Graham Hardcastle's county roundup
Jamie Porter all but ended Worcestershire’s hopes of adding Division One survival to Saturday’s magical T20 Blast success with five wickets in a superb opening burst and seven for 41 in all as Essex assumed control at Chelmsford by dismissing the visitors for 94.
Porter claimed five wickets in as many overs with the new ball, four of which were either bowled or lbw, as the away side slipped to 32 for six.
Worcester started the day knowing that only wins in their remaining matches would give them a chance of staying up – something which looks a long shot as Essex closed on 252 for five.
Their troubles provided good news for Yorkshire and Hampshire at Headingley. If Worcester fail to win, Hampshire are safe and Yorkshire’s last target would then be Lancashire, who do not play this week. It would take another nine points to relegate them.
Fidel Edwards produced a pacy four-wicket burst, including three after tea, as Yorkshire were bowled out for 184. Tim Bresnan and Jack Brooks then struck twice apiece as Hampshire closed on 79 for five.
The leaders Warwickshire and second-placed Kent took a giant step towards promotion in Division Two as they dominated the first day against Sussex at Hove and Glamorgan at Canterbury respectively. Warwickshire closed on 308 for two, with Ian Bell unbeaten on 108 and 86 not out from Jonathan Trott. Kent closed on 93 for two in reply to Glamorgan’s 186.
That’s all for now until the round-up. It has been a lively day away from the live action too with two important news stories breaking.
Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have both been charged with two counts of bringing the game into disrepute and face a two-day cricket disciplinary hearing this December:
Ali Martin filed an exclusive story, revealing that Adil Rashid looks set to recommit to Yorkshire as an all-format cricketer and bring to an end to a summer-long impasse after turning down approaches from rival counties:
And if you want a terrific read on Surrey’s thrilling victory over Worcestershire last week which confirmed the former as champions then look no further than the latest edition of The Spin with Tanya Aldred:
“It’s all happening at Headingley. Hampshire are 33-3 in reply to 184. Jack Brooks has taken two wickets and is whipping up the crowd in his final home appearance. We still have 19 overs to bowl tonight.”
Updated
“Yorkshire all out for 184, including four wickets for the pacy Fidel Edwards. He was just too quick for them. Yorkshire’s failure to claim a single batting point still leaves them looking over their shoulders at the drop zone. We have 25 overs to bowl tonight.”
“Yorkshire have slipped to 149-8, with Fidel Edwards yorking Tim Bresnan with an absolute beauty. Yorkshire following Worcester’s lead and failing to secure a single batting point. Jack Brooks and Steve Patterson aiming to change that.”
“Sam Robson has his first hundred of the season for Middlesex against Derbyshire at Lord’s, with the hosts 220-3 in one of the Division Two clashes which has no impact on the promotion race. Here at Headingley, Yorkshire are 120-6 and battling to stay in touch. There are plenty of oohs and arrghhs from Hampshire’s accurate and potent attack.”
Updated
“In the afternoon three wickets fell. The Overtons combined to dismiss Mark Stoneman for 85. Jamie bowled the ball and Craig athletically caught it in the gully, a hard chance which would have been no chance at all to a smaller man. Then to general surprise Burns was bowled by Tim Groenewald for 78. Watch Burns for ten minutes and you don’t see a Test player – he is the antithesis to James Vince. But just look at all those runs, a better barometer of a player. Here he was businesslike on a lovely batting surface. Then came a rare sighting of Jason Roy at number three in his first red-ball outing of the season and of course in these conditions he looked the part of a Test player with a few those silky shots purring to the boundary and a couple of them going over it. If only the ball was spinning this would have been a wonderful last-ditch audition for Roy, who was lbw for 63 to Craig Overton from the last delivery of the session. In the meantime Jack Leach, another very likely tourist, wheeled away with no reward. His figures look very ordinary but he has not bowled too badly. So Surrey are coasting very comfortably at 263-3 with Elgar on 23 to be joined by Ollie Pope after the break.”
“Yorkshire have reached tea at 110-6, losing Jonny Tattersall bowled by Ian Holland in the final over of a helter-skelter afternoon. Elsewhere, Essex are into the lead at Chelmsford, 118-1 in reply to Worcester’s 94 all out.”
Updated
‘When 22 players gather in huge stadiums built for full houses in midsummer, and rattle around in late season gloom to the applause of 20 hundred-weight of empty tip-up chairs and a crisp wrapper, County Championship cricket can feel a little soulless. But not at New Road, not last week ...’
Tanya may have exited the blog for today but you can read her account of her first trip to New Road since 2001 last week, when she ended up in a cinema, in The Spin.
Updated
Apologies, I must dash off for now, but Vic and Graham will continue to update from Headingley and Taunton. Come on Trotty!
Sam Robson’s nearly there - 92 out of 194 for 3. Come on Sam, a late-season treat in a season year where he is only averaging 24. (see Malan’s comments on Lord’s pitches)
Jack Murphy continues to keep Glamorgan afloat - 61 not out, Glamorgan 156 for 7. Essex only trailing Worcestershire by 19 runs now, nine wickets in hand. Hey-ho.
Burns is out!! I’m sure I heard someone this season muttering about his conversion rate, actually it was his conversion rate last season. Anyway. Surrey in no trouble at all at 212/2 and Jason Roy, whom Alec Stewart was hoping to play today, a uncharacteristically cautious 37 not out.
And that’s a fifty for Ian Bell. One corner of the jigsaw is in the correct order again. If Trott could just get one too then I might remember to plant my spring bulbs and maybe we’ll even paint the kitchen this winter. Ah, wait, a piece has just slipped between the floorboards.
“Yorkshire in a bit of bother now having lost Gary Ballance, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Adam Lyth in the space of two runs, slipping from 70-2 to 72-5 as medium pacers Ian Holland and Gareth Berg twice strike. Jonny Tattersall and Tim Bresnan both in on nought.”
Also, huge congratulations to Charlie Fox
WIN | It was a photo finish but Charlie Fox wins the Mascot Race to regain the trophy at @VitalityBlast Finals Day! 🦊 #followthefoxes pic.twitter.com/JhaLgAzPgS
— Leicestershire CCC🏏 (@leicsccc) September 15, 2018
A huge shout out to Leicestershire CCC (currently 145/4 v Durham) for this initiative:
#whiteribbon ending violence against women event in #Leicester today great turnout @ikramofficial @WhiteRibbon_UK @emhgroup @leicsccc using sport to spread the msg! pic.twitter.com/cCjvwPCHPf
— MeenaK (@Hopetraining) September 16, 2018
Well done to Gary Ballance on behalf on his many fans BTL.
Bad light has stopped play at Bristol where Gloucestershire are 72/8.
“Yorkshire are 72-3 in the 21st over, with Gary Ballance falling lbw to a full ball from Gareth Berg. His 30 saw him pass 10,000 first-class career runs in the process.”
Glad to hear Mr Tickle will be in attendance.
News from the ECB re Stokes and Hales:
“Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have each been charged by the ECB with bringing the game into disrepute.
“Each player has been charged with two counts of breaching ECB Directive 3.3 and will be required to attend a CDC Disciplinary Panel Hearing in accordance with the CDC Regulations.
ECB Directive 3.3 states:
“No Participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute.”
Who: The composition of the CDC Disciplinary Panel will be: Tim O’Gorman (Chair), Chris Tickle and Mike Smith.
When: The CDC has ruled that the Disciplinary Panel Hearing will be held on Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th December 2018.
Where: The Hearing will be held in private in London. The CDC Disciplinary Panel’s rulings will be published following the Hearing.
And Leicestershire 128 for 3 against Durham.
Yikes! Gloucester are 65 for 7 against Northants (Northants!), Brett Hutton 3-27. Glamorgan 130 for 6 against Kent - stability of sorts thanks to 46 not out from Jack Murphy.
Bell and Trott have put on 46 for the third wicket at Hove and Sam Robson is still there, 75 not out at Lord’s.
Essex are 33/1 in reply to Worcestershire’s dogs-dinner of a first innings. Nick Browne the man out, for 5.
Mark Stoneman is out for 85, not a bad flag-flying exercise for the England selectors. Burns is still there, of course he’s still there, on 62. Surrey 164-1
“It’s been an action-packed start to the day, with wickets, runs and a dropped catch. Yorkshire, at 66-2 in the 15th over, have scored at a touch over four and a half an over. While the sun is shining now, the wind is also howling, which can’t be easy for the bowlers. Adam Lyth has 21 and Gary Ballance, who looks in particularly good touch, has 28.”
And huge congratulations to Berkshire who have won the Minor Counties Championship in the play-off final against Lincolnshire at Banbury. It was Berkshire’s third consecutive Minor Counties title and completes a double following their success in the Minor Counties T20 three weeks ago.
Lincolnshire 198 (Nick Keast 42, Mungo Russell 5-57) & 175 (Andy Rishton 5-33), Berkshire 405-7 (Euan Woods 98, Jack Davies 73, Curtis Free 4-91). Berkshire won by an innings and 32 runs.
The man of the match award went to Berkshire seamer Mungo Russell for his five wickets on the first day.
“We are consistent in our practise and we care about it so much,” said Berkshire captain James Morris afterwards.” We try to go about everything in a really professional manner. It’s something that has been picked up by opponents and umpires.
“It’s something we are proud of. It works so why change it? Simple as that.”
“A points deduction for a substandard pitch must be on the cards at Taunton. This one may be too flat for a good game of cricket. In fact it will probably be marked above average - it has to be “above” or “below’ because - for no obvious reason - the form does not offer the option of just “average”.
“Meanwhile Surrey have played like Champions and they are 109 - 0 at lunch. The ex England opener, Mark Stoneman has scored most of the runs and is 66 not out, the anticipated new opener, Rory Burns has 40. Both have played well in benign conditions while Jamie Overton after his nightmarish T20 semi-final at the weekend has generated some pace in the right direction. There has been no turn for Leach, who is expected to join Burns in Sri Lanka.”
And Ali Martin has an exclusive on the sweetness and light that is Headingley
“Yorkshire are 22-2 in the eighth over having lost Jeet Raval and Harry Brook, both bowled by Kyle Abbott and Fidel Edwards. Brook was dropped at first slip by Ian Holland off Abbott with his first ball and then bowled through the gate by Edwards with his second.”
“We’re up and running at Headingley, with 80 overs to be bowled. Yorkshire are eight without loss in the second of those. Adam Lyth drove the first ball of the game from Kyle Abbott wide of point for four.”
Lunchtime scores on the doors:
DIVISION ONE
Yorkshire v Hampshire - no play due to rain
Somerset v Surrey 109 for one (Stoneman 66 not out, Burns 40 not out)
Essex v Worcestershire 94 all out (Jamie Porter 7-41)
DIVISION TWO
Sussex v Warwickshire 102 for 2 (Rhodes 50 not out, Sibley 44 not out)
Middlesex 102 for 1 (Robson 58 not out) v Derbyshire
Leicestershire 80 for 2 (Javid 43 not out) v Durham
Kent v Glamorgan86 for 5 (Henry 3-33)
Gloucestershire 55 for 5 STILL LIVE v Northamptonshire
All the eights, Worcestershire 88 for 8, Jamie Porter 6-36.
Warwickshire’s gloriousness comes to an abrupt end as both Rhodes (50) and Sibley (44) are out in quick succession. Which brings in Bell and Trott. There’s a farewell century in there from Trott, I can sniff it in the autumn breeze.
And Surrey and Warwickshire move serenely onwards - which is the story of the season really. Stoneman 51 not out; Burns 32 not out; Rhodes 45 not out; Sibley 44 not out.
Glamorgan have lost a third - with two to Matt Henry. Leicestershire are two down and Middlesex one (Gubbins). Sam Robson 48 not out.
A seventh wicket falls for Worcestershire - will they make it to three figures? Parnell lbw to Sam Cook, 73 for 7 after a disastrous morning’s work at Chelmsford.
Gloucestershire doing not much better against Northamptonshire, 34 for 4 with two wickets for Ben Sanderson. Captain Chris Dent still there after an hour at the crease.
“Unfortunately there will be no play before lunch at Headingley, but it has already been a prosperous morning for both Yorkshire and Hampshire given Worcestershire’s position of peril at Chelmsford.
“Yorkshire came into the game needing a maximum of 18 points from their last two games to avoid relegation, although that was assuming Worcester gained maximum points from both their remaining games. Hampshire required eleven.”
Glamorgan and Gloucestershire both two wickets down now, Gloucs 21/2 and Glamorgan 37/2.
This is a super read from Gary Naylor:
Just posting this for Worcestershire fans contemplating snipping up that membership card. You’ll always have Saturday.
Trophy time - @WorcsCCC are the @VitalityBlast 2018 CHAMPIONS! 🏆 #COYR pic.twitter.com/xTNGBqOx29
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) September 15, 2018
Warwickshire are off to a flyer - 60 for 0; Surrey are also without loss, Stoneman and Burns ploughing the way.
And moroseness descends at Chelmsford where Jamie Porter now has 5-21 and Worcestershire glumly trudge onwards, at 40-6.
Bad news for Yorkshire at Headingley. “The rain is coming down much heavier now, and the full covers are in place. I’m told this wasn’t on the forecast, but it is looking distinctly like no play before lunch.”
Bad light has stopped play at Bristol with Gloucestershire 1/1.
Actually, it was a close-run thing. Gloucestershire are now 1/1. Hammond to Hutton (what poetry) for a duck.
And the next team to lose a wicket are... Glamorgan!.Selman bowled Darren Stevens for a duck. Come on Glammy - stiffen the sinews now!
Worcestershire coming down to earth with something akin to a comet-hitting sized bump. Currently 12/4 - Milton out for a duck, to Porter again, and - somehow - they’ve also managed a run-out, also by Porter, who has bowled 1.5 overs, 3-7.
“Greetings from Taunton, where the press box is not as busy as it would be if the Championship had yet to be decided. Surrey have won the toss and are batting but do not expect a pitch that turns from the start. That conclusion can be drawn from Somerset’s team: Dom Bess is not playing at the end of an extraordinary season of highs and lows for him - in the England team, out of the Somerset team. And after the Lancashire game here, which finished inside two days as a tie they may not wish to risk another lively pitch.
“So Rory Burns is at the crease with his odd stance and straight bat and he’s off the mark with a clip to square leg for four off Craig Overton. Burns is the leading run-scorer in Championship cricket and is on the plane for Sri Lanka. So I’m interested to watch him - putting old loyalties aside.”
Oh Worcester, you were so brilliant on Saturday, so tenacious last week...now 10/2. Daryl Mitchell a second wicket for Jamie Porter
More from Graham, soggy at Headingley: “We have been delayed slightly until 10.45am here, but Hampshire will be bowling first after - surprise, surprise - an uncontested toss.
“Ben Coad has just been awarded his county cap by Yorkshire captain Steve Patterson. Coad has taken 90 wickets in the last two seasons of Championship cricket and has 91 in all in his fledgling career.
“Arrggghh, as I type the covers are coming back on due to a bit more rain, although it doesn’t look like much. I’d be surprised if it delays us for long. When play does get underway, it will be under floodlights.”
And Worcestershire have got off to a bad start. Tom Fell out for a duck, bowled by Jamie Porter. 2/1.
Just so I don’t leave anyone out - can’t make it to Lord’s? Follow all the action here:
LIVE STREAM AVAILABLE 📹🍿
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) September 18, 2018
If you aren't able to get to @HomeOfCricket today, you can catch all of the action against @DerbyshireCCC live right here instead! 👉 https://t.co/36xltavWYE pic.twitter.com/tSC6kN52ZD
And huge congratulations to Young Ben Coad who has been awarded his county cap this morning at Headingley:
Congratulations to @BenCoad10 who has received his First XI Cap from Steve Patterson this morning. #YourYorkshire #182 pic.twitter.com/62jBimQse9
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) September 18, 2018
There’s a delayed start at Bristol and Headingley - with play due to start at 10.45. No wickets have yet fallen round the country!
And at Taunton.. (look out for Vic)
🍿 A live stream is available for all four days of this game against @SomersetCCC, click the link below to watch today's play.
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) September 18, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/m4tOCH4c0v
Don’t forget that you can watch every ball from Collingwood’s penultimate match on the Grace Road live stream!
LIVE | See every ball bowled at the Fischer County Ground today through our @deeserve live stream, linked to commentary with @RichMRae and @Martycricket
— Leicestershire CCC🏏 (@leicsccc) September 18, 2018
Watch here ▶️ https://t.co/6ftfQUnPqL
🦊 #followthefoxes pic.twitter.com/0mU6lzLxnC
Graham Hardcastle is watching Yorkshire: “Good morning from Headingley, where it is dry and breezy ahead of Yorkshire’s meeting with Hampshire. We are on course for a start on time at 10.30am following some overnight rain. The covers have just been removed.
“This is a clash which could see Yorkshire knock the fear of relegation on the head. Hampshire have already done so with back-to-back victories over Worcestershire and Somerset during the last fortnight.
“Yorkshire need a maximum of 18 points from their final two games - they finish against bottom side Worcestershire at New Road next week.
“They will therefore have an eye on Worcester’s clash with Essex at Chelmsford. If Worcester fail to win, Yorkshire need a maximum of 10 points. “
Preamble
Good morning and welcome to the penultimate round of the 2018 County Championship. We already have our winners, and worthy champions, Surrey - who beat Worcestershire in that final-day thriller at New Road to clinch the pennant. Now the rest (minus Notts and Lancashire who sit this round out) battle for relegation and promotion places and one last chance to impress the selectors ahead of the announcement of the tour party later this week:
In Division One:
Yorkshire v Hampshire One to keep an eye on as Yorkshire press for a win and Division One safety. A last chance for James Vince to show what he can do
Somerset v Surrey What was was primed to be the pivotal match of the season now means nothing, but Somerset are playing for pride and Champs Surrey want to extend their run of consecutive wins to ten.
Essex v Worcestershire the just-crowned Vitality Blast Champions take on third-placed Essex. Worcestershire can avoid relegation by a mathematical miracle - and need a win.
In Division Two:
Sussex v Warwickshire A draw will be enough for Warwickshire to ensure promotion and an immediate bounce-back to Division One, but they have a tough fight against third-placed Sussex. Chris Woakes is unavailable for Warwickshire; Jonathan Trott plays his penultimate match. Losing Blast finalists Sussex have to win their last two games to secure promotion - and are unbeaten at Hove this season
Middlesex v Derbyshire The final Lord’s match of the season and it’s cloudy and overcast. Dawid Malan has mentioned the strangeness of the pitches this year (see below). Middlesex fans still await the announcement of a new head coach. It will be Derbyshire’s first visit to Lord’s since 2013 as they aim for their third consecutive CC win.
Leicestershire v Durham Paul Collingwood’s penultimate game might (?) draw the crowds into Grace Road. The club has just announced that Paul Horton has extended his contract by another two years.
Kent v Glamorgan Second-placed Kent are still in the thick of battle for promotion; bottom-of-the-table Glamorgan, who only have one win all season, look fragile, with pressure on head coach Robert Croft.
Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire It has been a disappointing season for Northants after the promise of last year, they travel to Bristol where a win for Gloucestershire could push them towards the foothills of respectability.
In other news, Durham director of cricket Geoff Cook will leave at the end of the season, Kent’s James Tredwell and Northants’ Steven Crook are hanging up their boots and Middlesex have released spinner Ravi Patel. David Malan has spoken of his disappointment over how the summer has panned out and the weirdness of this year’s Lord’s pitches.
“I think Lord’s has the 16th or 17th lowest average score in county cricket this year, which doesn’t make the stats look very good at all.
“That hasn’t been ideal when you have to go back to county cricket and score runs. It has been pretty tough - at the moment, 30 at Lord’s seems to be a very good score on both sides!”
Updated
