So 2015 ended with Ashes success for England, a second Championship crown for Yorkshire, limited-overs trophies for Lancashire and Gloucestershire and a miserable finale for Sussex. But who were the individual stars of the summer? I’ve compiled my Team of the Year based partly on my Teams of the Week and partly on the end-of-season statistics.
Openers:
It wasn’t a vintage year for openers in first-class cricket, although Michael Carberry, Mark Stoneman and, in a September flurry, Marcus Trescothick each passed 1000 runs. However, there were some memorable summers for one-day pinch-hitters. Jason Roy and Steven Davies were superb for Surrey but for consistency I’ve gone for Michael Klinger and Alex Hales. The veteran Aussie arrived late but produced a devastating deluge of centuries in limited overs competitions, playing a major role Gloucestershire’s T20 Blast triumph. He also appeared in no fewer than five Teams of the Week in this blog. Hales chose to spend some time as a gun for hire overseas but when he put his mind to it, he scored heavily in all formats for Nottinghamshire. But will he get to partner Cook for England against Pakistan?
Middle Order
So many options here! James Vince outscored everyone in T20 but was unusually mediocre in proper cricket. James Taylor started poorly but gained ground to win back his international place in ODIs. Luke Wright was a ray of shining light in an otherwise dismal summer for Sussex, and James Hildreth likewise for Somerset. Indeed he was top scorer in Division One but was surprisingly short of runs in the one-day stuff.
My choice begins at Durham with Steve Borthwick. He still bowls some leg-spin in T20 but is more of a specialist batsman these days. He scored few centuries but chipped in regularly at number three. Kent’s young captain Sam Northeast also saved his best innings for Twenty20, and it was his hundred which thwarted Somerset in the match where Chris Gayle struck his 150.
The season’s greatest run machine was Ashwell Prince. The veteran South African delayed his retirement for just one season and how Lancashire must have been grateful for that decision. He was also part of that record-breaking 500+ stand with Alviro Pietersen. Niall O’Brien claimed the most dismissals, Ben Brown more runs but my wicketkeeper-batsman is Jonny Bairstow. He produced five three-figure scores for Yorkshire before he was brought in to replace Gary Ballance for England. His Championship average was a tidy 100-odd so who knows what he might have achieved with his county had his team-mate not lost form in Test cricket?
Amongst all-rounders, the evergreen Darren Stevens and Peter Trego were typically in the frame but I’ve gone for Samit Patel for his mixture of vital innings and handy wickets. Notts didn’t have a great year with the ball, so his off-spin rescued the side more than once.
Bowlers
Chris Rushworth made only one Team of the Week but he was the most prolific wicket-taker in first-class cricket, with 88. He rarely played in limited-overs fixtures but he has to be in this Eleven. Joining him as seamers are Surrey’s Tom Curran, James Harris of Middlesex and Yorkshire’s Jack Brooks.
Curran, helped by his 17 year-old brother Sam, was instrumental in hauling Surrey up to the Division Two title, while Harris’s Championship wickets and late-order runs gave Middlesex the impetus to be runners-up. It was hard to pick the final man in the Team of the Season.
Yorkshire’s success was built primarily on their attack. Twelve victories generally means bowling sides out twice, and the White Roses had strength in depth. Ryan Sidebottom missed some games through injury yet he claimed more than 40 wickets at under 18 apiece. Tim Bresnan, Steve Pattinson, Graeme Onions and Adil Rashid all contributed but the main man was Jack Brooks. If he wasn’t the wrong side of 30, the bandana man would have been in the England squad by now instead of Mark Wood.
The likes of Footitt, Rushworth and Brooks may have to content themselves with notching up hundreds of wickets in county cricket instead of the England kit, and their respective clubs will be grateful. Meanwhile, for all the talk of overseas stars, the only foreigners in my XI are Prince and Klinger. As far as England are concerned, I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of Curran, Northeast or Hales.
In short, my County Team of 2015 is:-
Klinger (Glo), Hales (Not), Borthwick (Dur), Northeast (Ken), Prince (Lan), Bairstow (Yor/Eng +), Patel (Not), Harris (Mid), T Curran (Sur), Brooks (Yor), Rushworth (Dur).
Showing posts with label Ashwell Prince. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashwell Prince. Show all posts
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Thursday, 23 July 2015
AP x 2 = 501 for Lancashire
This really was a week for batsmen. Four scored double-centuries, two of them sharing a 500 partnership, yet one (Steve Smith) couldn’t even squeeze into my Team of the Week!
The White and Red Roses were again in full bloom, as Yorkshire and Lancashire cemented their positions atop Divisions One and Two. The chasing packs must be getting cricked necks gazing up at the distant summits.
Andrew Gale led his side from the front at Scarborough, piling up 164 but it was Jonny Bairstow’s scintillating form making all the headlines. A brisk 139 pushed him into the England squad at Gary Ballance’s expense, then he struck the winning runs in the second innings, too. Worcestershire did at least take the game into a fourth day.
Durham did their best to hold on to second place but Hampshire’s defiance and some final afternoon rain scuppered their hopes. Gordon Muchall’s 145 and nine more wickets for Chris Rushworth were all in vain after 20 year-old ‘keeper Lewis McManus defied the Durham attack for almost three hours. Meanwhile Warwickshire found themselves in the runners-up spot after despatching Somerset by seven wickets. Sam Hain composed another unbeaten century and Jeetan Patel claimed nine victims, although the losers’ Craig Overton took 6-74 and kept his name in the England frame in case the selectors need fresh blood.
Following a disappointing first half of the season, James Taylor rediscovered his appetite for runs, falling just nine short of a triple-century in Nottinghamshire’s innings defeat of Sussex. Chris Read’s 121 and seven catches were also noteworthy, while Harry Gurney’s left arm seam and swing also did a lot of damage to the South Coast side for whom Matt Machan top-scored with 108.
The Colwyn Bay sea air worked wonders for the South African duo of Ashwell Prince and Alviro Petersen. Both passed 250 as they smashed the Lancashire partnership record and accumulated the 13th highest stand for any wicket in first-class cricket history! Facing an overall target of almost 700, Glamorgan unsurprisingly fell short, although a robust first innings tail did its best to frustrate the visitors. Number eleven Michael Hogan even had time to score a career best 57! Nevertheless, Sean Kerrigan and Arron Lilley polished off Welsh resistance in the end.
Kent took the Thames estuary bragging rights, thumping Essex by an innings and 207. Ben Harmison and Sam Billings each reached three figures while Callum Haggett and the evergreen Darren Stevens picked up twelve wickets between them.
Derbyshire beat Northamptonshire in the other Division Two fixture. Mark Footitt collected another five-for, and young all-rounder Alex Hughes achieved his debut hundred. For the visitors, opener Ben Duckett had mixed fortunes. A duck was followed by 154 but the Chesterfield fans enjoyed a seven-wicket triumph.
While the runs piled up in the Championship and Lord’s Test, there weren’t many big scores in last weekend’s T20 Blast. Nevertheless, Jason Roy’s blistering 122 consigned Somerset to another heavy defeat. The County Championship now takes a two-week break as the T20 Group stage ends and the Royal London Cup begins.
Some excellent performances couldn’t get into my Team of the Week: Rogers (Aus), Duckett (Nor), Petersen (Lan), Prince (Lan), Taylor (Not), A Hughes (Der), Read (Not, * +), Patel (Not), C Overton (Som), Gurney (Not), Rushworth (Dur)
The White and Red Roses were again in full bloom, as Yorkshire and Lancashire cemented their positions atop Divisions One and Two. The chasing packs must be getting cricked necks gazing up at the distant summits.
Andrew Gale led his side from the front at Scarborough, piling up 164 but it was Jonny Bairstow’s scintillating form making all the headlines. A brisk 139 pushed him into the England squad at Gary Ballance’s expense, then he struck the winning runs in the second innings, too. Worcestershire did at least take the game into a fourth day.
Durham did their best to hold on to second place but Hampshire’s defiance and some final afternoon rain scuppered their hopes. Gordon Muchall’s 145 and nine more wickets for Chris Rushworth were all in vain after 20 year-old ‘keeper Lewis McManus defied the Durham attack for almost three hours. Meanwhile Warwickshire found themselves in the runners-up spot after despatching Somerset by seven wickets. Sam Hain composed another unbeaten century and Jeetan Patel claimed nine victims, although the losers’ Craig Overton took 6-74 and kept his name in the England frame in case the selectors need fresh blood.
Following a disappointing first half of the season, James Taylor rediscovered his appetite for runs, falling just nine short of a triple-century in Nottinghamshire’s innings defeat of Sussex. Chris Read’s 121 and seven catches were also noteworthy, while Harry Gurney’s left arm seam and swing also did a lot of damage to the South Coast side for whom Matt Machan top-scored with 108.
The Colwyn Bay sea air worked wonders for the South African duo of Ashwell Prince and Alviro Petersen. Both passed 250 as they smashed the Lancashire partnership record and accumulated the 13th highest stand for any wicket in first-class cricket history! Facing an overall target of almost 700, Glamorgan unsurprisingly fell short, although a robust first innings tail did its best to frustrate the visitors. Number eleven Michael Hogan even had time to score a career best 57! Nevertheless, Sean Kerrigan and Arron Lilley polished off Welsh resistance in the end.
Kent took the Thames estuary bragging rights, thumping Essex by an innings and 207. Ben Harmison and Sam Billings each reached three figures while Callum Haggett and the evergreen Darren Stevens picked up twelve wickets between them.
Derbyshire beat Northamptonshire in the other Division Two fixture. Mark Footitt collected another five-for, and young all-rounder Alex Hughes achieved his debut hundred. For the visitors, opener Ben Duckett had mixed fortunes. A duck was followed by 154 but the Chesterfield fans enjoyed a seven-wicket triumph.
While the runs piled up in the Championship and Lord’s Test, there weren’t many big scores in last weekend’s T20 Blast. Nevertheless, Jason Roy’s blistering 122 consigned Somerset to another heavy defeat. The County Championship now takes a two-week break as the T20 Group stage ends and the Royal London Cup begins.
Some excellent performances couldn’t get into my Team of the Week: Rogers (Aus), Duckett (Nor), Petersen (Lan), Prince (Lan), Taylor (Not), A Hughes (Der), Read (Not, * +), Patel (Not), C Overton (Som), Gurney (Not), Rushworth (Dur)
Friday, 19 June 2015
Glamorgan on the Glory Trail
While the endless stream of sixes sailed into the stands in the England v NZ ODIs, runs were harder to come by in the County Championship and Nat West Blast.
In Division One, Durham owed much to Gordon Muchall for their defeat of Sussex. He contributed almost 200 runs while most of the top order struggled. Chris Rushworth took 6-49 in the first innings then, following Muchall’s lead, Hastings and Coughlin weighed in with valuable late runs to make Sussex’s job even harder. Luke Wells reached three figures, but it wasn’t enough.
Warwickshire kept in touch with Durham by slamming neighbours Worcestershire by an innings. Ian Bell enjoyed a rare run-out for his county, hitting 111, while Keith Barker combined an unbeaten 50 with seven wickets. At Taunton, Somerset looked down and out yet again after conceding a 200-run first innings deficit to Nottinghamshire. Surrounded by a ridiculously ageing team (what is going on in the new regime?), Tom Abell looked the most mature batsman of all while Abdur Rehman’s spin was completely outclassed by Notts’ 19 year-old debutant Matthew Carter who took 7-56. That’s the best first innings haul by a first-time slow bowler for eighty-odd years! Sadly for him, it was all in vain – as was Brendan Taylor’s opening 152 - as Somerset at last showed some resolve. Trescothick, Abell, Myburgh, Trego and Allenby each scored half-centuries to reach the 402 target with two wickets to spare. Phew! Had we lost that one, we really would be checking out the route to Leicester next year!
Lancashire continued their promotion procession with an innings defeat of Leicestershire at Old Trafford. Ashwell Prince added his fourth hundred of the season and Kyle Jarvis was the pick of a solid attack. Leicester spinner Jigar Naik claimed 8-179. Behind Lancashire, Glamorgan closed the gap on Surrey with a seven-wicket victory at leafy Guildford. The horrific T20 fielding collision which hospitalised Burns and Henriques allowed Arun Harinath to be promoted from the Surrey Seconds. He grasped his opportunity pretty well by scoring a century in each innings. Nevertheless, despite being useless at T20, Glammie bowler Graeme Wagg took 4-64 then struck 11 sixes in a score of 200, by far his best with the bat. He and Michael Hogan shared a century stand for the tenth wicket before Hoges produced another five-for to speed the Welsh club to their third win of the campaign. Alongside their two T20 wins, it’s been a good week for Glamorgan and their results are finally reflecting the quality of their squad.
Their was another innings triumph in Division Two, this time for bottom-placed Essex. Well, they’re up to sixth now after hammering Derbyshire. Alastair Cook top-scored with 80 while young James Porter helped himself to six cheap wickets. In his short first-class career he has taken 32 at barely 20 apiece!
In last weekend’s T20 fixtures, Gloucestershire’s Michael Klinger made identical three-figure scores – 104 – against Essex and Glamorgan while in the latter match, Jacques Rudolph also thrashed a ton. In Hampshire’s defeat of Kent, James Vince was stranded on 99 not out and they are now at the top of the South group with Kent.
Team of the Week: Harinath (Sur), Klinger (Glo), B Taylor (Not), Bell (War), Prince (Lan), Muchall (Dur), Wallace (Gla +), Wagg (Gla), Carter (Not), Naik (Lei), Hogan (Gla).
In Division One, Durham owed much to Gordon Muchall for their defeat of Sussex. He contributed almost 200 runs while most of the top order struggled. Chris Rushworth took 6-49 in the first innings then, following Muchall’s lead, Hastings and Coughlin weighed in with valuable late runs to make Sussex’s job even harder. Luke Wells reached three figures, but it wasn’t enough.
Warwickshire kept in touch with Durham by slamming neighbours Worcestershire by an innings. Ian Bell enjoyed a rare run-out for his county, hitting 111, while Keith Barker combined an unbeaten 50 with seven wickets. At Taunton, Somerset looked down and out yet again after conceding a 200-run first innings deficit to Nottinghamshire. Surrounded by a ridiculously ageing team (what is going on in the new regime?), Tom Abell looked the most mature batsman of all while Abdur Rehman’s spin was completely outclassed by Notts’ 19 year-old debutant Matthew Carter who took 7-56. That’s the best first innings haul by a first-time slow bowler for eighty-odd years! Sadly for him, it was all in vain – as was Brendan Taylor’s opening 152 - as Somerset at last showed some resolve. Trescothick, Abell, Myburgh, Trego and Allenby each scored half-centuries to reach the 402 target with two wickets to spare. Phew! Had we lost that one, we really would be checking out the route to Leicester next year!
Lancashire continued their promotion procession with an innings defeat of Leicestershire at Old Trafford. Ashwell Prince added his fourth hundred of the season and Kyle Jarvis was the pick of a solid attack. Leicester spinner Jigar Naik claimed 8-179. Behind Lancashire, Glamorgan closed the gap on Surrey with a seven-wicket victory at leafy Guildford. The horrific T20 fielding collision which hospitalised Burns and Henriques allowed Arun Harinath to be promoted from the Surrey Seconds. He grasped his opportunity pretty well by scoring a century in each innings. Nevertheless, despite being useless at T20, Glammie bowler Graeme Wagg took 4-64 then struck 11 sixes in a score of 200, by far his best with the bat. He and Michael Hogan shared a century stand for the tenth wicket before Hoges produced another five-for to speed the Welsh club to their third win of the campaign. Alongside their two T20 wins, it’s been a good week for Glamorgan and their results are finally reflecting the quality of their squad.
Their was another innings triumph in Division Two, this time for bottom-placed Essex. Well, they’re up to sixth now after hammering Derbyshire. Alastair Cook top-scored with 80 while young James Porter helped himself to six cheap wickets. In his short first-class career he has taken 32 at barely 20 apiece!
In last weekend’s T20 fixtures, Gloucestershire’s Michael Klinger made identical three-figure scores – 104 – against Essex and Glamorgan while in the latter match, Jacques Rudolph also thrashed a ton. In Hampshire’s defeat of Kent, James Vince was stranded on 99 not out and they are now at the top of the South group with Kent.
Team of the Week: Harinath (Sur), Klinger (Glo), B Taylor (Not), Bell (War), Prince (Lan), Muchall (Dur), Wallace (Gla +), Wagg (Gla), Carter (Not), Naik (Lei), Hogan (Gla).
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Prince and Colly Steal the Show
There were plenty of fine performances at Lord's to overshadow those seen in last week's county fixtures. From Cook's 162 to the Root and Stokes show, not forgetting Trent Boult's nine wickets in what was, until the last day and a bit, an encouragingly competitive New Zealand side.
In the County Championship, there were plenty of runs, too, at Taunton, which sadly meant only three substantial innings could be completed. Jack Leaning and Tim Bresnan reached three figures for Yorkshire but the game was unusual in that two players were out on 99: Somerset's Tom Cooper and the visitors' Adil Rashid, who did much to ensure his side didn't lose. Credit to the Overton twins for smashing a rapid tenth wicket stand of 80-odd, including 19-ball 50 from Jamie!
It was an exciting finale at Hove, where Sussex edged a thrilling low-scoring game against Warwickshire by a single wicket thanks to a six from Chris Jordan. Earlier in the match, Oliver Robinson had taken 6-33 and Luke Wells almost carried his bat for 92. However, Durham advanced to the Division One summit by winning at Worcester, overcoming a large first innings deficit. Skipper Paul Collingwood struck his 31st century on his 39th birthday to ensure his team didn’t suffer another meltdown. Steve Borthwick had scored more than half the team’s total in the first innings, before John Hastings’ 7-60 kept the target within reach.
In Division Two, Lancashire predictably went 32 points clear at the top, defeating Derbyshire by an innings. A huge partnership between South African veterans Alviro Petersen and Ashwell Prince settled matters early on, the latter serving up 230 runs. He is on a great run of form at the moment. Surrey are looking strong, too, despite – or because of - KP’s midnight flit to India. They defeated Kent at Beckenham by three wickets after Jason Roy held his nerve with a typically aggressive 60 not out on the final afternoon.
Michael Klinger made an impressive return to Gloucestershire, thumping 126 in 68 balls against Essex, and Ravi Bopara made some useful contributions for Essex, too.
So my Team of the Week, including Test match heroes and T20 Blast stars reads as follows:-
Klinger (Glo), Cook (Eng), Leaning (Yor), Prince (Lan), Bairstow (Yor, +), Stokes (Eng), Collingwood (Dur, *), Jordan (Sus), Lilley (Lan), Boult (NZ), Hastings (Dur)
In the County Championship, there were plenty of runs, too, at Taunton, which sadly meant only three substantial innings could be completed. Jack Leaning and Tim Bresnan reached three figures for Yorkshire but the game was unusual in that two players were out on 99: Somerset's Tom Cooper and the visitors' Adil Rashid, who did much to ensure his side didn't lose. Credit to the Overton twins for smashing a rapid tenth wicket stand of 80-odd, including 19-ball 50 from Jamie!
It was an exciting finale at Hove, where Sussex edged a thrilling low-scoring game against Warwickshire by a single wicket thanks to a six from Chris Jordan. Earlier in the match, Oliver Robinson had taken 6-33 and Luke Wells almost carried his bat for 92. However, Durham advanced to the Division One summit by winning at Worcester, overcoming a large first innings deficit. Skipper Paul Collingwood struck his 31st century on his 39th birthday to ensure his team didn’t suffer another meltdown. Steve Borthwick had scored more than half the team’s total in the first innings, before John Hastings’ 7-60 kept the target within reach.
In Division Two, Lancashire predictably went 32 points clear at the top, defeating Derbyshire by an innings. A huge partnership between South African veterans Alviro Petersen and Ashwell Prince settled matters early on, the latter serving up 230 runs. He is on a great run of form at the moment. Surrey are looking strong, too, despite – or because of - KP’s midnight flit to India. They defeated Kent at Beckenham by three wickets after Jason Roy held his nerve with a typically aggressive 60 not out on the final afternoon.
Michael Klinger made an impressive return to Gloucestershire, thumping 126 in 68 balls against Essex, and Ravi Bopara made some useful contributions for Essex, too.
So my Team of the Week, including Test match heroes and T20 Blast stars reads as follows:-
Klinger (Glo), Cook (Eng), Leaning (Yor), Prince (Lan), Bairstow (Yor, +), Stokes (Eng), Collingwood (Dur, *), Jordan (Sus), Lilley (Lan), Boult (NZ), Hastings (Dur)
Friday, 8 May 2015
Harris Hurries Middlesex to the Top
Middlesex flew past Durham to take a three-point lead at the top of the County Championship. England reject, Sam Robson, kicked things off nicely with 178, then England never-quite-selected, James Harris, wrapped up the win by plundering nine second innings wickets in a single spell. They didn’t have it all their own way after Chris Rushworth and John Hastings each claimed cheap five-fors, but the Middlesex attack were just too much overall. The leaders now travel to Hove for a top-of-the-table clash with Sussex while Durham host Nottinghamshire.
At the other end of the division, things are already looking grim for Somerset. The arrival of Matthew Maynard was supposed to galvanise a side in transition, but not even skipper Marcus Trescothick could recall a three-match losing streak like this one. Worcestershire should have been easy opponents yet a 178 seventh wicket stand by Ben Cox and Joe Leach followed by a third day skittling for 90 led to a humilating innings defeat at New Road. Tres talked about some ‘soul-searching’ and that’s putting it mildly!
In Division Two, a rare win for Gloucestershire elevated them to the dizzy heights of fourth after defeating Essex inside three days. Medium pacer Liam Norwell took ten wickets as the home side’s unfamiliar Eleven succumbed rather tamely. Lancashire extended their lead at the summit with their draw against closest rivals Northamptonshire. As in other parts of the country, rain affected the result, so all Northants could do on the final day was dig in and improve their batting averages. Ashwell Prince’s 153 was in vain, but it was the home team’s number eight, Steven Crook who top-scored in the whole match, adding an unbeaten 102 to his earlier 91.
Leicestershire must have enjoyed their first innings lead over Kent at Canterbury, but nerves must have been shredded as Rob Key’s men homed in on the 315 target. Daniel Bell-Drummond reached three figures but far too slowly, and with the dangerous Darren Stevens dismissed for 34, Kent finished 42 runs short. Only 155 overs were possible at Cardiff. The game was notable only for Scott Elstone’s maiden first-class century for Derbyshire.
All in all, it was a week for seam bowlers rather than spin or the bat. For my team of the week, the batsmen almost picked themselves but some good performers like Worcestershire’s young duo Joe Leach and Charlie Morris narrowly missed out. Here’s my XI:-
Robson (Mid), Peters (Nor), Cosgrove (Lei, *), Elstone (Der), Prince (Lan), Cox (Wor, +), Crook (Nor), McKay (Lei), Harris (Mid), Hastings (Dur), Norwell (Glo)
At the other end of the division, things are already looking grim for Somerset. The arrival of Matthew Maynard was supposed to galvanise a side in transition, but not even skipper Marcus Trescothick could recall a three-match losing streak like this one. Worcestershire should have been easy opponents yet a 178 seventh wicket stand by Ben Cox and Joe Leach followed by a third day skittling for 90 led to a humilating innings defeat at New Road. Tres talked about some ‘soul-searching’ and that’s putting it mildly!
In Division Two, a rare win for Gloucestershire elevated them to the dizzy heights of fourth after defeating Essex inside three days. Medium pacer Liam Norwell took ten wickets as the home side’s unfamiliar Eleven succumbed rather tamely. Lancashire extended their lead at the summit with their draw against closest rivals Northamptonshire. As in other parts of the country, rain affected the result, so all Northants could do on the final day was dig in and improve their batting averages. Ashwell Prince’s 153 was in vain, but it was the home team’s number eight, Steven Crook who top-scored in the whole match, adding an unbeaten 102 to his earlier 91.
Leicestershire must have enjoyed their first innings lead over Kent at Canterbury, but nerves must have been shredded as Rob Key’s men homed in on the 315 target. Daniel Bell-Drummond reached three figures but far too slowly, and with the dangerous Darren Stevens dismissed for 34, Kent finished 42 runs short. Only 155 overs were possible at Cardiff. The game was notable only for Scott Elstone’s maiden first-class century for Derbyshire.
All in all, it was a week for seam bowlers rather than spin or the bat. For my team of the week, the batsmen almost picked themselves but some good performers like Worcestershire’s young duo Joe Leach and Charlie Morris narrowly missed out. Here’s my XI:-
Robson (Mid), Peters (Nor), Cosgrove (Lei, *), Elstone (Der), Prince (Lan), Cox (Wor, +), Crook (Nor), McKay (Lei), Harris (Mid), Hastings (Dur), Norwell (Glo)
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Yorks and Notts Advance, Prince is king.
While international cricket and the Premier League have seen frequent changes in the hierarchy in the past year or so, the County Championship seems to be following suit. This week, Nottinghamshire inflicted a first defeat upon previous leaders Somerset while Yorkshire thumped Warwickshire inside three days to join them at the top with 142 points, both claiming a maximum 24 points. With 16 for a win, at this rate anybody except Northants could win the pennant come September.
All the Notts bowlers played a part as Somerset batsmen, Trescothick apart, were despatched for 168 on the first day, then Mullaney and Jacques overtook that total on their own. The in-form Samit Patel and Riki Wessels took the home side lead to approaching 300. Chris Jones, Peter Trego (107 not out) and a 71-run tenth wicket stand between Dockrell and Jamie Overton took the match to the fourth day but, despite Craig Overton's double-strike in the opening over, Chris Read's side wrapped up a seven-wicket victory.
Not for the first time in recent seasons, Warwickshire's batsmen let down their bowlers, to the benefit of Yorkshire. Even without Root and Ballance, the Tykes were simply too strong. They could even blood an 18 year-old slow left-arm spinner in Karl Carver and come out smelling of (White) Roses. Aaron Finch top-scored with 110. At the Riverside, Durham simply overpowered Sussex. Mark Stoneman and Keaton Jennings contributed centuries while Ben Stokes starred with the ball. His ten wickets mean he will be hammering on the England selectors' door once more. Not too vigorously, of course; he should learn a lesson from the locker incident!
Lancashire were the latest county to hammer Northamptonshire at Old Trafford. The visitors could take some comfort from leaving Lancs at 33-3, but Ashwell Prince (257 not out) and Steven Croft (156) shared a triple-century partnership. Jos Buttler and Tom Smith advanced the total to a formidable 650-6 declared, and Smith (again), Chapple, Kerrigan et al bowled the bottom side out twice by early on the last morning. Middlesex must be licking their lips for the visit of Peters et al next weekend. Don't buy tickets for Day Four!
In Division Two, neither of the runaway leaders were in action but Surrey's resurgence continued, taking them to the giddy heights of third place. Skipper Gary Wilson (160 not out) and Chris Tremlett (90) each made career-best scores in the first innings total of 522-9 declared. Angus Robson responded well with two half-centuries and number eleven Charlie Shreck struck a maiden 50 but Leicestershire were unable to prevent a ten-wicket defeat.
Young opener Daniel Bell-Drummond's 101 helped Kent to 333. Not a massive total but it was almost sufficient to beat Derbyshire by an innings. Darren Stevens and Alex Riley shared sixteen wickets, the former's 6-64 in the second innings being the most striking set of figures. Kent's win couldn't lift them above Glamorgan despite the latter failing to clinch victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol despite topping 600. The home team ground out a draw by scoring at under two an over on the last day. Earlier, Jacques Rudolph and Ben Wright produced centuries and four others passed 50 for the Welsh but their bowlers were too slow to pierce the defences of Ian Cockbain, Will Gidman and Will Tavare. The latter's uncle Chris would have been proud of his defiance and slow-scoring!
Glamorgan next travel to Worcester, Gloucestershire to Essex but the tastiest tie looks to be Hampshire's visit to The Oval where Surrey could now be strong opposition, especially if it's a spinner's wicket.
I'm on holiday at the weekend so I offer my Team of the Week a bit earlier and briefer than normal:-
Robson (Eng), Rudolph (Gla), Sangakkara (SL), Prince (Lan), Root (Eng), Mathews (SL *), Wilson (Sur +), Stokes (Dur), Stevens (Ken), Tremlett (Sur), Prasad (SL)
All the Notts bowlers played a part as Somerset batsmen, Trescothick apart, were despatched for 168 on the first day, then Mullaney and Jacques overtook that total on their own. The in-form Samit Patel and Riki Wessels took the home side lead to approaching 300. Chris Jones, Peter Trego (107 not out) and a 71-run tenth wicket stand between Dockrell and Jamie Overton took the match to the fourth day but, despite Craig Overton's double-strike in the opening over, Chris Read's side wrapped up a seven-wicket victory.
Not for the first time in recent seasons, Warwickshire's batsmen let down their bowlers, to the benefit of Yorkshire. Even without Root and Ballance, the Tykes were simply too strong. They could even blood an 18 year-old slow left-arm spinner in Karl Carver and come out smelling of (White) Roses. Aaron Finch top-scored with 110. At the Riverside, Durham simply overpowered Sussex. Mark Stoneman and Keaton Jennings contributed centuries while Ben Stokes starred with the ball. His ten wickets mean he will be hammering on the England selectors' door once more. Not too vigorously, of course; he should learn a lesson from the locker incident!
Lancashire were the latest county to hammer Northamptonshire at Old Trafford. The visitors could take some comfort from leaving Lancs at 33-3, but Ashwell Prince (257 not out) and Steven Croft (156) shared a triple-century partnership. Jos Buttler and Tom Smith advanced the total to a formidable 650-6 declared, and Smith (again), Chapple, Kerrigan et al bowled the bottom side out twice by early on the last morning. Middlesex must be licking their lips for the visit of Peters et al next weekend. Don't buy tickets for Day Four!
In Division Two, neither of the runaway leaders were in action but Surrey's resurgence continued, taking them to the giddy heights of third place. Skipper Gary Wilson (160 not out) and Chris Tremlett (90) each made career-best scores in the first innings total of 522-9 declared. Angus Robson responded well with two half-centuries and number eleven Charlie Shreck struck a maiden 50 but Leicestershire were unable to prevent a ten-wicket defeat.
Young opener Daniel Bell-Drummond's 101 helped Kent to 333. Not a massive total but it was almost sufficient to beat Derbyshire by an innings. Darren Stevens and Alex Riley shared sixteen wickets, the former's 6-64 in the second innings being the most striking set of figures. Kent's win couldn't lift them above Glamorgan despite the latter failing to clinch victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol despite topping 600. The home team ground out a draw by scoring at under two an over on the last day. Earlier, Jacques Rudolph and Ben Wright produced centuries and four others passed 50 for the Welsh but their bowlers were too slow to pierce the defences of Ian Cockbain, Will Gidman and Will Tavare. The latter's uncle Chris would have been proud of his defiance and slow-scoring!
Glamorgan next travel to Worcester, Gloucestershire to Essex but the tastiest tie looks to be Hampshire's visit to The Oval where Surrey could now be strong opposition, especially if it's a spinner's wicket.
I'm on holiday at the weekend so I offer my Team of the Week a bit earlier and briefer than normal:-
Robson (Eng), Rudolph (Gla), Sangakkara (SL), Prince (Lan), Root (Eng), Mathews (SL *), Wilson (Sur +), Stokes (Dur), Stevens (Ken), Tremlett (Sur), Prasad (SL)
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