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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Will Macpherson at Old Trafford

Haseeb Hameed outlines Ashes intent but mizzle halts Lancashire charge

Haseeb Hameed in batting action for Lancashire against Essex.
Haseeb Hameed in batting action for Lancashire against Essex. Photograph: TGSPhoto/REX/Shutterstock

Will Macpherson’s report

Essex were happy to watch the Manchester mizzle sweep gently in and wipe away the evening session against their closest challengers, Lancashire, taking with it realistic chances of a result and of major shifts in the title race.

Still, Lancashire’s is a position of strength, largely thanks to Haseeb Hameed, who – in also providing England with a neatly timed nudge – had done that increasingly rare thing: dug in, and weathered testing times. “Tough runs” was Hameed’s description of conditions, where “the play and miss is as good a shot as you can play”. His was a simple mantra: “I decided that no matter how it looked I was determined to score runs in whatever way possible and bat for as long as I could.”

Hameed added just three to his overnight 85, going leg before to a shooter from Jamie Porter, but by then his job was done and Lancashire’s last pair, Tom Bailey and Kyle Jarvis, rollicked their way to a stand of 57, and a total of 290. Hameed was Porter’s fifth wicket, for a fifth five‑wicket haul of a season that has now brought 57 wickets at 18. Porter is the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s player of the month and should win an England Lions place this winter, too.

As he had after his unbeaten 77 against Hampshire last month (this was a better innings), Hameed’s words were positive but cautious, and those of a man who still has just 421 runs this season. Unsurprisingly, he would not be drawn on his winter plans. “It would be great to go on that Ashes tour,” he said, “but as I said at Hampshire, there’s a process to achieving things. It’s pretty simple – I have to perform. If I do that hopefully it’ll bring further honours.

“Everyone has to experience that [a poor run] to work yourself out as a player and a person as well. It toughens you up. One of the things has been to trust what I do, and know that there are people around me who understand my game better than people from the outside. I’m glad that I’ve been able to experience that at a young age.”

Soon enough Ryan McLaren had dismissed Nick Browne, bowled leaving one he should not have, and Dan Lawrence, caught at third slip. Varun Chopra and Ravi Bopara sipped on a shot of whatever Hameed was drinking, but not enough; Bailey trapped Chopra leg before, then Bopara was caught at slip off Stephen Parry on the stroke of tea, which proved to be the last action of the day. Essex have still not avoided the follow-on.

Marcus Trescothick, 21 years Hameed’s senior, has put Somerset on the verge of victory against Warwickshire, who can start planning for life in Division Two. Trescothick’s 65th first-class century set up a nominal target of 402 for Warwickshire who, despite Jonathan Trott’s 74, reached stumps 172 for six. Only rain can save them.

“That was a special century for me because it has been a tough season so it’s good to come through and get the runs I’ve been looking for for a long period of time,” said Trescothick, who shared 148 with James Hildreth and 100 with Tom Abell, who is having a fine game.

Victory would see Somerset make ground on Yorkshire and Middlesex, who are cruising towards a rain-affected draw at Headingley (the visitors are 108 for three in response to 358), while Surrey could yet find themselves in trouble. With six second-innings wickets in hand, they lead Hampshire by just 45 runs with Ben Foakes – who has slipped ahead of Jos Buttler in the race to be England’s spare wicketkeeper on the Ashes tour – on 33.

The top of Division Two is equally cagey. Worcestershire need 103 runs, with eight wickets in hand, to ruin Chris Read’s final game at Trent Bridge and keep up their hopes of preventing Nottinghamshire’s treble. Notts’ lower order, led by Read (who had been greeted at the crease by a guard of honour from Worcestershire and made 38 off 43 balls) scrambled hard to set up a target of 226. Daryl Mitchell reached stumps 63 not out, while the prodigious Joe Clarke will resume on a king pair.

All of this was bad news for third‑placed Sussex, but they refused to lie down against Northamptonshire. Sussex were eight behind when they lost their eighth second-innings wicket, but Jofra Archer (who made his fourth fifty of the season) and David Wiese shared a record stand of 129, and they closed leading by 128, with Archer still at the crease. If the weather allows, a thrilling finale awaits.

Updated

That's all folks!

Right, that’s that. We have a huge day ahead tomorrow, which should be chockful of results, and only bad weather can scupper it. So pray for good weather! Here’s where we are:

Division One:

  • Essex 115-4 v Lancashire 290
  • Warwickshire 146 & 172-6 v Somerset 282 & 265-4d
  • Surrey 200 & 135-4 v Hampshire 290
  • Middlesex 108-3 v v Yorkshire 358 (back on there)

Division Two:

  • Worcs 243 & 123-2 v Notts 193 & 275
  • Durham 217 & 145-2 v Kent 206
  • Sussex 172 & 263-8 v Northants 426
  • Leics 222 & 154-7 v Gloucestershire 368
  • Derbyshire 236-9 v Glamorgan

I greatly look forward to hearing from you all tomorrow. No idea where I’ll be, but I’ll be somewhere.

Updated

There are 2.5 overs left at the Oval.

Updated

Stumps at Edgbaston, where Warwickshire are 172 for six. They need 230 more...

Sussex 128 ahead, with Jofra still standing on 74 at the end of day three. Can they pull off something remarkable? They are nine down.

Warwickshire are six down after Bess got Barker!

Alasdair Maiden asks:

Jofra Archer. When does he qualify? Getting him on a plane to Aus with those nice bouncy wickets.

Alas I don’t think it’s until 2021.

A wicket at the Ageas - Weatherley gets Burns for 63, and Surrey are four down, leading by just 32.

Could be a decent final day in the offing there.

Huge wicket at Edgbaston, as Trott goes lbw to Bess! Warks 163 for five...

Stumps at Trent Bridge.

Off at Northants, too.

Trott has 50, and Warwickshire are 136 for four.

Updated

Craig Overton is bowling off spin!

Off for the day at Old Trafford. Essex 115 for four, still 175 behind. You’d think we’ve no hope of a result now.

Bad light at Wantage Road, where Sussex are eight down, and 108 ahead.

Well done Stuie! Enjoy it. Glosters going nicely. Leicestershire are six down and six behind. Five for Norwell!

Jofra has his fourth 50 of the season, and Sussex’s lead is up to 78. Extraordinary.

Play abandoned for the day at Headingley!

Ah, bad light at Trent Bridge! Immediately after that wicket.

Worcestershire two down ... Mullaney bowls Fell. 123 for two, needing 103 more.

Think we are done for the day at OT. Pieing it down.

Sussex’s lead is up to 62, and their ninth wicket stand worth 66...

Durham have extended their lead to 118, and Tom Latham has a fifty. They are two down.

Ooph. Surrey in some strife! Roy made 1, but has been bowled by Abbott! 39 behind, three down.

Sussex’s lead is up to 37...

Some Essex players appear to be ambling over to the hotel. It’s not that bad, and the rain’s not too heavy. But I’d be pleasantly surprised if we saw more cricket today.

Billings is still battling a migraine.

Rain at Edgbaston ... Warwickshire 85 for three, chasing 402.

Hampshire two down, still 42 behind. Borthwick gone to Dawson for 1. He made a first innings duck.

Full covers coming on here. We may be done for the day...

Off for bad light again at Headingley with Middlesex 108 for three.

Middlesex three down as Sidebottom gets Robson... 104 for three and requiring great care.

Looks like there is play everywhere else that there should be.

Covers coming on. Proper you-wouldn’t-start-in-it-but-you-would-stay-on-it rain.

It is drizzling.

Scheduled restart after tea is now, the hover cover is on, the rain doesn’t appear to be falling, and the light isn’t as bad as it was ay times before the break. But it’s an inspection, not play, that we are having. Oh well.

4.05 restart at Durham which is good.

Tea! Your scores

Here you go.

Division One:

  • Essex 115-4 v Lancashire 290
  • Warwickshire 146 & 73-3 v Somerset 282 & 265-4d
  • Surrey 200 & 44-1 v Hampshire 290
  • Middlesex 94-2 v v Yorkshire 358 (back on there)

Division Two:

  • Worcs 243 & 75-1 v Notts 193 & 275
  • Durham 217 & 98-2 v Kent 206
  • Sussex 172 & 263-8 v Northants 426
  • Leics 222 &97-3 v Gloucestershire 368
  • Derbyshire 219-6 v Glamorgan

Enjoy your tea.

Covers going on at tea at OT but I don’t think it’s currently raining.

Wicket and tea at OT! The light is much better and there’s rain due, so we are going off for tea. But not before there’s a wicket! Parry finds some turn and Ravi nicks off. Sharp catch by Livi at slip... 115 for four.

Updated

Sussex lead, eight down...

Surrey have lost their first, Ryan Patel to Dawson. Still 46 behind.

3.30 start at Headingley.

Nash gone for 66 and Sussex are eight down, still eight behind. Needs something special from Jofra and Wiese Debit, you’d think.

Light reading... and we are staying on, but with spin on. Livi on.

News from Headingley.

Tea is at half past here. It’s getting a bit darker. Wheater got going with a flash over the slips. 96 for three.

Bell gone! Warwickshire 51 for three. He made 24 off 36 but was bowled by Jack Leach.

Updated

Worcestershire have lost their first. Rhodes gone to Hutton. 57 for one.

Tea

At three

At Headingley.

Rhymes, doesn’t it.

Wicket! Bailey’s done it! Chopra had battled hard but he’s lbw for 40. 81 for three. Lancs need wickets fast.

Updated

Sussex 32 behind, on 222 for seven, as Robinson goes to Gleeson. Nash still there.

Drop! Ravi’s nicked Bailey to Davies at second slip and he’s shelled it. On 18. 78 for two.

Good start to Worcestershire’s chase; they are 43 without loss and need 183 more at Trent Bridge.

Warwickshire two down! 21 for two. Groenewald again! Umeed this time and Trott and Bell have got the band back together...

Sussex are six down and Northants are going to win in three days! 193 for six, still 61 behind. Nash still there on 53.

Warwickshire have lost their first ... 18 for one as Groenewald gets Sibley.

Brown gone for 0, Sussex five down!

Sussex 186 for four, 68 behind still, as Wright goes to big Rory.

50 stand up for Chopra and Ravi. Playing nicely.

Jack Leach opened the bowling at Edgbaston! Warks are 6 for none.

Hampshire 290 all out, the same as Lancashire earlier, and also thanks to some late heave ho from the tail. They lead Surrey by 90.

Bad light at Headingley: Middlesex 86 for two.

Chopra and Ravi playing well here in tough conditions. 56 for two, and battling hard. I’d be bringing McLaren back soon...

Sussex 177 for three, still 81 behind, as Gus Robson goes to Kerrigan.

Off for bad light at Durham.

Middlesex two down ... Eskinazi goes to Sidebottom. 83 for two.

It sure has.

Somerset declare! Warwickshire need 402 to win

Abell out, bowled by The Other Ryan Sidebottom. And he takes Tres with him. 119 not out the big man.

Warwickshire need 402...

Middlesex one down, Compo gone to Sidebottom. 73 for one.

And now Hants are nine down! Berg gone to Dernbach and the new ball. Fidel joins Abbott, who will now tee off you’d think

What a stand at the Ageas between No9&10 for Hants. Now worth 93, and their lead is 63.

Nottinghamshire 275 all out! Worcestershire need 226 to win.

Marcus Trescothick scores a ton!

Number 65 in FC cricket. Somerset’s lead is 371...

Chris Read is out!

For the final time at Trent Bridge, the great man is gone. He made 38, one more than his career average. What a guy. Notts 271 for nine, and 221 in front.

Trescothick has 99...

Here come the umps at OT. If Lancashire could continue to get among Essex this afternoon before the rain comes, we could have a game. But if Essex reach 141, you’d think that’s the game cooked. They are 38 for two.

Play to start again at 1.30 at Durham.

Oooooh. Nice.

It’s Neil Wagner!

Lunch! Scores on the doors

Engrossing session here. Lancashire in a very good spot.

Division One:

  • Essex 38-2 v Lancashire 290
  • Somerset 282 & 218-3 v Warwickshire 146
  • Hampshire 247-8 v Surrey 200
  • Middlesex 53-0 v v Yorkshire 358

Division Two:

  • Notts 193 & 264-8 v Worcs 243
  • Durham 217 & 72-2 v Kent 206
  • Sussex 172 & 136-2 v Northants 426
  • Gloucestershire 349-8 v Leics 222
  • Derbyshire 109-4 v Glamorgan

Enjoy your sarnies!

Nearly lunch here. Essex 34 for two.

Essex batsman Varun Chopra hits for 4 past Lancashire bowler Ryan McLaren.
Essex batsman Varun Chopra hits for 4 past Lancashire bowler Ryan McLaren. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

Updated

Wicket! Lawrence drives at McLaren and he’s very well caught at third slip by Vilas! Essex 23 for two...

Read is teeing off in his final innings, and the lead is 197...

Andy Miles emails with an update on one of my favourite county cricketisms. He has a mate named Norwell so they have an annual contest – prize: food, beer – based on which Gloster bowler with the same surname takes more wickets.

The latest update on the Miles/Norwell Gloucestershire county championship wicket taking battle (see previous county cricket coverage) sees Miles trailing significantly. Norwell has 48, Miles has 27 and Miles is also not playing in the current game. Not his/my best season, and with only three more games to go I think that Norwell has a significant upper hand. Can you provide any glimmer of hope for me, or will I soon be stumping up for some real ale and Turkish cuisine?

I can’t, I’m afraid. Norwell will win. But I have suggested to Andy that seeing as Norwell is sponsored by a pasty company, he should sack off the turkish stuff and get him something cornish.

Gareth Berg reached a 70-ball 50 with a six... Never change. Hants eight down, lead by 24. Can they?

Here’s the one wicket Essex have lost here

Lloyds Leach has five! And Notts are eight down, with a lead of 163.

Nice way to get going for Lawrence: handy on-drive for four... 14 for one.

Dan Lawrence, who made a pair last week, in at No3...

Wicket! There are two types of leave! Nick Browne has been close to this a few times today. McLaren, from round the wicket, takes out his off-peg with one angled back in. Offering no shot was a poor choice and it’s 9 for 1.

Nick Browne of Essex is bowled out by Lancashire’s Ryan McLaren.
Nick Browne of Essex is bowled out by Lancashire’s Ryan McLaren. Photograph: TGSPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

Updated

Hildreth goes, Somerset lead by 301... Time to crack on you’d think.

Hampshire lead! Eight down.

Kyle Abbott of Hampshire hits out to wide mid on off the bowling of Surrey’s Gareth Batty.
Kyle Abbott of Hampshire hits out to wide mid on off the bowling of Surrey’s Gareth Batty. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Updated

Oi oi

Lancashire have it doing all sorts. Umming and ahhing after every ball. Somehow Essex surviving. 9 for 1.

20-year-old James Bracey going nicely for the Glosters ... He has 62 and they are 301 for four.

Somerset lead by 300...

That’s a great snap. Lovely man Chris Read.

Magnificent stuff. Notts lead by 152.

Could see two Tongues soon!

Interesting here that McLaren and Bailey are opening the bowling, not Jarvis, who has six-fers in his last two matches...

Notts’ lead is 150...

Notts 186 for seven! Taylor gone. 136 ahead.

Guard of honour from the Worcestershire players for Chris Read on his final appearance at Trent Bridge. Lovely stuff.

Updated

Buttler’s keeping for Lancs because Al Davies isn’t quite 100%. Davies is at second slip, between Livi and Vilas. McLaren with the new seed.

Has at work.

Northants have their first: van Zyl gone to Gleeson. Sussex 89 for two.

So, Lancashire. The rain is coming at about 4pm today, I believe. The forecast is looking a bit better for tomorrow...

Yorkshire 358 all out! Harris gets Bressie for 44. Think that’s done Yorkshire a favour.

Lancashire 290 all out! Never ball, Jarvis goes for a huge yahoo, misses, and Lancs are all out 10 shy of a third batting point. A great effort, that. Last wicket worth 57. They were 92 for six at one stage!

Kyle Jarvis of Lancashire is bowled out by Simon Harmer as James Foster looks on from behind the stumps.
Kyle Jarvis of Lancashire is bowled out by Simon Harmer as James Foster looks on from behind the stumps. Photograph: TGSPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

Updated

Six! Jarvis smashes Harmer down the ground, and Lancs are 290 for nine...

50 stand for the 10th Lancashire wicket! Took 25 minutes and 49 balls. Lancs 284 for nine.

A wicket at the Ageas! Holland gone to Meaker - Hampshire 170 for eight and in need of runs from my fantasy skipper Abbott.

Somerset’s lead up to 266 ... Tres and Hildreth going very nicely indeed. If the forecast is awful here and the game in the balance there, I might head there tomorrow.

Surely it’s time for a Yorkshire declaration? 353 for nine, not going to lose the game. Get stuck in!

Yorkshire have four batting points!

Comments seem to be back.

Harmer on, Bailey reverse sweeps four first ball. Lancs 261 for nine. Could they get three batting points?

Here’s the answer to the Hampshire 2s issue! (Thanks Bradley Adams)

Two batting points for Lancs! Great effort. 251 for nine, with Bailey and Jarvis playing nicely.

Can anyone help Alan Fisher?

Hi Will, A googly (sorry!) but any chance you might know how Lancashire v Hampshire in Champo Second XI Final is going on? Nowhere can I find any reference to this match whatsoever.

Send help my way and I’ll pass it on.

So Notts lead is 106, but they are six down. Big job for Brendan Taylor and, when he eventually comes in at No9, Chris Read. Its his last innings at Trent Bridge.

General view of play during Day Three of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two match between Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire at Trent Bridge.
Looks like a pleasant day to watch Nottinghamshire take on Worcestershire at Trent Bridge. Photograph: Harry Trump/Getty Images

Updated

Off for rain at the Riverside! Durham 72 for two, lead by 83.

Here’s the Hameed wicket...

If you are not able to view comments please let me know. I can’t, but some people seem to be fine.

Hameed gone! He made 88 and is Porter’s fifth - lbw to one that stayed low. Gets a big hand as he ambles off.

Glosters have lost Hankins too - I think I know what Stuie means. Bit slow to update...

Morning Stuie! The Glosters are going great guns - they have lost Roderick but have parity three down.

As I say, Yorkshire won’t mind that cloud...

Yep - Yorkshire definitely the only team that can win that game. Get as many as possible, get stuck into a rather fragile Middlesex side.

This already happened at Headingley.

Sounds like comments are only not working for me, which is good. Don’t be too nasty about me while I can’t read them!

So Tom Bailey now sets up like a right-handed Chanderpaul. He used to bat normally. Hilarious.

Just two days late, Derbyshire v Glamorgan is underway.

Bradley also enjoys my favourite time of the day.

Well the bell’s been rung here at Old Trafford, and out come the players. Overcast but not unpleasant, it’s still a bowler’s day, especially as Essex have an over old ball. Sam Cook to get us going, and Hameed’s partner is Tom Bailey. Lancs 22 for eight.

Comments are currently down for me, so if they are for you, please be patient. Can always email or tweet me!

Morning all it's the morning call!

Welcome to Old Trafford for day three of the fourth to last round of county cricket - live! for this fine summer! I’m Will Macpherson and I’m here to guide you through the action from here and the other eight games on offer. There’s some other cricket on offer, apparently, but we need not mention that.

The weather is nice now but nasty later, I’m told. The chances of a result in this Lancashire-Essex game, given the loss of day one, were pretty slim as is, but losing the final session today would end all hope. Haseeb Hameed batted beautifully last night and resumes on 85 this morning. He’s dug his team out of a horrible hole, to be honest.

Elsewhere in Division One, Hampshire’s slim title hopes are slipping at the Ageas, Somerset are dominating Warwickshire, and Yorkshire are on top against Middlesex. Yorkshire hold the cards – if they can bat themselves into a very strong position then take some early wickets … who knows.

It’s a big day in Div Two. Can Notts hold off Worcestershire? Big wicket of Riki Wessels late last night. Can Kent get there act together and keep the pressure on? And can Northants finish off Sussex? At Derby, there has finally been a toss. Or, well, there hasn’t really. It was uncontested, and Glamorgan stuck the hosts in. Here’s where we are:

Division One:

  • Lancashire 222-8 v Essex
  • Hampshire 129-7 v Surrey 200
  • Yorkshire 317-7 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 282 & 75-2 v Warwickshire 146

Division Two:

  • Nottinghamshire 193 & 138-5 v Worcestershire 243
  • Sussex 172 & 34-1 (f/o) v Northants 426
  • Durham 217 & 57-2 v Kent 2016
  • Gloucestershire 218-3 v Leicestershire 222
  • Glamorgan have stuck Derbyshire in without a toss

Yesterday’s report and roundup is at the top of yesterday’s liveblog. Read it please!

There are three ways you can contact me!

I look forward to hearing from you! All that leaves me to say, as ever, is enjoy the cricket...

Updated

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