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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Rob Smyth

Robinson shines for Sussex as 18 wickets fall at Chelmsford

A general view of play of Surrey and Leicestershire at The Oval
A general view of play of Surrey and Leicestershire at The Oval Photograph: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Borthwick makes century amid madness at Essex

Eighteen wickets fell on a wild first day at Chelmsford. The green, green grass of home was no comfort to the champions Essex while they were being skittled for 96 by Durham. The visitors attacked with scalpel and sledgehammer: Chris Rushworth bowled with surgical precision to take three for 13, while Brydon Carse (three for 37) put the wind up the Essex batsmen in a couple of ferocious spells.

Durham were only one wicket down when they went into the lead – but then, on a pitch that looked custom-made for the seamers, Essex’s spinners took a shortcut through the middle order. Durham finished on a precarious 144 for eight. Almost 70% of those runs by Scott Borthwick, who scored his first century for Durham, and an extraordinary innings on such a low-scoring day.

While Borthwick’s was the performance of the day, there were a couple of worthy contenders at Cardiff. Sussex’s Ollie Robinson knocked for the umpteenth time on the England door, taking four top-order wickets for 50, while Kiran Carlson made a fine unbeaten 127 in Glamorgan 285 all out.

Matt Critchley of Derbyshire continued his superb start to the season with a stylish 109. And though his late departure sparked a collapse from 338 for four to 360 for eight, Worcestershire were still left to regret their decision to bowl first.

Northamptonshire’s left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, who had to start again after a humiliating Test debut against Australia in 2013 sent his career into a tailspin, enjoyed a heartwarming return to his old county Lancashire, bowling with guile and accuracy to take three for 53 from 30.4 overs. Lancashire ended on 264 for eight.

Kent’s Darren Stevens, named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year at the age of 44, also took three relatively cheap wickets, but Yorkshire finished in a good position on 358 for eight at Canterbury.

Somerset’s formidable lower order again got them out of trouble, this time against Gloucestershire at Taunton. They were struggling at 110 for five before Steven Davies (87), Craig Overton (54) and Marchant de Lange (a riotous 26-ball 37) helped add 202 for the last five wickets.

At Trent Bridge, the No 8 Liam Patterson-White made a career-best 73 not out for Nottinghamshire. At stumps Warwickshire were 24 for two, a deficit of 249. Their new signing Hanuma Vihari fell to Stuart Broad for a 23-ball duck.

The initiative lurched back and forth at the Ageas Bowl, where Hampshire made 281 for eight against Middlesex. And in a stop-start day at the Oval, Leicestershire scored 215 for three against Surrey, with opener Sam Evans reaching his first century just before the end

Updated

The close of play scores

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 360-8 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 96 v Durham 144-7
  • Nottinghamshire 273 v Warwickshire 24-2

Group 2

  • Hampshire 281-8 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 312 v Gloucestershire 13-0
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 215-3

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 285 v Sussex 99-0
  • Kent v Yorkshire 358-8
  • Lancashire 264-8 v Northants

That’s it for today, though the round-up should appear a little later. Thanks for your company, emails and comments - night!

Was hoping for the prospect of Stuart Broad, who owns a pub, bowling to Rob Yates, who is presumably named after a wine bar. But the latter didn’t face the first over and is now out first ball trying to cut a loosener from Zak Chappell and edging to a diving Tom Moores behind the stumps.

Yates had moved up to open with Will Rhodes in place of Dom Sibley, whose status we’re trying to ascertain. He did spend some time off the field after tea but information limited. Warwickshire four for one after two overs in reply to Nottinghamshire’s 273 all out.

A HUNDRED FOR SCOTT BORTHWICK!

That’s some innings, 100 not out in a score of 141 for five. It’s his first century for Durham since 2016, and a pretty emotional one by the sound of things.

Shot of the day (probably)

WICKETS! Durham 114-4

The collapse is on at Chelmsford, where Durham have slipped from 98 for one to 114 for four. Sam Cook and Simon Harmer have two wickets apiece; Scott Borthwick is still there on 79.

A HUNDRED FOR MATT CRITCHLEY!

It’s been a brilliant start to the season for Derbyshire’s Matt Critchley: 64 and 83 against Warwickshire and now a rapid hundred against Worcestershire. He’s faced 138 balls and hit 10 fours. Oh, and Derbyshire are 327 for four.

WICKET! Durham 98-2 (Young c Lawrence b Harmer 24) Ah, Will Young has gone, caught at leg slip off the inevitable Simon Harmer. Durham lead by two.

Durham take a first-innings lead against Essex!

And they still have nine wickets remaining. Scott Borthwick is flying: he has made 65 from 75 balls, dominating a partnership of 87 with Will Young. Borthwick made 0 and 1 on his second Durham debut last week.

An excellent half-century from Liam Patterson-White at chilly Trent Bridge, coming from 82 balls over two hours at the crease. Arrived with the score on 119 for six and has pushed Nottinghamshire towards a more respectable 231 for eight in the 74th over of this elongated day.

The 22-year-old looks a very competent left-hander and a gusty one too. He’s been struck on the body by Olly Stone and hit in the head by Tim Bresnan but he’s held firm in the main and played some nice drives through the off-side. Warwickshire getting a little frustrated out there.

Glamorgan 285 all out v Sussex The young offspinner Jack Carson has hurried through the Glamorgan tail, taking three for 14 in seven overs. His near namesake Kiran Carlson was left stranded on 127 not out.

The latest from around the grounds

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 286-4 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 96 v Durham 50-1
  • Nottinghamshire 226-8 v Warwickshire

Group 2

  • Hampshire 221-7 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 255-7 v Gloucestershire
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 151-2

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 277-8 v Sussex
  • Kent v Yorkshire 278-6
  • Lancashire 212-6 v Northants

Three for Kerrigan! Dane Vilas has gone, LBW for 26, and Simon Kerrigan’s soul is a little purer than it was this morning.

Updated

A second wicket for Simon Kerrigan at Lancashire, and what a gorgeous bit of bowling it was.

Here’s more from Ali on Broad’s biffoonery

Updated

Stuart Broad flogged a 19-ball 21 for Notts, but he’s gone now to Will Rhodes. That’s Rhodes’ fourth wicket, and Notts are 214 for eight.

Glamorgan (270-7) v Sussex

Kiran Carlson is still there on 115. I would do a muscle emoji but I don’t know how to, and also, no.

Updated

Essex 96 all out v Durham 42-1 Looks like Durham are plodding along pretty nicely at Chelmsford. Will Young has 13 from 50 balls, Scott Borthwick 20 from 35.

A peedie update from around the grounds

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 253-4 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 96 v Durham 42-1
  • Nottinghamshire 196-7 v Warwickshire

Group 2

  • Hampshire 206-6 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 229-6 v Gloucestershire
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 137-1

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 255-6 v Sussex
  • Kent v Yorkshire 248-6
  • Lancashire 196-4 v Northants

I’m going to take a short tea break. I’ll update the blog less frequently when I return, as I need to do the paper round-up and I’ve never done it before and I’m slightly scored, but I’ll try to flag up any milestones, collapses or Darren Stevens wickets. You don’t need me, anyway: you’ve created possibly the only BTL community on the internet that doesn’t require a single bit of moderation or management.

Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire

A solid fightback from Tom Moores and Liam Patterson-White before tea, both men unbeaten on 26 with Nottinghamshire 176 for six. Moores has a touch of the Moeen Ali about the way he bats; a very fluid left-hander who looks so relaxed and easy on the eye. Had Danny Briggs held a diving catch at mid-wicket when Moores was on six, Notts would be deeper in trouble but this pair have chiselled away competently since.

Along with Hanuma Vihari’s excellent catch, Olly Stone was the standout for Warwickshire in that session. Just the one wicket in his four-over burst but he cranked it up nicely and did Joe Clarke for pace. Oh, and we’ve seen five penalty runs for a ball that beat wicketkeeper Michael Burgess and struck a helmet stationed behind him. It’s all happening.

WICKET! Hampshire 196-6 (McManus b Sowter 4)

A CENTURY FOR KIRAN CARLSON!

Tea: Glamorgan 247-6 The first hundred of the day has been scored just before tea at Cardiff by the promising Kiran Carlson. It’s his fifth first-class century and his first since April 2019. He’s hit 12 fours, faced 155 balls and, with help from David Lloyd and Dan Douthwaite, rescued Glamorgan from 23 for three against Sussex.

Kiran Carlson celebrates reaching his century.
Kiran Carlson celebrates reaching his century. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Updated

‘Look in the book’ department

WICKET! Yorkshire 240-6 (Tattersall c Stevens b Leaning 11) Jack Leaning has taken a wicket with his first ball of the day!

The latest scores

The afternoon session has flown by. The main story is still at Chelmsford, where Essex were rolled for 96 by Durham’s accomplished seam attack. As well as that 96, we’ve had individual scores of 97 (from Adam Lyth v Kent) and 98 (Leus du Plooy v Worcestershire), but no centuries yet. The best bowling performance has come from the superb Ollie Robinson, who has four for 41 for Sussex against Glamorgan.

These are the latest scores, with tea being taken in some of the games.

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 230-4 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 96 v Durham 23-1
  • Nottinghamshire 176-6 v Warwickshire Tea

Group 2

  • Hampshire 196-5 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 222-5 v Gloucestershire Tea
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 112-0 Tea, bad light stopped play

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 234-6 v Sussex
  • Kent v Yorkshire 236-6
  • Lancashire 173-4 v Northants Tea

Glamorgan 226-6 v Sussex Kiran Carlson, who happily played second fiddle earlier in the day while David Lloyd was racing to 84, is now 92 not out at Cardiff.

WICKET! Lancashire 173-4 (Bohannon LBW b Kerrigan 68)

A lovely moment, this. Simon Kerrigan strikes against his old county, straightening one sharply to trap Josh Bohannon LBW for a good 68.

WICKET! Durham 11-1 (Lees c Wheater b Cook 5)

The eleventh wicket of the day at Chelsmford. Alex Lees edges a good delivery from Sam Cook through to the keeper, which takes Cook to an important milestone.

WICKET! Yorkshire 227-5 (Brook LBW b Cummins 54) v Kent Harry Brook has gone for a jaunty 54, trapped LBW by Miguel Cummins. That’s an important wicket for Cummins, who has had a slow start to the Championship season.

WICKET! Derbyshire 217-4 (du Plooy b d'Oliveira 98)

Leus du Plooy has fallen two short of a century! He was stuck in the nineties for more than 10 overs, and now he has been bowled by Brett d’Oliveira. So we still haven’t had a century today. Adam Lyth fell for 97 and now du Plooy has gone for 98.

Leus Du Plooy of Derbyshire cuts a dejected figure after being bowled for 98.
Leus Du Plooy of Derbyshire cuts a dejected figure after being bowled for 98. Photograph: Robbie Stephenson/JMP/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

Somerset 212-5 v Gloucestershire Somerset were struggling to put together a substantial partnership, ‘were’ being the operative word. Steven Davies (64) and Craig Overton (43 from 57 balls) have added 112 for the sixth wicket in less than 22 overs.

Updated

The latest scores

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 215-3 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 96 v Durham 6-0
  • Nottinghamshire 148-6 v Warwickshire

Group 2

  • Hampshire 177-4 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 211-5 v Gloucestershire
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 102-0

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 204-6 v Sussex
  • Kent v Yorkshire 217-4
  • Lancashire 162-3 v Northants

Leus du Plooywatch He’s negotiating the nervous nineties through dot balls and singles, and needs two more for his century.

Lancashire have lost a third wicket against Northants. It didn’t, alas, fall to Simon Kerrigan but he is still bowling very nicely, with figures of 13.4-5-18-0. As for the wicket, it was Tom Taylor’s second of the day, Steven Croft caught behind for an 85-ball 26.

Play has resumed at the Oval, where Leicestershire have inched to 93 without loss. Make that 94. We could do this all day.

Nervous nineties department Derbyshire’s Leus du Plooy has turned into Leus du Plod. He was 88 not out from 133 balls; he’s now 97 from 159. But he’s still there, three away from a first-class century, and that puts him one up on us lot.

ESSEX ALL OUT FOR 96!

Brydon Carse completes a spectacular Durham bowling performance by taking the wicket of Sam Cook for 15. The champions Essex have been bowled out in double figures. Carse and Chris Rushworth took three wickets each, Ben Raine and Matt Salisbury shared the other four.

Sam Cook is inching Essex towards three figures at Chelmsford. He is 11 not out, Essex are 92 for nine against Durham.

Ollie Robinson (Sussex) has picked up a fourth wicket at Cardiff. Callum Taylor has gone for three and Glamorgan are in bother at 179 for six.

Play has resumed at Chelmsford. And, yep, another wicket has fallen: Essex are 82 for nine. Ben Allison is the man out, caught behind off Chris Rushworth for four.

“Peeling off the covers at the Oval and the rope is being whizzed around, hopefully not long before they are back on,” writes Jim Wallace from his Oval office. “Boring isn’t it, sitting in a box perspex watching men mess about with bits of tarpaulin in the drizzle?
Not for me I like it.”

Joe Clarke v Olly Stone part 2

... and now Joe Clarke falls for 29 after two hours at the crease, as Olly (fire and brim) Stone gets one to lift off the surface and find the edge of a cut shot. Looked a loose shot but fancy the extra pace and a bit of movement just as relevant. Stone loved it ... he doesn’t leap these days after injuring his snapping his ACL doing that a few seasons ago, but the celebration was still pretty wild. Notts 119 for six.

(Rob: I can’t be the only one who struggles to sleep at night thinking about what Stone, Wood and Archer might do in Australia next winter)

Updated

‘Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better’

Joe Clarke v Olly Stone, part 1

Notts 113-5 v Warks Well, India’s Hanuma Vihari is a popular man among his new Warwickshire team-mates, taking a superb catch over his shoulder at mid-wicket to dismiss Steve Mullaney. Search out the clip, it was a special piece of fielding from the debutant, who is not long out of quarantine. Mullaney falls for 31, having just been given a life on 26 when Dom Sibley, recently moved to first slip, grassed one after Tim Bresnan found the edge. Tom Moores joins Joe Clarke, who has just seen a huge appeal from Olly Stone for caught behind turned down. Clarke seemed to suggest it was forearm after Stone, who has picked up his pace this afternoon, fired one into the rib area.

Alliterative XI

“Here’s my final effort,” says Prasad Bhonsule:

  1. Graham Gooch
  2. Gordon Greenidge
  3. Colin Cowdrey
  4. Richie Richardson
  5. Steve Smith
  6. Wahjatullah Wasti
  7. Chris Cairns
  8. Patrick Patterson
  9. Malcolm Marshall
  10. Colin Croft
  11. Muttiah Muralitharan

Bonus: Rodney Redmond, Craig Cumming

Umpire: Billy Bowden.”

That bowling attack, yikes.

WICKET! Hampshire 143-4 (Vince c Eskinazi b Andersson 9) The in-form James Vince didn’t last long: nine balls, two boundaries and then a windy woof outside off stump at Martin Andersson.

WICKET! Nottinghamshire 109-5 (Mullaney c Vihari b Rhodes 31)

This is a spectacular catch from Hanuma Vihari.

Ollie Robinson (Sussex version) has grabbed a third wicket - all LBW - at Cardiff. Chris Cooke is out for 13 and Glamorgan are 174 for five. Sussex have also confirmed that Phil Salt has broken a bone in his foot.

They were supposed to restart at the Kia Oval just over 10 minutes ago, but it started raining again so they’re still off the field. Leicestershire are 86 for none against Surrey.

Groundstaff pull the covers on as rain delays play at the Oval.
Groundstaff pull the covers on as rain delays play at the Oval. Photograph: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Updated

Somerset (157-5) v Gloucestershire Steven Davies (42) and Craig Overton (17) have launched an impressive counter-attack, adding 47 at more than a run a ball.

WICKET! Hampshire 128-3 (Holland c Robson b Roland-Jones 64) Another wicket for Middlesex at the Ageas Bowl. Toby Roland-Jones has struck to end Ian Holland’s patient innings of 64. Sharp delivery too.

Updated

The latest scores around the grounds

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 153-3 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 81-8 v Durham Rain stopped play
  • Nottinghamshire 94-4 v Warwickshire

Group 2

  • Hampshire 116-2 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 137-5 v Gloucester
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 86-0 Play to restart at 2.25pm

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 155-4 v Sussex
  • Kent v Yorkshire 154-4
  • Lancashire 111-2 v Northants

WICKET! Yorkshire 150-4 (Lyth c Robinson b Milnes 97) Kent are starting to chip away at Canterbury, and Adam Lyth has fallen three short of a century. That’s a second wicket for Matt Milnes and a fourth catch for the other very promising Ollie Robinson.

Adam Lyth of Yorkshire walks off after being dismissed for 97.
Adam Lyth of Yorkshire walks off after being dismissed for 97. Photograph: James Chance/Getty Images

Updated

Lancashire (108-2) v Northants “Lovely to see Simon Kerrigan (still only 31!) bowling beautifully at Old Trafford for Northants,” says Gary Naylor. “The only disappointment is that there are no supporters in the ground to show their appreciation for a player whose reputation really should rest on that Championship season a decade ago and not on a couple of bad days at The Oval.”

It should, but it won’t, not in this life. “Please don’t confront me with my failures; I had not forgotten them.”

You’re right though, it’s lovely that he is back in county cricket, especially as failure - perceived or actual - is harder than ever to overcome because of social media.

Updated

Derbyshire (145-2) v Worcestershire Leus du Plooy, who bagged a pair against Warwickshire in the opening Championship game, is making up for lost runs: he has raced to 75 not out at Derby.

Surrey v Leicestershire: Bad light/rain stopped play

“Gah, just as I hit send the cloud equivalent of that great big spaceship from Independence Day rolled over and parked itself in Lambeth,” says Jim Wallace. “Now it is dark and the temperature has dropped by about 5 degrees. A couple of them could be due to the spectre of Colville though. I can see blue sky over to the east, Hipster-utsire, if you will, so hopefully we won’t be off for long. Li-chester’s Azad and Evans have looked very comfortable so far, they’ll be wanting to get back out there and bed in on this pitch.”

Somerset (110-5) v Gloucestershire Somerset can’t get a partnership going. George Bartlett was looking good but now he’s gone, LBW to Ryan Higgins for 22.

Yorkshire (143-3) v Kent The England captain Joe Root’s slow start to the season continues. He has gone for 11, caught behind off Matt Milnes for 11. How many did he get? Adam Lyth is still there, 10 away from a pulsating hundred.

WICKET! Essex 76-8 (Harmer c Bedingham b Raine 0)

Well I never. Simon Harmer has gone for a duck, caught in the slips of Ben Raine, and Essex have lost three wickets for two runs.

Ben Raine dsmisses Simon Harmer for duck.
Ben Raine dsmisses Simon Harmer for duck. Photograph: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

Lancashire (104-2) v Northants Alex Davies has been run out for a breezy 57 at Emirates Old Trafford.

Hampshire (86-2) v Middlesex And at the Ageas, Tom Alsop has been bounced out by Steven Finn.

Do you see what happens, Larry, when you play cricket in mid-April?

Unplayable adj.

unable to be played.

Updated

Leicestershire v Surrey

“Greetings from the Oval Rob,” writes Wisden Cricket Monthly’s Jim Wallace. “Leicestershire have made rather serene progress to reach 75-0 and the sun has started to shine. The ground staff are casting shadows across the outfield as they poke and prod, one chap has a very long fork and is sort of stroking the turf at long on. He’s obviously a trained professional but it’s the sort of questionable technique that would have had your dad chiding you on a Sunday morning and telling you to ‘frame yourself, lad’. Let’s hope this bloke’s scarifying is a tad more more gratifying all round.

“The players are convening on the boundary edge, shuffling about to keep warm, it’s still weather for a 2 or even 3 layer cable-knit dermis, especially when the sun goes in. I’m tempted to wander up to the swish astro-clad Corinthian Roof Terrace at some point this afternoon as I’m intrigued by the sort of cricket come tiki-bar/Mahiki vibe (I’ve never been to Mahiki, or Thailand). For now I’ll polish off my meal deal in the warmer yet slightly spooky environs of the deserted Sky commentary box where I’m certain I can feel the ghost of Charles Colville.

“Oh, it looks FLAT here, can you tell!?”

Even from 722.4 miles away.

WICKET! Essex 74-7 (Lawrence b Salisbury 32)

Dan Lawrence has been cleaned up by Matt Salisbury, and Essex are officially in all sorts.

“It might be stretching a point slightly,” says William Vincent, “but surely either Beefy Botham or Freddie Flintoff merit a place in the Elliterative Eleven (sic)?”

I’m afraid Martin McCague’s got the No6 spot wrapped up.

Play has resumed at Chelmsford, where they went off early because of rain. And Essex have lost a sixth wicket: Adam Wheater c Borthwick b Raine 18, Essex are 74 for six.

Updated

It’s been Warwickshire’s morning at Trent Bridge, with Nottinghamshire heading into lunch on 76 for four from 27 overs and ruing at least a couple of the dismissals. Ben Slater (5) played a loose drive to give Olly Stone the early breakthrough, then Haseeb Hameed (19) failed to capitalise on the life handed to him on two when a full toss from Will Rhodes was slotted to cover.

Ben Duckett (17) lbw to Tim Bresnan was a decent inswinger - even if the Yorkshireman is 10mph slower than during his England days - and then just before the interval we saw Joe Clarke half set-off for a single before changing his mind, only for Will Rhodes to swoop in from cover and run out Lyndon James (11) at the non-striker’s end with a lasered throw. Fine work by the Bears captain, no question, and his team have been very disciplined since losing the toss on what looks a good pitch. But Notts will be feeling a bit Newell, Mick.

I’ll be back at 1.40pm. While you scoff your vegan foie gras, why not read Ali’s piece on Wisden 2021.

Lunch

That’s the end of the morning’s action around England and Wales. The most eye-catching action took place at Chelmsford, where Durham reduced the champions Essex to 36 for five. Dan Lawrence led a decent recovery, dragging Essex to 74 for five before rain stopped play.

There was also some pulsating strokeplay from Adam Lyth, who hit 82 not out from 86 balls to help Yorkshire to 128 for two against Kent. And David Lloyd hammered 10 fours in his unbeaten 77 against Sussex, with Glamorgan fighting back from 23 for three to 120 for three.

Here are all the scores:

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 117-1 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 74-5 v Durham
  • Nottinghamshire 76-4 v Warwickshire

Group 2

  • Hampshire 77-1 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 94-4 v Gloucester
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 75-0

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 120-3 v Sussex
  • Kent v Yorkshire 128-2
  • Lancashire 98-2 v Northants

Masterclass: the cover drive with Adam Lyth

Rain stops play: Essex 74-5 v Durham

The players have gone for an early lunch at Chelmsford, where Essex have made a slight recovery after slipping to 36 for five.

“A slightly different take on that excellent point from HighPeakGeek re Haseeb Hameed,” says Gary Naylor. “I recall Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac saying that anyone who can do anything well, knows they can do it better. Very perceptive - and not always a good thing.”

That’s a great line, and profoundly depressing.

I don’t suppose Yousuf Youhana is allowed at No5.

Glamorgan (107-3) v Sussex The home side have recovered impressively after falling to 23 for three. David Lloyd is flying; he has 66 from 72 balls.

WICKET! Somerset 80-4 (Hildreth c Lace b Taylor 17) A big wicket for Gloucestershire just before lunch, with James Hildreth brilliantly caught by Tom Lace at square leg.

Yorkshire (111-1) v Kent

Adam Lyth is still on the charge at Canterbury, 71 not out from 76 balls, with Yorkshire going at almost 4.5 per over. Tom Loten is playing a more traditional innings, 25 not out from 62 balls.

This is really interesting. Robin Smith spoke about something similar in his autobiography. Hameed also seems extremely self-aware, which isn’t always a blessing.

WICKET! Somerset 69-3 (Abell LBW b Taylor 26) Gloucestershire have completed a hat-trick of Toms at Taunton: Lammonby, Banton and now Abell, offering no shot to Matt Taylor.

Essex (62-5) v Durham

Dan Lawrence and Adam Wheater, who came together at 36 for five, are trying to regroup at Chelmsford. Lawrence is going well, 31 not out from 48 balls.

I suppose, as with all these things, there are multiple factors, the biggest being confidence. But I can’t believe the teenager who had the England dressing-room “in awe” of his batting, and who looked like a cross between Geoff Boycott, Gary Neville and Max Fischer, has been almost a walking wicket every since. His first-class average since that India tour is 21.91.

Blimey, how good is this?

Notts (44-3) v Warks

And Nottinghamshire are suddenly three down with two new batsmen at the crease. Confident shout by Tim Bresnan for a catch down leg off Ben Duckett is declined but next ball he gets one to swing into the left-hander’s pads for an lbw that looked pretty good. Promising whippersnapper Lyndon James the next man in.

Leicestershire (46-0) v Surrey

Leicestershire are the only side who haven’t lost a wicket this morning. They’ve moved solidly to 46 for none after 20 overs at the Kia Oval. Sam Evans has 31 from 66 balls, Hassan Azad 13 from 55.

As an incorrigible smart alec, I reckon I can explain 99.94 per cent of all the sport I have watched over the last 35 years. But I don’t think I’ll ever truly understand what happened to Haseeb Hameed.

Galling ... Will Rhodes sends down a looping full toss in his first over and Haseeb Hameed just plops it straight to Dom Sibley cover on 19. Here comes Joe Clarke to join Ben Duckett with Notts 44 for two.

“It’s over, you don’t need to tell me...”

Hameed c Sibley b Rhodes 19 (Notts 44-2 v Warks)

Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire

Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett are starting to get the scoreboard ticking over at Trent Bridge, with that short boundary proving a source of runs. Remembered they both played Test cricket together four-and-a bit years ago but we’re a world away from Rajkot and Visakhapatnam. OHD has bowled eight overs off the reel this morning and there will be a few more to come today, I fancy. Tim Bresnan is the third seamer and there’s the option of Will Rhodes too, but the debut for Hanuma Vihari sees Warwickshire a batsman err heavier this week. Notts 43 for one after 16 overs and Rhodes is indeed replacing OHD from the Radcliffe Road End now.

I’m going to take a very quick coffee break. No misbehaviour while I’m away.

The latest scores after an hour's play

Group 1

  • Derbyshire 70-1 v Worcestershire
  • Essex 38-5 v Durham
  • Nottinghamshire 40-1 v Warwickshire

Group 2

  • Hampshire 38-1 v Middlesex
  • Somerset 53-2 v Gloucester
  • Surrey v Leicestershire 30-0

Group 3

  • Glamorgan 59-3 v Sussex
  • Kent v Yorkshire 92-1
  • Lancashire 53-1 v Northants

WICKETS! Essex 36-5 v Durham

The champions have fallen in a heap this morning. Brydon Carse has now taken two wickets in his first over: Paul Walter dragged a loosener onto his stumps, and Ryan ten Doeschate lasted three balls before being caught in the slips ducking a bouncer. Yep, really.

Hampshire (29-1) v Middlesex The very promising Ethan Bamber has taken Middlesex’s first wicket at the Ageas Bowl. Joe Weatherley has gone for 16, stumped by John Simps- hang on, stumped by John Simpson? Here it is in fact, a majestic piece of work.

YouTube gold department

Oh my, I have been looking for this for ages, mainly to watch the legendary contest between Waqar Younis and Robin Smith.

Yorkshire are going beautifully in their limited-overs game at Canterbury. Adam Lyth is 48 not out from 39 balls and Yorks are 75 for one in the 13th.

Haseeb Hameedwatch Six not out from 31 balls, dropped in the slips on two.

We’ve had 11 wickets across the nine games, though by the time I finish this entry it’ll probably be 12 or 13. The only unscathed teams are:

Leicestershire (23-0) v Surrey

Hampshire (26-0) v Middlesex

Lancashire (39-0) v Northants

Yep, there goes the 12th wicket of the morning: Keaton Jennings has fallen to Tom Taylor for 13, and Lancs are 39 for one.

Yorkshire v Kent Yorkshire are rattling along against my boyhood club at Canterbury, having reached 58 for one after 10 overs. Adam Lyth has 35 from 30 balls. Harry Podmore received the majority of the tap, going for 37 from four overs.

Here’s the Sir Alastair Cook wicket. He didn’t look thrilled with the decision, though it looked good from 704.2 miles away.

Notts (11-1) v Warks

... but Stone strikes next over, Slater playing a loose drive and seeing the catch fly to Sam Hain at second slip, who points to the heavens in celebration. Notts are 11 for one.

Glamorgan (23-3) v Sussex Billy Root didn’t last long in Cardiff: 10 balls to be exact, before he was LBW to Henry Cromcombe for 1.

Nottinghamshire (10-0) v Warwickshire

A decent probing start from Olly Stone and Oliver Hann-Dalby (to give him his truncated scoreboard name) and, accordingly, some solid work from Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed to repel the new ball pair Bears. And as I type that, Hameed has just earned a life on two, edging one to Rob Yates at third slip who puts down a straightforward catch. OHD, who has got the ball to swing, is the frustrated bowler and Notts are 10 for no loss after seven overs.

WICKET! Essex 15-3 (Cook LBW b Rushworth 6) v Durham

That strange sound you can hear is everyone frantically adding Chris Rushworth to their fantasy team before 11.30am. He has picked up his second wicket, nipping one back to nail Sir Alastair Cook in front.

Sir Alastair Cook makes his way back to the pavillion.
Sir Alastair Cook makes his way back to the pavillion. Photograph: Nick Wood/TGS Photo/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

Lanchashire (11-0) v Northants

“Hi Rob,” says Gary Naylor. Northants supporting both opening bowlers with four slips in close order and getting through their overs at a decent tempo. Anyone watching the excellent Youtube streams who has only seen international cricket will be amazed how much captains can attack in the field and how players can get on with the game if they want to.”

Glamorgan (22-2) v Sussex Two wickets for Ollie Robinson already; he has trapped Andy Balbirnie LBW for four. England have got to look at Robinson this summer, haven’t they? (And btw, before slanderous accusating start flying around, I had him as my fantasy captain before 11am.)

Updated

Essex (12-2) v Durham

The champions are in early bother at Chelmsford. Tom Westley has gone for four, caught behind off Matt Salisbury, and Dan Lawrence has come out to join Sir Alastair.

I forgot to say that this is my first time on the county blog, so apologies in advance for the 17 cock-ups coming your way over the next eight hours.

There have been early wickets in most of the games. At Taunton, Tom Lammonby has gone for another duck, caught in the slips off the ever excellent Ryan Higgins. And at Canterbury, WCOTY Darren Stevens has struck in his second over: Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been caught behind for a breezy 14.

Our man Ali Martin points out that there will be 100 overs today, to make up for some of the time that will be lost on Saturday.

Glamorgan (0-1) v Sussex

It didn’t take Ollie Robinson long to get in and amongst: he has trapped Nick Selman LBW with the third ball of the match in Cardiff.

Olly Stone v Haseeb Hameed should be good

Well that escalated quickly

Third ball, since you asked, bowled by the marvellous Chris Rushworth. I bet he’ll still be taking Championship wickets in his mid-40s as well.

Updated

Before we start, this, on everyone’s favourite subject, is well worth a read.

Toss news

Nine men have tossed a coin, nine socially distanced counterparts have called head or tails, and this is the result.

Group 1

Derbyshire v Worcestershire

Worcestershire won the toss and will field first

Essex v Durham

Essex won the toss and will bat first

Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire

Nottinghamshire won the toss and will bat first

Group 2

Hampshire v Middlesex

Hampshire won the toss and will bat first

Somerset v Gloucester

Gloucestershire won the toss and will field first

Surrey v Leicestershire

Leicestershire won the toss and will bat first

Group 3

Glamorgan v Sussex

Sussex won the toss and will bowl first

Kent v Yorkshire

Yorkshire won the toss and will bat first

Lancashire v Northants

Lancashire won the toss and will bat first

Updated

Darren Stevens is 44 years 350 days old. It’s never too late. Fair enough, it probably is too late - no offence, but look at you - but what a charming story.

Morning Rob and friends, have followed the Warwickshire bus to arguably the country’s most significant sporting hubs - Trent Bridge - for what feels a win-win toss from the neutral’s perspective (am claiming this, being both Nottingham-born but now based in leafy south Brum). If Notts bat, we get to see the returning Olly Stone steaming in; should they field, it’s the returning Stuart Broad versus newly minted Wisden cricketer of the year Dom Sibley makes for an enticing new-ball battle.

Who knows, we might see all this today and more with plenty of good players on both sides. The sun is shining, the boundary looks extraordinarily short where that New Stand along the Bridgford Road slices diagonally across, and the teams - who both drew last week - are doing their usual flea circus warm-up drills on the outfield. Nice.

... and Nottinghamshire have won the toss and will bat.

And here’s a statgasm to set the mood

Updated

Preamble

Happy Wisden Day! The 2021 Almanack is published today, a sylphlike 1,248-page edition because of Covid. But life moves pretty fast, even in the genteel world of county cricket, and a little bit of Wisden 2022 will be written today. The second round of fixtures in the modified County Championship start at 11am, and here’s what we’ve got to look forward to, with added sponsorship details:

Group 1

  • Derbyshire v Worcestershire (The Incora County Ground, Derby)
  • Essex v Durham (The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford)
  • Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire (Trent Bridge, Nottingham)

Group 2

  • Hampshire v Middlesex (Ageas Bowl, Southampton)
  • Somerset v Gloucester (The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton)
  • Surrey v Leicestershire (The Kia Oval, London)

Group 3

  • Glamorgan v Sussex (Sophia Gardens, Cardiff)
  • Kent v Yorkshire (The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury)
  • Lancashire v Northants (Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester)

Updated

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