County 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 Saqib 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.
• This post was amended on 4 June 2021. An earlier version incorrectly gave Saqib Mahmood’s name as “Sajid Mahmood”.
Updated
The covers are on at Headingley and everyone has gone home. A dizzying amount of action in the last couple of hours - Somerset happy, a bolter at Sophia Gardens, a little debut to remember from Dan Ibrahim here, as well as a great century from Ben Brown, Leicestershire, Northants and Durham on top. That’s all from me, thanks for all the comments, good night!
Time for me to think about the round-up. I’ll leave you with the sun out and young Ibrahim 8 not out and not a feather out of place, and Brown eleven away from his century. Everything in the Sussex garden is suddenly rosy, at 194-5.
Northants gulp down their third batting point, what gluttons they are! Currently 304-2 off 78 overs, with Procter (78) and Keogh (37) following where Vasconcelos and Gay led. A dispiriting day for down n out Kent.
Glamorgan getting their Marnus tweets in early, just in case.Glam 53-1, Labuschagne 12 not out.
𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗨𝗦 𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) June 3, 2021
Marnus Labuschagne has his first runs with this clip off his legs for four 💪
📺 https://t.co/SMLaGkBVMC#GLAMvLAN | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/O5UDzablab
Bad light has stopped play at Taunton, with Somerset 244-7, Gregory 65 not out, van der Merwe 63 not out. A partnership of 131 for the eighth wicket.
Sussex have just lost Thomason to Jordan Thompson for 40, Sussex 175-5, which brings 16 year-old Ibrahim to the crease. Sending best CCLive vibes, and he’s off the mark straight away, turning David Willey off his legs for 2.
Bancroft falls for 18, but Durham are already 45-1, just 86 behind Worcestershire. While at Cardiff, Joe Cooke and David Lloyd are steaming along to have Glamorgan 37-0 in seven overs. Did I mention that Lancashire had been bowled out for 173?
The groups are beginning to bubble. In Group 3, Northants are in with a chance of bumping Yorkshire; Lancashire can still slip from qualification. In Group 2, Hampshire are the chasers with attitude. And in Group one, Essex might yet not qualify.
Happier scenes at Canterbury for Outolokowski, but not the Kent bowlers. One wicket for Quinn, one for Leaning, nothing for the DI, though he has been relatively parsimonious.
@tjaldred Hi Tanya, a very different picture at Canterbury today compared to the last time we were here. Just a shame about Kent’s bowling... pic.twitter.com/YYREtZxkLZ
— Outolokowski (@outolokowski) June 3, 2021
Now this is what I call a jinxing snack
@tjaldred Jinxing saps the energy. Thought I needed a boost pic.twitter.com/cd8jOYsv8X
— Chris Drew #wearamask #washyourhands (@mesnilman) June 3, 2021
I went in search of my own at the new Headingley Costa coffee but got stuck round the back of the rugby ground stand. So just drooling at the thought of a pain au raisin.
When the wrong Ollie Robinson finds himself in the eye of the storm.
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) June 3, 2021
Tea time scores
Group one
Derby: Derbyshire v Warwicks 183-5*
Chelmsford: Essex v Notts 162-3 (Clarke retired hurt)*
Worcester: Worcester 131 all out v Durham
Group two
Grace Road: Leicestershire 224-2 v Gloucestershire
Taunton: Somerset 221-7 v Hampshire *
Group three
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Lancashire 173 all out
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire 253-2
Headingley: Yorkshire v Sussex 163-4
- not yet tea
A hundred runs in the session from Sussex, who can put their feet up and enjoy their tea . Brown and Thomason stride off and, as at Old Trafford, Yorkshire wait by the rope to applaud them off. Tea scores to follow.
Hundreds before tea: Marcus Harris, 109 not out, against Gloucestershire and Emilio Gay, just caught by Robinson for 101. Bravo! Hain not far off, 77 not out against Derbyshire.
Lewis Gregory boom-boxes his way t0 fifty for Somerset, who pass 200 from the depths of 43-5. They always do, I don’t know why we worry about it. Keith Barker currently has 6-43.
Updated
Worcestershire all out 131! D’Oliveira left high and dry on 39. Four for Potts, four for Carse, two for Raine. None for Rushworth. They take tea at New Road.
Lancashire are creeping towards 200. Tom Bailey still there 28 not out including five fours. Lancs 162-8.
Not many partnerships building at Sophia Gardens, where Lancashire have limped to 134-7; and New Road, where Worcestershire are 199-8, with D’Oliveira looking on aghast 33 not out.
Ben Brown suddenly in the mood at Headingley. He reaches his fifty with a glorious back foot drive through the covers for four (off 60 balls) and clumps another soon afterwards, both cheeringly applauded. They say how much he enjoys playing in front of a crowd, and it shows.
Lots of mid-innings recoveries in progress: here at Headingley, where Thomason and Brown have made 54; at Chelmsford, where James and Mullaney have put on 68 for the fourth wicket; at Grace Road, where Harris and Ackermann have cobble together 90 for the third wicket; at Taunton, where Gregory and van der Merwe have squeezed 43 for the eighth wicket.
Don’t take your eyes off Northants! I did and now they’re 205-1 off 45 overs. Gay 89 (off 129), Procter 33 (off 59). At Headingley things are a little more sedate, though conditions for batting have improved since lunch and Thomason and Brown have put on fifty together. Sussex 119-4.
A fourth for Conners, who now has 4-31 at Derby; as at Lord’s, Conway reaches his double century with a six.
Marcus Harris continues where he left off against Middlesex (sorry to bring up bad memories), with an unbeaten 62 against Gloucestershire. Leicestershire 135-2.
Dom Bess, my friends, from the Emerald Stand end, as a smidge of heat from the sun comes through the Headingley press box window. Sussex 100-4.
I feel this catch deserves a little slot on CCLive!
A first Test catch for @bobbybracey25 👏👏#GoGlos 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/ACwkSIykmc
— Gloucestershire Cricket🏏 (@Gloscricket) June 3, 2021
Tom Banton falls just short of his fifty, a counter-attacking punch including a six and six fours and that lifts Somerset to a barely-presentable 106-6. Keith Barker has a five-fer.
Did we think Lancashire were home and dry? Oh no. Currently 86-6 after Livingstone edges David Lloyd behind.
𝗪𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧!
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) June 3, 2021
And another! David Lloyd has Liam Livingstone caught behind! 🤲
📺 https://t.co/SMLaGkBVMC#GLAMvLAN | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/g27c3HNipv
Updated
Derbyshire breakthrough at the County Ground. Warwickshire, who had one of the more successful mornings, lose Rob Yates for 37 after a 77-run-stand with Sam Hain. A third wicket for Sam Conners.
Open my falafel wrap just in time to see Travis Head push away from his body at a good ball from Thompson, who collects his second wicket of the day and Harry Duke, near-hero of Old Trafford, his first catch.
Statement from Yorkshire on Ollie Robinson:
“Ollie Robinson signed a junior professional contract with Yorkshire on 19 September 2013 before leaving in July 2014, playing three List A and seven T20 matches.
“The Club was unaware of these posts on Ollie’s social media channels before he signed and strongly condemn such comments. There is no place in our society or in our sport for racism or sexism.”
Time for a quick stroll and to find a satisfying sandwich.
Lunchtime scores
Group one
Derby: Derbyshire v Warwicks 82-2
Chelmsford: Essex v Notts 71-3 (Clarke retired hurt)
Worcester: Worcester 62-5 v Durham
Group two
Grace Road: Leicestershire 89-2 v Gloucestershire
Taunton: Somerset 78-5 v Hampshire
Group three
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Lancashire 74-4
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire 141-1
Headingley: Yorkshire v Sussex 63-3
Vasconcelos has been caught by the other Ollie Robinson off Matthew Quinn for 66 off 85 balls. Kent have joined in the largesse by generously contributing 16 extras. Northants 136-1.
A little nugget for those who like this kind of thing, unearthed by Paul Edwards: the second XI game currently being played at Old Trafford involves a Notts side whose top five includes: Alex Hales (out for 10), Samit Patel (15) and Dan Christian. (not out 8).
Somerset are collapsing in sympathy with New Zealand: Lewis Goldsworthy edges behind and is sent on his way for 7. Somerset 48-5. And a fourth wicket at Sophia Gardens as Bohannon, who played so sweetly last week in the Roses match is caught for 14.Lancs 66-4.
I’ve double and triple checked and, yes, Worcestershire did lose all those first-hour of the morning wickets at New Road, not Chester le Street. Mitchell, Libby, Fell and Roderick all gone with 20 in the scorebook, but Whiteley and D’Oliveira have added 25 since. Worcs 45-4.
And, with half an hour till lunch, Orr has a rush of blood and pulls Harry Brook’s first ball into the hands of substitute fielder Olivier for 15. Travis Head plods to the wicket, does some shadow batting at the crease and settles.
Updated
Northants bring up their hundred partnership, like this:
19.3 | Find a more attractive way to bring up a 💯 partnership, we dare you.
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) June 3, 2021
Northamptonshire 102/0. pic.twitter.com/PnYxzv81Dp
Joe Clarke has been forced to retire at Chelmsford after being hit on the forearm. Notts 54-3.
And at Lord’s, New Zealand have slipped to 292-5. Adam Collins is on the OBO here:
Sussex’s statement on Ollie Robinson:
“We were beyond disappointed to read these tweets when they were brought to our attention. Their content was wholly unacceptable.
“We are pleased that Ollie has apologised unreservedly and taken responsibility for a significant mistake that he made as a teenager.
“In the years since the tweets were posted, Ollie has matured hugely. The Ollie Robinson we know at Sussex is very different from the young man that sent these tweets.
“We know he recognises the severity of the situation and that he is devastated that what should have been a proud day has been overshadowed in this manner.
“We know also that Ollie will learn some very important lessons from this experience. We will be here to offer any support Ollie needs during that process.”
Updated
A wrinkle in time at Canterbury where Vascocelos and Gay are in run-chase mood from the first innings! Northants 77-0.
Elsewhere, Notts (3 down), Worcestershire (4 down), Somerset (4 down) and Lancashire (3 down) compete to eat the most dismal lunch.
Make that four for Barker.
Two wickets in the over for Keith Barker & he has all four this morning 🔥🤩@SomersetCCC 26-4 (13 overs)
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) June 3, 2021
📺 Follow the action live at https://t.co/cNkJ7vdkkn or on the free Hampshire Cricket App 📲 pic.twitter.com/E5zvye0s52
A snippet of gossip from Headingley. YJB has been netting and will make his return next week in the Blast. Sussex are currently 34-2, Van Zyl was caught behind in Thompson’s first over. Debutant Orr has played rather sweetly for his 13.
Updated
Somerset blues: Abell and Hildreth join the procession, all to Keith Barker. Currently, 26-3. Hampshire could still catch Somerset in Group 2, so they need to find some batsmen to hang around, and smartly.
Some applause with your coffee:
A beautiful Tom Abell drive for four, accompanied by deserved applause from the spectators. So good to have supporters back at The Cooper Associates County Ground @SomersetCCC pic.twitter.com/8pwNVe6yzT
— Cooper Associates (@CooperAssociate) June 3, 2021
Half hour gone and wickets a tumbling:
Warwickshire 16-2 (two for Conners)
Notts 29-2 (two for Siddle)
Worcestershire 11-0
Leicestershire 19-1 (one for Payne )
Somerset 9-1 ( Byrom for a duck)
Lancashire 18-1 (Jennings for 3)
Northamptonshire 33-0
Sussex 24-1 (A wicket for Willey)
Tables
And as Haines knocks David Willey to third slip, and Sussex hiccup to 3 for one, the group tables at start of play:
GROUP ONE
Essex 107 (played 8)
Notts 102 (played 7)
Warwicks 100 (played 7)
Worcs 94 (played 8)
Durham 88 (played 7)
Derby 58 (played 7)
GROUP TWO
Gloucesteshire 107 (played 7)
Somerset 104 (played 7)
Surrey 101 (played 8)
Hampshire 94 (played 7)
Leicestershire 70 (played 7)
Middlesex 60 (played 8)
GROUP THREE
Lancashire 123 (played 7)
Yorkshire 99 (played 7)
Northamptonshire 97 (played 7)
Glamorgan 80 (played 7)
Sussex 67 (played 7)
Kent 61 (played 7)
As things work out, this match is between Ollie Robinson’s two clubs: Yorkshire, where he left in some disgrace, and Sussex, where he has made his name.
Some Guardian thoughts on his offensive tweets.
A very enthusiastic welcome for the Yorkshire team! Don’t mention that small hitch in the first innings at Old Trafford last week. Ben Coad has the ball at the Emerald Stand end where, I believe, a new Costa Coffee has opened for the faithful. Wonder if the barista has perfected a frothy white rose?
Here, Yorkshire have won the toss and will have a bowl under ideal conditions. Sussex play 16 year old Dan Ibrahim, the second youngest player in their history to make his debut. He is joined relative veteran, 20-year-old Ali Orr.
Today's matches
Group one
Derby: Derbyshire v Warwicks
Chelmsford: Essex v Notts
Worcester: Worcester v Durham
Group two
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Gloucestershire
Taunton: Somerset v Hampshire
Group three
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Lancashire
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire
Headingley: Yorkshire v Sussex
Preamble
Morning everyone! It’s overcast at Headingley and the floodlights are on. A crumble topping of spectators scattered around the stands and a godly murmur of anticipation. This is the first men’s first-team game at the ground since 2019.
