Key events
They’re about to start at Canterbury – I’m going to start writing up for the paper but will try to pop back. BTL remains open for comments.
15 overs at Canterbury
Kevin Howells says there will be play at Canterbury, 15 overs for Northants to pick up five wickets.
Surrey DRAW with Leicestershire
Handshakes at The Oval.
The Oval: Surrey 520 and 263-4 DRAW with Leicestershire 691
Surrey 14 points;Leicestershire 15 points
And then there were two. Canterbury, where its raining; and The Oval where its not.
A pitch inspection due at Canterbury at 4.45, which is about when they’ll shake hands at The Oval, Surrey 234-5, Pope 69 not out.
Nottinghamshire BEAT Glamorgan by 192 runs
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec BEAT Glamorgan 113 and 285 by 192 runs
Yorkshire 3 points, Hampshire 20 points.
“It’s a lonely changing room when you lose a game like that”
By the width of a cigarette paper.
Lancashire captain, James Anderson: “We managed to scrape to 160 and it gave us half a chance to get a win. And then, you know, to be honest, in those situations, you’ve just got to keep running in and keep believing that something’s going to happen.
A Derbyshire coach, Alex Hughes: “We succumbed to pressure and that was the difference between the two teams. They put pressure on us for longer and ultimately, we were the team to break.
“This type of games always brings nerves – and that’s good because it shows you’re putting yourself in a position to win – but I’m pretty gutted and the lads in there are as well. It’s a lonely changing room when you lose a game like that.”
Time for me to cycle home before they close up the Old Trafford box. Back shortly.
Tea-time scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Somerset 348 and 49-0 BEAT Essex 149 and 245 by ten wickets
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec v Glamorgan 113 and 281-9 Glamorgan need 197 to win
The Oval: Surrey 520 and 227-4 v Leicestershire 691
Hove: Sussex 204 and 328-5 BEAT Warwickshire 267 and 264 by five wickets
Headingley: Hampshire 251 and 351-5dec BEAT Yorkshire 177 and 211 by 214 runs
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire Durham 605-5dec BEAT 175 and 205 by an innings and 225 runs
Canterbury: Kent 178 and 231-5 v Northamptonshire 684-2dec rain
Old Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 160 BEAT Derbyshire 374 and 108 by 29 runs.
Lord’s: Worcestershire 191 and 253 BEAT Middlesex 183 and 204 by 57 runs
Andy Gorvin! An inside edge onto his stumps after an hour and a half of doggedness. Glamorgan 280-9, a second for Patterson-White.
Jimmy Anderson’s second spell was 4.5-1-7-4. Poetry in numbers.
And Glamorgan have 240 deliveries to survive at Trent Bridge.
In the one Division Two game still going, rain looks as if it going to do Kent one hell of a favour. They’ve taken an early tea at Canterbury.
After all that excitement, let’s check in at The Oval, where Rob Key has watched Jamie Smith hit 89, and Pope an unbeaten 41. Ajaz Patel has three wickets -Surrey lead by 18. Surely trickling to a draw unless Patel can unleash dark magic.
In the other Div one match, Glamorgan are having a very good go at sticking things out, 254 for eight now. Crane (24 not out) and Govin holding Notts up. Two wickets each for Hutton and James. Lyndon James a substitue for Fergus O’Neill.
Lancashire beat Derbyshire by 29 runs!
Shoaib Bashir is no match for England’s greatest bowler, who is purring. A super catch by second slip Harry Singh who dives across first slip and swallows it up. And it all ends with a whimper shortly afterwards as Zak Chappell is run out going for a non-existent run. Anderson whips off the bails.
Anderson 4-18. Bailey 2-26, Coughlin 2-13, Stanley 1-41. Derbyshire all out 108.
Phew.
Old Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 160 BEAT Derbyshire 374 and 108 by 29 runs.
Lancashire 21 points; Derbyshire 6 points.
Anderson! A third! Aitchison, who’d picked up a helpful 13, slopes away – Derbyshire eight down need 34. On runs the Derbyshire 12th man in the anorak with a yet more desperate message for Zak Chappell.
Bashir and Abbas the men to bat. Jimmy three for six in this four over spell.
Enthusiastic applause from the Derbyshire dressing room as Reece drives past the stretched arm of Mitch Stanley for four…. but even more enthusiasm from the Lancashire bacony next ball as Stanley fires one into Reece’s pads. Derbyshire 91 for seven.
Yorkshire lose their ninth, Dom Bess, for a battered 49 – hit twice on the helmet, once in the box and once in the thigh during a ball-bearing assault from Sonny Baker and Eddie Jack.
Stanley with a new spell. Anderson making magic. I don’t fancy Derbyshire here…
And another!!! Lots of happy roars from the Lancashire dressing room. A Derbyshire sub runs on in a coat and an urgent message. Dal lumps off for 0, lbw to Anderson, who has two in the over. Lancs have bowled nine overs, 3-18 since lunch. Derbyshire 77-6.
It’s a double Anders(s)on! Jimmy Anderson comes back on from the Jimmy Anderson end – and Martin Andersson, horizontal bat, duly edges him to first slip. Derbyshire 77-5, need 61. Oooof and Jimmy’s next ball almost removes Dal’s stumps immediately as he extravagantly leaves his first ball.
Ooof, Martin Andersson is dropped by Luke Wells on 14. Derbyshire inching their way, 77-4 – need 61.Anderson has a long chat with Bailey at the top of his mark, and ushers the boundary fielding along a few metres.
Rain at Canterbury
Ben Compton stranded on 99, and very happy he will be to remain there if the rain lets Kent escape with a draw. Kent 231-5, following on. Bell-Drummond 33 not out.
Rain at The Oval
Nearly time to close the curtains on this run-fest. Ajaz Patel has his first wicket for Leicestershire – Sibley caught for 32. Surrey, 119-2, still trail by 52. But Jamie Smith has fifty to add to his already bulging runs folder this season.
Fifty and out for George Hill
Ten wickets fo Kyle Abbott, Yorkshire, licking their wounds, are nearly done. 175 for eight. Hill sent on his way, lbw for 52.
“Our mentality is not going to change”
A very happy Sussex skipper Ollie Robinson “It is an amazing win. We were behind the eight-ball a bit after the first innings so to bounce back and chase that target was an unbelievable effort.
“The pitch got a bit easier to bat on which helped us a bit but it was still a great effort to get over the line when the pressure was high like it was today.
“Jack Leaning and Tom Price batted brilliantly but everyone has made a contribution to these first two wins. There have been two great team performances but our mentality is not going to change – we try to win every game and you have seen that shine through, especially in the last two days.”
Derbyshire creep up to 69 for three.. Came skims four but next ball edges Bailey behind. 65 needed. Derbys 73-4.
Kate Cross is having a bowl out in the middle, single yellow stump to single yellow stump.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Somerset 348 and 49-0 BEAT Essex 149 and 245 by ten wickets
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec v Glamorgan 113 and 200-7 Glamorgan need 278 to win
The Oval: Surrey 520 and 105-2 v Leicestershire 691
Hove: Sussex 204 and 328-5 BEAT Warwickshire 267 and 264 by five wickets
Headingley: Yorkshire 177 and 153-7 v Hampshire 251 and 351-5dec Yorks need 273 to win
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire Durham 605-5dec BEAT 175 and 205 by an innings and 225 runs
Canterbury: Kent 178 and 231-5 v Northamptonshire 684-2dec
Old Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 160 v Derbyshire 374 and 52-3 Derbys need 86 to win
Lord’s: Worcestershire 191 and 253 BEAT Middlesex 183 and 204 by 57 runs
Derbyshire survive the final over before lunch from Stanley and will tuck into their sandwiches with 86 to get. Lunch scores to follow.
Sussex BEAT Warwickshire by five wickets
Hove: Sussex 204 and 328-5 BEAT Warwickshire 267 and 264 by five wickets
Well played! Jack Leaning 120 not out and Tom Price 70 not out. Two wins from two for Sussex.
Sussex 19 points; Warwicks 4 points
Another huge appeal, Lancs think they’ve got Guest, but this time Jack Shantry says no. But next ball, he does get the edge, Singh moving balletically at second slip to collect. Another for Coughlin, who has two wickets for five. Nice little debut this.
Derbys 39 for three and although the target has dropped below 100 – it feels a long way away.
Glamorgan’s Sean Dickson, playing because of a hip injury to Ben Kellaway, has only the tail for company now. Glamorgan 192 for six, 286 behind.
A huge appeal by Stanley! Both arms, pleading. Umpire Sue says no. Brooke Guest has a little walk. Stanley consistently up in the high 80s mph.
100 for Jack Leaning! Fifty for Tom Price!
Sussex are nearly there – 21 needed!
Mike Bennett: “Jack Leaning has just reached an excellent hundred with a tuck to midwicket off Dan Mousely, in the last over before the new ball is due. Target ticks under 50 but if there will be any danger time, this is it…”
And another one down, Montgomery caught on the juggle by Jones. Coughlin is having a cracking match. Derbyshire 33-2.
Aha! time for some Mitch Stanley. Tall and strong, relaxed run up, urgent arms. Derbyshire 21-1, chasing 138. Came is tempted, but doesn’t get a touch. A maiden.
A third wicket for Notts this morning, as Ingram follows in the footsteps of Tribe and Carlson. Glamorgan 167 for five and urgently battening down every loose hatch.
Beyers Swanepoel cleared to play for Worcestershire
After his ill-advised early flight to New Road, Swanepoel has belatedly been given his No Objection Certificate by Cricket South Africa, and will play in Worcestershire’s next game against Kent at New Road. Nice gentle start there.
Olly Hannon-Dalby, who came in as cover, took six wickets in the victory against Middlesex.
“Morning Tanya,” hello Mike Bennett!
“Another gloriously sunny day here in Hove, and a pretty decent crowd in to witness the denouement of this twisting and turning match.
“Sussex will fancy their chances from here, and you’d think Jack Leaning will be eyeing up his first ton in a Sussex shirt.
“He and Price both looked in good nick yesterday and sensibly shut up shop a little in the last hour to ensure that they reached today with two recognised batters at the crease and the best chance of knocking the runs off.
“It’s been an enjoyable few days and I’m happy to have been able to catch every day of a CC match in the flesh for the first time in many years (with a shoutout to Sussex CC for very reasonable ticket prices and free entry on days 3+4) – thanks again to you for the sterling reporting from the blog and catch you later in the season!”
Thank you Mike, it is so good to have an extra pair of eyes around the grounds. Leaning (93) and Price (38) are still there and have reduced Sussex’s target to 59.
Ah, Jewell chips Bailey to midwicket. He drops his arms in disappointment. Derbyshire 10-1.
Jimmy Anderson from the Jimmy Anderson end. Jewell edges – but it skids along the ground. The long legged Tom Bailey not the long legged Mitch Stanley from the Statham end. If you’re at a loose end at OT, the sun is out and the stands are inviting. Derbyshire 6-0.
Lancs all out 156, Derbyshire need 138 to win!
A stat, from Paul Edwards: Derbyshire have successfully chased in the fourth innings at OT four times, but only once were they chasing over a hundred.
Harris has had enough and steps down the pitch, slamming Aitchison for four. Fancies doing it again next ball but is caught behind reaching for runs.
No idea what will happen next, Jimmy could bowl Derbyshire out for 34, or they could stroll to 138 two down. Over to you.
“In the first six overs,” says Ken Grime, “Marcus Harris has only faced six balls.” Ooops, and he might not face many more as Abbas catches Stanley’s thrusting front pad. “Jesus Christ” someone shouts from the dressing room. Lancs 156-9, lead by 133.
And events elsewhere too – Rory Burns bowled by Ian Holland for a duck; cuts and (maybe) edges onto his own stumps which splatter satisfyingly. Surrey 11-1, still 160 behind.
Bad news for Glamorgan as big hope Asa Tribe too is bowled, for 83 at Trent Bridge, Kiran Carlson already taking off his boots, caught off Pennington for 19. Glamorgan 139-4, needing another 339 to win.
Kyle Abbot picks up yet another five-wicket haul, sending Finlay Bean on his way as Yorkshire’s resistance continues to crumble. Yorks 74-6 need 352.
Lancs take a single to leave Mitch Stanley to face Muhammad Abbas. And he does alright, picking up two and playing a straight bat.
And the third! Aitchison on a hat-trick. A huge smile at the top of his run gets huger as Bailey plays inside the line and loses his stumps. Lancs 147-8. Mitch Stanley comes out, dropping his helmet and generally getting dressed as he does.
Second ball does it! Coughlin trudging back after a corking ball from Aitchison has him edging behind. Lancs 147-7, the lead 124.
The sun is bright at OT as Derbyshire mooch on the boundary rope waiting to take the field. Shoaib Bashir has his arms crossed chatting to his teammates.
Just the most perfect spring morning in Manchester, birds, blossom, the works. One to store up and remember in November. My husband heard his first willow warbler of the year too.
Derbyshire are hoping it stays that way. This was Zak Chappell last night:
“Harris is a class player but hopefully we can nip a couple out in the morning and chase around 160. As long as we have a clear mind and get through the new ball – that’s going to be important. Jimmy’s obviously going to be a handful but we’re just going to have to see where we are and build some partnerships.”
Sunday’s round-up
Somerset notched up 21 points at Chelmsford, thrashing Essex by 10 wickets. Craig Overton, in his vast Somerset sweater, added a couple of batters and a catch to his century on Saturday, a stand-in captaincy performance to remember. Essex inched a lead of just 47 and Archie Vaughan, Somerset’s second injury substitute, made a bid for a permanent spot by punching the majority of the runs himself, twice plonking Simon Harmer over midwicket for six.
A zinger of a catch by Matthew Potts sealed an innings victory for Durham at Bristol. Gloucestershire spent the day bailing out the bath with a teaspoon, but sank after tea. Cameron Bancroft (56) and Ben Charlesworth (26) added 101 for the first wicket as Gloucestershire followed on, but wickets fell afterwards, with three each for Callum Parkinson and Potts. Gloucestershire have no points after two games, after being deducted two for a slow over rate in round one.
A tight match at Lord’s was squeaked by Worcestershire, thanks to a tail-end 34 from Matthew Waite, who then removed Sam Robson and Ryan Higgins. A couple of run-outs sealed Middlesex’s fate.
Surrey were forced to take the third new ball at the Oval by upstarts Leicestershire. On a pastry pitch they amassed 691, their highest score against Surrey. There was a career-best 162 for Ben Cox, 100 for Stevie Eskinazi and the lead is an appetising 171.
Marcus Harris (58 not out) again rescued Lancashire, as they lost three for nought in their second innings, a balloon-pop collapse to leave them 23 for five. Mohammad Abbas and Zak Chappell found fire in the Old Trafford pitch for Derbyshire.
Zak Crawley was caught for five as Kent followed on against Northamptonshire; Asa Tribe’s 82 not out and repeated showers frustrated Notts as they set Glamorgan a mammoth 478.
A tight to and fro at Hove left Sussex needing 94 to beat Warwickshire, with five wickets in hand. Kyle Abbot’s four for 11 ensured Yorkshire made a terrible start in their pursuit of 426 against Hampshire.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Somerset 348 and 49-0 BEAT Essex 149 and 245 by ten wickets
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec v Glamorgan 113 and 132-2 Glamorgan need 346 to win
The Oval: Surrey 520 v Leicestershire 691
Hove: Sussex 204 and 234-5 v Warwickshire 267 and 264 Sussex need 94 to win
Headingley: Yorkshire 177 and 65-5 v Hampshire 251 and 351-5dec Yorks need 361 to win
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire Durham 605-5dec BEAT 175 and 205 by an innings and 225 runs
Canterbury: Kent 178 and 162-3 v Northamptonshire 684-2dec
Old Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 147-6 v Derbyshire 374
Lord’s: Worcestershire 191 and 253 BEAT Middlesex 183 and 204 by 57 runs
Preamble
Good morning! There are just six games to keep an eye on today after stonking wins for Somerset and Durham and a squeakier one for Worcestershire at Lord’s.
I think we’re in for a thriller at Old Trafford, Lancs rebuilding from 23-5, and at Hove, where Sussex’s deep batting line-up needs just 94 against Warwickshire, five wickets left.
Asa Tribe is keeping Glamorgan alive at Trent Bridge, but Yorkshire and Kent are on very boggy ground against Hampshire and Northants.
And don’t forget to drop in at The Oval where there is a tiny possibility that the pitch has perked up enough for Leicestershire to give Surrey a fright.
It should be a nailbiter. Play starts at 11am and the kettle is on.
