Tanya's county roundup
At Headingley, Yorkshire’s Dom Leech collided with the concrete foundations of the Western Terrace while fielding and sustained a terrible injury to his left leg. The Yorkshire physio, Kunwar Bansil, drove him to hospital after the club was told an ambulance would take two hours. It was Leech’s first game with the Yorkshire first team.
After heavy rain had washed out the second day, play started at noon on the third. But increasingly water kept rising to the surface at the Emerald Stand end of the ground and around the bowlers’ footmarks. After Leech’s injury the umpires took the players off for tea and, after further inspections – booed by sections of the crowd – and under blue skies, play was abandoned for the day. The game is now certain to end in a draw with Lancashire 411 for two.
Hampshire finished the day jauntily in the winner-takes-all game at Cheltenham, after Nick Gubbins coasted to a century in only his second game for the club. Gloucestershire, who must bat for four and a bit sessions to guarantee Division One status come August, then lost three quick wickets.
At the Oval, Jack Leach took five for 32, including Ravi Ashwin for a golden duck, as Surrey subsided after a strong opening partnership between Rory Burns and Mark Stoneman. Somerset are guaranteed Division One cricket thanks to Hampshire’s failure to secure maximum batting points. Durham collapsed like a piece of parchment against Nottinghamshire in their must-win game at the Riverside, Joey Evison taking five for 21.
Three wickets from Leicestershire’s Will Davis befuddled Middlesex, 17 for four in their second innings before Steve Eskinazi, batting with a runner, mopped brows. At Sophia Gardens, Glamorgan’s Kiran Carlson (170) and Chris Cooke (133) – both not out – made hay against Northamptonshire. Ali Orr hit his maiden first-class century for Sussex – with Tom Haines getting 94 – against Kent.
That’s it from me for today, round-up to follow shortly. Thoughts with poor Dom Leech and stand-up applause for Jack Leach, Ali Orr, Kiran Carlson, Chris Cooke, Will Davis, Joey Evison, Ed Barnard and lots of others I’ve probably forgotten on a day for milestones. Thanks for your company, goodnight!
Some quotes have come through from Andrew Gale, and the line that sticks out is that the Yorkshire physio Kunwar Bansil had to drive Dom Leech to hospital, because the club were told an ambulance would take two hours.
Updated
Yorkshire statement
“Following a large amount of rain throughout the day and during the night on Monday, the start of day three of the Roses game at Emerald Headingley was delayed.
“Play then began at midday but only 23.2 overs were possible before the umpires brought the players off the field due to an unfit and unsafe outfield. Play was later abandoned for the day with the conditions not having improved sufficiently.
“Umpires Ian Gould and Nigel Llong deemed the outfield fit for a 12pm start, but conditions worsened as the afternoon went on with water rising to the surface in some of the key playing areas where the most activity had taken place, including on the bowler’s run ups. This was primarily at the Emerald Stand of the ground.
“Analysis of the outfield at that end has previously taken place and has identified issues with a layer of thatch that can cause a build up of water on the surface following heavy rain-fall.
“The Club had originally planned to get the outfield re-laid prior to the 2021 season but unfortunately difficulties arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in this being delayed.
“The Club intend on completing this work at the end of this season.”
And with Gloucestershire’s dreams crumbling, time for me to retire to the round-up.
A hundred for Kiran Carlson!
A glorious partnership of 211 between him and Chris Cooke, Glamorgan 367-4.
And BIG TROUBLE for Gloucestershire, as James Bracey is bowled by Abbott for 8. Gloucestershire 68-3 and peering into the depths of Division Two.
Updated
A bit more information on why the game was abandoned for the day at Headingley: “Water has risen to the surface in key areas, where there has been most activity, including the bowlers’ run-ups.”
A maiden century for Ali Orr!
What a day for Ali Orr, a wee bairn of 20. His maiden first-class century in his third match for Sussex. And a sharp contrast with Sussex’s first innings, then bowled out for 181 , now 198-0.
Crane strikes again! This time George Scott for 29, not one for the career scrapbook. Gloucestershire 54-2.
A huge wicket at Cheltenham as Miles Hammond is bowled by Mason Crane. Gosh it looks hot and dry down there. Loving the way Hammnd holds the stroke even after he’s out - it must have felt good in the execution.
An absolute 🍑 from @masoncrane32! 😱👏@Gloscricket 47-1 (21 overs)
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) July 13, 2021
📺 Follow the action live at https://t.co/cNkJ7vdkkn or on the free Hampshire Cricket App 📲 pic.twitter.com/DK0fB7NGaC
Updated
Jack Leach has done Ashwin like a kipper! And now he’s got a fifth as Ryan Patel is snaffled by Devon Conway from a top-edge. Surrey 191-6
Straight out of the Somerset Academy 😉#WeAreSomerset #SURvSOM pic.twitter.com/3EGI48vJTp
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) July 13, 2021
If you can bear to tear your eyes away from Cheltenham, drive by the carnage at Edgbaston. Pakistan 331-9, Babar 158. Follow it with Tim de Lisle here:
Updated
Play abandoned for the day at Headingley
“Play has been abandoned for the day due to unfit and unsafe conditions. Water has risen to the surface in key areas, where there has been most activity, including the bowlers run ups.”
Teatime scores
Chester-le-Street: Notts 328 v Durham 165 all out
Cheltenham: Gloucs 229 and 33-0 v Hampshire 486-7 dec
Northwood: Middlesex 324-9 & 82-6 v Leics 228
Cardiff: Northants 215-9 v Glamorgan2 95-4
Canterbury: Sussex 181 & 147-0 v Kent 165
New Road: Warwicks 395 v Worcs 317-7
Headingley: Lancashire 411-2 v Yorkshire Play has been suspended because of unfit playing conditions
The Oval: Somerset 429 v Surrey 178-4
At Headingley, the umpires are not getting a great reception from the faithful.
Umpires Gould and Llong are out for their inspection and have been booed onto the field.
— Graham Hardcastle (@tykestravels) July 13, 2021
Worcestershire are still plugging away at New Road, Joe Leach has just been out to Rob Yates after a plucky 34. Ed Barnard still there on 39, the deficit 83.
A comedy leave by Jack Burnham. Durham 139-8.
🎥 Don't leave those.
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) July 13, 2021
Watch #DurVNotts live 👉 https://t.co/1iEGBx7fY1 pic.twitter.com/J7TOwz1EqT
Poor Steve Eskinazi has been hauled into action at Merchant Taylors’; with Max Holden as his loyal runner. Currently 0 off ten balls, Middlesex 65-5.
At Headingley, the playing surface has been declared unfit for play at the moment
After the sickening injury to Dom Leech, the umpires have inspected and found the surfaces unsafe. A further inspection will follow.
Updated
Thanks to HPG, BTL, via CricViz:
“The ball from Parkinson to dismiss Imam-ul-Haq spun 12.1°
No ball bowled by an English spinner, in England, to take a wicket in ODI’s in the ball tracking era, has ever spun more.”
A second wicket for Jack Leach at The Oval, who has just been taken out of the attack with figures of 2-33 from 20 overs. Surrey currently 152-3, a bit of an anticlimax after the first-wicket partnership of 98.
No news yet from Headingley.
Hampshire have declared on 486-7, a lead of 257!
Gubbins finished 137 not out. Gloucestershire must now bat for four and a bit sessions
Elsewhere, Parky is on.
Park life pic.twitter.com/b9vh5EGDMy
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) July 13, 2021
So this Durham collapse: afternoon dolour? And there’s another gone in the blink of an eye, now 116-7. Joey Evison, in just his fourth CC match, has got a career best 5-17 in seven overs.
Tea has been taken at Headingley. According to our man at the ground, the umpires are worried about the playing conditions.
Dom Leech has just been stretchered off the outfield and it seems like play has been halted. Only explanation can be the umpires are concerned for safety of players wit Leech having slipped on wet ground.
— Graham Hardcastle (@tykestravels) July 13, 2021
Updated
There’s an injury delay at Headingley - poor Dom Leech is the man in trouble after sliding into a concrete barrier at fine leg. He’s now being stretchered off the field. Godspeed Dom.
Lancashire have been belting along, 411-2, with Wells 97 not out, Bohannon 74. A declaration at tea? Then four sessions to bowl Yorkshire out twice. Easy.
Updated
At The Oval, Surrey are making batting look easy. van der Merwe snaffled Burns for 50, but Stoneman, 60 not out, has been joined by anchor-man Amla. 125-1.
Meanwhile, Carlson and Cooke are having fun at Sophia Gardens, as Glamorgan overtake Northant’s first innings score with six wickets in hand.
Good god Middlesex! Still, one last time with feeling: 6-1, became 6-2, became 6-3 became 17-4. Robson, De Caires, Holden and Cracknell all back in the hutch. Will Davis (3-6) the main man again.
The first email of the day wings in from Andrew Benton, “The Gloucs commentators said yesterday that 400-2 for Hants was unlikely. They’re now 401 - 6, so not far off. Gloucs have lost control of their destiny - I can’t see them batting out three or four sessions for the draw, Hants are just too strong. What do you think?”
I constantly underestimate Gloucestershire as a team, so I feel honour bound to stand up for them. The pitch is flat, so batting out a day should be eminently doable. Much depends on whether Gloucestershire crumble under the pressure and how well Mason Crane bowls. He’s currently in his fourth game, and has taken 12 CC wickets this year.
Nick Gubbins makes his century!
His first hundred for Hampshire in only his second game. Well played! It took him 34 balls to get off the mark, but they he was away. Hampshire 394-6, a lead of 165 over Gloucestershire.
A special moment for @ngubbins18! 👏💯
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) July 13, 2021
He reaches a sensational century, his first for the Club in just his second @CountyChamp contest 🙌🔥
📺 Follow the action live at https://t.co/cNkJ7vdkkn or on the free Hampshire Cricket App 📲 pic.twitter.com/7dDCSfBpAi
Updated
Apologies everyone for the delay, just logging back in.
And here’s your lunchtime scores:
Chester-le-Street: Notts 328 v Durham 73-2
Cheltenham: Gloucs 229 v Hampshire 387-6
Northwood: Middlesex 324 & 6-1 v Leics 228
Cardiff: Northants 215 v Glamorgan 177-4
Canterbury: Sussex 181 & 53-0 v Kent 165
New Road: Warwicks 395 v Worcs 227-4
Headingley: Lancashire 346-2 v Yorkshire
The Oval: Somerset 429 v Surrey 99-1
A quick look round the grounds with half an hour till lunch:
Hampshrie 350-5: the big one, the lead 121
Durham 40-2: recovery of sorts
Worcesters: 212-3: easy pickings
Leicestershire 216-9: no ballast in the tail
Surrey 92-0: no luck for the Somerset spinners either.
Glamorgan 147-2: a glorious Marnus century approaches (72not out)
Sussex 30-0: the game scurries along
Lancashire 312-2: Wells and Bohannon make hay.
Thoughtful, sad and wise on the state of the nation, by Jonathan Liew.
Updated
Apparently the Cheltenham wicket was rolled and rolled till any juice long squeezed away. Hampshire’s lead is now more than a hundred, with five wickets left. Nick Gubbins (66 not out) and Lewis McManus (34) have put on 103 for the sixth wicket. Could tomorrow be Mason Crane’s chance to catch the selectorial eye? Hampshire, remember, need the win, Gloucestershire don’t.
Updated
Somerset have qualified for Division One of the County Championship!
Particularly impressive given the eight point penalty they brought into the competition. Presumably they’ve got there without taking three Surrey wickets, because Hampshire haven’t scored quickly enough at Cheltenham.
A creditable performance for whistled-up Kent, all out for 165, a deficit of just 16 runs. Well played Hamidullah Qadri, unbeaten on 20.
Forget everything I said about maximum bowling points. Durham now 13-2, with Michael Jones also back in the pavilion. Stuart Broad currently: 4-2-8-2. I smell power to add.
A first century of the season for Daryl Mitchell!
Worcestershire hit cruise control - 191-2, with Jack Haynes 59 not out.
Durham’s pursuit of maximum batting points dealt rather a blow as Bancroft falls third ball to Stuart Broad for a duck. Durham 7-1. I wonder if England will do as Tim suggests and alternate Jimmy/Broad in the Ashes.
Somerset will qualify for Division One if they pick up three Surrey wickets today (Surrey currently 50-0)
Apologies to Atkins, that is actually the second five-fer of his career.
Meanwhile at The Riverside, Chris Rushworth has just taken the final wicket of the Notts innings, Liam Patterson-White for 73. If - let’s be honest, it is a big if - Durham get maximum batting points and win the game, they will be in Division One come August.
The groups as they sit at the moment:
Group one
Notts 137
Warwicks 131
Durham 122
Essex 118
Worcestershire 97
Derby 63
Group two
Somerset 134
Gloucestershire 129
Hants 123
Surrey 112
Leics 107
Middlesex 63
Group three
YORKS 141 - DIVISION ONE
LANCS 139 - DIVISION ONE
Northants 113
Glamorgan 111
Kent 86
Sussex 83
Updated
Marnus watch:
𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧.
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) July 13, 2021
First boundary of the morning, and it's a beauty from Marnus Labuschagne 💪
📺 https://t.co/kwG4uCoDFX#GLAMvNOR l #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/YoZiboeLYT
The only wicket to fall in the first ten minutes of the day is at Canterbury, where young Jamie Atkins completes a five-fer in only his fourth Championship match. Kent 129-8, 52 behind. This could be over today.
Yesterday’s sogathon at Headingley has delayed the start until noon, elsewhere, they’re ready to go.
Tim loves to tinker with the established norms, and here he is at it again. A great read.
And I know this will pique the interest of some BTL:
It's over for 'overs' as the ECB outline the playing conditions for #TheHundred 👀
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 12, 2021
👉 https://t.co/A0DhIKUz6w pic.twitter.com/3n8D0kzGPW
There is buckets to read this morning - here is Ali’s match preview of today’s ODI against Pakistan, with Ben Stokes musing over Covid’s possible arrow through the heart of The Hundred.
Scores on the doors
Group One
Derbyshire 146 v Essex 86-3 MATCH ABANDONED: COVID
Durham v Nottinghamshire 312-9 No play day 2, rain
Worcestershire 152-2 v Warwickshire 395 all out
Group Two
Gloucestershire 229 v Hampshire 270-5
Middlesex 324-9 v Leicestershire 174-5
Surrey 24-0 v Somerset 429 all out
Group Three
Glamorgan 52-2 v Northants 215-9
Kent 127-7 v Sussex 181
Yorkshire v Lancashire 273-2 No play day 2, rain.
Monday's round-up
Covid threw a bouncer into Essex’s chances of playing Division One cricket later this season when their Championship game against Derbyshire had to be abandoned before play on the second day.
A positive Test in the Derbyshire ranks was the cause, with other squad members being ‘pinged’ as close contacts. The entire squad is now self-isolating, alongside the Derbyshire players involved in the Vitality Blast match last Friday. Points awarded from the abandoned game are yet to be decided, but Essex, who started the match with a theoretical chance of reaching Division One, are presumably now out of the running. A decision will be made in consultation with Public Health England and the ECB on whether Derbyshire will play their two remaining Blast matches, against Northamptonshire on Friday and Yorkshire on Sunday.
There was more Covid-interruption at Canterbury, where Kent’s second-string team was further depleted. Nathan Gilchrist, who took two for 24 during Sussex’s first innings, was told to self-isolate from a separate track and trace incident, leaving Bailey Wightman as the sixth Kent debutant of the match. Just 80 minutes play were possible, with Kent moving on to 122 for seven.
Hampshire finished the chirpier in the winner-takes-all contest at Cheltenham. Gloucestershire’s batting never recovered from losing 3-0 in the three first overs of the day. Hampshire then built a lead of 41 thanks largely to an opening stand of 174 between Ian Holland and Joe Weatherley.
At the Oval, Somerset only have to avoid defeat to leap into Division One and their batsmen made good progress, hoovering up a third batting point and reaching 429. Some jolly late-innings japes from Jack Leach and Marchant de Lange, who both swung sixes, entertained the crowd. Rory Burns had time to hit four fours in Surrey’s reply before the rain fell.
Overnight batsmen Charlie Thurston and Saif Zaib helped Northamptonshire to respectability at Sophia Gardens, but off spinner Andrew Salter’s four for 18 mopped up the tail. Glamorgan lost both openers before the heavens opened Middlesex lost five for 29 as their middle-order and tail folded origami-style in the face of seamer Will Davis, who finished with five for 66. Bulwark Sam Robson was finally out for a seven-hour 154. Colin Ackermann led the Leicestershire reply, 65 not out before bad light intervened. Tim Murtagh took three for 34.
New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi grabbed six wickets on his red-ball debut for Worcestershire, but Warwickshire still scooped up four batting points in their quest for Division One cricket. Daryl Mitchell then hit his highest score of the season, 83 not out, on a flat New Road pitch. Not a ball was bowled at Headingley or The Riverside.
Updated
Preamble
Good morning from a Manchester wrapped in dirty old dog blankets. Yesterday, the weather farted at will round the country, but today promises to be more settled, with just a few showers across Scotland and the northwest England. So set up your percolator and settle in in for day 3 of this final preliminary Championship round.
