Close of play roundup
Keaton Jennings’ century helped put Lancashire on course for their first County Championship win of the season against Division One leaders Nottinghamshire. Jennings hit 21 fours on his way to 126 at Trent Bridge for his second-successive hundred as Lancashire posted 338 before reducing Notts to 106 for five in their second innings.
Notts, bowled out for 133 first time around, lost their first three wickets for one run in their second innings before reaching 106 for five at the close, still 99 runs behind. Lancashire pair Graham Onions and James Anderson shared the wickets in an outstanding spell of new-ball bowling.
Surrey batsman Ollie Pope hit a career-best 158 not out before rain ruined the second day of their match against Yorkshire at the Kia Oval. The 20-year-old’s third Championship century, in only his 10th first-class game, helped Surrey make 414 after they had resumed on 366 for seven, before they reduced Yorkshire to 40 for three.
England captain Joe Root ended the day unbeaten on 14 with Yorkshire trailing by 374. England hopeful James Hildreth hit his 43rd first class century to put Somerset in a strong position against Hampshire at Taunton.
The 33-year-old was unbeaten on 125 when bad light ended play, as his side posted 324 for seven in reply to Hampshire’s first-innings total of 231, a lead of 93. Craig Overton contributed 80. Hildreth played with customary freedom to record his 41st hundred for Somerset, made off 138 deliveries, with 13 boundaries.
Joe Clarke also delivered a perfectly-timed message to the England selectors with another superb century for Worcestershire in their match against Essex at New Road. Clarke followed up his 157 against Surrey last week with his 11th first class hundred in only his 52nd match, which helped Worcestershire post 238 in reply to Essex’s first-innings score of 177.
Essex reached 143 for four in their second innings to lead by 82 runs. Division Two leaders Warwickshire’s game against Northamptonshire at Edgbaston is hanging in the balance. Both sides are eyeing up victory, with Northants reaching 160 for seven in their second innings before bad light ended the second day 14 overs early to see the visitors lead by 151 with three wickets remaining. Leicestershire turned their Division Two match against Glamorgan on its head at the Fischer County Ground.
Opener Paul Horton hit an aggressive 50, his third half-century of the season, before rain caused an early end with Leicestershire leading by 132 – on 119 for two – with eight second-innings wickets in hand.
It was a remarkable turnaround as the visitors had begun the day on 82 without loss before being bowled out for 178 in reply to Leicestershire’s first-innings score of 191. At Lord’s, Middlesex reached 455 for eight against Gloucestershire before rain arrived 10 minutes before lunch and prevented any further play.
Middlesex resumed on 356 for six, but only 26 overs were possible and they missed out on a fifth batting point. Durham’s Mark Wood provided England with some encouragement in his side’s match against Derbyshire at Derby.
The fast bowler generated pace and movement and claimed the wicket of Wayne Madsen, but Derbyshire still finished on top. Matt Critchley (64) and Daryn Smit (45 not out) lifted the home side’s first-innings score to 427 as Durham trail by 312 after closing on 115 for two.
In Canterbury, Kent, third in the table, lead second-placed Sussex by 159 after reaching 125 for four in their second innings in another rain-affected match. PA
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Summary
Here are your scores at stumps:
Division One:
- Worcestershire 238; Essex 177, 143-4
- Surrey 414; Yorkshire 40-3
- Somerset 324-7; Hampshire 231
- Nottinghamshire 133, 106-5; Lancashire 338
Division Two
- Derbyshire 427; Durham 115-2
- Kent 215, 125-4; Sussex 181
- Leicestershire 191, 119-2; Glamorgan 178
- Middlesex 455-6 8; Gloucestershire
- Warwickshire 265; Northamptonshire 256, 160-7
Alastair Cook has just posted an unbeaten half-century. He is now 55 in Essex’s 92-1 against Worcestershire at New Road, where the champions now lead by 31. Looking around the grounds, it seems like rain or bad light has now intervened in the majority of them. They are still playing at New Road, though.
As expected, we are off for the day here at the Oval
… with only 21.4 overs bowled. Elsewhere, Jake Libby and Riki Wessels have steadied the ship for Notts, who are now 81-4 having been 24-4. They have 32 and 26 respectively and the hosts are still 124 behind. Essex are 58-0 second time around against Worcestershire at New Road, trailing by three. Alastair Cook is unbeaten in on 37 with seven boundaries. James Hildreth has an unbeaten century for Somerset, who are 275-6 and 44 ahead of Hampshire at Taunton.
In Division Two, weather is affecting things at Lord’s – called off for the day between Middlesex and Gloucestershire – at Grace Road, where it is raining as Leicestershire lead Glamorgan by 132 with eight second-innings wickets in hand, and at Canterbury. Bad light has stopped play there, with Kent 125–4 second time around against Sussex and leading by 159. Leaders Warwickshire have the upper hand against Northamptonshire heading into the closing stages of day two. Northants are 130–5 second time around, leading by 121.
James Hildreth has just registered his 43rd first class century with another elegant cut to the vacant third man boundary. He was dropped once on 24, a relatively easy chance to mid-wicket spilt by Fidel Edwards. Had the chance been held Somerset would have been 71-5. Hildreth’s hundred, his second of he season, took 138 balls and was punctuated by 13 fours. Somerset now have the initiative with Overton opening his shoulders at the other end: 260-5.
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I said there was no sign of Abbott. But that situation has changed. Quite heroically, he has resurfaced after tea and is gingerly making his way up to the wicket now. He is clearly not fully fit and the ball is 55 overs old; in his first two overs he has yielded 14 runs. But he’s giving it a go. Overton has sped to 58 and Somerset are about to take the lead.
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They can’t be far off calling things off for the day here at the Oval. It is still raining and there is already a lot of water on the covers. I can’t believe it will take anything less than an hour to clear up.
Tea or approaching around the traps. It looks an intriguing clash between champions Essex (177) and Worcestershire (238) at New Road, where the champions have just started their second innings 61 runs in arrears. Alastair Cook is off the mark with an early boundary. Notts are 44-4 against Lancashire as they bid to avoid a two-day defeat at Trent Bridge. They are still come 160 runs behind.
In Division Two, Durham are 32-0 in reply to Derbyshire’s 427 at the County Ground, while they are still off for rain at Lord’s between Middlesex (455-8 dec) and Gloucestershire. Kent are 58-2 second time around against Sussex at Canterbury, leading by 92, while Leicestershire are in a similar position against Glamorgan at Grace Road. They are 89-2 with a lead of 102. And, at Edgbaston, Northamptonshire are 64-2 against leaders Warwickshire, leading by 55.
PS: still raining here at the Oval.
All happening at Trent Bridge. Having been bowled out for 338, taking a lead of 205, Lancashire reduced Notts to 1-3. Yes, you read that right! Jimmy Anderson forced Steven Mullaney to chop on six balls into the innings before Graham Onions bowled Chris Nash and trapped Ross Taylor lbw in as many balls. Samit Patel defended the hat-trick ball, however. A two-day finish, perhaps? No change here at the Oval.
All was serenity at Taunton as Hildreth and Davies took the score to 131-4, whereupon Davies left the field alongside the physio. We gather that he has a “sore foot”. One of Somerset’s reserve keepers is not playing, Trescothick. Now Gregory has played on against Brad Wheal so its 134-5 and there is uncertainty when/if Davies will return. So far Hampshire have been able to rotate their three fit bowlers and this turnover of batsmen may give them fresh energy. Brad has good wheels, as they say.
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Another innings complete and a couple more not far behind in the last 20 minutes or so. In Division Two at Canterbury, Sussex have been bowled out for 181 in reply to Kent’s 215, and the hosts have just started their second innings. Leaders Warwickshire are 264-9 in reply to Northamptonshire’s 256 at Edgbaston, a lead of eight. Is there anything Henry Brookes can’t do? Wickets and now runs. He has 50 not out.
In Division One, Lancashire are 336-9 against Notts. Their lead stands at 203 as Jimmy Anderson and Graham Onions face Stuart Broad and Luke Fletcher.
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Not surprisingly, it’s a similar weather story at Lord’s to the Oval, where rain has stopped play between Middlesex and Gloucestershire at Lord’s. Leicestershire have claimed a first-innings lead of 13 against Glamorgan at Grace Road; the visitors bowled out for 178 in reply to 191. India quick Varun Aaron with four wickets.
So far this match has been more memorable for Abell the bowler than the batsman. Just before lunch Abell was caught off a top-edged hook off Gareth Berg for a duck. It was a frenetic morning: six wickets, 119 runs and there is no sign that Hildreth and Davies are in a mind to grind away in the afternoon session. By the way, this is an excellent surface for cricket with encouragement for bowlers, but it’s still possible to play some shots. There is pace so that the nicks carry, which may explain why Gareth Berg opened the bowling after lunch with four slips and a gully to Davies.
Lunch update
Worcestershire are set for a first-innings lead against Essex at New Road, with them currently 161-5 in reply to 177. Joe Clarke is unbeaten on 61 and, like Keaton Jennings over at Trent Bridge, is chasing a second successive century after a big one here at the Oval last weekend. Lancashire have reached lunch at 281-7, a lead of 148 over Notts with Jennings unbeaten on 111. The visitors lost Jordan Clark just before the break to Jake Ball. Somerset have lost two more since Vic’s post and go into lunch at 86-4 against Hampshire (231) at Taunton.
In Division Two, Derbyshire are 397-7 against Durham at the County Ground, with a quartet of half-centuries for Ben Slater, Wayne Madsen, Billy Godleman and Matt Critchley. A trio of low-scoring crackers at Canterbury, Grace Road and Edgbaston are joined by Middlesex’s 455-8 against Gloucestershire at Lord’s. Sussex are 118-5 in reply to Kent’s 215 – Matt Henry has four wicket – while Glamorgan are 148-7 in reply to Leicester’s 191. Leaders Warwickshire are 203-8 in reply to Northants 256.
Meanwhile, here at the Oval, I have heard the odd whisper that this rain may be hanging around for the rest of the day. Fingers crossed, that does not happen.
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Lunch at the Oval has arrived 10 minutes early due to rain, with Yorkshire at 40-3. I suspect it may also delay us after lunch as well given the ground staff are covering the whole square. This weather is not entirely unexpected. We have been playing under overcast skies all morning. When play does resume, Joe Root will resume on 14, including a couple of boundaries – a square drive off Jade Dernbach, who he later dabbed through the slips to third-man.
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Greetings (belated) from Taunton. I’ve not missed a ball but have been distracted (old players’ dinner last night and there are still a few around, then lost my glasses). More importantly the game is moving on with some rapidity.
Hampshire had an early morning flurry to be bowled out for 231 and Somerset are currently 68-2. Just as significant as the figures is an injury to Kyle Abbott, the South African seamer, who has left the field. Conditions were useful for him, but chasing a ball at mid-off he turned an ankle. He left the field immediately and has not been sighted since, a major blow to Hampshire.
The ball is still swinging and two of Somerset’s youngsters have departed to fine deliveries. Eddie Byrom was bowled by Fidel Edwards and George Bartlett caught at slip off Brad Wheal. Matt Renshaw, who, I discover, when he opened his locker upon arrival at Taunton, found it bulging with sandpaper, has played some cracking shots – an uppercut six among them, has also had some luck; he was dropped on 15 behind the wicket and was very close to lbw against Edwards.
If Somerset can occupy the crease for a while expect captain James Vince to do some bowling, hoping to emulate the heroics of Tom Abell on Friday. They do not appear to be set on crease occupation at the moment however. Renshaw and Hildreth are playing lots of shots … and he’s just been caught at slip off Berg for 36. It’s 71-3.
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At Trent Bridge, Keaton Jennings has his second successive Lancashire century having hit one in the draw against Somerset at Old Trafford last week. This one, a patient effort, looks highly likely that it will contribute to more for a Red Rose side still searching for their first win. In reply to Notts 133, he has helped them to 259-6. He is partnered at the crease by Jordan Clark, who has 29. The Lancashire lead is 126 and counting.
Here, Che Pujara has just fallen to Sam Curran for 17, caught at second slip – low catch for Scott Borthwick. Yorkshire are 34-3 with Joe Root on nine and Harry Brook yet to get off the mark.
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Crikey, Joe Root is at the crease already. Alex Lees fell for a golden duck, caught at third slip off Jade Dernbach, before Adam Lyth (six) was trapped lbw by Sam Curran, leaving Yorkshire at 7-2 after four overs. To add to the drama, Che Pujara has just cut the first ball of the fifth over the slips for six. 13-2 now.
Surrey are all out for 414
… as Amar Virdi is superbly caught at third slip by Jack Leaning off Tim Bresnan. Ollie Pope finishes unbeaten on 158.
Elsewhere, a morning wicket for Stuart Broad at Trent Bridge, with Lancashire’s Dane Vilas caught and bowled. Keaton Jennings is 71 out of 196-5 in reply to 133. Hampshire have been bowled out for 231 at Taunton. They started the day eight down. In Division Two, there’s early trouble for leaders Warwickshire, who have lost two morning wickets and are 145-6 against Northants, who made 256. New Zealand’s Dough Bracewell has four wickets to go with 81.
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Yorkshire have struck in the opening 15 minutes to remove Conor McKerr for 29, ending a partnership of 81 with Ollie Pope for the eighth wicket. McKerr aimed a big booming drive at Tim Bresnan, only to see it scurry through to Adam Lyth at second slip. He couldn’t cling on to the catch but parried it up towards first slip, where Che Pujara dived to complete the catch. That wicket fell at 373, but Surrey are now 388-8 and Pope is on 145, equalling his career best.
Good morning from the Oval …
… where it is dry but overcast ahead of day two between Surrey and Yorkshire. Day one didn’t always look like being a dominant day for the hosts, who turned things around courtesy of Ollie Pope’s unbeaten 131 – remember the name!
The 20-year-old scored his third first-class hundred, his second this season, in just his 10th match and was helped out by contrasting half-centuries from watchful Dean Elgar and belligerent Rikki Clarke. Surrey were 69-4 and 162-6 either side of lunch before ending the day on 366-7, with Joe Root’s Yorkshire under the cosh.
Pope will bat with the tail this morning and hopefully look to carry on a carefree approach which he adopted once passing three figures last night. A couple of milestones of note yesterday; 10,000 first-class runs for Clarke and 400 wickets for Jack Brooks. Both excellent performers over the years. Brooks’s milestone is made all the more impressive given he didn’t make his debut until mid-2009.
Wickets tumbled around the country. Lancashire are in control against leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the battle of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. Anderson took two wickets in Notts 133 all out, but Broad is yet to strike in their reply of 157-4. Worcestershire are 47-0 against champions Essex at New Road, with the visitors bowled out for 177. Alastair Cook top-scored with 37 on a mixed day for England’s Test incumbents and hopefuls. James Vince hit 44 for Hampshire against Somerset at Taunton, where rain meant only 58.1 overs were bowled. Hampshire will begin day two on 158-8.
In Division Two, Dawid Malan posted 76 for Middlesex against Gloucestershire at Lord’s, as did Eoin Morgan in a rare Championship appearance. Nick Gubbins made 99 in 356-6. After last weekend’s ‘snatch defeat from the jaws of victory’ act for Leicestershire against Durham at the Riverside, things are going from bad to worse at Grace Road. Glamorgan are 82-0 replying to 191.
Ben Slater, Wayne Madsen and Billy Godleman hit fifties for Derbyshire in their 301-4 against Durham at Derby, while Kent and Sussex look to be involved in an intriguing low-scoring clash at Canterbury. Kent’s 215 plays Sussex’s 69-4. Kent’s New Zealand quick Matt Henry has continued his excellent start to the season with three wickets.
Finally, leaders Warwickshire are 100-4 replying to Northamptonshire’s 256, a significant triumph having been 102-7. Steven Crook and Doug Bracewell their heroes with wickets and runs.
Away from the county scene, fingers crossed for a successful day at Malahide, where Ireland have just got life as a Test nation under way against Pakistan following yesterday’s rain. They have won the toss and will bowl.
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