Day four roundup
Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart has called on the ECB to look into ways of preventing a repeat of his side’s abandoned final day against Somerset at Taunton after high overnight winds blew the covers off the pitch and left it wet and unplayable.
The champions were on course to win their 10th successive Division One game, only for umpires Tim Robinson and Alex Wharf to call the game off at 9am with tyres marks from the covers imprinted close to the popping crease at the River End of the ground.
This was a game with no bearing on the title picture, meaning a pretty relaxed view from Stewart and the visiting camp as they were left contemplating a draw. However, he said: “These things don’t happen too often, but imagine if this game had potentially been a Championship decider, which at one stage it was looking to be a few games ago. A lot more would have been said.
“It’s probably worth the ECB looking ahead, should this sort of thing happen again. What would happen? Is it just an abandoned game? Is it the home side’s responsibility to ensure the covering and everything is of the right standard? I’m sure Somerset haven’t done this on purpose in any shape or form, but we were trying to win 10 on the bounce. It’s been taken out of our hands in a game where we were well ahead.”
It is the second time in successive home games that the spotlight has been thrown on the Taunton pitch following controversy surrounding their tie with Lancashire earlier this month when there was a suggestion of excessive turn.
In this game, Somerset would have resumed on 168 for three in their second innings, trailing by 171. Their coach, Jason Kerr, said: “The weather was atrocious overnight. We had to put the situation in the game to one side. It was about the safety of the players and the condition of the surface. Had Morne Morkel bowled on that, it would have been very interesting and certainly not safe for the batters.”
It was a similar outcome at Headingley between Yorkshire and Hampshire, although not with the drama as heavy overnight and morning rain left the playing surface too wet. Both sides were left with eight points for a draw. Hampshire are already safe, while Yorkshire now need a maximum of two points for safety in next week’s final round clash at relegated Worcestershire. Had play started, Yorkshire would have been 287 for five in their second innings, leading by 314.
Meanwhile, Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale has revealed that Adil Rashid is on the verge of committing his future to the club, while Jonny Bairstow, also out of contract, “wants a bit of time”. Warwickshire secured Division Two promotion alongside Kent by batting out their final day against Sussex at Hove to secure the draw they needed. Opener Dom Sibley hit an unbeaten second-innings 144. Warwickshire closed on 381 for three, a lead of 478.
Ian Bell went for an x-ray having taken a blow to his right thumb from a rising Oliver Robinson delivery on five, although suffered only bruising. Kent, ahead on most wins, and Warwickshire are level on points at the top ahead of next week’s title decider at Edgbaston.
Derbyshire, chasing 328 to beat Middlesex at Lord’s, were bowled out for 210. Billy Godleman carried his bat for 102 not out. Only five overs were bowled on day four at Bristol as Gloucestershire drew with Northamptonshire. North-east based former Australia batsman Marcus North has replaced Geoff Cook as Durham’s new director of cricket.
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Middlesex beat Derbyshire by 117 runs
Derbyshire, chasing 328, are all out for 210, losing their last four wickets for 18. Tim Murtagh finished with four-for. Billy Godleman, on 102 not out, becomes first Derbyshire batsman to carry his bat since 2013 when Chesney Hughes did it against Yorkshire here at Headingley.
And a final note before I dash to write my round-up of the day, on a more positive note than the day started with – the word on Ian Bell’s thumb is promising: it appears to be just bruised.
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Sam Hain is out for 90 at Hove and Derbyshire are 205 for 8 at Lord’s, although Billy Godleman has his century and is unbeaten on 102. The 123 more needed to win for the visitors is a real stretch. Tim Murtagh leads the way with three wickets for Middlesex.
🤣 Phil Salt wheels away like a young Alan Shearer after taking his first, first-class wicket. #gosbts pic.twitter.com/VOAXxuFvI3
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) September 21, 2018
It seems the only thing left in that Sussex v Warwickshire game is to see whether Sam Hain can complete his century. He has reached tea on 77. Warwickshire are millions ahead, but – more importantly – on the way to promotion.
Derbyshire are 182 for 6 as they approach tea at Lord’s, needing 146 more. Opener Billy Godleman is holding things together with an unbeaten 93, while Anuj Dal has just arrived at the crease.
Warwickshire are still batting at Hove … 334 for 2 with a lead of 431. Dom Sibley has 128 and Sam Hain 68.
A closer look at Somerset’s pitch …
Here's a look at the pitch after the storm damage last night #SOMvSUR pic.twitter.com/A9x6rD1Y2l
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) September 21, 2018
Derbyshire are 119 for 4 against Middlesex, having lost Alex Hughes and Harvey Hosein in the last hour. Hughes was ousted by Martin Andersson, the seamer who was on loan at Derbyshire a fortnight ago before being recalled. The visitors require 209 more for victory.
Warwickshire are still batting, making absolutely certain of promotion rather than going all out for victory against Sussex at Hove. They are 289 for 2, leading by 390. Dom Sibley is unbeaten on 113 and Sam Hain 50.
Gloucestershire v Northants abandoned – match drawn
While I was getting some quotes following this Yorkshire v Hampshire draw, they have abandoned the game in a draw at Bristol, where they was only five overs possible on day four between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire before more rain.
So just two matches are in play now, both in Division Two. Warwickshire lead Sussex by 346 at lunch at Hove. They are 249 for 2 in their second innings. At Lord’s, Derbyshire are 108 for 3 chasing 328 to beat Middlesex.
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Some reaction from Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale as his side close in on Division One safety. He said: “I thought it was a good solid week. We spoke before the game about how we’re probably playing our best cricket of the season towards the back end, and we’ve got some confidence back. We had a good solid draw at Trent Bridge and then beat Lancashire in a close battle.
“We came into this game with a lot of confidence, and I want us to jump on the back of that. Before the rain, we were in a commanding position. I’m really pleased that we’ve backed some good work last week [the win over Lancashire], and that’s the first time this season we’ve managed to do that. We certainly won’t be going down to Worcester thinking about the two points we need [to avoid relegation]. For me, it’s about going down there to win. Worcester are a good side, but they’re there for the taking, and I want to finish the season strongly.”
Yorkshire v Hampshire abandoned – match drawn
Play has been abandoned here at Headingley, so a draw. Eight points for Yorkshire leaves them needing a maximum of two points from next week’s clash with Worcestershire at New Road to secure safety.
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Ian Bell has been forced to retire hurt at Hove after being hit on the thumb by a rising delivery from Oliver Robinson. He has gone for an x-ray. Warwickshire 191 for 2, leading by 288. They are due to start at Bristol any time now.
Wickets at Hove and Lord’s. Warwickshire are 168 for 1 in their second innings against Sussex, leading by 265. Will Rhodes has just been trapped lbw by former Yorkshire teammate Oliver Robinson for 88.
🏏 The first wicket of this mornings play, courtesy of Ollie Robinson. @WarwickshireCCC 160-1. #gosbts pic.twitter.com/V479ADQf72
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) September 21, 2018
At Lord’s, Derbyshire are 33 for 1 in their chase against Middlesex. Tim Murtagh has removed Luis Reece this morning.
MURTAGH GETS THE FIRST@tjmurtagh strikes first this morning, as Reece is caught in the deep by @etbamber 🤲#TeamMiddlesex pic.twitter.com/YiuHic5IjI
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) September 21, 2018
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A little more on events at Taunton, where high winds blew the covers off the pitch at the River End of the ground overnight, with a tyre mark even left on the pitch, as you can see here …
The mopping up process had started at Headingley, but it has started raining again.
They have started at Hove and Lord’s, the latter where Derbyshire are 15 for 0 chasing 328 against Middlesex. There will be an inspection at 11am at Bristol ahead of day four between Gloucestershire and Northants.
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Stewart frustrated at abandonment: 'Is it the home side's responsibility?'
This just in from the Press Association:
Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart expressed his frustration at his side’s hopes of a 10th successive victory being wiped out by elements beyond their control.
While he was quick to absolve Somerset of any underhand tactics, Stewart has suggested the England and Wales Cricket Board look into the matter to prevent a repeat.
He said in a video posted on Surrey’s Twitter account: “I’m sure Somerset haven’t done this on purpose in any shape or form but we were trying to win a game, were trying to win 10 on the bounce and it’s been taken out of our hands in a game where we were well ahead.
🎙 @backandacross spoke to @StewieCricket after a very frustrating end to the game.
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) September 21, 2018
💬 "We were trying to win ten on the bounce and that's been taken out of our hands." pic.twitter.com/HlsumMCXNd
“These things don’t happen too often but imagine if this game had potentially been a championship decider, which at one stage it was looking to be a few games ago. Just say Somerset were ahead and then we were here and this had happened, a lot more would have been said.
“It’s probably worth the ECB looking ahead, should this sort of thing happen again, what would happen. Is it just an abandoned game? Is it the home side’s responsibility to ensure the covering and everything is of the right standard?
“You can tell we are very, very frustrated and disappointed, as are Somerset, because they wanted to try to save the game and well done to them for trying to do that. It’s just a real frustration all round.”
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Preamble
Good morning.
Drama at Taunton, where the covers have blown off in an overnight storm, leaving conditions unplayable. So that match finishes in a draw, leaving champions Surrey with 13 points and Somerset five. Somerset were 168 for 3 in their second innings overnight, a deficit of 171. That means Surrey’s nine-game winning streak comes to an end.
BREAKING: Unfortunately the match has been abandoned. The storm last night blew the covers from the wicket, meaning the playing surface has been deemed unfit. More to follow...#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/Y91EruAqss
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) September 21, 2018
Here at Headingley, it is not quite as dramatic a scene, but I suspect the game will go the same way. Heavy rain overnight, and there has been no attempt yet made to start the mopping up process. Umpires Graham Lloyd and Michael Gough have called an early lunch at 12pm. They will call it off shortly afterwards. Yorkshire are 287-5 in their second innings, leading by 314. Eight points for the draw will leave them needing a maximum of two points from next week’s final round clash with Worcestershire at New Road to secure Division One safety. Hampshire are already safe. In Division Two, there are three games still in play.
At Hove, Warwickshire (141 for 0 in their second innings) lead Sussex by 238 and are chasing a win which would take them back above Kent to the top of Division Two. A draw, which would be enough to secure promotion, would leave it level pegging ahead of next week’s clash between the two sides at Edgbaston – a title decider. At Lord’s, Middlesex will begin day four on 199 for 7 in their second innings, leading Derbyshire by 327, while Northamptonshire have a first-innings lead of 48 over Gloucestershire at Bristol. There was no play possible there yesterday. The sun is shining at all three venues.
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