Youngster McCann shines again for Notts but Surrey struggle
There was a to-and-fro scrap at Trent Bridge, the difference being Nottinghamshire’s 20-year-old England Lion Freddie McCann, who hit a wonderful century, already his third in the Championship. Kyle Abbott collected five wickets for the 43rd time in his career – it could have been more but Hampshire dropped five catches.
The 2024 champions had a difficult day at Edgbaston. Tom Latham, who only arrived in Birmingham on Tuesday after recovering from a broken hand, frolicked to an unbeaten 139 on his Warwickshire debut. Alex Davies had set the mood, playing wantonly at the Surrey attack, slapping a couple of early sixes, until he was bowled by a full toss from Dan Lawrence. Surrey, shorn of Jamie Smith and Ollie Pope by England, picked Jason Roy for the first time in five years.
It was a memorable day for off-spinner Jack Carson, who celebrated a maiden first-class century at a sunny Hove. It was an intelligent rescue act after Sussex, sitting pretty at 80 for nought, promptly lost six for eight as Tom Taylor (five for 56) ran riot. The last-wicket stand of 73 was particularly galling for Worcestershire.
James Wharton’s careful innings of 63 not out just about knitted Yorkshire together on a day when they lost nine for 108 on a two-faced Chelmsford pitch. Matt Critchley collected four for 49. Essex then lost their opening pair and the nightwatchman before the close.
Glamorgan, boosted by news that Marnus Labuschagne would be returning for two games (and a sixth season) later this month, had a good day against Kent at Canterbury, where a north wind confused the seasons. Young specs-wearing Asa Tribe was bowled by Matt Parkinson six runs short of a first Championship century, Ben Kellaway was unbeaten on 91.
A ding-dong unrolled at the County Ground, where Northamptonshire were reduced to 67 for six before the last four batters added 171 – much to Lancashire’s frustration. Lewis McManus cooked up a half century and was well supported by Liam Guthrie and the tail. Lancashire lost both George Bell and Josh Bohannon for nought, but yet another fifty from Marcus Harris smoothed the waters.
That’s all from us on day when international politics moved firmly onto cricket’s territory. Thanks for your company, have a lovely evening.
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 27-3 v Yorkshire 216
Trent Bridge: Notts 333 v Hampshire 2-0
Hove: Sussex 284 v Worcestershire 7-0
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 364-4 v Surrey
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent v Glamorgan 389-7
County Ground: Northamptonshire 238 v Lancashire 110-3
England could host IPL after cancellation
James Wharton has played one of his most responsible innings for Yorkshire, but his 63 not out from 141 balls, batting at no 3, has not spared Yorkshire: they have been dismissed for 216 on a docile Chelmsford surface and look well behind the game. A spectator in the crowd embarked after a liquid lunch on the task of naming his favourite 20 Essex pubs; I left him to it after 10, feeling thirsty. Perhaps Jonny Bairstow will feel like visiting a few of them. Wharton’s innings never felt more onerous than when facing Simon Harmer - he took two singles off him all day. In a match between second and third bottom, Essex appear to hold a sizeable advantage.
I’d better turn my attention to Friday’s early deadlines but as Sussex and Yorkshire see how long they can extend their last wicket-partnerships, do stay and chat BTL.
It’s a scrap at Trent Bridge: Notts have just lost their sixth wicket, Lyndon James for 33, bowled by Liam Dawson. But 20-year old Freddie McCann is holding things together, 86 not out. Notts 233-6 against Hampshire.
A hundred for Tom Latham!
He joins Marcus Harris and Cameron Green with centuries on county debut this season. And against the champions too. Warwickshire 285-4.
Remaining PSL matches postponed
A change of heart from the PCB as the diplomatic situation deteriorates.
Key event
Six sixes in an over for Rishi. It’s a T20, against Staffordshire, but still a button worth polishing.
Rishi Patel just hit six 6s in an over for Leicestershire in a T20 against Staffordshire.
— Cameron Ponsonby (@cameronponsonby) May 9, 2025
I don't know why this match is being played but it is and Leicestershire are 235-3 off 14. pic.twitter.com/jbcNkbuNkv
As could have been foretold, Lancashire’s reply is not going that well on the interesting surface at the County Ground. Bell and Bohannon both gone for ducks. Keaton Jennings is taking his frustration out on the bowlers, 22 off 21 balls. Lancs 32-2.
Dom Bess, whose experimental slot opening the batting seems to have come to an end, is the fourth lbw victim of Yorkshire’s short innings. Yorks 170-7.
For anyone called Baz looking for a spinner who can bat:
Two cracking boundaries from Carson in the 56th over. 💥 [195-8] pic.twitter.com/za3pnKSXEL
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) May 9, 2025
Tea-time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Yorkshire 149-5
Trent Bridge: Notts 187-5 v Hampshire
Hove: Sussex 199-8 v Worcestershire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 251-3 v Surrey
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent v Glamorgan 266-4
County Ground: Northamptonshire 238 v Lancashire
Northants bowled out for 238 (Balderson 4-55), Guthrie last man out for 43. Tea there, at Chelmsford and Headingley. Scores to follow.
Updated
What is happening round the grounds on a soporific afternoon? In Division Two:
Northants have recovered from 67 for six to 219 for nine against Lancs. An energetic run-a-ball 36 from Guthrie and 22 extras boosting the scores.
Glamorgan are still galloping into the Canterbury breeze, 230-4: Ingram and Kellaway the men in. A couple of wickets for Kashif.
Updated
Hoppsy writes in:
No mood enhancer for Jonny Bairstow. He has been lbw to Jamie Porter in the midst of a Yorkshire afternoon collapse. He made two from six balls and might have supposed a think inside edge. As he walked back into the dressing room, the sirens outside the ground might be a coincidence. This appears to be a flat, if slow, pitch, but Yorkshire batters keep being hit on the back leg. James Wharton has bedded in for a soporific 29 not out and Yorkshire will hope his hard work pays off.
Updated
The Grace Road scorebox writes:
“Leics playing two T20 games against Staffordshire today but I’m keeping more than one eye on The Bears’ progress against Surrey. Hope Rob Yates goes on to get his ton and make it a big one, he can take a lot from Tom Latham this season.”
Which nudges me to check the score from Edgbaston, where Yates has just been caught off Tom Lawes for 86. (We won’t blame you Mike.) Latham has 47 in his first outing for Warwickshire. Warwicks 189-2.
Damn! Asa Tribe is bowled by Parky M six runs short of a first Championship century. Glamorgan 193-4. Tribe is a rare cricketing glasses wearer – the inclusive club includes Jack Leach, Devon Malcom, Paul Allot, David Steele Daniel Vettori and Imam-ul-Haq.
Hudson-Prentice leaps whilst simultaneously giving catching practice to the keeper. He holds his bat horizontally behind his back and shuffles away head down. Sussex 126-7. Enter Ollie Robinson, for a biff?
The dog kindly brings me a sock. I don’t know if it is a subliminal message about Northants who are now 174 for eight, McManus (38 not out) and the tail responsible for dragging them towards 200. A tasty effort for the new-look Lancs attack: three wickets for Balderson and Phillip and two for Williams. No overs for Tom Hartley yet.
Fifties for...
Rob Yates (77 not out) at Edgbaston as Surrey take a hell of a beating. Warwicks 170-1.
Adam Lyth (58 not out) against Essex. Yorks 107-1.
Tom Haines (53) before Sussex suffered a major malfunction against Worcs. Sussex 112-6.
Asa Tribe (77 not out) as Glamorgan have a good heave-ho against injury-hit Kent . Glamorgan 171-3
At the County Ground, Williams and Balderson drop a catch off each other’s bowling – nice of them to keep it fair – so it is up to Anderson Philllip to make the breakthrough, Hurst holding onto Calvin Harrison – who likes playing Lancashire – for 29. Northants 127-7.
Updated
A lovely full ground at Hove, the wind tickling the mature trees round the ground. Tom Taylor, shirt well tucked into his shirt like a year 7, has five wickets in his trousers. Sussex survive his 12th over: 97-6.
And another! Tom Taylor 5-20, Simpson bowled for five. Sussex 88-6. Paul Farbrace spontaneously combusts.
Updated
Sussex lost five for one
Who spilt tea on Sussex’s first hour and a half? From 80-0 to 81 for five now Tom Haines (53) has followed the procession back to the dressing room. Tom Taylor 4-16.
I love Dan Lawrence’s reaction to this:
Rather embarrassing way to get out…. 🏏pic.twitter.com/4NhFOiGJZP
— James (@Surreycricfan) May 9, 2025
Hoppsy at Chelmsford:
It’s taken as read that spin bowling in England is appallingly served by the fact that half the Championship fixtures are over by the beginning of June. Not so this season. Months of dry weather have made spin bowling a necessity. Simon Harmer and Jack Leach have bowled more overs than anybody in the country. Harmer was introduced as early as the 12th over by Essex and has bowled unbroken until lunch. So far this season he has not quite shown his potency of old. Is his stock bowling role dulling his edge? He is wicketless so far but had Adam Lyth dropped at long off on 36 - a challenging, diving chance for Tom Westley - since when Lyth has switched from carefree adventurer to studious student of the defensive push: Yorkshire 80 for 1 at lunch.
Updated
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Yorkshire 80-1
Trent Bridge: Notts 82-4 v Hampshire
Hove: Sussex 81-4 v Worcestershire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 121-1 v Surrey
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent v Glamorgan 128-1
County Ground: Northamptonshire 98-6 v Lancashire
A flurry of late wickets – Notts now four down, Sussex three. Lunch round the sun-baked grounds.
Joe Clarke, whose season has not yet flourished, is sent on his way lbw by Kyle Abbott. Notts 74-3.
In Division Two, Glamorgan are sailing along at four an over against Kent after losing ul Hassan early. Glamorgan 89-1
The Northants scorecard has a sparce appearance. Vasconcelos (39) apart, the rest of the scores read: 0,7, 8,9,0. Three wickets for Balderson, two for Phillip. Northants 76-6.
With an hour and a half gone:
After being dropped twice, Hampshire finally take a catch, Ben Slater slouches off for 31, and HH follows later in Fuller’s over for 25. Notts 63-2.
Yorkshire have just lost Fin Bean for 31, to Shane Snater at Chelmsford. Harmer has already bowled six overs. Yorks 71-1.
Haines and Hughes are flaying Worcestershire to all parts, Sussex 74-0.
Alex Davies throws the plough at a full toss from Dan Lawrence after a blazing 45, Tom Latham starts his summer in the middle. Warwicks 89-1 against Surrey.
Sean Jarvis to leave Leicestershire
Top of the table Leicestershire will lose their chief exec at the end of the season. Sean Jarvis has been in position for five years and the announcement comes with Leicestershire comfortably at the top of Division Two.
Marnus returns to Glamorgan
A few bits of news from the week:
South Africa have appointed the Test coach Shukri Conrad as the men’s white-ball head coach after Rob Walter resigned last month.
India are set to bit for the World Test Championship in 2027 (though I don’t see how that could happen if Pakistan qualified).
and Marnus Labuschagne is to return to the Gardens for a sixth year, to play two games against Northants and Middlesex later this month.
Northants, who had the better of the match at Old Trafford, trembling before the Lancs attack at home. Lancs, without Saqib Mahmood and John Turner, have Northants 44-3.
Thanks to Hoppsy (below) for occasional nuggets from Chelmsford as and when the muse strikes. I owe him a CCLive! beer very soon.
Former county cricket live helmer David Hopps kindly mails in:
There is a good crowd in at Chelmsford as unabated sunshine continues to boost attendances, but the visiting Yorkshire contingent have been scratching their heads a little glumly at the teamsheet. They knew that the presence of Joe Root and Harry Brook was merely ephemeral (amounting to one game, last week’s defeat against Warwickshire) but there is no Malan, and no fast bowling partnership of Buckingham and Sears either. It’s McGrath vs Silverwood over the next four days, two coaches with both Essex and Yorkshire links, and although Essex lack the England-bound Sam Cook, that Yorkshire teamsheet does look a little vulnerable.
Updated
Hampshire’s fielders drop a third catch of the morning.
Injury watch
In no particular order and I’m sure I’ve missed some (I’ll update as you inform me!):
Jordan Cox and Paul Walter (Essex), Dillon Pennington (Notts), Joey Evison, Jas Singh, Marcus O’Riordan, Joe Denly, Nathan Gilchrist, Matt Quinn, Keith Dudgeon, Corey Flintoff, Mikey Cohen, Jaydn Denly (Kent)*, Aspinwall, James Anderson, Rocky Flintoff (Lancs), Jayden Seales (Sussex), Jacob Duffy (Worcestershire), Michael Booth, (Warwickshire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Luis Reece (Derbyshire)
*with thanks to viriditan
Updated
A morning for batting so far – Alex Davies has slapped a couple of sixes off Surrey’s opening bowlers – the indignity! Just three wickets gone round the grounds – Bartlett has followed Procter back to the pavilion at Northampton, Northants 33-2 and Glamorgan have lost ul Hassan to Kashif Ali at Canterbury, Glamorgan 36-1.
An early wicket! Will Williams, back in the Lancashire squad for the first time this year, removes Luke Procter with his second ball of the summer. While second slip kindly gives Ben Slater a second life at Trent Bridge.
A first game in five years for Jason Roy
So the juggernaut can still pull a few surprises. Surrey, shorn of Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith, play Jason Roy at six and hand a debut to New Zealand right-arm fast bowler Nathan Smith.
Updated
Weather watch
We are up and running all round the grounds. The forecast is for warm and dry weather all round, with some showers possible on Monday, mainly in the south west.
Updated
He may have been due a rest anyway but Latham and Webster in Warks team means no Michael Booth, their second-leading wicket taker (and tormentor of Harry Brook last week). Booth, Zimbabwe born, is qualifying for England but still an overseas player at present.
Updated
More on the PSL’s shift to the UAE.
Division One table
1 Nottinghamshire (played 4) 70
2 Warwickshire (played 4) 66
3 Surrey (played 4) 60
4 Durham (played 5 ) 58
5 Hampshire (played 4) 55
6 Sussex (played 4) 52
7 Somerset (played 5) 52
8 Essex (played 4) 50
9 Yorkshire (played 4) 43
10 Worcestershire (played 4) 18
Division Two table
1 Leicestershire (played 5) 95
2 Derbyshire (played 5) 74
3 Middlesex (played 5) 65
4 Kent (played 4) 55
5 Gloucestershire (played 5) 51
6 Lancashire (played 4) 46
7 Northamptonshire (played 4) 37
8 Glamorgan (played 4) 29
Updated
Tom Latham boosts already buoyant Warwickshire.
𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀' 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝘂𝗼! 🤝
— Bears 🏏 (@WarwickshireCCC) May 9, 2025
Aussie Beau Webster and Kiwi Tom Latham are both set to start for the Bears today! 🇦🇺 x 🇳🇿
Match Centre 📺 https://t.co/dPD58zj5gU
📷#YouBears | #WARvSUR pic.twitter.com/RCI0g57vRs
A morning missive, from Tim Maitland:
“We are less than two weeks away from England’s one-off Test with Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge acting as a soft curtain raiser for the curtain raisers of ODI and T20 series against West Indies, before the proper cricket starts, but where are we?
“Chastened and humbled after the pyjama teams took a beating in India and the disappointment at the Champions Trophy? That doesn’t seem to be our style anymore. It’s a shame really. We used to be so good at self-flagellation, didn’t we? With the exception of the decisions forced by the fitness or lack thereof of the bowlers, do we expect anything to change? Are we fielding a quasi Lions side or does the proper test team get a run out?
“Is Zac Crawley, over a year removed from his last Test century, really playing for his place? It’s not the Baz-Ben style to hang a player out to dry like that, is it? We back ourselves. And when that doesn’t work we back ourselves some more.
“Personally, I’d quite like to see a bit more of a chalk-and-cheese approach to the opening pair: someone with a contrasting style to Ben Duckett, an accumulator more than a shot maker perhaps, who can solidify things should Duckett’s aggression fail and limit the number of times we get to see Joe Root trudging out with barely 10 runs on the board and the ball still cherry ripe.
“It’s a moot point because it’s not going to happen, but who would that be? Does Tom Haines of Sussex, the first and only player to pass 500 runs in the County Championship this year, get a look in? Two centuries and two 60s in his last three games (against Notts, Surrey and Somerset, no less) is some return. Or does Haseeb Hameed deserve a third chance? A county captain averaging over 110 for the Championship leaders who did contribute three half-centuries when India toured here in 2021. Does Bazball get a buzz from resurrecting mis-managed talent?
“Or would it be more in character for Stokes and McCullum to take the next cab from the rank of their own system and push Durham’s 20-year-old Ben McKinney into the spotlight after his century for England Lions against Australia A in February and his form-confirming 153 against Warwickshire last month? I need a lie down.”
Updated
IPL suspended, PSL moved
And the political tensions between Pakistan and India throw their shadow over cricket.
The PSL is going to play the rest of its season in the UAE, and the IPL has been suspended indefinitely.
Updated
For your coffee break, a moving interview with Mohammad Abbas, by Ali. Abbas returns to the Championship today, though in the unfamiliar colours of Nottinghamshire, and against his old county.
Updated
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Yorkshire
Trent Bridge: Notts v Hampshire
Hove: Sussex v Worcestershire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Surrey
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent v Glamorgan
County Ground: Northamptonshire v Lancashire
Preamble
Good morning! Round six, already. Elderflower stretching out, still no rain or swifts. And an England call up for CCLive favourite, young James Rew, replacing the unlucky Jordan Cox. Things get underway at 11, do join us.
