Yorkshire have the breakthrough. Steven Mullaney hit three fours off Jack Brooks in the first over before being trapped lbw by Ben Coad at the start of the fourth, leaving the score at 21-1. Lancashire are nine down at Chelmsford and still 74 runs away from their target. Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer have taken a couple of quick wickets to dampen fears of a Red Rose heist. In Division Two, Middlesex are 4-0 chasing 442 at Derby. Luis Reece finished 157 not out for the Peakites in their second innings.
Notts have been set a target of 403, with Yorkshire bowled out for 334. Tim Bresnan and Ben Coad (career best 33) shared 77 for the tenth wicket, although I would suggest the hosts batted on for about an hour too long. The light isn’t fantastic here, so I’d surprised if we see all of the 37 overs remaining in the day. We have reached tea, with Stuart Broad bowling to the baseball mitt in the middle ahead of his brief county stint over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, at Chelmsford, Lancashire are making a game of it. Chasing that 320, they are 233-7 having been 195-7. Jordan Clark and Joe Mennie are frustrating the champions, with the former 49 not out.
That run out at Taunton is the source of some controversy since it transpired that Renshaws foot was beyond the boundary when he picked the ball up before sending in his howitzer throw.
Yorkshire are still building their lead here. At 280-9, they are 348 ahead with Tim Bresnan and Ben Coad having shared 23 for the last wicket. Bresnan, on his way to 35 not out, even struck a pigeon at deep cover. The good news is that the feathered little fella is ok and still in situ.
Somerset have won by 83 runs at Taunton. The seamers did the damage though the final wicket was a comic /tragicomic run-out just. Steve Magoffin, hampered by a dodgy hamstring failed to get back for a second run, which would normally have been a canter. Matt Renshaw’s throw was perfect and Leach removed the bails. The tail had started to torment Somerset. But they have now posted a victory in their first match of the season for the first time since 2012.
Yorkshire’s lead is approaching 320 with two wickets left. Tim Bresnan is playing a useful hand for the hosts. The morning rain has given way to bright afternoon sunshine, much like it was first thing this morning at around 9am. At Chelmsford, Lancashire look to be a long way from home at 164/5 in pursuit of 320. Dane Vilas and Jordan Clark are in the early teens and need something special. In Division Two, Luis Reece has an unbeaten century for Derbyshire against Middlesex, but Ben Slater has just been dismissed for 99.
Three quick wickets for Harry Gurney has given Notts some hope. He has trapped Jack Leaning and Andrew Hodd lbw, both playing around deliveries from the left-arm around angle, while Gary Ballance played on for 81. Yorkshire are now 204-7, leading by 272 with Tim Bresnan and Josh Shaw at the crease. I’d still like to wager that Yorkshire have got enough even now, though.
Lunch around the circuit and Lancashire seem to have steadied somewhat in their chase of 320 at Essex and are still in it at 84/2 having been two down for 30-odd. Lions duo Liam Livingstone and Alex Davies are leading the recovery. Worcestershire are 85/6 in their pursuit of 279 to beat Somerset at Taunton, with Lewis Gregory taking three of the wickets to fall. That looks a thankless task for the Pears. Surrey’s lead is up to 409 over Hampshire with four wickets still in hand at the Oval. Here at Headingley, we are set for a 1.25pm resumption, with 18 overs lost – 76.4 remaining in the day.
In Division Two, Derbyshire are still firmly on top against Middlesex at the County Ground. Openers Slater and Reece have unbeaten fifties, with the lead up to 279. Glamorgan lead Gloucestershire by 172 with three second-innings wickets in hand. That looks a belter of a game at Bristol. Leicestershire are replying strongly to Sussex’s 438/8 declared with 222/3. South African Colin Ackermann is unbeaten on 115, while Northants are heading for defeat against Warwickshire - 99/4 and still 166 behind in their second innings.
Lunch at Taunton
Despite losing Tim Groenewald to the second ball of the day to set a victory target of 279, Somerset have enjoyed a productive morning at Taunton taking six Worcestershire wickets.
Even though the pitch is not so green now there is still movement for the seamers. But perhaps the most surprising element has been the bounce and pace available from this surface – live green grass tends to assist that at Taunton.
Lewis Gregory, who is subject to a 28 day approach, which has prompted some murmuring in these parts, bowled a fine first spell. He sent two of Daryl Mitchell’s stumps flying (middle and off) to the delight of alert photographers. Then he surprised Joe Clarke with an in-ducker. Clarke was lbw, disgruntled and remains devoid of runs at the start of a summer when opportunity is knocking. Meanwhile D’Oliveira was lbw to Davey and Travis Head wafted and edged against Groenewald.
The sole blemish from a Somerset perspective came when Trescothick, at second slip, dropped Tom Fell on 30. He was surprised by the pace of the ball but this was not a costly miss. Soon after George Rhodes was well snaffled by Renshaw at third slip off Groenewald. Then Gregory returned to dismiss Fell lbw with the last ball before lunch. So far Jack Leach has not even contemplated warming up. 85-6.
More weather frustration for Yorkshire, who can’t seem to shake it this summer. It is raining pretty heavily at present, with press box colleagues suggesting it could do for the next couple of hours at least. Lancashire have just lost a second wicket at Chelmsford, with Keaton Jennings falling to Peter Siddle - 32/2 now. Ben Foakes has just gone down at the Oval for 81. Olly Pope is still there unbeaten on 80, with Surrey 304/5 and leading Hampshire by 368.
More rain at Headingley I’m afraid, and I think this could be a longer delay. There was just enough time for Gary Ballance and Jack Leaning to secure their century partnership for the fifth wicket. Ballance has 81 and it has a feeling of groundhog day as far as he’s concerned...you know the drill, scores runs for Yorkshire, hype surrounds an England Test call, goes wrong when he gets one and back to the first point we go.
Updated
We are set for a start at Headingley, 20 minutes late, although play will commence under floodlights. I’d be very surprised if we get the full 96 overs in. Lancashire have lost an early wicket in their pursuit of 320, Haseeb Hameed bowled by Jamie Porter for one. Lancs 11-1 in the forth over. Porter mustn’t be far away from an England call, surely.
We are poised at Taunton under hazy sunshine and the wary Somerset locals are noting
1) The pitch is suddenly not so green
2) In a similar game at the start of last year Essex knocked off 255 with no trouble and an Alastair Cook 100
3) Somerset have not won their first game of the season since 2012 … but the bookies probably have Somerset as favourites. Here they come.
Anyway it should be a fascinating day here …
The morning sunshine at Headingley has given way to dark clouds and a bit of rain, meaning a delayed start to day three.
Good morning from a sunny Headingley …
… where Yorkshire are in control against Nottinghamshire, writes Graham Hardcastle. This third morning could bring a century for Gary Ballance, who resumes on 76 with his side leading by 257 in their second innings at 189/4.
At Chelmsford, Essex are also in a strong position having set Lancashire a target of 320. Interesting overnight quotes from James Foster, however: “I’m not sure if it’s going to be a winning total. I think it’s a good score, but I still feel we have to bowl exceptionally well. They’re a very good side, a very good batting line-up.”
In Division One, all the home sides are ahead and looking good for victories. At Taunton, Vic will see Somerset resume their second innings on 255/9, leading Worcestershire by 278. James Hildreth is unbeaten on 111. At the Oval, Surrey are 217/4 second time around, leading Hampshire 281. Ben Foakes, a one to watch candidate this summer, has 50 not out.
Down a division and five games in progress became four yesterday with Kent’s dismantling of Durham at Chester-le-Street. Derbyshire are on course to spring a surprise over Middlesex. They are 118/0 in their second innings, a lead of 226, as they search for a first home Championship win since September 2014.
Glamorgan’s Shaun Marsh scored his second successive Championship century as they press ahead in their first innings against Gloucestershire (296/5 in reply to 236). He posted one on his last appearance for Yorkshire against Surrey last September. He was an option to return to Headingley before Glamorgan offered him a two-year contract, with the length of deal significant. Sussex and Leicestershire are in the midst of a high-scoring contest at Grace Road, including a century for Sussex’s Michael Burgess on his return to his former stomping ground and a maiden career half-century for Ishant Sharma. Leicester will begin on 112/2 in reply to 438/8 declared.
Finally, at Wantage Road, Northants have work to do to avoid defeat against Warwickshire. They will resume their second innings on 41/0, trailing by 225. After a disappointing summer last year, their are positive signs for the Bears, with a first-innings century for Tim Ambrose. Ben Duckett is at the crease unbeaten on 10.
Division One
- Yorkshire 256 all out, 189-4, Nottinghamshire 88 all out; Yorks lead by 257 runs
- Surrey 211 all out, 217-4, Hampshire 147 all out; Surrey lead by 281 runs
- Somerset 202 all out, 255-9, Worcs 179 all out; Somerset lead by 278 runs
- Essex 50 all out, 313 all out, Lancashire 144 all out; Essex lead by 319 runs
Division Two
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Northamptonshire 147, 41-0, Warwickshire 413 all out; Warks lead by 225 runs
- Sussex 438-8 dec, Leicestershire 112-2; Sussex lead by 326 runs
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Gloucestershire 236, Glamorgan 296-5; Glamorgan lead by 60 runs
- Durham 91 all out, 170 all out, Kent 169 all out, 95-1; Kent win by 9 wickets
- Derbyshire 265 all out, 118-0, Middlesex 157 all out; Derbyshire lead by 226 runs
Updated
