exiled_Tiger) September 15, 2017
Wicket at Taunton! Coverton bowls Jarvis and Lancashire are nine down, with a lead of 56!
So Derbyshire declared overnight, setting Sussex 390 to win. Wells and Robson opening.
Underway at Taunton too, with Leach bowling to Jarvis.
Scurran bowling to Lees, then. First ball cut, just short of point...
Yorkshire’s football is done. Ballance mucked up a nice one on one (he’s a bit ungainly; don’t know how much football they play in Harare or at Harrow), while Hodd scored that brilliant overhead kick.
Play about 2 minutes away.
Morning all it's the morning call!
Good morning. Today should be the day. Lancashire are in all sorts of trouble at Taunton, where there’s rain on the way. When they fail to win that game – which, surely, surely they won’t win – Essex will be the County Champions for the first time since 1992. To be honest, Essex better win because I have already written 1,000 words on them doing so.
So I’m Will Macpherson and I’m at the sun-drenched Oval to tell you about all that and more. Here, Surrey have Yorkshire following on. Will the pitch break up? Can they force a win? I don’t know if it mean anything, but Andy Hodd just scored a superb overhead kick in Yorkshire’s football match. There’s Div 1 action at Uxbridge too. It’s a tussle for points. Middlesex currently have none.
There’s plenty afoot in Division Two, too. Worcestershire can take their latest decisive step towards promotion – or even just about seal it – with win over Leicestershire. Kent are going to draw (the wait goes on), while Sussex have a big chase and Northants a testing one. Here’s the scores:
Division One:
- Essex beat Warwickshire by an innings and 56 runs
- Lancashire 133 & 247-8 v Somerset 335
- Middlesex 162-7 v Hampshire
- Yorkshire 394 & 59-1 v Surrey 592
Division Two:
- Derbyshire 338 & 322-8 v Sussex 271
- Northants 310 & 42-1 v Glamorgan 207 & 320
- Gloucestershire 385 & 67-0 v Kent 386
- Leicestershire 404 & 111-7 v Worcestershire 493
Reading! Yesterday’s report is here, and the big bit is here:
You can contact me! Do so! I loved hearing from all the Essex sorts yesterday about your pride in your team. Keep ‘em coming, and non-Essexites too! Here’s how:
- Below The Line (play nicely)
- By email: will.macpherson.freelance@theguardian.com
- On twitter: @willis_macp
I look forward to hearing from you! All that leaves me to say, as ever, is enjoy the cricket. Eight more days after this one!
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