Roundup
A gripping finale to the low-scoring game at Sophia Gardens bubbled up as Glamorgan chased 188 to beat Lancashire. With Saqib Mahmood straining every sinew and Matt Parkinson twirling with intent, conditions were challenging.
Joe Cooke and David Lloyd gave Glamorgan a promising start, Cooke bringing up the 50 stand with a six over square leg, before slamming Parkinson’s second ball for four. But he was caught off Parkinson shortly afterwards, and soon Lloyd and Billy Root followed.
Much rests on the staying power of Marnus Labuschagne, 32 not out overnight, with 51 needed. Earlier, Lancashire were bundled out for 164 in their second innings, with only Alex Davies’ 47 troubling the scorers. Michael Neser snaffled 4-53.
Hampshire recovered from a precarious 31-3 to creep towards parity at Taunton. They were rescued by a patient 67 from Sam Northeast and a sprightly 91 not out from Lewis McManus, moving to 285-7 at stumps, still 75 runs behind Somerset.
Warwickshire chose not to enforce the follow-on against Derbyshire and hit stormy waters at 18 for 3. Tom Hain helped negotiate safe harbour before a clatter of evening wickets. Top-class bowling from Craig Miles (5-30) and Liam Norwell (4-24) had demolished Derbyshire’s first innings as they flopped to 121 all out.
David Bedingham’s 121 guided Durham to a substantial first-innings lead at New Road. Worcestershire were batting again by tea and lost early wickets to Matthew Potts, despite fifty from Jake Libby.
Dawid Malan sparkled to a wonderful century in his first appearance of the summer, as he and Gary Ballance pushed Yorkshire into prime position at Headingley with an unbeaten partnership of 187. Ben Coad had earlier dismissed both Thursday’s heroes: Ben Brown for 127 and 16-year-old Dan Ibrahim, who became the youngest man to ever make 50 on debut in the Championship. Bilal Shafayat was the previous record-holder. Sussex then lost their last three wickets for three runs.
Callum Parkinson, the twin brother of Lancashire’s Matt, grabbed five wickets with his slow left-arm as Leicestershire ran through a demoralised Gloucestershire on a turning pitch. Parkinson’s first five-fer of the season demolished the top order, with only Miles Hammond with 67 providing any resistance. He then snaffled the first wicket of the Gloucs follow-on in the last over of the day, as they fight to avoid a second consecutive defeat.
There was no play at Chelmsford or Canterbury as the rain that spoilt the Test spread its tentacles over the south-east.
Close of play scores
Group one
Derby: Derbyshire 121 v Warwicks 274 and 132-7; Warks lead by 286
Chelmsford: Essex v Notts 248-6 no play today, rain
Worcester: Worcestershire 131 and 99-3 v Durham 381 all out; Worcs trail by 151 runs
Group two
Grace Road: Leicestershire 451 v Gloucestershire 158 and 5-1
Taunton: Somerset 360 all out v Hampshire 285-7
Group three
Cardiff: Glamorgan 150 and 137-3 v Lancashire 173 and 164; Glamorgan need 51 to win
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire 362-5 no play today, rain
Headingley: Yorkshire 272-2 v Sussex 313 all out; Yorks trail by 41 runs
Just popping back between editions to say it’s very tight at Sophia Gardens, and Worcestershire are looking vulnerable at New Road despite the best efforts of Jake Libby. Well batted Dawid Malan, well batted Gary Ballance, making it look easy at Headingley, and a hero-gram for six-wicket Callum Parkinson. That’s it from me for today, Graham will be here tomorrow at Headingley. Good night!
Updated
England v New Zealand - play abandoned for the day
98 overs due tomorrow.
I’d better concentrate on the round-up for a bit, I’ll leave you with Glamorgan strolling to 43 without loss, needing another 145 to beat Lancashire.
Fifties for Miles Hammond at Gloucestershire 58 not out, and for Dawid Malan at Headingley, where he and Gary Ballance have put on 81 for the third wicket. Yorks 176-2
Durham all out 381. They’re becoming batting specialists. Tongue 4-73. Worcester, I’m afraid, are in deep trouble needing 251 to make Durham bat again. I haven’t been watching at New Road - has the pitch changed from the minefield it was on Thursday (at least in Worcester’s mind.)
Does anyone know why the flush isn’t working? I suppose I better go and find out. In other news, Glamorgan are 25-0, a couple of fours each for Cooke and Lloyd.
Tea-time scores
Group one
Derby: Derbyshire 121 v Warwicks 274 and 26-3
Chelmsford: Essex v Notts 248-6 no play today, rain
Worcester: Worcester 131 all out v Durham 369-9
Group two
Grace Road: Leicestershire 451 v Gloucestershire 85-2
Taunton: Somerset 360 all out v Hampshire 157-6
Group three
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan and 0-0 v Lancashire 173 and 164 Glamorgan need 188 to win
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire 362-5 no play today, rain
Headingley: Yorkshire 153-2 v Sussex 313 all out
Play abandoned for the day at Chelmsford!
Rain, rain and more rain at Chelmsford, with large puddles developing at the River End. Essex need the points more than group-leaders Notts.
Sam Northeast has gone at Taunton for a hard-working 67 as Tom Abell makes a crucial breakthrough. Hampshire continue to edge forward, just 206 behind.
Glamorgan need 188 to win!
They’ve taken tea at Sophia Gardens, with the promise of an entertaining run-chase to toast day. Invaluable nurdling from Saqib Mahmood and Danny Lamb at the end. Neser 4-53, two each for Lamb and Douthwaite.
Play abandoned at Canterbury for the day!
Northants knew what they were up to yesterday, banging out four bonus points while the sun shone.
Pennington back in the wickets at New Road, with numbers 7 and 9. Durham lead by 219.
Warwickshire are a-crumbling in their second innings. Currently 5-2 after four overs, with Pieter Malan and Will Rhodes’s afternoon closed. The lead 159.
Teenage kicks: Yorkshire 130-2.
👶 16-year-old Dan Ibrahim
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) June 4, 2021
👶 19-year-old @JamieAtkins2005
The two Yorkshire wickets to fall so far, courtesy of two Sussex teenagers! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/eX8KL9HfBE
Follow on NOT enforced by Warwickshire, who bat again with a first-innings lead of 153.
Meanwhile Sam Northeast has tacked together a valuable fifty at Taunton, paying what I think they described as a “holding-role” in football. Hampshire 124-5.
A hundred for David Bedingham!
Not many centuries this round (Brown, Harris and Bedingham, I think), but another beauty from Bedingham who is providing welcome heft to the Durham middle order. The lead over Worcestershire now 202.
Derbyshire all out 121!
The last wicket stand added a sixth of the runs after a collapse of 8-45. Norwell 4-24, Miles 5-30. Will they follow on? We wait....
Still no play at Kent, Chelmsford or Lord’s.
For balance, the top ten leading wicket-takers this season:
Rushworth (Durham) 37
Coverton (Somerset) 36
Fletcher (Notts) 36
Abbott (Hants) 34
Harmer (Esses) 34
Higgins (Gloucs) 33
Sam Cook (Essex) 32
Carse (Durham) 32
Olly Robinson (Sussex) 29
Bamber (Middx) 28
[Broad has 19 from four games, Wood 10 from three games, Anderson 3 in two games but one innings]
Hampshire 110-5, as James Hildreth at slip says thank you to a softly-dropping plum from Liam Dawson.
Ah! Thank you Gary.
Bilal was a famous Twelfth Man @tjaldred, ferrying a glove back and forth while Monty and Jimmy resisted Australia's finest (and Marcus North) at Cardiff.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) June 4, 2021
Photograph: Hamish Blair/Getty Images
O youth! The strength of it, the faith of it, the imagination of it! Ibrahim strikes with ball. Kohler-Cadmore lbw for 25. Yorkshire 83-1.
Like a moonlit shadow, Derbyshire dance where Lancashire tread. From 76-2 to 98-7. Craig Miles 4-26, Norwell 2-20.
A breakthrough at Taunton! James Vince is caught at backward point after an uncharacteristically patient 29. Hampshire 100-4.
I’ve learnt that Dan Ibrahim is now the youngest player to make fifty on debut in the Championship. The previous record was held by Bilal Shafayat - who in my mind played a Test for England, but my mind is wrong. Cricinfo confirms U19 England caps and a glorious season in 2005 when he made 1000 runs for Notts.
Gosh Lancashire really are, um, getting a move on. They’ve now lost 5-11, with Vilas and Bailey joining the heavy pavilion-trudge. Three for Neser, one for Douthwaite and a run out. Currently, 125-8, a lead of 148.
That run-out :
It's all happening here!
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) June 4, 2021
Livingstone was out to a brilliant catch by Neser (stay tuned for the video 👀) before Marnus pulled off a ridiculous run out
📺https://t.co/SMLaGkBVMC#GLAMvLAN | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/3gu2QBWkUE
And a reminder of the owner of that mellifluous welsh voice: Eddie Bevan of course. Thank you!
@tjaldred
— FranPirlo21 (@FranPirlo21) June 4, 2021
The lovely voice doing the Glamorgan commentary was @EdBevanCricket
Absolute legend of a man. I grew up listening to him. Let's hope they roll out Lancs this afternoon.#GLAMvLAN
Updated
Hopes of a tea-start at Lord’s
Possible end to the rain circa 4pm? This is predicted path up to 3pm... pic.twitter.com/tVEsLUZUN7
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) June 4, 2021
Glamorgan’s statement on welcoming fans back to Sophia Gardens:
We welcome today’s announcement from the Welsh Government of a return of spectators to watch live events in Wales this summer.
The two metre social distancing regulation will restrict our capacity to a maximum of 2,892 and we will continue to work closely with key partners including the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, and Cardiff City Council on a safe return of fans to Sophia Gardens.
We have prepared and submitted proposals for a phased return of fans to Sophia Gardens from next week and look forward to providing more information as soon as the necessary approvals have been confirmed.
Once again, we would like to thank our members, fans and partners for their patience and look forward to welcoming supporters back to Sophia Gardens in greater numbers.
Gary Naylor confirms a Lancs-up in progress.
It's every bit as mad as the scorecard says at Cardiff @tjaldred.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) June 4, 2021
Here’s the first of the three to fall since lunch:
𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗘
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) June 4, 2021
Lovely stuff from the Bearded Wonder Michael Neser 🧔♂️
Fast and full does for Bohannon!
📺 https://t.co/SMLaGkBVMC#GLAMvLAN | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/7JkL7aon3u
A post-lunch trickle: Madsen and McDermot shot out by Miles (3-23) at Derby: 82-4, 192 behind Warwicks. Chris Wright picked off by Hammond at the run-fest at Grace Road, Leicestershire 439-8. Oh dear, and Lancashire have lost 3-4 at Sophia Gardens: Bohannon, Livingstone, and Wood run-out without facing a ball. Lancs 113-6.
Just watered the garden for the first-time in a while, cautiously optimistic about the soft-fruit season. Talking of which... ah, no-one has collapsed in the ten minutes since lunch.
Lunchtime scores
Group one
Derby: Derbyshire 61-2 v Warwicks 274
Chelmsford: Essex v Notts 248-6 no play before lunch
Worcester: Worcester 131 all out v Durham 252-4
Group two
Grace Road: Leicestershire 436-7 v Gloucestershire
Taunton: Somerset 360 all out v Hampshire 67-3
Group three
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 150 all out v Lancashire 173 and 88-3
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire 362-5 no play before lunch
Headingley: Yorkshire 26-0 v Sussex 313 all out
Godleman straggles back to the Derby pavilion after being caught behind for 32. Derby 61-2 shortly before lunch. At Headingley, the Yorkshire openers are still whole, if with an uneven scorecard. Kohler Cadmore one not out; Lyth 16 not out including a morning heave-ho for six! Yorks 22-0.
David Bedingham is the only man with more than 700 runs this season - and still he bats. Currently 65 not out at New Road as Durham sail into a sobering lead: 241-4, a lead of 112 over Worcestershire.
Al Davies and Luke Wells steaming along at Sophia Gardens, but Keaton Jennings’ more circumspect innings is over. Lbw to Weighell for 12. A bump down to earth in this game after his classy hundred last week. Lancashire 72- hang on, they’re now 72-2. Wells bowled for 26 by Douthwaite.
Sussex all out 313! Now Yorkshire get a go. Will it be the Yorkshire of the first innings of the Roses match -159 all out - or the Yorkshire who battled to so-close to the bitter end in the second innings?
This is just showing off!
@tjaldred The bluebell tart for dessert pic.twitter.com/pUGC2Lo93J
— Chris Drew #wearamask #washyourhands (@mesnilman) June 4, 2021
Gloucestershire having a spell in the doldrums. Leicester now 411-7, with a helpful 47 extras.
And, in case this appeals:
If you haven't already, sign up to become a volunteer at the #B2022 Games where women's cricket will feature for the first time ever. Join the #CommonwealthCollective and help make it the best event yet. @ECB_cricket @ICC @CentralSparks @WarwickshireCCC https://t.co/JtMr4QCkLV
— Holly Colvin (@hollycolvin10) June 4, 2021
No dream debut for Ibrahim, but dreamy enough. Well played, young pup. Sussex 310-8.
#DanialIbrahim, who's just been out for 55, was born in Burnley, like @jimmy9. But he wasn't born when @Jjimmy9 started playing for England https://t.co/jc6YZzz52w
— Tim de Lisle (@TimdeLisle) June 4, 2021
Lunch will be taken at 1pm at Lord’s, where the rain continues to pour.
Hampshire, meanwhile, are in trouble: 31-3 after de Lange removes Steel and Alsop in one over. Holland already gone, caught VDM off Davey.
Just perusing the Championship averages as if it was 1985 and they were taking up a whole page in the Telegraph.
The highest England players are 7th placed Ollie Pope (78.83) and 8th placed Rory Burns (53.73)
Top ten:
Van der Merwe, Somerset
Bedingham, Durham
Carlson, Glamorgan
RS Patel, Surrey
MS Harris, Leicestershire
Vasconcelos, Northants
Pope, Surrey
Burns, Surrey
MAH Hammond, Gloucestershire
Abell, Somerset
Updated
Derbyshire have lost their first wicket, 8-1, but Durham billow onwards, Beingham and Jones steadfast in a partnership of fifty. Their lead over Worcestershire an almost commanding 53, with six wickets remaining.
The lovely voice of the Glamorgan commentator is lulling me into a trance, but can report that at Derby Warwickshire are all out for 274, an impressive effort by Derby, who are already batting and 7-0.
There will be an inspection at Canterbury at 12.20.
Taking the right guard and the status quo of batting in English conditions and batsmanship around county cricket on Sky Sports this morning with @nassercricket @markbutcher72 and @Athersmike . pic.twitter.com/i0ArBu2Z2w
— Mask up and take your vaccine🙏🙏🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 4, 2021
Fifty for Dan Ibrahim!
How’s that on debut?! Seven fours and as calm as a tarn on an early spring morning.
Ticket offer!!!
Brian Withington has very kindly offered two free tickets for England v New Zealand at Edgbaston next Friday June 11th to a lucky BTL-er. If you are interested, please email me at tanya.aldred.freelance@theguardian.com and I can put the two of you in touch. There is a Covid consent form that should be completed ASAP and a lateral flow test requirement as condition of entry.
Updated
An email wafts in with the jasmine. It’s from Finbar Anslow:
“Hello Tanya,
Just wanted to let you know how wonderful my yesterday was. Cutting the grass and only stopping to check scores when I found a bit of shade (memo, plant more trees) So lovely to watch Lewis Gregory score a ton and the Marchant of menace in action. However even in paradisiacal Piedmont the occasional question flutters through one’s thoughtless contemplation........Why is Reina del Cid’s Harvest moon so damned good?Was Edward Snowden right? Is there a file on each and every one of us, just awaiting a moment of fame for our sins to be exposed.Should Somerset send their bowlers in to open the batting?
Any enlightenment gratefully received
At Headingley, Ben Coad grabs Sussex’s main man, centurion Ben Brown. Sussex 275-6 with 16-year -old Ibrahim not out 43. He’s “doing a Conway.”
Glamorgan all out 150!
Lancashire not hanging around. This could be all over today at the Gardens. Jennings and Davies march back out, Davies is off the mark with four and Lancashire are 6-0, with a first-innings lead of 23.
And Ali’s nice report on Conway, Wood, Robinson, Root and co
And Simon Burnton on the fallout from the Robinson affair.
We’re rolling! Except at Canterbury, Chelmsford and Lord’s where the rain doth spout and spoil things.
Some fabulous reading from the Test. I thought this was brilliant on Ollie Robinson by Andy Bull.
Thursday's round-up
On a morning of cloud cover so heavy that the Headingley floodlights were switched on, and 2,056 souls planted their behinds around the ground for the first time for a men’s county game since 2019, Yorkshire chose to bowl.
With Sussex 68 for four just after lunch, it seemed a good decision. By stumps, less so, thanks to a smashing unbeaten 126 from Ben Brown, 40 from Aaron Thomason and a cameo of 37 from 16-year-old Danial Ibrahim.
Brown played with nimble feet and hands, running swiftly between the wickets and driving with panache, picking the gaps ably, like a pick-happy man with an orange pith obsession. Ibrahim was sighingly calm, straight drive here, flick there, making the most of late-afternoon Yorkshire bowling with the new ball that touched on the wayward.
Northamptonshire, the gluttons, bolted down four batting points before the close in a riotous day’s batting against Kent. Ricardo Vasconcelos and Emilio Gay put on 135 for the first wicket, before Gay, who made his maiden first-class century, and Luke Procter added 100 for the second. Darren Stevens, aged 45, picked up a couple of wickets with the second new ball to lead a mini-revival at the close.
There were two catches for Kent’s wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson, who received an apology from Kent Online, who had mistakenly pictured him in Wednesday’s story about the other Ollie Robinson.
Lancashire were squirrelled out by Glamorgan for 173 after a succession of batsmen got in, but then got out again, without adding greatly to the score. Tom Bailey scored a quickfire 31 to raise spirits, before picking up three wickets, as did Sajid Mahmood, as Glamorgan collapsed to 150 for nine.
Somerset unveiled their usual back-to-front batting style against Hampshire, reeling at 43 for five, laughing at stumps, 360 all out. Keith Barker grabbed six for 72, picking off the Somerset top order – none who passed double figures apart from Steven Davies. The rearguard started with 45 from Tom Banton, and was bolstered by an eighth wicket stand of 171 between Lewis Gregory (107) and Roelof van der Merwe (88).
Marcus Harris plundered 148, his second century in succession, put Leicestershire in a happy position against Gloucestershire. They ended the day at 357 for five.
Worcestershire crumbled for 131 at New Road as Brydon Carse and Matty Potts snaffled four wickets each. Durham ended the day leading by nine with six wickets in hand, bolstered by 52 from Alex Lees.
Fifties from Lyndon James, Steven Mullaney and Joe Clarke, who restarted his innings after retiring hurt, inched Nottinghamshire on to the front foot against Essex. Peter Siddle finished with three for 76.
Sam Hain (77) and Michael Burgess (71) kept Warwickshire afloat on a muggy day at Derbyshire. Sam Conners had the top order in a pickle, taking the first four wickets, before the middle-order solidified to see them towards 272 for nine at stumps.
Scores on the doors
Group one
Derby: Derbyshire v Warwicks 272-9
Chelmsford: Essex v Notts 248-6
Worcester: Worcester 131 all out v Durham 140-4
Group two
Grace Road: Leicestershire 357-5 v Gloucestershire
Taunton: Somerset 360 all out v Hampshire
Group three
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 150-9 v Lancashire 173 all out
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire 362-5
Headingley: Yorkshire v Sussex 267-5
Preamble
Good morning! June has pulled on her best summer dress, the long-tailed tits are flitting in the neighbour’s garden and the day has been marred only by an accident with the caftiere. A smorgasbord of great cricket in store, hopefully not marred too much by the weather, though it is raining in Canterbury.
Updated
