Two vastly different draws shaped Division One of the County Championship in the first round of the second stage. Hampshire had to thank leg-spinner and nightwatchman Mason Crane, who batted from the third evening until after tea on the fourth day. Starting that morning 366 runs behind against Yorkshire, he faced 197 balls for 28 runs to set the tone. Captain James Vince soaked up 150 balls, and the last-wicket pair of Kyle Abbott and Brad Wheal clung on at 175 for nine.
The other draw was never in doubt. Warwickshire began the day 88 runs in front in the third innings, with no intention of setting Lancashire a target. In his natural environment, dropped England stonewaller Dominic Sibley made 57 from 157 balls. The principal entertainment came from leg-spinner Matt Parkinson, whose four wickets from 45 overs included bowling Sibley around his legs with a showstopper from the rough.
Gloucestershire and Worcestershire produced perfectly timed run chases at four wickets down that peaked near the end of the day. Gloucestershire coach Ian Harvey said his team had been outplayed, bowled out for 191 after conceding 327. But they knocked off the last three Northamptonshire wickets on the fourth morning and chased 267 to win. Miles Hammond was the core with 94, Graeme van Buuren’s fast 53 brought it home.
Worcestershire similarly took four Sussex wickets, including teenager Danial Ibrahim for 94, then set about a chase of 314. Jake Libby saw it through with 125 not out, while Brett d’Oliveira smashed 56 from 31 just when the chase seemed out of reach.
At Lord’s, Middlesex won by 112 runs over Derbyshire. Billy Godleman and Matthew Critchley put up a long fight with the bat, but Toby Roland-Jones broke through with three wickets in 10 balls. He finished with five for 36, Derbyshire all out for 221.
After a full round, prime spot in Division One belongs to Nottinghamshire, having beaten Somerset within three days. Bonuses and carryover points have Somerset sitting third, with Warwickshire second. Division Two has Essex on top, with Worcestershire leading Division Three.
And I think that’s it. Thanks as ever to the ragtag bunch of individuals who frequent the Guardian cricket coverage and make it much more fun, and much less lonely. I hope that you saw things you wanted to see, and basked in the fellowship of the bat-ball game.
I’m off to bed, at crazy o’clock Melbourne time. I lie, I’m going to record a Final Word podcast about the England-India Test which I was watching at the same time in an arrangement of four screens. Then bed. See you next time.
Here’s the old county champo wrap. Any errors, let me know. Many people who read this page know more about it than I do.
Today
Two vastly different draws shaped Division 1 of the County Championship in the first round of the second stage. Hampshire had to thank leg-spinner and nightwatchman Mason Crane, who batted from the third evening until after tea on the fourth day. Starting that morning 366 runs behind Yorkshire, he faced 197 balls for 28 runs to set the tone. Captain James Vince soaked up 150 balls, and the last-wicket pair of Kyle Abbott and Brad Wheal clung on at 175 for 9.
The other draw was never in doubt. Warwickshire began the day 88 runs in front in the third innings, with no intention of setting Lancashire a target. In his natural environment, dropped England stonewaller Dominic Sibley made 57 from 157 balls. The principal entertainment came from leg-spinner Matt Parkinson, whose four wickets from 45 overs included bowling Sibley around his legs with a showstopper from the rough.
Gloucestershire and Worcestershire produced perfectly timed run chases at four wickets down that peaked near the end of the day. Glos coach Ian Harvey said his team had been outplayed, bowled out for 191 after conceding 327. But they knocked off the last three Northamptonshire wickets on the fourth morning and chased 267 to win. Miles Hammond was the core with 94, Graeme van Buuren’s fast 53 brought it home.
Worcestershire similarly took four Sussex wickets, including teenager Danial Ibrahim for 94, then set about a chase of 314. Jake Libby saw it through with 125 not out, while Brett d’Oliveira smashed 56 from 31 just when the chase seemed out of reach.
At Lord’s, Middlesex won by 112 runs over Derbyshire. Billy Godleman and Matthew Critchley put up a long fight with the bat, but Toby Roland-Jones broke through with three wickets in ten balls. He finished with 5 for 36, Derbyshire all out 221.
After a full round, prime spot in Division 1 belongs to Nottinghamshire, having beaten Somerset within three days. Bonuses and carryover points have Somerset sitting third, with Warwickshire second. Division 2 has Essex on top, with Worcestershire leading Division 3.
Hampshire hang on for the draw
Yorkshire frustrated, as the home team get through at 175 for 9. Abbott faced 51 balls for 9. Wheal faced 22 without scoring. And they’re home.
All nine fielders around the bat for Dom Bess bowling with seven balls to go. No joy as Wheal defends.
Updated
Last match standing. Abbott and Wheal roll on...
Thompson get Vince!
Hampshire nine down! Decks in, beats the edge and hits the back leg in front of off stick. Brilliant from Thompson to get something out of this surface. Vince 42 from 151 deliveries, he’s battled hard against Yorkshire. Abbott and Brad Wheal are Hampshire’s last hope.
Just the 26 runs per over needed for Hampshire to match those other two teams. They’re 177 for 8 as Abbott gets clattered in the box by Fish.
Updated
Worcestershire win by six wickets
Brett d’Oliveira smashes them around the place. He’s 56 off 30 balls as he brings the equation down to 2 to win. Then he gets a leg bye, and sprints back for a single when Jake Libby drives into the covers for Libby’s 124th run. They win with a score of 313 for 4. Sussex had a lead of 51 on the first innings, and some special performances from their very young players like Lenham and Ibrahim
Gloucestershire win by six wickets
Four overs left. Lace 67 and van Buuren 53. A remarkable comeback after being shot out for 191 in the first innings, when Northants made 327. Timed their run really well today. They’re 267 for 4 as they win.
Abbott and Vince bat on.
Worcs, meanwhile, need 21 to win from six overs.
Northants all but give up the match on their own: Kerrigan bowls down leg, the umpire wides it as negative bowling, and the keeper misses it thus conceding five wides. Four to win for G-shire.
Kyle Abbott is so far hanging tough with James Vince for Hampshire, looking for a draw.
Meanwhile at Worcester, Dolly is 27 from 17 balls, and Worcs need 36 to win. It’s on there as well!
Kerrigan loses his grip on one, high full toss, and Graeme van Buuren punts it into the midwicket seats. He’s 51 from 43 balls, and he needs 18 more to win it.
Another boundary in Bristol, and The Freaks need 33 from the last 10 overs! They’re on here. Lace 55, van Buuren 37, they’re 233 for 4.
Ben Cox is out up in Worcester. Archie Lenham bags him for Sussex. But Brett d’Oliveira comes out swinging. Worcs need 60 to win. They’re 255 for 4.
Gloucestershire need 42 from 11 overs... and Tom Lace pings a cover drive for four to take that target to 38.
Keith Barker is caught behind off Thompson. A little push by the left-hander. Hampshire are 158 for 8! Yorkshire within sight...
Graeme van Buuren slog-sweeps six over midwicket from Kerrigan. Gloucestershire are coming against Northants. They need 50 as he drives a single to keep strike. He has 31. They’re 215 for 4.
Century for Jake Libby
He’s 109 not out, having taken Worcestershire to 263 for 3. So they need 79 in about 15 overs.
Hammond for Gloucestershire got out for 94, bowled by Taylor. Lace and van Buuren have the chase down to 60 required...
13 off an over for Gloucs, bringing the requirement down to 71 more runs.
Worcestershire need 92 with seven wickets in hand, Gloucestershire need 80 with six wickets in hand. Will either make a charge?
Another one down at Southampton! McManus is bowled by Jordan Thompson for 8. Hampshire 146 for 7, and the finish grows tighter...
Lancashire and Warwickshire draw at Old Trafford
Quelle surprise. Matt Lamb on 36 from 117 has stifled this game to its end. Danny Briggs is 11 not out. Warks 239 for 6, and we never got into a fourth innings.
No change in any of our dead-bat scenarios in the last 10 minutes or so. Vince and McManus for Hants, Lamb and Briggs for Warks, Libby and Cox for Worcs...
but as I type, Gloucs skipper Chris Dent falls at Bristol. Another wicket for Milo Kerrigan. They’re 168 for 4, and 98 from winning.
At the same time, Shardul Thakur has smashed 53 not out from 31 balls for India at The Oval.
Miles Hammond is starting to think about a third century in his first-class career, on 87 for Gloucestershire. Can’t see them going for the win, 115 runs away from that, while only going at a steady pace. Going on the attack for a few overs could chance things quickly though.
Jack Haynes is out for 62, caught and bowled by Fynn Hudson-Prentice. Worcestershire 160 for 3. Any chance of Sussex taking seven wickets?
Parky has bowled 42 overs for Lancashire, poor lad, and has his fourth wicket to make Warks 223. In true leg-spinner’s style he gets it with a full toss after a couple of boundaries, Michael Burgess dragging it to mid on.
That was a few overs ago. Warks 225 for 6, safe as houses.
Now Dawson goes! Leg before to Fisher for 0! Yorkshire chisel an opening. James Vince is still there, resolutely 12 from 81 balls, but now his keeper Lewis McManus is coming out to join him. Hampshire 122 for 6.
Hampshire 122 for 5. They’re a notional 271 runs behind Yorkshire, and more importantly have a session to play out. Liam Dawson joins James Vince.
MASON CRANE IS OUT
I repeat, Mason Crane is out. Has been dismissed. His innings has come to an end. He tries to leave a ball from Matt Fisher, doesn’t get the bat up high enough, and the ball comes off the face and into the cordon where Adam Lyth takes the catch. Crane faced 197 balls and batted from the third evening until after tea on the fourth day.
Middlesex win by 112 runs
Roland-Jones gets 5 for 36 in the end, bowling Thomson for 18, and that is that. Correct my maths if I’m wrong in saying that Middlesex will go top of Division 3 with 18 points for the win and four batting bonus points, at least. Might be some bowling bonuses in there too.
Tea time
Butter your scones, cream your jam, jam your cream.
Gloucestershire 123 for 3: Hammond on 78, Lace on 4. Can they get 142 runs in the final session? Doubtful. Can they lose seven wickets to Northants? Possibly.
Hampshire 118 for 4: Mason Crane on 28 from 192 balls. Can they score 274 in a session? No. Will they try to score 24 in a session? No. Can they avoid losing six wickets to Yorkshire? On current evidence, yes.
Warwickshire 201 for 5: Lam on 19. It’s only the third innings and they’re 231 ahead. Can anything happen? No. Handshakes at the earliest.
Worcestershire 129 for 2: Libby 57, Haynes 44. Can they make 184 runs in the final session? No. Can they lose eight wickets to Sussex? Conceivably.
Middlesex and Derbyshire have had the tea break delayed because TRJ has dismissed Sam Connors for 2, leaving one wicket needed to win. Ben Aitchison is out there with Alex Thomson.
Milo Kerrigan into the action. Gets Chris Dent caught behind, does the spinner, for 26. Gloucestershire are now 111 for 3, behind by 155 as the tea break approaches.
Jake Libby gets to a half-century for Worcestershire. He’s been batting for 24 overs so far with Jack Haynes. They’re 112 for 2, trailing Sussex by 203.
For those interested in the Crane boundary (everyone) it was an inside edge to fine leg.
Also, has anyone else been struck by the look of that pitch? A kind of scabrous orangey mange, sucking the life out of the ball as soon as they meet.
Crane has scored a second boundary. Repeat. A second boundary. He’s 28 from 171 balls, strike rate lifted to 16.37.
Hampshire 114 for 4, runs irrelevant, just needing to bat another session.
Middlesex racing towards a win now. An over of flukes when Martin Andersson comes on, from two Matt Critchley shots. First Critchley flat-bats a ball back past the bowler, who sticks a hand out and deflects it onto the far stumps, running out Anuj Dal. Then Critchley tries to pull a short ball, and gets a toe end leading edge back into the slip cordon. How? I don’t know. Derbyshire 192 for 8, adrift by 141. Two wickets in three balls, Anderson with a hand (literally) in them both.
Kohli is out in the Test match, too. For an even 50. Not sure how England got by before they had Robinson.
Mason Crane update: 22 from 154. The nightwatchman has batted for over three hours on the final day.
Rhodes goes quickly. Is there movement in the Warwickshire match? Surely they’re safe already, 207 in front. But Lancashire will still want these wickets. Parky gets their fifth. I can’t tell if that was the toppy or the wrong ‘un, but it skips on at the left-hander, who drives expecting turn into him. Takes his edge, low to the left of slip, and Luke Wells takes a screamer with one hand.
177 for 5.
Libby and Haynes are chugging along for Worcestershire, Critchley and Dal for Derbyshire, Vince and Crane for Hampshire, Hammond and Dent for Gloucestershire.
Movement though for Warwickshire, where Sam Hain is out caught off the bowling of Liam Livingstone for 48. Rhodes and Lamb the new partnership, 169 for 4 the score, a lead of 199 with six wickets in hand the equation in the third innings.
STEVO FOR ENGLAND.
Darren Stevens has been involved in 6 partnerships for the 9th & 10th wicket in the County Championship this season.
— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) September 2, 2021
These partnerships have produced 382 runs at 63.66 with 1 x 100 and 3 x 50.
Stevens has scored 300 of those runs (78.53%).
Mason Crane has called for new gloves. Repeat, new gloves.
Mason Crane, 22 from 132 balls with one boundary. This is for everyone else watching along. Today, we are all Crane Wives.
Thomas Murtagh emails in. “The Lancashire/Warwickshire game has all the tension of the Father Ted Speed episodes.”
I’m going to assume those are episodes where Father Ted goes clubbing circa 1997. Sounds quite interesting.
Mason Crane, meanwhile, 18 from 130. I know people are glued to that. It’s like we’re all expecting a baby. Crane Watch.
Toby Roland-Jones swings the match in five minutes
Ubelievable streak for Middlesex. Godleman goes first, hooking to deep backward square and caught brilliantly by Andersson sliding in. Gone for 70. He’s battled out 156 deliveries. Roland-Jones then nearly gets Critchley, similar shot but for the right-hander, and it falls luckily safe at deep square.
His following over, TRJ has Alex Hughes caught by Robson in the cordon, forcing off the back foot, then Brooke Guest leaves a ball that cuts back in savagely and hits the off stump. TRJ on a hat-trick, but Anuj Dal chops it into the turf.
Derbyshire suddenly 150 for 6, trailing by 183.
Updated
Sibley is out! The immovable object has resolved the paradox. Warwickshire 135 for 3, and it happened because Lancashire
GOT PARKY ON.
He bowls Sibley, impressive against a man who plays no shots. But that’s a screamer from Parkinson. Around the legs. Floats it outside leg stump, into the rough. Sibley tries to sweep. Hangs his front pad outside leg stump as a line of defence. And it still doesn’t help, Parky ripping it back from out there to hit timber. That’s stunning bowling.
Warks lead by 179, third innings.
Mason Crane is going to bat all day
Another Hampshire wicket falls, but it ain’t the leg-spinner with nightwatchman tendencies. Nick Gubbins hits a catch back to Matt Fisher for 8, and the home team find themselves 90 for 4, about a million runs behind Yorkshire, and depending more than ever on the Terror of Sydney himself. If Hampshire lovers need more reassurance, Craine is joined by Mr Dependable, James Vince.
Gloucestershire lose another. The chase is in some trouble. James Bracey nicks Tom Taylor behind to Rossington for 4. They’re 41 for 2, needing 225 runs to win.
Fell falls. Tom doesn’t take advantage of his drop. Instead he splices a hook shot to mid-on from Henry Crocombe. Worcestershire 49 for 2, needing 266 more.
Critchley and Godleman have put on 75 together at Lord’s, Derbyshire trailing Middlesex by 196 not.
Which of those drops will ring more loudly through history?
At the same time as Kohli is dropped by Root at The Oval, Tom Fell is dropped by wicketkeeper Oli Carter at New Road. Worcs remain on 48 for 1, trailing Sussex by 267.
Updated
Mason Crane 14 from 110 in Hampshire, taking his strike rate dizzyingly into double figures. Stop it.
Ah, bless Ang Gilham, who emails in. “The Worcester live stream’s hiding over on YouTube.” I did search the club’s website without luck.
We’re back in action. Up at Manchester, Sibley raises his 50 from a sprightly 156 deliveries. Warwickshire 119 for 2 on the slow grind.
Lunch time. Got any lunch reports for me? Descriptions of delicacies from across the world? Lunch in Melbourne today took place at 10:30pm and I had avocado toast. Which is apparently why I will never be able to afford a house in this country.
Lunch - draw central?
Gloucestershire 33 for 1: Hammond on 24. They’re 232 behind Northants.
Worcestershire 39 for 1: Mitchell got out just before the break for 19. They need 275 in two sessions.
Derbyshire 127 for 3: Godleman on 61 not out. They need 205 more runs against Middlesex.
Hampshire 76 for 3: Weatherley got out shortly before lunch for 43, but Crane is still there (!) on 10 from 106 balls. They’re still 316 behind and just trying to hang on against Yorkshire.
Warwickshire 115 for 2: Sibley in his element, 46 off 150. They’re 145 in front of Lancashire, the only match still in its third innings.
I’ve got a feeling everyone’s playing for the draw now. Miles Hammond 20 off 53 for Gloucs. Crane 10 off 94. Sibley 39 off 139. Godleman 55 off 134. Daryl Mitchell still playing some shots, for the one county that doesn’t have a live stream.
False alarm, Worcestershire have stopped going for it.
You’d be steaming if you were Yorkshire. You’ve got a team 300-plus behind, you nab two wickets before stumps, Hampshire send in the nightwatchman, you just have to bowl them out on the last day. Then he comes out and dead-bats 8 from 84 balls to start the day. And still going. Mason Crane, just rude.
Worcestershire are going for it, looks like! Daryl Mitchell 13 off 14 balls, Jake Libby 6 off 7, and they’re 20 for 0 in the fourth over. Just another 295 to win. It’ll be fun if this keeps up.
Gloucestershire’s first wicket goes down. They’re 243 from victory and Ben Charlesworth is bowled by Luke Procter for 7.
Kindly refresh your page once in a while to see my corrected typos. Derbyshire 100 for 3 as Godleman brings up his 50 from 115 balls. They need 233 to beat Middlesex. Can’t imagine they’re going for it, but one never knows if a partnership persists.
Godleman & Critchley. They sound like operators of a fraudulent carnival sideshow in the 1880s. Come into our Tent of Wonders and see the magnificent Sea Monkey, the Ape of the Deep!
Anyway, they’re batting for Derbyshire.
Updated
Mason Crane is 5 from 72 in Hampshire. Beating even Sibley’s 31 from 112 in Manchester.
Ibrahim falls short of a century for Sussex!
Nine down at Worcester, and... now all out. What a moment. Danial Ibrahim, who has only just turned 17, is looking for his first century in his third first-class match. On 94, goes for it, but is caught by Cox from Joe Leach, who ends with 9 wickets in the match. Sussex all out 263, setting a notional 314 for Worcs to win.
Updated
The chase in Bristol looks like our match of the day. Gloucestershire need 254 to win, they’re 12 without loss, and Northants have a new ball. The other matches it looks like we have one trending draw, and three where only one side could win. Though of course the rare and miraculous can and does happen. I am reliably informed that cricket is a funny game.
Tiger Tim gets another. A third wicket down for Derbyshire, as Leus de Plooy is knocked over, bowled. Derbs 81 for 3, with 252 to win at Lord’s.
Sussex have taken their lead into near-impossible territory: 293 in front and still two wickets in hand, as Danial Ibrahim moves on to 77. He made 48 in the first dig, batting at seven. Worcestershire toiling.
Speaking of blocking, Dom Sibley is 30 from 96 balls for Warwickshire, 114 runs ahead. They could try to set the match up for a tilt at Lancashire, but they’re clearly not. One of the biggest advantages to covering five county matches versus one Test match this summer is that it’s not compulsory to watch certain players bat.
Weatherley and Crane still hanging in there for Hampshire at 45 for 2 against Yorkshire. No chance at scoring another 348 runs so they’re just batting time. Crane is 4 from 47 balls. That match is in for a very yuck day.
Now then. 1) My feed is slow, and 2) Kerrigan is fast. He hits out with the last man at the crease, smashing his way to 27 before being bowled by Higgins. Four fours and a six. Northants all out 129, and Gloucs will need 266 to win.
One wicket to go for Gloucestershire. Milo is still there on 11. Ben Sanderson gets out for 1. Northants are 247 in front in the third innings with the last pair at the crease.
GIVE PARKY A BOWL.
They do, and he (Matt Parkinson) gets Chris Benjamin lbw. Benjamin’s ton set the game up for Warwickshire in the first innings, but they couldn’t bowl out Lancs quickly enough to push for a result. Second dig, Benjamin goes for 42. Warks are 99 ahead with eight wickets in hand.
Updated
What are we all looking out for today? What unlikely thing are people hoping to see?
Archie Lenham is out for Sussex, they’re 259 in front and 7 down against Worcestershire.
Northants have lost Tom Taylor for 8, lbw Higgins. Which means that Milo Kerrigan is at the crease, 2 not out, his team 236 ahead with two wickets left. It’s a good day for discarded Test spinners to be 2 not out.
Mason Crane is off the mark down at Hampshire, everybody. He has 2 runs. Get set for a nightwatchy hundred.
Updated
Wicket at Lord’s! Tiger Timmy Murtagh picks up Thomas Wood for 18 with the first ball of the day. Leg before, inevitable as a winter frost. Derbyshire are still 290 behind but with 8 wickets in hand against Middlesex.
What do the divisions look like?
Kent are top of Division 3, with 31 points. Worcs are second despite not yet having a result, thanks to carryover points, before Leicestershire with some bonus points on 14 despite their loss.
Essex lead Division 2 on 31 points, with Northants on 16 and Glamorgan 14.
Notts lead Division 1 on 28 points, ahead of result-less Warwickshire on 21 and the losing side Somerset on 20.
Updated
What happened yesterday?
One result in each division on day three.
Nottinghamshire smashed up Somerset in Taunton by an innings and plenty. Made 448, enforced the follow on, and rissoled them twice for under 200.
Essex also had an innings win over Glamorgan despite only making 320 themselves in Cardiff. Glamorgan’s best innings score was 134. Best player score was Chris Cooke’s 47 not out on the second attempt.
Kent beat Leicestershire by 132 runs, set up by bowling them out for 109 in the second innings of the match. Already with a healthy lead, Stevo belted that ton to put it beyond doubt before Matthew Milnes took six wickets to win it.
What's on today?
What have we got ahead of us today? Well, we already know that Surrey’s trip to Durham got cancelled. Three of the other matches finished yesterday. So we’ve got five matches yet to conclude.
Down at Bristol, Northamptonshire lead Gloucestershire by 233 runs in the third innings with three wickets in hand. Nicely poised, though The Freaks got bowled out for 191 in their first dig so 233 is already a sizeable target.
Yorkshire are well on top of Hampshire at the Rose Bowl, leading by 366 runs and needing eight more wickets to win outright. Hampshire have opener Joe Weatherly resuming on 16 not out and nightwatchman Mason Crane on 0. Uphill task to save this match.
Heading for a draw at Old Trafford, with Warwickshire leading Lancashire by 82 in the third innings, one wicket down. Dom Sibley will be happy with the chance to bat all day, 17 not out from 54 balls. Only chance for a result is a Warks collapse, or a declaration around teatime.
At Lord’s, Derbyshire are 290 runs behind in the fourth innings, with nine wickets in hand. Middlesex recovered from a woeful first morning, and will fancy their chances of bowling Derbs out today.
And at New Road, Sussex are exactly 250 runs in front of Worcestershire with four wickets in hand. Expect some quick runs or quick wickets this morning, then a chase for the home side.
If you’re wondering about the Test, young Giuseppe Root has won the toss and will bowl first at The Oval.
I’m only going to say this once...
STEVO FOR ENGLAND.
Get him in for a Test, Chris Silverwood. It would be the most popular thing in the UK since Diana Spencer’s wedding day. Go on. Live a little.
Good morning, good morning (the general said, when we met him last week on our way to the line). Having had my first foray on the county champs blog for the first day of this match, I’m back to bring it home. A lot has changed in the space of three days. On the first day, Darren Stevens made a third-ball duck. On the third day, he made an unbeaten ton off about 70 balls. This is the magic of cricket. Prepare yourselves.
