Vic Marks's report from Taunton
Updated
County roundup
Alastair Cook became the first knight to bat in the County Championship but Essex face a battle to achieve parity with Hampshire. Sam Northeast completed his century early on and went on to make 169 before the hosts declared on 525 for eight. Cook struck three fours in a jaunty 17 off 21 balls before bad light ended play with Essex on 25 for one.
Middlesex are facing defeat in their first game in division two following relegation after Jason Holder sparked a batting collapse that put Northamptonshire in charge. The West Indies captain dismissed both openers as Middlesex lost seven wickets for 95 runs to finish on 134 for seven, 311 runs behind.
The Sussex opener Phil Salt hit 80 off 67 balls to wipe out Leicestershire’s first-innings lead of 79 and leave the match in the balance at Hove.
Tanya Aldred's report from Trent Bridge
All morning and half the afternoon they waited with the doggedness and fealty of those who would spend the day sitting still while wrapped in three jumpers. But, at last, at just after 4.30pm, their patience was rewarded. Stuart Broad turned at the top of his mark and, with those characteristic two-minutes-to-one feet, ran towards Joe Root.
Root’s last 50 for Yorkshire had been in 2016, when he scored 213 against Surrey in a runfest at Headingley. Since then, his highest score in nine innings for the club has been 35. Word was, however, he was looking smashing in the Headingley nets; a bonus of first-class cricket coming so soon on the heels of the West Indies tour.
He walked on to the Trent Bridge turf to warm but restrained applause. He will be England captain for the Ashes this summer, but he was currently wearing the pullover of the white rose.
In ran the indefatigable Luke Fletcher. Second ball: cover drive, just lovely. An off-drive followed, even lovelier. But then Paul Coughlin, who had not read the script, caught the edge of Root’s bat. However, the catch fell through the hands of Chris Nash at third slip. Supremely unbothered, Root punched a four behind square.
It was time. Steven Mullaney whistled over to mid-off where Broad had been turning his shoulders and stretching those long sides. With short-sleeved jumper under long-sleeved jumper, and a smart new-season haircut just about hidden under a floppy sun hat, Broad strolled over.
On 30, he beat Root with a peach of a delivery. And another. Then Root square drove him for four. The beauty of a good temperament. Block. Block. Hands so high they covered his helmet. That pocket tuck he plays so well, as if fishing for the fiver dropped behind the sofa cushions by uncle Simon last Christmas.
Slower he went on and the more patient he became. On 44, another life, and further frustration for Broad. Root attempted a flirty pull and, somehow, the ball fell just short of Coughlin’s fingertips at deep square-leg. Airily, Root wafted at an outswinger. Broad’s hands settled on his hips.
Root was in busy mode. He called for another bat, did some gardening, pottered over to square-leg to shadow bat, nothing too expansive, a bent-kneed forward press.
Around him, Yorkshire stopped and started. Adam Lyth batted smartly and with simplicity, effortlessly passing 50 with 10 fours before being smartly caught at mid-off off Jake Ball for an impressive 81. Tom Kohler-Cadmore was also timing the ball nicely until he fell for the same trap that Root had narrowly avoided, holing out to Coughlin off Broad for just 22. Jack Leaning disappointingly shouldered arms for a duck.
As the floodlights came on, Root passed 50. From 26 off 26 balls, he had slowed right down to a cautious 50 off 99. When bad light stopped play, Yorkshire trail by 202 with five wickets remaining, but Root was still there: glue and glitter.
Earlier in the day, Notts had added another 84 to their impressive overnight score. Joe Clarke fell early on after Friday’s heroics, bowled by Duanne Olivier – who replaced his waywardness of yesterday with something straighter and much more decisive. Clearly in the groove, Olivier also picked up the wickets of Tom Moores and Broad for a brilliant two-ball duck, finishing with 5 for 96 – not bad for a first run-out for his new club.
That’s all from me for now - thanks as ever for popping in on a spring saturday. Close of play reports to follow. Till tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.
Updated
In Division two, Sussex’s batsmen are fighting back, leading Leicester by 132 with 8 second-innings wickets left. Salt out for 80, van Zyl and Wells both 41 not out.
Middlesex in the mire at 134 for 7, trailing Northants by an incredible 311. Robson top-scorer with 26. Northants’ bowling a team-effort.
And Derbyshire’s batsmen doing rather better second time round. Tom Lace 41 not out , out of 107-3.
And what! Collapsa-calamity at Taunton. Somerset 171 all out and Kent 84-2? Mitchell Claydon 5-46. Hmmm, Ali, you’ve got some explaining to do...
The weather has been frustrating at Southampton as well. Essex only batting for 6.4 overs. Still, enough time for Cook to hit three fours.
I’m back -if anyone is still there? Bad light stopped play ten overs early at Trent Bridge, with Root safely past fifty. A little gem of an innings of grit and loveliness. Just going to check up what else has been happening round the grounds.
The floodlights are on here at Trent Bridge and Root has been dropped for the second time. In between, he’s looked as calmly superb as ever. 48 not out and counting.
Updated
Broad’s warming up at mid-on. All shoulder circles and side stretches...let me at ’im captain.
I’m going to have to concentrate now to write a piece for t’paper. I’ll try and pop back on here and there but it’ll be a bit quiet till 6.30 - nothing much to see...
TEA-TIME SCORES (Alas, poor Leicester. And too close to call at Derby)
DIVISION ONE
Notts v Yorkshire: 408 (Clarke 112; Olivier 5-96) Yorkshire 137-2 ( Root 26 not out)
Hampshire v Essex: Hampshire 528-8 dec (Northeast 169, Rossouw 76, Dawson 55 not out; Quinn 3-104) Essex 24/1 (Cook 17 not out)
Somerset v Kent (not tea) : Somerset 149-8 (Abell 49; Claydon 4-30)
DIVISION TWO
Sussex v Leicestershire: Sussex 173 all out(Wiese 51: Tom Taylor 6-47); Leicestershire 252 all out (Lewis Hill 67; Mir Hamza 3-71; Robinson 4-46) Sussex 119-1 (Salt 68 not out)
Northamptonshire v Middlesex: Northants 445 all out (Wakely 76, Rossington 67, Procter 81 not out; Murtagh 6-80, Finn 3-119). Middlesex 79-3 (Holder 2-16)
Derbyshire v Durham: Derby 197 all out (Hosein 78; Raine 3-48, Weighell 3-49) ; Durham 171 all out (Rampaul 3-47; Reece 5-47) Derby 45-2
Updated
It’s tea and Somerset are 140-5...so lots of boundaries and wickets in an entertaining first session of county cricket.
Some profligate batting, some fine strokes especially from Tom Abell who is holding his side together (48 not out). Matt Milnes on his Championship debut for Kent has impressed. No idea what a par score is. So let’s say 260.
Fifty for Adam Lyth, 87 balls, 119 minutes.
And Middlesex are having a shocker. From being pummelled for 445 by Northants, they’re now 74 for 3 after a mini collapse of 3-17. Jason Holder 2-16.
WOOOO! From somewhere, wisdom. Sussex have found their mojo- 79 for 0. Salt 44, Haines 29. Scores are level at Hove.
Poor Fletcher, keeping to a good line, but now Lyth flashes him through the slips as he moves on to 47.
And Hampshire have declared! 525-8. Right Sir Alastair, what now?
Somerset have limped past 100, thanks to Abell (39) and Davies.
Root tickles Fletcher past fine leg for another four. His highest red ball score for Yorkshire last year was 35 (in three games)
Eeeeek - Nash drops Root(on 8) in the slips. A super delivery from Coughlin, Root unintentionally opened up.
Updated
Slightly straighter, and another four off Fletcher, through mid-off.
Updated
Apparently Root has looked as good as he’s ever done batting for Yorkshire in the nets - perhaps because he’s coming in pretty limbered up after the West Indies. And - gorgeous! - he knocks his second ball from Luke Fletcher through the covers for four glorious runs.
Fletcher knocks out Ballance’s leg stump, he goes for 7, and it’s time for Root... Yorkies 70/2. A big(gish) round of applause for the England captain...
I’ve just taken a bet for £1 that he’ll score more than 39...
Updated
Just had a little chat with James Taylor who was lovely. He couldn’t say very much about who he was here to see, or why, but could say that he was loving the job. He and Ed Smith are in contact every day about where he is going to go and he’s hoping to pop up everywhere, from Taunton to Derby. He’s certainly not just going to watch Div One games - so keep your eye out for him round the shires.
He also said he had no problems sitting and watching the game, it didn’t make him feel sad for what he had lost, and that he just loves cricket. He also said he is still learning every day.
They are making up for lost time here . After 21 overs Somerset are 80-4. Eddie Byrom has just been caught in the gully off the impressive Milnes and joins an exalted trio back in the dressing room.Kent are holding their catches (apart from one to keeper Ollie Robinson which has given Tom Abell a reprieve) and challenging the batsmen around off-stump. It looks a good pitch, which gives both disciplines a chance. There is good carry for the pacemen and some movement but anything off target is disappearing to the boundaries, some of which are unusually short because of damp patches at the extremities of the ground.
Gubbins, Gubbins, Gubbins!!!
Thank you for this thing of beauty, @ngubbins18 😍👊 pic.twitter.com/lvkLhxZ94d
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 6, 2019
And at Derby, Durham inch towards parity. Burnham just out for 31. They trail by 54.
Hampshire now 448 for 6. Seems a batting paradise at Southampton, other than Weatherly every batsman has at least 40.
In a parallel universe, we’re into the third innings at Hove . Sussex, 12-0 in their second innings, trail Leicester by 67. Five wickets for Ollie Robinson
Updated
Something for those with a statty brain
At @CricViz we have been working on three new metrics for analysing batsmen - Attack, Timing and Power - that enable us to profile players in greater detail than ever before. Read more on our latest development in player analysis here: https://t.co/DWEeA8kDyP. #IPL pic.twitter.com/7jjqgAE9ua
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) April 6, 2019
Oh and there is another wicket at Somerset. Oh, and it’s JAmes Hildreth for 27. Rats.
A second wicket at Somerset - Azhar joins Tres in the pavilion for 24.
Yorkshire easing along quite nicely . Harry Brook strokes Broad for four and then one wizzes past the slips. Ah - too soon - Brook lbw Broad for 30.
Northants all out 445 - a chance for Middlesex to show what they can do. 2-0 - a long way to go.
Well, some excitement here!
Azhar on 20 edged against Stevens to first slip where Sean Dickson at first slip celebrated his catch. Azhar declined to leave; the umpires consulted with one another and adjudicated not out. Then Matt Renshaw, Azhar’s predecessor as Somerset’s overseas opening batsman, stood by and appeared to have a forthright conversation with the surviving batsman.
Wow!
Female Super Smash players to be paid same fee as men 😊
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 6, 2019
How good is this decision? #NEWZEALANDCricket pic.twitter.com/VOALQIRgo2
The ball not swinging for Notts, they ask the umpires for a new one. Umps not to be moved.
Here’s the dismissal of the old warhorse down at Taunton.
💥 | Kent's first @CountyChamp wicket of the season - @harrypod23 gets @Trescricket!@SomersetCCC are now 30/1
— Kent Cricket 🏏 (@KentCricket) April 6, 2019
Follow Somerset's Match Centre for live updates today ➡️ https://t.co/yb5z56PVkw #SuperKent pic.twitter.com/2g6P6rb21s
Oh! I was hoping for a Trescothick century to start the season. Bowled by Podmore for 10.
Updated
For some reason in my early season excitement I had neglected the scenario I’m just witnessing. Which is Marcus Trescothick (43) taking guard against Darren Stevens (43 later this month). I imagine Stevens is breaking the 70 mph limit but not by much.
He has three slips and a gully standing very close to the stumps and poses an unusual challenge for opening batsmen (in first-class cricket rather than club cricket) but it is a very different one to that presented by Matt Henry last season. At the other end to Stevens is the former Guardian columnist, Harry Podmore.
So we’re off in between munching the lime and zucchini cake which has been delivered to the press box. Through the haze the Quantocks are now visible. Glass half full again.
LUNCHTIME SCORES - a good morning for the not-at-all-fancied Midlanders
DIVISION ONE
Notts v Yorkshire: 408 (Clarke 112; Olivier 5-96) Yorkshire 8-0
Hampshire v Essex: Hampshire 428-5 (Northeast 169, Rossouw 76, Dawson 55 not out)
Somerset v Kent : Play at last. Somerset 10-0 after one over.
DIVISION TWO
Sussex v Leicestershire: Sussex 173 all out(Wiese 51: Tom Taylor 6-47); Leicestershire 240-9 (Lewis Hill 67; Mir Hamza 3-68; Robinson 3-46)
Northamptonshire v Middlesex: Northants 415-9 (Wakely 76, Rossington 67, Procter 66 not out; Murtagh 6-66, Finn 3-119)
Derbyshire v Durham: Derby 197 all out (Hosein 78; Raine 3-48, Weighell 3-49) ; Durham 106-6 (Rampaul 2-25; Reece 2-33)
UNIVERSITY MATCH
Loughborough MCCU v Lancashire: Lancs 468-7dec (Haseeb Hameed 218)
I really do recommmend Hoppsy’s piece on Jack Burnham. Good luck to the boy, second chances and all that.
Marcus North’s opinion:
“He has done more than we have asked of him, he is one of the fittest in the squad and his work ethic is exceptional. He is a real raw talent. We are really excited what the future holds for Jack.”
Jake Ball running in to four slips, Brook drives him stylishly for four, keeps the next one, fuller and sharper, out and that’s lunch. Yorkshire 8 for 0 and the rest of the lunchtime scores to follow shortly.
No toss at Taunton....Somerset batting...George Bartlett (young batsman) in for Leach (England bowler). Jack Brooks makes his Championship debut for Somerset.
Kent also omit spinner, Adam Riley.
Northeast moves onward! 158 not out!!!
Yorkshire are going to have to bat for five minutes here at Trent Bridge. Notts all out for 408:Olivier 5-96, Patterson 4-78.
A third wicket for Finn at The County Ground. Northants 381/9.
Great to see that big old action rolling out again.
.@finnysteve invites the edge from Proctor and Robson takes the catch 👊 pic.twitter.com/DokvzHnFE2
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 6, 2019
Some lunchtime reading here
A must read from George with Ben Stokes. https://t.co/5LTqwE9Vid
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) April 6, 2019
and here (thanks for the recommendation from CricketBallader btl)
Fletcher edges to second slip and Joe Root starts flexing his fingers. Notts 375 for 9 - a good morning’s work for the Yorkies.
Northeast looking good for the first 150 of the season. A century partnership with Liam Dawson as Hampshire plough onward.
Updated
And this is what happens to Guardian cricket journalists when they move on! Good old Hoppsy.
What @DavidKHopps did next. Arise Wetherby ! pic.twitter.com/34ad8DKSdI
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) April 6, 2019
James Taylor is here in his selectorial capacity. In a minute I’ll ask him who he’s here to watch.
It has been a busy first hour:
Three wickets down at Trent Bridge (five-fer for Olivier
Runs, runs for Northeast as Essex struggle. Anyone at Southampton? Batsman’s paradise? Jamie Porter uncharacteristically struggling so far.
At Hove, Lewis Hill teetering on the edge of 50.
Procter and Luke Wood eking out more runs for Northants as they surprisingly get the better of Middlesex at The County Ground
Evenish stevens at Derby, where Durham trail by 114, 6 wickets in hand
Updated
And here at Trent Bridge, wickets are a tumbling... Moores caught after an expansive drive to cover and Stuart Broad lbw for a two ball duck.
That’s five wickets for Duanne Olivier who has improved markedly since his wayward first spell yesterday.
Poor Vic. I hope this isn’t going to turn into a rerun of Yorkshire v Essex last season..
“The sun’s out and to the exasperation of most there will be a further inspection at 12 noon. The problem seems to be the dampness of the outfield near the boundary at the River End. In the winter this area was relaid after the erection of the new lights. A crane had to be manoeuvred along that part of the outfield to put the lights up. They could, of course, bring in the boundary at the end. So the problem of darkness has been resolved to be replaced by wetness.
“The game being reduced to little more than two and a half days may not be good news for Jack Leach, who may be relegated to twelfth man yet again. Even so there are stoics in their overcoats in the favoured Marcus Trescothick stand, which is about half full - unlike my glass at the moment...”
Updated
Jonathan Marsland has good news of the Metrolink cat:
“Thought you’d like to know that on the Metro on my way home I just passed by the cat that sat on your knee early this morning - still looking happy and waiting for attention.
“With all the preening it must be a he - so i think he should be nicknamed KP.
Thanks for the Blog - and for not Jinxing Hass.”
A pleasure! And I knew what I was doing with Hass... who incidentally has moved on to 214 not out against the students.
Updated
Good morning Tanya, good morning everyone.
It’s grey and gloomy at Taunton (no Quantocks visible yet) but it is dry. However we won’t be starting on time. There is an inspection at 11pm and the problem is a wet outfield. Ominously no players are visible. Usually at this time of day they are engaged in a vigorous, noisy game of football but I guess they are currently denied access to the outfield.So frustration abounds since the local supporters sense that a home game against newly promoted Kent offers the chance of an early win.
So there is envy down here that they are playing elsewhere in the first division and surprise that so many runs have been scored. Is it the smaller seams on the Duke ball this summer? Is it too cold for the ball to swing? Is it too cold to catch anything in the slips?
Hope to glean some more evidence soon..but I’m fearful that we may not start before lunch. Which means that Ali’s prediction is not looking great...and it’s April 6th
And as one centurion raises his bat, another departs. Joe Clarke gone for 112, bowled by Olivier, middle stump dispatched two metres back. Notts 329 for 6.
CENTURY: It's three-figures for @sanortheast! 💯👏
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 6, 2019
A stylish whip through mid-wicket in the first over of the day brings a boundary and takes him through a magnificent century! 🙌
Match centre ➡️ https://t.co/SDdT1oyvXU pic.twitter.com/A0SYxAu253
And a century for Sam Northeast down at Southampton. Bravo! Second century of the year is still a badge worth pinning on any chest.
I underestimated the walk from the hotel to the ground but made it in time to see a couple of runs from the first over of the day. Olivier has the the scarlet pimpernell - a half hearted appeal first ball.
I love this blossom. Cherry? Anyway - just wondering, do any sports teams wear pastel colours? Pale lemon or pink?
One of my favourite signs of spring. By St Nicholas Church on the way to @TrentBridge pic.twitter.com/3fLm4xYkoY
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) April 6, 2019
Updated
While you’re waiting, here is Brian Rose talking about his vision for Somerset
🎥 New Club President Brian Rose outlines his vision for the Club#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/GXqx3FZuTQ
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) April 5, 2019
Updated
Good morning!
Side stretch, downward facing dog, everyone ready for day two? There’s a hint of spring hovering above the Trent this morning and the forecast is better everywhere, even at Taunton where there will be an inspection at 11am.
Thoughts this morning to Sam North-East - just six more runs, son. And a belated bouquet to Leicestershire’s Tom Taylor, who got rather lost in the clamour for Joe Clarke and Hass yesterday. First six for of the season and, so I’m told, one to watch.
Here’s how we start the day:
DIVISION ONE
Notts v Yorkshire: 324-5 (Clarke 109 not out)
Hampshire v Essex: Hampshire 303-4 (Northeast 94 not out)
Somerset v Kent : No play Friday. Inspection at 11am
DIVISION TWO
Sussex v Leicestershire: Sussex 173 all out(Wiese 51: Tom Taylor 6-47); Leicestershire 131 for 5 (Lewis Hill 40 not out; Mir Hamza 3-36)
Northamptonshire v Middlesex: Northants 310-6 (Wakely 76, Rossington 67; Murtagh 4-43)
Derbyshire v Durham: Derby 197 all out (Hosein 78; Raine 3-48, Weighell 3-49) ; Durham 41-3
UNIVERSITY MATCH
Loughborough MCCU v Lancashire: Lancs 379-5 (Haseeb Hameed 202 not out)
Updated
