Key occasions
At Lord’s, a 3rd wicket for TRJ, all bowled. Teawatchman Phillips gone for three. Glos 29-3 and in fairly deep bother.
And an early wicket for Leicestershire, Tom Haines, with itchy ft and flowing bat, edges to slide for 13. Sussex 28-1
A tea-time stroll spherical Grace Road. The wind is ridiculous, prowling throughout the bottom, blowing off bails and blowing on hats. A beneficiant slice of barabrith from the Meet at this time. I’m informed that the FOGR made £23,000 for the membership final yr from the sale of cake and drinks.
Tea-time ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 261-7 v Yorkshire
Southampton: Hampshire v Essex 440-7
Grace Road: Leicestershire 245 v Sussex 361
Taunton: Somerset 347 v Nottinghamshire 146-3
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 251-2 v Surrey 328
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 625-8dec v Worcestershire 65-0
Chester le Street: Durham 335 v Kent 197
Lord’s: Middlesex 445-9 v Gloucestershire 17-2
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire 201-9 v Lancashire 384
Five wickets for Henry Crocombe
Two wickets in two balls for Crocombe, who polishes off the Leicestershire innings, all out 245. That’s a career-best, and in entrance of the ECB scout too. He will get bundles of hugs from his teammates and leads the staff off, elevating the ball to the dressing room.
Tea right here at Grace Road, scores around the grounds to comply with.
In the Division Two dogfights , Gloucestershire and Worcestershire are treading totally different paths earlier than tea. Mo Abbas is wicketless as Jake Libby and his new South African opening companion Dan Lategan carry Worcestershire to 57-0.
Toby Roland-Jones alternatively, has despatched each Cameron Bancroft and Ben Charlesworth on their manner, Gloucs 17-2.
Five wickets for Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson
Jimmy collects his fifth and locks it into his safe five-fer field. Louis Kimber drags on for 54.Northants 177 for eight, 207 behind.
And right here at Grace Road, the black gloved finger of umpire Michael Gough rises to ship Ben Cox on his manner for 44. No quibbles there. Five for Robinson who appears to be like more than happy with himself.
Robinson pulls off his gansey for one other spell.
Elsewhere, Sam Northeast didn’t get his hundred, after giving the opposite Ollie Robinson a catch and Kemar Roach his third wicket. Kent 197 all out and they’ve taken tea at Chester le Street, Durham 138 run lead.
Tea too at Taunton, the place unhealthy mild has stopped play. Notts 114-2
Tom Price is being buffeted all over as he runs in, purple soles of his boots flashing the gang. He’s a superb signing for Sussex I reckon, additionally did a implausible little bit of fielding at backward level to cease a sure-four from Weatherald earlier than lunch. And who can overlook this day, three years in the past already.
Leicestershire, combating again, 222-7, 139 behind Sussex.
Follow-on averted at Grace Road, and at Chester le Street the place Sam Northeast is simply 9 away from his century, however with solely Glenton Stuurman for firm. Kent 190-9.
Derbyshire declare 625-8
Worcestershire are briefly put out of their distress. But now they need to face Mohammad Abbas.
And Ingram is out the very subsequent ball, a defensive prod, edged behind for 103. Glamorgan 224-7.
100 for Colin Ingram!
After gathering a thousand runs final yr, Colin Ingram hits his grove as soon as more. A superb innings – 225 balls, 13 fours, one six, and will get there with a beautiful shot via the offside.
A extremely plucky fightback this by Glamorgan, from 28-4, to 224-6.
Interesting chat with the pleasant ECB tempo bowling scout – apparently there are 15 or 16 bowlers on their radar in the meanwhile.
Hello once more Mark Gretton at Wantage Road!
“An utter joy to watch Jimmy’s relentless and spiky seven overs this morning. Ricardo Vasconcelos played him briefly beautifully, flicking and driving him repeatedly to the fences until Anderson snaked one past him and into his castle. The one that did for Sales leapt off the pitch and ricocheted to slip with the batter rooted and visibly aghast.
”As I wandered off to find a lunchtime pint I mentioned whats up to Rocky Flintoff striding immensely in direction of the nets. He smiled shyly and mentioned whats up again. County Cricket offers wealthy and contrasting pleasures!”
Glad to listen to it! Northants haven’t misplaced a wicket since lunch, which is sort of the achievement. Possibly as a result of Jimmy is resting. They’re at present 89 for 5 – 294 behind – McSweeney and Bartlett not out within the twenties.
Photos from Leicester. Oh pricey, a spherical of applause for Weatherald, who fancies one other searing boundary however as a substitute chops a ball from Robinson into his stumps for 83. He does a backbend of frustration. Leics 154-7.
There’s a flash of sunshine over Grace Road, it’s nearly heat as long as you’re carrying a fluffy winter coat. I sit down on one of many vivid inexperienced benches to observe the primary over after lunch. Eskinazi performs loosely on the first ball from Robinson and is caught at slip. “Oh dear, oh dear,” mutters the person subsequent to me. Leicestershire 146-6, 215 runs behind.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 169-5 v Yorkshire
Southampton: Hampshire v Essex 308-6
Grace Road: Leicestershire 139-5 v Sussex 361
Taunton: Somerset 347 v Nottinghamshire 34-0
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 125-1 v Surrey 328
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 548-5 v Worcestershire
Chester le Street: Durham 335 v Kent 126-6
Lord’s: Middlesex 382-6 v Gloucestershire
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire 52-5 v Lancashire 384
It had been Leicestershire’s morning, and then all of it went unsuitable within the final half hour as they slipped from 117 for 2 to 137-5. Henry Crocombe taking 3-11 in 13 balls. Ahmed regarded in fantastic contact however was caught behind for 11. Weatherald is class although, 77 not out off 96 balls.
Four wickets for Jimmy Anderson!
Some previous canine don’t want any new tips…Northants 47 for 5. Anderson has removed Vasconcelos (25), Harrison (4), Zaib (4) and Sales (2). Four slips keen and ready.
A double century for Andersson, a century for Reece!
Derbyshire grinding Worcestershire into the mud. A highest rating and the primary double century of the season for Martin Andersson. Northants 537 for 5.
Leus du Plooy and Joe Cracknell make hay
An extended previous slog for Gloucestershire’s bowlers this morning. Du Plooy 151 not out, Cracknell in touching distance of three figures. Middlesex 366 for 5.
Rain spares Kent at Chester le Street
Sam Northeast is holding Kent collectively, 58 not out in his first innings again at his boyhood membership, Kent 126 for six. Two wickets every for Potts and Raine.
Five for Ben Sanderson and an early wicket for Sir Jimmy
And we’ve received CCLive eyes live at Wantage Road to observe the grand previous man of English cricket. “Sir Jim received a wonderful ovation from the Northants locals (and us Lankies who’ve made the trip) as he strode out to bat even before his name was announced,” writes Mark Gretton,. “Warmed the cockles – and on a brisk April morning they need all the warming they can get!”
A nought not out from Jimmy, in Lancashire’s 384 all out. A really helpful 39 not out from Tom Bailey too. Five for 79 from Ben Sanderson, who toiled via 28.3 overs. In reply, Northants are 34 for two, one every for Anderson and Bailey.
Five wickets for Pennington!
The first five-fer of the season! Pennington polished off the Somerset tail, simply in need of a 3rd batting level. Somerset 347 all out. Can Overton, who bashed 60 not out with the bat, now do it with the ball too? Notts 0-0
Fifty for Jake Weatherald
A extremely spectacular debut Championship innings from Jake Weatherald in overcast situations and on a fairly juicy pitch. Chilly too. His nut brown arms inform the story of a summer time spent taking part in cricket in very totally different situations. Fifty from 65 balls, seven fours. Leicestershire 88 for two.
A superb begin for Warwicks
At Edgbaston, Surrey had been lastly dismissed for 328 – a superb restoration from 65 for six. Three wickets for Bamber, two every for Woakes, Thompson, Gilchrist and Barnard.
Warwickshire have gritted their tooth after the frustration and made a superb begin to their innings. Yates and Davies have confronted 50 balls a chunk, one has 13, the opposite 40 – I’ll allow you to guess which is which. Warwicks 66 for 0.
100 for Matt Critchley!
A thirteenth first-class century for Critchley, however he’s misplaced Allison for 80, finally a end result for the quick stuff from Hants. Essex 259 for 4.
Fifties for Ben Kellaway and Colin Ingram
From the depths of 28 for 4 final evening, Ben Kellaway and Colin Ingram have rebuilt Glamorgan. Kellaway, one other Lion predicted to have a vivid future, reached his half-century first earlier than being bowled by a beautiful ball from Dom Bess. Glamorgan 137 for 5, Ingram 59 not out.
Again apologies that issues are sluggish this morning, the wifi retains dropping in and out and the hotspot on my cellphone can also be being disobedient. Here, rapidly, earlier than it drops once more, Ollie Robinson has despatched nightwatchman Scriven on his manner, earlier than taking himself off. Weatherald and Holland drop anchor.
With an hour gone, let’s trot around the grounds.
“Salutations Tanya!” Good morning Tim Maitland.
“I am torn between two burning issues.
”Firstly, why does the UK insist on giving storms such ridiculously benign names? Storm Dave is more likely to give people the impression that there’s time for a nice cup of tea and some custard creams rather than the desired effect of battening down the metaphorical hatches. What’s wrong with using the names of historical villains? Storm Genghis? Storm Atilla? Storm Thatcher? At the very least give them French names and strike fear into the heart of the general population.
”The second thought is would the England batting line-up be better with a player like Ben Foakes in it? I’m not specifically banging the drum for Foakes, just for the England management to resists the urge to fill their side with yet more peroxide-tipped, high testosterone pyjama cricketers fashioned in their own likeness and instead add a player late in the order capable of having a steadying influence – much in the way that Joe Root calms the top of the order when he inevitably comes in to bat 20 minutes into the innings – and occasionally buy time for the last survivor of the specialist batters or Ben Stokes himself to build their own innings. Someone who can do more than provide another cameo of carnage before handing the initiative back to the bowling side.
“I solely point out this as two days of yellow storm warnings and a forecast of snow within the Scottish Highlands ought to presumably give us all a surfeit of time to think about such issues.”
Sadly, I feel Ben Foakes time has handed – which appears a ridiculous factor to say about such a proficient participant.
One for Lancashire followers
A bit of plug for Paul Edwards, sitting subsequent to me right here at Grace Road and supplying statistical nuggets for the weblog every day. He and Graham Hardcastle have arrange a brand new web site lankylanky.information, which can cowl all elements of Lancs cricket, together with in-depth options, profiles, historic items, batting collapses and so forth. It might be wide-ranging, males’s, ladies’s and incapacity cricket in addition to the leisure sport.
There is a 20 per cent low cost till the top of April, code: LANKY20.
Round the grounds, Somerset have a second batting level (Overton 38 not out); Martin Andersson has knocked up a career-best 150 for Derbyshire; Ben Sanderson has nipped out George Balderson for 21, Lancs 394-8.
Ollie Robinson’s first over brings a caught behind enchantment in opposition to Scriven. Robinson is certain of it and most fed up when turned down.
A statistical goblet from yesterday: Yesterday was 8,231 days since Leicestershire final performed first-division cricket. That day was 19 Sept 2003, taking part in Sussex at Hove, the identical match that Sussex gained the Championship.
Sorry everybody, a couple of wifi issues this morning. A blowy grey day at Grace Road however issues will begin on time.
Ali Martin’s report from Birmingham
Friday’s round-up
The spectre of the Ashes loomed over day considered one of a brand new Championship season, each innings, each wicket, a play in a single act despatched straight to the laptop computer of Brendon McCullum.
England Lion Emilio Gay gained the race to the primary century of the season for Durham, an aesthetic innings, fierce on the unfastened ball, and in difficult situations at Chester-le-Street. When he was lastly out, a fourth catch of the day to Kent’s Zak Crawley, he had pocketed 128 from simply 140 balls.
Crawley’s flip with the bat went about in addition to Jamie Smith’s and Ollie Pope’s over at Edgbaston, two boundaries earlier than falling lbw to Matthew Potts for 9.
At Grace Road Tom Clark embroidered a trendy 101, as Sussex gave promoted Leicestershire a bloody nostril within the morning session, racing to 155 for two by lunch. Lion Tom Haines made a giddy half-century and James Coles, of mega-deal Hundred fame, a reasonably 28. An England and Wales Cricket Board bowling scout, watching from the wings, then noticed Ollie Robinson take away Rishi Patel within the 4 overs of Leicestershire’s innings attainable earlier than stumps
At Taunton, Somerset carried out their normal rescue act, this time from 14 for two in opposition to the champions. Tom Abell stroked a flawless 108, and he and younger James Rew (64) added 140 for the fourth wicket in opposition to Nottinghamshire. One of Rew’s drives lilted via covers like a lullaby. Craig Overton clubbed 32.
Rain worn out a lot of the day at Sophia Gardens however Glamorgan, again in Division One for the primary time since 2005, had a difficult begin. They misplaced 4 wickets in six overs in opposition to Yorkshire together with the fancied Asa Tribe, who donated Jonny Bairstow a pillowy catch. Ben Kellaway and Colin Ingram rebuilt to 99 for 4 at stumps.
History was made at Southampton, the place Noah Thain turned the primary full substitute in County Championship historical past beneath the ECB’s new experimental rule change. He changed the Essex captain, Tom Westley, whose finger was fractured by a snorter from Hampshire’s Sonny Baker. Wobbling at 67 for three, and with Westley retired damage, Matt Critchley (97no) and Charlie Allison (60no) rebuilt calmly. There was a minute’s silence firstly of the match in reminiscence of Hampshire and England legend Robin Smith, who died through the winter.
There was additionally a minute’s silence at Lord’s, to recollect long-serving groundsman Mick Hunt. On a stodgy day, Leus du Plooy’s 98 not out helped Middlesex to 279 for 5 in opposition to Gloucestershire.
It was a tricky day for Worcestershire’s bowlers at Derbyshire, the place Martin Andersson shimmied a speedy unbeaten 134. Worcestershire are with out South African signing Beyers Swanepoel, whose desperation to get to New Road was such that he left for the airport with seven overs of a home one-day last to go and then discovered {that a} livid South African had withheld his no-objection certificates. “Beyers would probably say he’s made a bit of an error in hindsight,” mentioned the Worcestershire chief govt, Ashley Giles.
Lancashire had been the one facet who gained the toss and batted and could possibly be completely satisfied sufficient with their work in opposition to Northamptonshire because of 90 from Josh Bohannon, 87 from Luke Wells and 71 from Michael Jones.
Scores on the doorways
DIVISION ONE
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 99-4 v Yorkshire
Southampton: Hampshire v Essex 219-3
Grace Road: Leicestershire 15-1 v Sussex 361
Taunton: Somerset 292-6 v Nottinghamshire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Surrey 328
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 391-4 v Worcestershire
Chester le Street: Durham 335 v Kent 50-2
Lord’s: Middlesex 279-5 v Gloucestershire
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Lancashire 346-7
Preamble
Good morning! In Leicester, the sparrows are chirping as the town stretches into Easter Saturday.
At Grace Road, Sussex, giddy from for their success on day one, will press additional. I fear a bit what havoc Ollie Robinson may unleash on Leicestershire’s batting line up. Anyway, all of it begins at 11am – do be part of us for information across the grounds.
