The biscuit I was given with my coffee this morning in a lovely Hyde Park cafe was a bourbon. Is the Lotus finger now dead?
Friday's round-up
Jonny Bairstow gave the crowd who clicked through the chilly Headingley turnstiles a treat, with his first century as Yorkshire captain.
There was a buzz of anticipation at the first chance to watch Joe Root, Harry Brook and Bairstow bat together this year. Applause as warm as a cinnamon bun greeted Root after Matt Revis elaborately left a ball that arrowed into his stumps. Root was just warming up with back-to-back boundaries when he was lbw for 44 to Matthew Fisher, now in Surrey colours but bowling well at his old stomping ground.
Fisher also sent back Brook, who twinkle toed down the pitch and flurried a cheap catch behind. A Headingley tut hung in the air. But Bairstow didn’t disappoint, with an old-time six into the Western Terrace, adding an unbeaten 241 with fellow centurion Adam Lyth.
James Rew, fresh from England selection, was back in the middle order for Somerset, and back to form with 86 against Sussex, accompanied by 70s from Toms Lammonby and Abell; while Ben Kellaway, a surprise omission from the Lions squad, lodged a languid 139 for Glamorgan, rescuing them from nought for two against Warwickshire.
Nineteen-year-old Ben Dawkins shimmied to 181 not out against Durham, a maiden first-class century, as, together with Sam Northeast (141) Kent made the most of a generous Beckenham pitch.
At Southampton, Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue purred towards the first Test, always threatening, once knocking Nick Gubbins to the dirt. But it was Fergus O’Neill who had Hampshire in deep trouble, removing the top four.
Northamptonshire’s Ben Sanderson (five for 47) didn’t help Gloucestershire’s struggles; Daniel Lategan and Matthew Waite rebuilt after a Worcestershire middle-order collapse at Southport and Derbyshire’s Ben Aitchison pocketed a five-fer against fragile Middlesex. Leicestershire’s Jake Weatherald and Sol Budinger ate Essex for brunch before the bowlers fought back.
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Close of play scores
Chelmsford: Essex 10-1 v Leicestershire 333
Southampton: Hampshire 152-6 v Nottinghamshire
Taunton: Somerset 335-5 v Sussex
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Glamorgan 341-8
Headingley: Yorkshire 362-4 v Surrey
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire 154 v Northamptonshire 37-3
Beckenham: Kent 385-4 v Durham
Southport: Lancashire 28-0 v Worcestershire 270
Lord’s: Middlesex 177 v Derbyshire 106-4
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That’s it for today, as the groundsmen tie down the Headingley covers. We’ll be back tomorrow for day two around the grounds, good night and thanks for your company.
Close of play scores
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex 10-1 v Leicestershire 333
Southampton: Hampshire 152-6 v Nottinghamshire
Taunton: Somerset 335-5 v Sussex
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Glamorgan 341-8
Headingley: Yorkshire 362-4 v Surrey
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire 154 v Northamptonshire 37-3
Beckenham: Kent 385-4 v Durham
Southport: Lancashire 28-0 v Worcestershire 270
Lord’s: Middlesex 177 v Derbyshire 106-4
Roundup: Bairstow makes captain's knock to punish Surrey
Jonny Bairstow gave the crowd who clicked through the chilly Headingley turnstiles a treat, with his first century as Yorkshire captain.
There was a buzz of anticipation at the first chance to watch Joe Root, Harry Brook and Bairstow bat together this year. Applause as warm as a cinnamon bun greeted Root after Matt Revis elaborately left a ball that arrowed into his stumps. Root was just warming up with back-to-back boundaries when he was lbw for 44 to Matthew Fisher, now in Surrey colours but bowling well at his old stomping ground.
Fisher also sent back Brook, who twinkle toed down the pitch and flurried a cheap catch behind. A Headingley tut hung in the air. But Bairstow didn’t disappoint, with an old-time six into the Western Terrace, adding an unbeaten 241 with fellow centurion Adam Lyth.
James Rew, fresh from England selection, was back in the middle order for Somerset, and back to form with 86 against Sussex, accompanied by 70s from Toms Lammonby and Abell; while Ben Kellaway, a surprise omission from the Lions squad, lodged a languid 139 for Glamorgan, rescuing them from nought for two against Warwickshire.
Nineteen-year-old Ben Dawkins shimmied to 181 not out against Durham, a maiden first-class century, as, together with Sam Northeast (141) Kent made the most of a generous Beckenham pitch.
At Southampton, Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue purred towards the first Test, always threatening, once knocking Nick Gubbins to the dirt. But it was Fergus O’Neill who had Hampshire in deep trouble, removing the top four.
Northamptonshire’s Ben Sanderson (five for 47) didn’t help Gloucestershire’s struggles; Daniel Lategan and Matthew Waite rebuilt after a Worcestershire middle-order collapse at Southport and Derbyshire’s Ben Aitchison pocketed a five-fer against fragile Middlesex. Leicestershire’s Jake Weatherald and Sol Budinger ate Essex for brunch before the bowlers fought back.
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Now CCLive! has safely ushered Bairstow to his century, time to write up. Do keep an eye on things BTL for me.
A hundred for Jonny Bairstow!
Crack, there it is! He tears off his helmet and still-ginger hair shining like a candle, lifts both arms in the air and to the dressing room. A first hundred as Yorkshire captain, and a 17th for Yorkshire.
Sated fans are now packing up their bags, walking down the aisles and heading home.
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Lots of contributions from Somerset’s engine room – Lammonby 73, James Rew 86, Tom Abell 68 not out
Jonny goes fishing on 95, sends four sailing through third man to reach 99….
Gloucestershire are all out for 154, which a small success from 81-6. Sanderson 5-47.
Oooof here, YJB drives wildly and edges a skewiff four to reach 95 – and that’s the two hundred partnership . The sun has come out, as if …
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Lyth likes this new ball.
I think that’s a pretty good recovery from Worcestershire, from 107-6 to 270 all out, thanks to Matthew Waite (77) and Tom Taylor( 41).
New ball at Headingley, with Lyth and Bairstow well set. Dan Worrall examines the ball and jogs in like a man pushing a flymo. Yorkshire 299-4.
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A little plug for Romeo, a more-than-regular BTL, who hosts a county cricket blog that operates when CCLive is resting in the attic between Championship rounds.
A pause at Headingley as Jamie Smith is hit on the finger of his right hand, throwing his glove to the ground in pain. But the physio seems to have patched him up ok.
100 for Adam Lyth
An affectionate standing ovation for Lyth from the blue plastic seats, and big bear (Bair?)hug from YJB. A third hundred against Surrey, and a first of the season. Yorkshire sail towards a second batting point – 276-4.
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Hundreds for Ben Kellaway and Sam Northeast
But for different teams these days… Kellaway 118 not out, his first hundred of the season; Glamorgan, from 0-2, 253-4. And Sam Northeast is enjoying the Beckenham flat track, 115 not out, Ben Dawkins is flying on 153. Kent 326-1. Ben Stokes has bowled 12 overs, Callum Parkinson 20. Actually this is a Parky v Parky matchup – don’t think we’ve had one of those for a while.
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Back at Headingley, where Lyth and Bairstow are making this look quite easy and calm. Were YJB to get a hundred here, it would be his first since he was made Yorkshire captain. Lyth is in the nineties. Ryan Patel jogs in – Yorks 261-4.
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YJB pulls Sean Abbot for six, a bit of vintage muscle flexing, he’s now on 39. Time for me to write up for Friday first edition – Yorks 195-4, back shortly.
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A kind of answer to the stream question BTL – I’ll try and get some figures but apparently figures are hugely weighted by if a team has an India/Pakistan player.
The ECB are hosting a meeting with the counties/Hundred teams and Youtube next month on how best to monetise their streams. Also, if a county, as Lancs threatened to do, put their stream behind a paywall, they would still, because of the county partnership agreement, have to provide the ECB with a stream so fans could still watch wickets etc on eg NVPlay.
IPL news: Fresh from the Pakistan Super League, Richard Gleeson will join RCB for the rest of the IPL.
Rain at Southampton
Hampshire are given a chance to lick their wounds at 96-5. O’Neill 4-27.
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Worrall returns from the Kirkstall Lane end, Jonny on-drives him hugely for four, gets a pat on the back from Lyth.
Fifty for Adam Lyth
With gumption, spatchcocks Abbott through the off side to reach a warmly applauded fifty. Clouds are circling Headingley.
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A rash of wickets in Division Two leaves Middlesex, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire six down. Balderson has a third at Southport, Worcs 123-6; Aitchison has a third at Lord’s, Middx 109-6; and three for Sanderson in Glos’ 97-6.
Fifties for Ben Kellaway and Kiran Carlson
This is going very nicely for Glamorgan now – 135-2.
And more cool palms have been pressed on hot foreheads at Taunton, where Toms Lammonby (72) and Rew (48) have added 67. Somerset 161-2 against Sussex.
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Two in two at Southport for Tom Bailey, who gets Dan Lategan for 53 and Brett D’Oliveira next ball. Reports from the Southport tent are that there is a chill in the air but “not as Baltic as it was for the women’s game on Wednesday.” Worcs 107-5.
And gobble, gobble, Rory Burns accepts an edge from Harry Brook, who goes on a twinkle toed flurry, and sticks his bat out. A third wicket for Fisher. Headingley deflates a little more. But here comes Jonny.
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Rain delayed the start at Southampton, where Josh Tongue is spooning out some nasty medicine, as he did to Gus Atkinson last week. Nick Gubbins brushes himself down and gets up from the dirt. Hampshire 68-4.
Brook, 5, goes fishing again. A tut hangs in the air.
Brook gets off the mark with a charming, sprightly, one legged flick through mid-wicket for four. Then flays outside off stump accompanied by chorus of disapproving oooohs.
Has Brook on nought just been dropped off Jordan Clark? Er, not sure, maybe into pad, your eyes might be better than mine. Matthew Fisher is bowling beautifully here.
Well that spoilt the party. Joe Root is sent on his way by Matthew Fisher for 44. Harry Brook taps his bat twice behind the boundary and rolls his arms Botham-style on the way to the crease. Yorkshire 105-3.
Lunchtime scores
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex v Leicestershire 166-2
Southampton: Hampshire 68-4 v Nottinghamshire
Taunton: Somerset 107-2 v Sussex
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Glamorgan 91-2
Headingley: Yorkshire 6-2 v Surrey
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire 76-5 v Northamptonshire
Beckenham: Kent 115-1 v Durham
Southport: Lancashire v Worcestershire 95-2
Lord’s: Middlesex 70-3 v Derbyshire
Key event
In Division Two
Fairly even at Southport, where Worcs are 90-2, a couple of catches for Jennings, a wicket each for Balderson and Anderson. Lategan still there on 47.
Middx, fresh from victory over OT, are having a wobble against Derbyshire, 70-3.
Dawkins and Northeast are at home against Durham after Crawley’s dismissal. Kent 114-1.
And three wickets for Sanderson at Bristol, where Glos are 60-4 v Northants.
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A warm Leeds rolling round of applause for the fifty partnership between Root and Lyth, even if it came via a Root inside edge that shimmies dangerously near his off stump.
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England Lions squad
England have announced their Lions squad for the two four-day games against South Africa A, at Arundel (May 22-25) and Beckenham (May 29-June 1).
15-man squad: Dan Mousley (Warwickshire – captain); Charlie Allison (Essex); Henry Crocombe (Sussex – second four-day match); Eddie Jack (Hampshire); Ben Geddes (Middlesex); Ben Mayes (Hampshire); Ben McKinney (Durham); Tom Lawes (Surrey); Alfie Ogborne (Somerset – first four-day match); Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire); James Sales (Northamptonshire); Naavya Sharma (Middlesex); Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire); Asa Tribe (Glamorgan); James Wharton (Yorkshire)
Five of the Lions were on last year’s winter tour ( Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Tom Lawes, Mitchell Staney and Asa Tribe), seven are uncapped (Charlie Allison, Henry Crocombe, Ben Geddes, Ben Mayes, Alfie Ogborne, James Sales and Naavya Sharma.)
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Hampshire have been Fergus O’Neilled, with Nick Gubbins and Ben Brown in the rescue suits once again. Hants 62-4 after being asked to bat by Notts.
James Rew has hit a couple of boundaries in his first innings after his England call-up, albeit as a reserve. Somerset 83-2 v Sussex, Tom Haines the unlikely dismisser of Hermann.
Glamorgan are recovering after that horrid start against Warwicks, Kiran Carlson and Ben Kellaway ticking along at a tidy pace, 72-2.
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Fifties for Jake Weatherald and Sol Budinger
Essex continue to get a pasting. Simon Harmer is already into his third over. Leicestershire 125-1 after 22 overs.
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A bowling change here at Headingley, as Dan Worrall returns. The clouds billowing away behind the Western Terrace are cotton-wool roll rather than threatening. Worrall immediately on the money, Root steps forward carefully.
Ryan Patel drops Adam Lyth at slip, a cushiony looking catch which falls to earth. Root cuts cutely, and the ball skips away to the rope. Yorks 68-2.
Stokes gets Crawley
Crawley drives Stokes down the ground for four; Crawley drives Stokes into the covers where Matthew Potts is waiting. Gone for 30, Kent 61-1.
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Root leans on his bat at the non-strikers end, the most comforting of comforting presences. He’s looked in pretty good touch to me, but he was not satisfied when he spoke to the BBC.
“I don’t feel great at the crease at the minute but the fact I’m still scoring and contributing - that comes with experience and an understanding of my own game.
“The more and more I’m playing, the more I’m starting to find my own rhtyhm. It’s always a big game against Surrey, I love playing against Surrey - I’m desperate to beat them.”
Jake Weatherald and Sol Budinger are in a run-a-ball hurry at Chelmsford, Leicestershire 90 for one. A wicket for Sam Cook who would be entitled to feel cheesed off after being ignored by England.
Puzzling over the swanky Headingley press box coffee machine, I hear the warm round of applause for Root, but miss the wicket (Revis shouldering arms to Clark and losing his stumps for nine). Root is off the mark with an effortless flick off his boot toe. Yorkshire 48 for two.
Somerset have lost an early wicket, but it isn’t James Rew as he’s not opening after all. South African Jordan Hermann, signed on a three-game loan, accompanied Josh Thomas (lbw Robinson, 7) instead. Hermann will play in the South Africa A side who will play the England Lions in two four-day matches later this month – England Lions side announced at 12.30. Somerset 24-1.
Good to see Gloucestershire and Glamorgan competing for the most dismal start to the day – Glamorgan 10-2, Zain ul Hassan and Asa Tribe both gone for 0 – the unstoppable OHD and Ethan Bamber; while Gloucestershire have gone one better at 14-3, Sanderson and Conway the slayers, ducks for Ben Charlesworth and Cameron Bancroft, two for Miles Hamond.
Maybe Zak Crawley will fly today now he no longer has the executioner’s axe hovering. Kent are 29-0 after winning the toss and plumping to bat.
“Good morning Tanya," hello there Dean Kinsella. “What an incredible turn around in Kent’s season! After a disastrous run of thrashings they are in a position where if they can turn Durham over this weekend they’d be in with a realistic chance of promotion. All changed following social media ban. A sign of the times methinks.” Yes, definitely need to dig into this and see if it really has brought about a change of mindset.
An early wicket, here at Headingley, the Howard stand impassive as Luxton clips old Yorkshire boy Fisher to midwicket for eight. Yorks 23-1.
And, while I’m here, happy, happy 10th birthday to my nephew Cian who unwrapped Playfair 26 this morning with his cereal.
Good morning Tim Maitland: “Subbed out of the Glamorgan game with a hand injury, since his return, the artist formerly known as YJB has managed 6 against Sussex (failing along with Lyth while all around boots were filled) , a fluent yet truncated 38 batting with Root and 18 at Somerset and then another brief flash (four 4s and a 6) of 25 before shouldering arms to one that needed playing and a second innings duck.
“Assuming that the wise old heads in the Headingley press box will ignore the fact that you come from the wrong side of the Pennines, I’d be interested to hear any of their thoughts on how Young Jonny B is coping with the burdens of captaincy.”
Wise old heads say: he did well last year marrying everything together, especially in the second half of the season, but for one reason or another it hasn’t really happened so far this year.
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There is a chap who sits in the same seat at the very top of Hollies Stand for Warwickshire home games, presumably to enjoy the peaceful solitude it offers. But for today’s visit of Glamorgan he is surrounded by hundreds of local school kids, all chirruping away excitedly, for what is being deemed a “Red-ball showcase” fixture. Anyway, the Bears have won the toss and will be looking to showcase their skills with said red ball. It does feel like a bowl-first day, even if one of the square boundaries is remarkably short.
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Made a major error not bringing my winter coat. A decent crowd for this, Yorkshire’s last Championship match at Headingley until September. Surrey have won the toss and will bowl, great to hear the Yorkshire lineup read out over the loudspeaker: “Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow” and some great Surrey players too.
T20 Hall of fame
The ECB has announced a new T20 hall of fame before the Blast, er, blasts off, a week today. The garlanded four are: Ravi Bopara, Charlotte Edwards, James Vince and Danni Wyatt-Hodge
England mix it up for Test series
Division Two table (all teams have played five games)
1 Durham 91
2 Middlesex 68
3 Northamptonshire 66
4 Lancashire 63
5 Kent 61
6 Worcestershire 60
7 Derbyshire 53
8 Gloucestershire 29
Division One table (all teams have played five games)
1 Notts 80
2 Warwickshire 74
3 Surrey 72
4 Sussex 69
5 Glamorgan 69
6 Somerset 64
7 Essex 60
8 Yorkshire 48
9 Leicestershire 41
10 Hampshire 29
Fixtures
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex v Leicestershire
Southampton: Hampshire v Nottinghamshire
Taunton: Somerset v Sussex
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Glamorgan
Headingley: Yorkshire v Surrey
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire
Beckenham: Kent v Durham
Southport: Lancashire v Worcestershire
Lord’s: Middlesex v Derbyshire
Preamble
Good morning! How can we be here already? Trees decked in their brightest spring greens totter on the embankments as my trans pennine express slips through the hills.Here be the final round of this early block, nearly half way through the Championship season.
I’m off to see Root, Brook and Bairstow v Surrey, there are a couple of outground games at Southport and Beckenham; out of sorts Hampshire host top of the table Notts, and Warwickshire take on roaring Glamorgan.
All that and more from 11am. Do come and join us, the coffee is percolating.
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