Westley scores century against Yorkshire while Durham decision is punished by Surrey
County Cricket Day 2025 was distinguished by soft Kookaburra balls and soaring temperatures. At York, the groundsman had left enough grass on the pitch to give it a minty sheen, but a combination of ball, disciplined Yorkshire bowling and heat-induced inertia tested the patience of even the most loyal fan.
The ground became more and more lopsided as spectators slid towards the shade of the oak tree behind the scorebox while Essex’s Tom Westley (107) and Dean Elgar (94) plodded on. And on. Westley’s hundred was his second in successive matches.
It was a good day for Ben Compton at Canterbury: a county cap, a three-year contract extension and 66 runs, as Kent batted their way to a comfortable 325-4 against Northamptonshire, with additional half centuries for Daniel Bell-Drummond and Tawanda Muyeye.
Tom Banton, whose season hit a spectacular high in the first round with 371, but who has since found runs hard to mine, ground an unbeaten 57 against Nottinghamshire. There were also fifties for Tom Abell and James Rew after Somerset had wobbled at 22 for two.
Centuries from Dom Sibley and Sam Curran put Surrey in the driving seat at the Oval. A swashbuckling Dan Lawrence half-century after tea put the tin lid on Durham’s decision to have a bowl.
Sam Robson clocked his first hundred of the season for Middlesex at a flat, dry Grace Road. Leicestershire were shorn of their first-choice attack due to injuries and Ian Holland’s presence at Major League Cricket, but Roman Walker pocketed three wickets.
Lancashire recovered from the depths of 44 for four at Derbyshire thanks to a self-denying 106 from Keaton Jennings and a chirpier 121 from Chris Green. Zak Chappell grabbed four wickets.
Henry Crocombe, replacing Jofra Archer, spirited away by England after one game, kept Sussex in the match against Warwickshire with three wickets. Mason Crane also grabbed three for Glamorgan against Gloucestershire.
And at Southampton, Barry Richards was one of the spectators as Worcestershire’s Adam Hose frying-panned the Hampshire attack during his 266 at more than a run a ball. Thirty one fours and seven sixes peppered the lounging crowds and switched the narrative of a broiling day.
Eight centuries, one double, and packs of weary bowlers. Time for me to head back to Scarborough and cool off in the north sea. Thanks for your company, till tomorrow – bye!
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Southampton: Hampshire v Worcestershire 362-2
Taunton: Somerset 275-6 v Nottinghamshire
The Oval: Surrey 407-3 v Durham
Hove: Sussex v Warwickshire 372-7
York: Yorkshire v Essex 248-3
DIVISION TWO
Chesterfield: Derbyshire v Lancashire 367
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Gloucestershire 279-7
Canterbury: Kent 325-4 v Northamptonshire
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Middlesex 336-5
Adam Hose 238 and counting
The opposite of York turns out to be Southampton. Adam Hose cracking along at less than a run a ball – six sixes, 29 fours.
Hose sends one out of the ground! 💣
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) June 29, 2025
Worcestershire 382/2 (83.3 overs) pic.twitter.com/Ic9r6HuMu5
I turn my back for a a minute and another wicket falls – Dean Elgar gloving Sutherland behind for 94. Things should liven up a bit now with Jordan Cox at the crease.
Time for me to write up for the paper – but do keep chatting BTL if your fingers haven’t turned to liquid.
Hallucinatory cheers as Yorkshire at last pick up a second wicket – Tom Westley lbw for 107. A toffee penny for Ben Coad. Essex 222 for two.
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A hundred for Dom Sibley!
A third hundred of the year from a man at the height of his powers. At the other end, Sam Curran has skied a catch for 108. Surrey 284 for three.
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A hundred for Tom Westley!
A second in successive matches. He raises his bat, and gets an affectionate handshake from his teammate. It is followed by a flash of blood from Elgar who pulls four into the deck chairs. Essex 210-1.
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A hundred for Sam Curran!
A skittish hundred for Sam Curran, only his second in f-c cricket. Dom Sibley, in the Dean Elgar role, is 94 not out.
An impressive test of stamina being shown by spectators at York. I’m at a bit of a loss to explain why Essex are quite so becalmed – a (not very heady) brew of ball, wicket, bowling, heat and the search for a big enough total for Simon Harmer to bowl Yorkshire out twice without having to bat again.
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Tom Banton and Archie Vaughan are pressing on with stout footwear at Taunton, Somerset 230-5.
While at The Oval and York, boots hover on the brink of hundreds.
Division Two round-up: Jennings is out after a five hour 106 at Chesterfield, after inserting a buttress into the Lancashire innings. Lancs 246-7.
Muyeye has a half-century under his belt, Kent 260-3 at Southampton.
Three wickets for Mason Crane now at Sophia Gardens, Gloucestershire struggling at 193-6.
And Roman Walker now has three Middlesex wickets in his pocket – including Robson for 133.
Some good news for Kent fans, Ben Compton – the great survivor – has signed a new three year contract. Compton was out for 66 earlier today, since then Muyeye and Bell-Drummond have kept things chugging along. Kent 235-3 against Northants.
Hundred for Adam Hose and Keaton Jennings!
Bravo Keaton Jennings! He’s taken Lancs from 44 for four to respectability.
While Adam Hose is dancing along, 135 not out in Worcestershire’s 271 for two at Southampton.
A fabulous, staple-the-innings-together 94 not out by Keaton Jennings at Chesterfield. He and Chris Green (42 not out) have put on 85 for the seventh wicket.
Tea-time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Southampton: Hampshire v Worcestershire 257-2
Taunton: Somerset 185-5 v Nottinghamshire
The Oval: Surrey 223-2 v Durham
Hove: Sussex v Warwickshire 227-4
York: Yorkshire v Essex 164-1
DIVISION TWO
Chesterfield: Derbyshire v Lancashire 213-6
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Gloucestershire 156-5
Canterbury: Kent 207-3 v Northamptonshire
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Middlesex 219-2
Two wickets for Mason Crane, four wickets for Glamorgan this afternoon – Glos wobble at 156 for five.
And they take tea – Jonny Bairstow leads the players off, wearing , for reasons we will never know, a short sleeved jumper. Scores from around the ground to follow.
100 for Sam Robson!
His first of the year! Well played – Middx are happy-chappies at 217-2.
And at York, Adam Lyth drops a sitter at first slip off Dom Bess – Elgar on 69.
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Two thousand here today at lovely York, though the ground is getting more and more lopsided as people seek shade.
This beautiful oak shades spectators on a blazing day at York. Trees: shade givers, flood protectors, biodiversity hoarders. @countycricketday @yorkcricketclub 🌿🏏 pic.twitter.com/75SWf9IAus
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) June 29, 2025
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At Taunton, Toms Abell and Banton seem to have become a bit becalmed – 177 for four. Mohammad Abbas earning his money in the sun. Somerset 177 for four.
An excellent point from Ciaran sitting next to me – the Kookaburra ball is like putty in Dean “68 not out” Elgar’s hands. He has scored happy Test runs against it at home in South Africa. The Yorkshire bowlers not so keen.
Time to cash in Tom Banton. Somerset 161 for four after James Rew caught and bowled Lyndon James for 58.
Heat guidelines
For anyone playing today or tomorrow – these guidelines for the recreational game might be useful. In short, be careful out there.
Half centuries for...
…Jake Libby and Adam Hose at Southampton; James Rew at Taunton; Rory Burns and Dom Sibley at The Oval; Rob Yates (87 not out) at Hove; Dean Elgar and Tom Westley at York; Keaton “limpett” Jennings at Chesterfield; Cameron Bancroft at Sophia Gardens; Ben Compton at Canterbury and Sam Robson and Josh de Caires at Grace Road.
Apparently Yorkshire asked for more grass to be left on the pitch at York, and there is a shade of green tea to the sheen – but to no avail.
Injured Matthew Potts
Poor Matthew Potts has been replaced by Scott Borthwick after Potts crashed into some advertising hoarding after chasing a drive to the boundary.
Lancs are five down. Perhaps more surpringly, Surrey have lost another – a second catch for the other Ollie Robinson, Patel gone for 10.
Dom Sibley is 51 not out; and Dean Elgar has also collected a half century at York, to an appreciative ripple of baked applause.
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Did a circuit of Clifton Park in a fruitless search for Tim and co. Yorkshire in a similarly fruitless search for wickets. It’s lovely here, incidentally. Big old wooden benches under the huge oak as well as bring your own deckchairs, and a nice selection of food stands.
Although playing with the Kookaburra in a soaking April had its issues last year – there was the bonus of England players actually being available.
A remarkably consistent set of lunchtimes scores, give or take the odd outlier from Chesterfield.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Southampton: Hampshire v Worcestershire 101-2
Taunton: Somerset 100-3 v Nottinghamshire
The Oval: Surrey 101-1 v Durham
Hove: Sussex v Warwickshire 113-1
York: Yorkshire v Essex 97-1
DIVISION TWO
Chesterfield: Derbyshire v Lancashire 96-4
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Gloucestershire 90-1
Canterbury: Kent 110-1 v Northamptonshire
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Middlesex 119-0
Nice to see struggling Worcestershire holding their own after losing Nicholls for nought in the fourth over. Currently 99-2 against Hants, Kashif lbw for a rapid 44.
James Rew (40) and Tom Abell are rebuilding for Somerset – 97 for three, against Notts. And Rob Yates’ fifty is leading the way for Sussex against Warwicks -113 for one. Lunchtime here at York, lunchtime round the grounds, scores to follow.
A gorgeous view from Chesterfield, where a self-denying Jennings and run-a-ball Jones are steadying the good ship Lancs.
Happy @ccricketday to all who celebrate!
— North Derbyshire Radio Sport (@NDR_Sport) June 29, 2025
A lovely day here at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield.#CountyCricketDay #DCCC #WeAreDerbyshire pic.twitter.com/f0u0TRhcmt
Jimmy Neesham ends the agony at The Oval.
Jimmy Neesham has his maiden @CountyChamp wicket. 👌#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Ppt5q7GY6x
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) June 29, 2025
An update from Middlesex, that TRJ is not playing because of a stomach upset. The fabulously named Roman Walker, plays his fourth f-c match. Middx cruising: 103-0.
Essex are without both Porter (injured) and Cook (England) for this match and have drafted in Indian left-armer Khaleel Ahmed for the rest of the season. But that’s for the future, they’ve batted nicely this morning on a pitch that’s not doing much – 72-1, Elgar 25 not out, Westley 31. The one wicket to fall, Walter, was caught off White for 16.
There’s a nice crowd here, perched on fold-up chairs around the boundary, and on banks of temporary seats, dipping into their picnics.
As night follows day, Hurst follows Turner – Lancs 53-4. I phone Paul Edwards for a bird’s eye view. It is nibbling around, he reports, “but Lancashire did choose to bat on it.” Jennings innings of self denial, he goes on, “could be an example to other batters.”
Jennings has passed 12,000 first-class runs.
Whatever Durham did to deserve playing Surrey with the kookaburra ball, in the blazing heat, at The Oval, wasn’t worth it. Surrey 81-0 from 19 overs, Burns 47 not out – with 11 fours.
A hat-trick of boundaries to end the 16th over from Dom Sibley.
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 29, 2025
Surrey move past 50 with the run-rate ticking along nicely at just under four an over, dealing mostly in boundaries.
Sibley is now 24* with Burns 39*.
This is just lovely cricket.
Watch live:… pic.twitter.com/3JJr2hjjza
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Ned the postman
Thank you Mike Daniels for this.
“Larkins had a short spell pro-ing for Leamington.
“Story is that one of the Leamington players heard that Larkins had taken a job as a postman locally so went driving round Leamington early in the morning until he pinned him down.
“They offered him a generous match fee for playing, which he accepted, but they reckoned he put most of that back over the bar after each game.
“The arrangement didn’t last long but they enjoyed the time he spent there.”
Lancashire apart, the Div Two batters are enjoying themselves. Cameron Bancroft and Joe Phillips have taken Gloucestershire to 52-0 against Glamorgan; while Sam Robson and Josh de Caires, in his new opening spot, are gliding along against Leicestershire – Middx 66-0.
Kent have lost just Jaydn Denly, for 35, and are 62-1 against Northants.
Jimmy Anderson will bowl for the first time under the crooked spire this week. Lancashire's batters are ensuring he doesn’t have it too easy (currently 28-3).
County Cricket Day
Today is County Cricket Day – a celebration of red ball cricket. As part of the festivities, you can get in for free at Hove (where Alex Davies is enjoying himself with a boundary heavy 29 not out, Warwicks 47-0); for free at Grace Road (Middx’s openers as yet resisting the Leicestershire juggernaut – 42-0)while there is live music and miscellaneous treats at Taunton (Somerset providing the jeopardy at 28-2 against Notts).
Please let me know anything I’ve missed.
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Jofra Archer isn’t playing for Sussex today after his England call-up but might return – if the brains trust decide he is surplus to requirements. The same appplies to Jamie Overton and Sam Cook. Ali with the report.
I’ve had to retreat from the balcony of York cricket club pavilion media area, due to melting and screen glare.
“RIP Wayne Larkins,” writes Matthew Doherty
”Wayne scored a first class century against all other counties, centuries that were known as being Nedded.”
A list that also includes Chris Adams, Mark Ramprakash and Carl Hooper.
Northants legend Wayne Larkins dies, aged 71
An iconic figure to those who watched cricket in the 1980s, with his big curly hair and swashbuckling style, ‘Ned’ Larkins played 13 Tests and 25 ODIS for England between 1979 and 1991 - and it might have been more if he hadn’t gone on the 1982 rebel tour to South Africa and been banned for three years.
“Ned loved everyone he met and everyone loved him,” said his wife Debbie to Northants CCC. “People were drawn to his infectious energy. He lit up every room and never wanted the party to finish.
“He loved his soulmate of a wife and his precious daughters so much. He will be partying up in the sky, drinking a toast to everyone and to his own life. We are devastated but we’ll never forget his undeniably unique presence and his impact on our lives.”
There’s a lovely obituary by Andrew Radd on the Northants CCC website – where he played the majority of his career, with a late innings for Durham.
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It’s a gorgeous and largely shady walk from York station to Clifton Park – though there was a poor dead bird on the path that looked as if he’d fallen from a tree (please put out some water for the wildlife)
And here come the players, YJB leads out Yorkshire in his home town. Bustle, bristle.
Division Two Table
1 Leicestershire 155
2 Derbyshire 122
3 Glamorgan 110
4 Gloucestershire 99
5 Northamptonshire 94
6 Lancashire 80
7. Middlesex 77
8 Kent 76
Division One Table
1 Nottinghamshire 127
2 Surrey 125
3 Sussex 109
4 Somerset 106
5 Warwickshire 104
6 Durham 97
7 Hampshire 96
8 Essex 85
9 Yorkshire 71
10 Worcestershire 57
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
Southampton: Hampshire v Worcestershire
Taunton: Somerset v Nottinghamshire
The Oval: Surrey v Durham
Hove: Sussex v Warwickshire
York: Yorkshire v Essex
DIVISION TWO
Chesterfield: Derbyshire v Lancashire
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Gloucestershire
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Middlesex
Preamble
Good morning! I’m chugging into York, the heat shimmering, the grass splinter-dry. We’re in for another Kookaburra round, which, in conjunction with the soaring temperatures, makes it an unfortunate time to be a seam bowler. A few consoling captain’s arms will rest on weary shoulders (GET OFF ME).
It’s cricket week down in Canterbury, while Lancashire and Yorkshire have decamped to Chesterfield and York.
Play starts around the grounds at 11am, do join us with a wet flannel and a pint of something cold.
