Pope among the runs as Surrey build against Warwickshire
A round of closely matched first-innings games bubbled intriguingly around the country. At the Oval, Surrey oiled their sinews and started to pull away from Warwickshire, after Rory Burns (idiosyncratically), Dom Sibley (steadily) and Ollie Pope (busily) each collected a half century. Earlier, Warwickshire had inched to a two-run first-innings lead, but just short of a batting point, thanks to fifty from Ed Barnard and some lusty blows from Nathan Gilchrist. There were three wickets for the rapid Gus Atkinson and four for Tom Lawes.
Nottinghamshire, who started the round just nine points behind Surrey, stay on their tail after Josh Tongue ruined Worcestershire’s afternoon. Tongue’s intimidating spell of nine overs, three for 24, took out Worcestershire’s top three, and Lyndon James removed Nos 4 and 5 to leave them 93 for five and with a lead of just 68. It was galling for Worcestershire after Tom Taylor’s four wickets had earlier kept Notts in check.
At Taunton, where afternoon rain swept through once more, Tom Abell carried Somerset’s innings with a distinguished five-hour 130 on a pitch that looks likely to turn. He was finally out to an off-balance slog-sweep to mid-wicket off his former teammate and now Yorkshire spinner Dom Bess. Abell and Lewis Goldsworthy (65) had kept the fires burning after James Rew was caught in the first over of the day.
A five-and-a-half hour century from Dean Elgar and a smash-and-grab 97 from Matt Critchley took Essex to tickling distance of Durham in the relegation battle at Chelmsford.
Shan Masood enjoyed his first Championship innings for Leicestershire, his fourth county, moving to a chanceless 80 not out against Gloucestershire at Grace Road. He put on 152 with Lewis Hill (88), much to the delight of the watching fans, including a tubby, and hungry, golden retriever.
Middlesex’s Leus du Plooy hit a hundred against his old county Derbyshire in a tight game at Lord’s; while Lancashire crept to within nine runs of Kent’s first innings, thanks largely to 64 from Tom Hartley. There were four wickets for Matt Parkinson and an inspired Matt Quinn. Saif Zaib, Division Two’s leading scorer, hit yet another half century for Northamptonshire, this time against Glamorgan, while Sussex continued their poor run of form, bowled out for 122 by Hampshire.
• This post was updated on 10 September 2025. An earlier version said Essex played Durham in Cheltenham; this should have said Chelmsford.
Updated
As a group of Leicestershire teenage girls warm up on the Grace Road outfield, time for me to say good night. Thanks for your company, till tomorrow – good night!
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 312-3 v Durham 333
Taunton: Somerset 391-6 v Yorkshire
The Oval: Surrey 246 and 181-1 v Warwickshire 248
Hove: Sussex 122 and 37-1 Hampshire 226 and 173
New Road: Worcestershire 182 and 93-5 v Nottinghamshire 207
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 and 96-0 v Lancashire 284
Grace Road: Leicestershire 270-4 v Gloucestershire 482
Lord’s: Middlesex 298v Derbyshire 283 and 17-0
Northampton: Northants 309-5 v Glamorgan 467
Over at Trent Bridge, The Blaze 256-6 have reached the Metrobank ODC semi-finals by beating Durham Women 252-9 by four wickets with 15 balls to spare.
Right, as Notts nip out another Worcestershire wicket, time for me to write up for the paper. Do keep chatting BTL
100 for Leus du Plooy, fifty for Saif Zaib!
In a round of tight first-innings scores, Middlesex have squeezed past Derbyshire, thanks mostly to Leus du Plooy’s 105. Middx 291-7, three wickets for Chappell.
And yet another fifty for Saif Zaib, in a smooth Northant’s reply of 246-3, 221 behind Glamorgan.
Josh Tongue is picking up where he left off in the first innings. Unfortunately for Worcestershire, Jake Libby gets a fierce bouncer, oh and now he removes Kashif Ali’s off stump. Tongue 3-24, Worcs 64-4.
📹 That is, quite simply, what can only be described as a snorter.#WORvNOT | 📺 https://t.co/odtZgMvROU https://t.co/ln0u0eYT9k pic.twitter.com/cxtO2ZBFzD
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) September 9, 2025
A hundred for Tom Abell!
If Somerset are still hoping to give Surrey and Notts a run for their money, and with rain forecast for much of tomorrow, they could do with getting a move on. Incidentally, Dom Bess has bowled 16 overs at his old ground.
Tons up with a reverse sweep, fairs.#SOMvYOR#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/ezIdTNZVGM
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) September 9, 2025
Lancs fans may like to know that last night’s motion of no-confidence in CEO Daniel Gidney was lost 1246 (against the motion) to 554 (for the motion).
Hartley and Williams nudged Lancashire close enough to polish the brass buttons on Kent’s blazer. Four wickets each for Parky M and Quinn, and Kent are batting again – this time without Muyeye.
Just tumbled down a rabbit hole to discover that the county second XI Championship has a final which will be played 16-19 September between tbc. The reigning champions are Notts. Since the turn of the century the county who has won the second XI competition the most times is… Kent.
Fifties for Shan Masood and Rory Burns
Masood starting his Grace Road career nicely; Burns and Sibley batting ominously well – although as I type that Burns is bowled by Bamber: Surrey 92-1.
The good news for Worcestershire is they have a lead of one. The bad new is they’ve just lost their Reehaan Edavalath (playing in his second FC match) lbw to Josh Tongue, the three slips raising their arms in unison.
Apologies, I’ve had to attend to some other work briefly. Now where were we? Hill (71) and Masood (43 on his CC debut for Leicestershire – his third county) are rolling along nicely – Leics 199-3.
Tea time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 179-3 v Durham 333
Taunton: Somerset 266-4 v Yorkshire
The Oval: Surrey 246 and 56-0 v Warwickshire 248
Hove: Sussex 122 v Hampshire 226 and 88-6
New Road: Worcestershire 182 v Nottinghamshire 207
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 v Lancashire 226-8
Grace Road: Leicestershire 159-3 v Gloucestershire 482
Lord’s: Middlesex 210-5 v Derbyshire 283
Northampton: Northants 142-1 v Glamorgan 467
Key event
A quick leg-stretch, and walk past some very enthusiastic travelling Lewis Hill supporters applauding his half century. Pick up a slice of fruit cake from the Meet (delicious) and get back to see dark clouds backing up behind the press box. They take tea here, as they have started doing around the grounds. Scores to follow.
To Chelmsford, where Dean Elgar is heading towards his what the averages I’ve just looked at say is his first century of the Championship season. Essex 152-2.
Four wickets for Tom Taylor now at New Road! Three in three overs. Notts have scrambled a lead, but are now eight down.
Hampshire have advanced to 35-3, Ollie Robinson getting in on the act, bowling Orr for 14. But the lead is already 139 and after two innings defeats in a row, Sussex also look in trouble here.
Here at Grace Road, the umpire raises his finger to Taylor – Ian Holland lbw, Leics 86-3, while Tom Hartley is dropped at Canterbury.
Updated
Rain at Taunton
Afternoon dampness once more, with Abell and Goldsworthy stranded in the fifties. Somerset 266-4.
Down The Oval stairs clunk Burns and Sibley.
At New Road, Notts are almost level, but Taylor has just removed Lyndon James for 35. Notts 173-6.
To Canterbury, where a vigorous and spicy Matt Quinn has Lancashire in a spot of familiar bother, with some hearty help from Matt Parkinson who tempted Marcus Harris down the pitch and had Luke Wells prodding to the keeper. Lancs 176-6.
Well played Warwickshire! A lead of two over Surrey, even if they fell at the first batting point hurdle. Four wickets for Tom Lawes and a thriller in store at The Oval if you have a day off pencilled in your diary.
Shazam Shahzad! Joe Clarke edges behind to Shahzad’s second ball after lunch. Worcestershire have nipped out Nottinghamshire’s top five, but that only brings in Verreynne and Lyndon James. Notts 133-5.
Ben Foakes swoops, Will Young gone. Warwicks 221-9, 25 behind.
Another incredible Ben Foakes catch to remove Will Young for 72. 🤯
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) September 9, 2025
"He continues to have some of the best gloves in world cricket!"
Warwickshire 216/9.
🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/qKbFLkOZlh
They did say that Hove pitch was tasty…Unadkat has taken out Middleton and Gubbins in his second over. Hampshire 9 for two.
Hope your lunches were tasty. A bizarre story from George Dobell in the Cricketer about the Essex chair Anu Mohindru and his CV.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 49-1 v Durham 333
Taunton: Somerset 229-4 v Yorkshire
The Oval: Surrey 246 v Warwickshire 206-8
Hove: Sussex 122 v Hampshire 226
New Road: Worcestershire 182 v Nottinghamshire 119-4
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 v Lancashire 118-3
Grace Road: Leicestershire 40-1 v Gloucestershire 482
Lord’s: Middlesex 106-3 v Derbyshire 283
Northampton: Northants 2-0 v Glamorgan 467
And Budinger parties no more, stumps akimbo. A wicket for Taylor. Leicestershire 35-1.
Some beautiful, if streaky, boundary hitting by Budinger, who is has kept Gloucestershire on their toes but remains at the crease. Leicestershire 35-0.
Looking at the New Road scorecard, I didn’t realise HH got a two-ball duck yesterday. A couple of wickets this morning for Waite and Allison. Notts 109-3, just 73 behind.
Sussex are stumbling towards the end of their innings, now 106-8. Alsop holding them together with 34 not out. Four wickets for Kyle Abbott.
While Ben McKinney has added a catch to his hundred yesterday at Chelmsford – Walter for four. Durham all out 333, something of a disappointment from 189-1. Four wickets for Porter, three for Bracewell. Essex 38-1.
It’s tight at The Oval, where Warwickshire are within 57 overs of Surrey, with four wickets left. Last night’s ballast Ed Barnard was caught behind off Atkinson, but Young is still there on 58. Warwicks 187-6.
While at Taunton, Goldsworthy and Tom Abell are rebuilding after the early wicket of Rew. Somerset 201-4.
With an hour and a bit gone, and Gloucestershire’s tail still frustrating Leicestershire (478-9), time to shuffle round the autumnal grounds.
In the other Div 2 games: Marcus Harris and Luke Wells are rebuilding at Canterbury after the loss of Jennings and Bohannon – Lancs 60-2. Joe Denly is Muyeye’s concussion substitute.
At Wantage Road, Asa Tribe has been out for a magnificent 206, Glamorgan 444-8; while Middlesex have lost Sam Robson and Luke Hollman cheaply, de Caires 38 not out. Middx 69-2.
And a roar from the crowd as Akhter (64) is done at last by a slower ball by Holland – Gloucs all out 482.
Updated
A couple of catches for Ben Dawkins at Canterbury, after his 60 in the first innings. Last week he also led England U19s to victory in a ODI v Ireland .
A pair of early wickets, both caught by Ben Dawkins in the slips 👐
— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) September 9, 2025
🎥 LIVE Match Centre: https://t.co/FUHMc0Ikqt pic.twitter.com/xYJfqqyODn
And another! As Josh Shaw’s off stump goes flying. Zaman Akhter collects his second CC fifty of the season, with just No. 11 Singh Dale for company.
From a drifting first 40 minutes at Grace Road, a wicket at last, as Matt Taylor flays Logan van Beek into the vast outfield, where Lewis Hill collects. Gloucs 446-8.
Dismayed by Sussex’s top five being dismissed for 60? I have good, if unrelated news:
200 for Asa Tribe
A maiden double-ton and I’m beginning to wonder if I went to the wrong ground. Glamorgan 404-6 against Northants.
Here he is, albeit in June, celebrating a hundred against Leicestershire.
A soupcon of early wickets – James Rew is caught by YJB without adding to his 54 at Taunton; while at Hove Kyle Abbot picks up his second with the third ball of the day, Hunt lbw for one. Sussex look wobbly at 52 for four.
Weather watch
There is play everywhere, at the moment, though the Met Office promise blustery showers in the west later.
Stokes may not be Ashes-ready
Ryan Campbell, Durham’s coach, has tried to calm expectations that Ben Stokes will be fit to play all five Ashes Tests.
“The way he goes about his work to recover just blows me away,” he said. “ It’s why he is one of the greatest all-rounders that’s ever been and it’s why he will be ready for Australia. He will leave no stones unturned, but can he play five Tests in a row with the workload he has? He will try, but I am not 100 per cent sure.”
Campbell also confirmed that Mark Wood was close to returning to the Durham side as he too attempts to get Ashes-fit.
At Grace Road, Sol Budinger and Rishi Patel are the surprise opening pair as Leicestershire play catch up with their slovenly over rate of -3.
"I've always wanted to play Test cricket."
Lancashire’s Mitch Stanley spoke to the ECB reporter’s network yesterday evening after his five wickets against Kent.
“It was brilliant. I’ve put in some serious hard work over the last few months trying to get myself ready, or really over the last two years, so I was overjoyed to get out on the park and put a performance in.
“I’ve not played a lot of cricket over my whole career to be honest so it was good to get out there. I was struggling a bit at the start with my run up going downhill and I’d like to have less runs on my figures but (getting five wickets) didn’t really cross my mind until I was given the new ball.
“My whole career’s been a bit of a battle to be honest, with fitness stuff. I’ve kind of been pigeon-holed a bit to be a white ball bowler, which I don’t feel I am.
“I think it helps with age and stuff, I feel I got some good workloads over the winter with the Lions and I started the year with the twos, so yeah, I feel ready.
“I’m massively determined (to make a career in red-ball cricket.) It’s the main part of our career really I’ve always wanted to play for England in test cricket ever since I was a kid, so I’m super-determined to prove myself.”
Tawanda Muyeye ruled out of Kent v Lancs match with concussion
After a mid-pitch collision between Muyeye and Ben Compton yesterday as they both ran blind, Muyeye has been ruled out of the rest of the game with delayed concussion.
Updated
Monday's round-up
It was one of those soul-soaring autumn days in the East Midlands, trees like overripe broccoli, skies huge and blue. On the bright green benches of Grace Road, a man filled out the crossword, while the County Championship resumed for its final three-round act. Nothing is decided, not even next season’s schedule – to be voted on later this month – with a choice of a 13-game two-division playoff compromise or the status quo.
Leicestershire, the runaway stars of Division Two, are in touching distance of promotion for the first time since 2003, but this was one of their more forgettable days. They are without Rehan Ahmed (England), Ben Green (Somerset), Liam Trevaskis and Tom Scriven (injured) and Gloucestershire were able to make merry – with a stylish hundred for Graeme van Buuren and half-centuries from Ben Charlesworth, Miles Hammond and James Bracey. Giant fast bowler Josh Hull collected three wickets, but was banned from bowling for the rest of the innings after sending down two beamers, along with 11 no balls. Ben Mike limped off the field as the shadows lengthened, though spirits lifted when van Buuren was lbw to the day’s penultimate ball.
Surrey are chasing their fourth successive Championship title, but were nibbled out without a bonus point at the Oval, despite half centuries from Ryan Patel, Ollie Pope and Rory Burns. Tom Lawes then had Warwickshire in a pickle with three for six, but Ed Barnard and Will Young steadied the ship.
Early season flavour of the month, Ben McKinney, showed why England are so smitten, with a mature and stylish 121 for Durham in the relegation scrap at Chelmsford, helped by a 94 from Alex Lees. Five late wickets rejuvenated the Essex bowlers.
Another young talent, 21-year-old Asa Tribe, calmed troubled Glamorgan waters with an unbeaten 181 at Northampton, his second century of a breakthrough season.
A tricksy Hove pitch first puzzled Hampshire, dismissed for 226 despite 71 from Ben Brown, then Sussex. Kent suffered a spectacular collapse against Lancashire, with five wickets for Mitch Stanley and three for Tom Hartley. Toby Roland-Jones grabbed six wickets against Derbyshire, his best of the season, while Gareth Roderick (61) and Tom Taylor (40) rescued Worcestershire from a calamitous 86-7 against rampaging old boys Dillon Pennington and Josh Tongue. A thunderstorm truncated the day at Taunton, where Tom Kohler-Cadmore thrashed 76 against old club, Yorkshire.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Durham 316-8
Taunton: Somerset 155-3 v Yorkshire Rain
The Oval: Surrey 246 v Warwickshire 132-4
Hove: Sussex 42-3 v Hampshire 226
New Road: Worcestershire 182 v Nottinghamshire 46-1
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 v Lancashire 19-0
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Gloucestershire 382-7
Lord’s: Middlesex 12-0 v Derbyshire 283
Northampton: Northants v Glamorgan 367-6
Preamble
Good morning! The sun shines over the Attenborough Tower once more as we prepare for day two at Grace Road, and around the grounds.
