County Cricket: Somerset Rewdy and Abell

Somerset Rewdy and Abell 

Only four Championship fixtures this week, but they delivered a high degree of excitement over the four days. At the Rose Bowl, Hampshire and Somerset engaged in a tight game of cat-and-mouse, with little between them, and enough in the wicket to please batters and bowlers alike. Lewis Gregory returned to lead Somerset and eventually turned the game in their favour, but the result was in doubt well into the final day. 

James Rew struck 86 to take Somerset to a 50-run first-innings lead, then Hampshire were heading towards a potential 400 total until Gregory mopped up the last four wickets. His side still had a lot to do. A target of 288 was not going to be simple. However, good things happen when Rew and Tom Abell are together at the crease. They put on 89 but, even after Rew was caught behind for 59 and three more were despatched, Abell maintained admirable patience and determination and his eighth boundary brought up both his century and victory for Somerset. There is talk about England sniffing around young Rew but I hope they hold off until the county’s season is over, preferably with a maiden title in their grasp. Well, you can only hope…. 

There were only forty-one runs separating Warwickshire and Essex, too. Seamers were generally on top and 220 proved to be the highest total, and Beau Webster’s 91 the top individual score. Chasing 206 to win on the fourth day, Essex slumped to 21-4, their top three falling to the veteran Keith Barker, back in the Warwickshire side after a seven-season stint at Hampshire. Harmer and Akhtar offered some tail-end resistance but Webster broke both to earn the home side’s first success of the year. 

Barker is a mere spring chicken compared with James Anderson but the former England record-breaker bowled his way to another Team of the Week entry and Lancashire dealt Gloucestershire another Spring blow at Bristol. The home side did acquire their first bonus points of the campaign, but batting remains a huge problem. Anderson (3-12) and George Balderson (5-34) skittled Gloucester for 136 but Matt Taylor’s 6-43 kept them in the match. Second time around, Hammond and Bracey put on 148 for the fourth wicket to extend the game into the final day. At 46-3, Lancashire were tottering but Keaton Jennings’ second 70+ score guided then home by four wickets. 

At Wantage Road, there was no repeat of Northants’ rampant run glut but batsmen were too dominant to prevent a draw. Nathan McSweeney struck a second successive ton and James Sales stroked his way to 164 but, in their second outing, Middlesex safely batted through four sessions to seal the draw. Sam Robson shared a couple of century partnerships with Holden and Du Plooy on his way to 162, falling to Guthrie shortly before the curtain fell. 

Lancashire will extend their Division Two lead next week, travelling to Durham, while it will be the Derbyshire attack eager to rip into the Gloucester line-up. 

Team of the Week:-  Jennings (Lan), Robson (Mid), J Rew (Som +), Bracey (Glo), Abell (Som), Sales (Nor), Gregory (Som), Balderson (Lan), M Taylor

County Cricket: Somerset are Abell but Surrey seem the more willing

Just over ten years ago my blog celebrated the 501-run partnership involving Alviro Petersen and Ashwell Prince in Lancashire’s Championship fixture at Colwyn Bay. There was nothing quite as massive this week, but one of Ian Botham’s records was eclipsed when James Rew and Tom Abell put on a new Somerset fourth-wicket record of 313 at Trent Bridge. All the more remarkable was the fact it followed a devastating opening spell by Muhammad Abbas, and the second-best stand was just 41. It counted for little, because Haseeb Hameed’s 208 anchored a superior Nottinghamshire reply which pretty much guaranteed the draw. 

The stalemate also played into Surrey’s hands. The leaders extended the gap over their nearest rivals to nine points courtesy of a five-wicket defeat of Durham at Chester-le-Street, where runs proved harder to come by. There were no centuries although Emilio Gay was dismissed one short. Ben Raine and Sai Kishore went home with five-fors, but the champs took the sixteen points for the win. 

Yorkshire stole the seaside show at Scarborough, thumping Sussex by an innings and leaping out of the relegation spots. Tons from Lyth and, for the second game in succession, Matt Revis, elevated the home side’s total to an unassailable 545-9 declared. Sussex were always struggling to save the game and, despite dogged late resistance by Hudson-Prentice and Carson, the experienced seamer Matt Milnes sealed the triumph with figures of 5-31. 

Warwickshire are only a point behind Somerset despite a run-heavy draw against Essex at Chelmsford. The hosts dominated the first few days, as Tom Westley, Charlie Allison and Michael Pepper all reached three figures. The Midlanders made a decent fist of their response, led by Ed Barnard and Ethan Bamber’s maiden hundred in his 72^nd first-class match. 

Not for the first time this season, Worcestershire were frustrated on the final afternoon when in sight of a much-needed success. Hampshire set them a challenging target of 358 on the final afternoon and, to skipper D’Oliveira’s credit, they accepted the gauntlet with no little enterprise. Jake Libby carried his bat for a round 100 in the first innings and reached 106 in the second before being bowled by Fuller. The run rate continued at more than six an over, but wickets fell regularly and, at 303-8, time was called with neither side quite doing enough. 

In Division Two, the combination of inclement weather and dominant batsmen prevented a result in three of the four fixtures. The exception occurred at Old Trafford, where Glamorgan cemented their second place by beating Lancashire by 154 runs. Chris Green (6-83) had limited the Welsh county to 261 on day one, but Mason Crane’s six-wicket blitz left Lancashire 124 adrift. Centuries by Kiran Carlson and Sam Northeast consolidated the lead and, despite Luke Wells’ 102, the Red Roses fell way short of the 473 target. 

Leicestershire are still comfortably clear of the rest following a tame draw at Canterbury. Rehan Ahmed scored another century and Tom Scriven’s unlikely 99 advanced the total to 471. However, day three was almost totally washed out, so Kent’s Ben Compton batted virtually to the end, amassing 221. Ahmed was the most successful of the ten bowlers used by ‘keeper-captain Handscomb, who kept his gloves on throughout! 

Northamptonshire had Derbyshire on the back foot for the final few days, courtesy of a 208-run seventh-wicket stand shared by Justin Broad and Rob Keogh. On the fourth day, only rain and Luis Reece’s defiance saved Derby’s bacon. The Cheltenham crowd had little to relish either, especially thse who turned up on Thursday with hope and well-used umbrellas. At least there were excellent innings from the bats of Middlesex’s Kane Williamson (153) and Gloucestershire’s 21-year-old Joe Phillips (136). 

Now comes the interminable hiatus for The Hundred and the neutered Metro One-Day Cup. As ever, I’ll be focussing on the latter, which opens the door for the less-lauded white-ballers to show what they’re made of in fifty-over competition. Glamorgan handed Somerset their traditional runners-up medals last season and must be in with a decent shout this summer, too. 

Team of the Week:- Hameed (Not), Libby (Wor), B Compton (Ken), Westley (Ess), Abell (Som), Carlson (Gla), Rew (Som +), Revis (Yor), Crane (Gla), Milnes (Yor), T Taylor (Wor)

Massive run chase ends in a tie

It certainly was a crazy week in the County Championship. From an almighty clatter of first-day wickets to a couple of extraordinary climaxes, the dramas continued right to the end. 

Seventeen wickets fell on day one at Cheltenham’s college ground, before Cameron Bancroft (184) and James Bracey (204 not out) lifted Gloucestershire’s second innings to more than 600. The 593-run target they set Glamorgan would, if reached, obliterate the world record. With Labuschagne and Northeast nicely set at stumps, the visitors weren’t panicking and even when the skipper was caught behind for 187, eighth man out, just 49 were needed from the last fifteen overs. Mason Crane bravely maintained the run rate and the last pair required only two from the final over. Scores were level with Ajeet Singh Dale’s concluding delivery to Jamie McIlroy. Edged! James Bracey leapt to take a stunning one-handed catch and promptly hared off around the boundary in celebration. A TIE! The world record run chase was missed but 592 all out was still the highest fourth-innings total ever seen in England. Bracey’s double-century and ten catches also eclipsed all the other century-hitting ‘keepers this week. Pity poor Crane for shepherding Glamorgan so close to what would have been an astonishing win. 

Elsewhere in Division Two, twenty-two wickets tumbled on Sunday at Northampton but there was to be no Cheltenham-style batting recovery. Northants’ Emilio Gay scored the game’s solitary fifty as Sussex rounded off a 63-run success inside seven sessions. Nathan McAndrew (Sussex) and the home skipper Luke Procter were the pick of the bowlers. 

At Chesterfield, Yorkshire batsman James Wharton virtually beat Derbyshire on his own, following the latter’s humbling for 76 all out with a commanding 188. In the second innings, Ross Whitely did at least offer an entertaining whirlwind 52 but Ben Coad (6-30) and Vishwa Fernando (4-58) polished things off with a day to spare. Bowlers also dominated early proceedings at Leicester, with Bens Mike and Green ripping through the Middlesex line-up with ease. A target of 466 was always beyond the Londoners and, at 270-9, captain Toby Roland-Jones resorted to T20-ish antics, whacking eight sixes before Currie had him caught to register Leicestershire’s maiden victory of the campaign. 

At the top of Division One, Surrey made short work of closest rivals Essex at The Oval. Jamie Smith marked his England call-up by striking 100 and 70, and Ryan Patel also chipped in with a century of his own. Jordan Clark was typically useful with the ball, but it was paceman Tom Lawes’ 4-26 which inflicted most damage, the triumph opening up a 29-point lead over Essex. 

Somerset had to overcome adversity and a thrilling fourth-day chase to beat Warwickshire and leapfrog Essex in the table. At Taunton, Michael Burgess’ 147 and Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s 6-56 put Warwickshire in the driving seat by th third day. However, a brilliant unbeaten 152 by Tom Abell, ably supported by Banton and Rew, secured a fantastic win against the odds. 

Kent’s miserable season continued, beaten by Hampshire by six wickets at Southampton. James Vince racked up 211, sharing a 259-run stand with Ben Brown (116), then James Leaning’s 118 was not quite enough to prevent the follow-on. Kent did make Hants bat again but it took a scrambling 28-ball 56 not out from Liam Dawson to get the visitors over the finishing line. 

Worcestershire finally removed the zero from their ‘Win’ column by defeating Durham at Chester-le Street. Ben Stokes picked up three wickets and a half-century but was powerless to stop New Zealander Nathan Smith and his fellow bowlers. Nevertheless, the week’s top performer with the ball was the evergreen James Anderson. His glorious international career may be over but his 7-35 for Lancashire in Nottinghamshire’s first innings was a throwback to his younger days. Keaton Jennings plundered another big ton but a defiant last-day 115 not out by Joe Clarke blunted Anderson et al to record a draw. 

It's now back to the one-day stuff for the heady days of summer, but can any Twenty20 or Hundred contests match the thrills and spills of the County Championship?! 

Team of the Week:- Bancroft (Glo), Jennings (Lan), Wharton (Yor), Vince (Ham), Northeast (Gla), Abell (Som), Bracey (Glo +), N Smith (Wor), Fernando (Yor), Coad (Yor), Anderson (Lan)

Somerset Win Big but Lightning also Strike Twice

In this week’s South division fixtures, Somerset showed hey meant business. Although undone by a Sam Billings century at Canterbury, they bounded back by accumulating 241-5 at home to Hampshire a few days later. Tom Abell (96 not out) and Sean Dickson (65) shared a stand of 144 before Ben Green proved it wasn’t a featherbed wicket by taking 5-29. On Tuesday, it was all about the seam bowlers, Aussie Riley Meredith (4-12) leading the way as Middlesex were skittled for 78. Not quite England v Oman, but it did Somerset’s net run rate a world of good. 

Sussex also won twice, scoring over 200 on each occasion. Daniel Hughes reached 65 twice as they defeated Surrey and Gloucestershire. Middlesex broke their duck with a last-over victory over Kent, for whom Zak Crawley is struggling for runs. Not so Ollie Pope, who was left high and dry on 99 in Surrey’s loss against Sussex. 

In the North group, Nottinghamshire remain pointless after five games. going down to Derbyshire and table-toppers Lancashire, who also edged their contest against Birmingham Bears. Derbyshire were involved in tow of the most one-sided encounters of the week. Ross Whitely smashed a 16-ball 46 not out and grabbed three wickets in a 96-run drubbing of neighbours Notts, but struggled against Yorkshire at Headingley. Adam Lyth (84) and Dawid Malan (79 not out) were rarely troubled in their pursuit of 180. 

Lots to play for in the coming weeks, and almost any county could progress to then knockouts, even Nottinghamshire, but hey may require the luck of a United States to do so! 

Team of the Week:- Wells (Lan), Hughes (Sus), Bedingham (Dur), Abell (Som), Pope (Sur), Billings (Ken +), Coles (Sus), Whitely (Der), Raine (Dur), Green (Som), Rehan Ahmed (Lei)

Vince Convinces and Tom Price’s value soars

Hampshire cheated the rain by taking Northamptonshire to the cleaners inside three days. They thundered to the top of Division One by an innings and 270 and already look prime candidates for the Championship pennant, along with Surrey. Skipper James Vince and Nick Gubbins shared a third-wicket stand of 188, which is almost what Northants managed in total across both their innings. James Fuller took 6-37 in the first reply, then Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott swept the home side away for 63 all out. 

Middlesex had to work harder to beat Nottinghamshire, scoring at more than six an over in the afternoon gloom at Lord’s to earn a 4-wicket victory. Mark Stoneman was the pick of their batsmen but Ryan Higgins produced one of those doughty all-round performances that used to be his trademark at Gloucestershire. Pity poor Ben Duckett whose 184 runs came to nought. 

At Taunton, Lancashire had the better of Somerset, despite career-best scores by Tom Abell and teenage ‘keeper James Rew, who also took six catches in Lancashire’s mammoth first innings. Keaton Jennings had looked set to make a ‘double’ but retired hurt when on 189. An unbeaten partnership of 89 between Gregory and Aldridge ensured a draw. 

Previous wet weather and a final-day washout also prevented a result at Canterbury involving Kent and Essex. For the visitors, Nick Browne and Tom Westley put on 265 for the second wicket, while Zak Crawley helped himself to 170. The top two don’t play next week, so the winner of Warwickshire v Surrey will leapfrog both. 

All three Division Two fixtures were drawn, and runs were in short supply between the showers. Indeed, only two players reached three figures. Kiran Carlson’s 119 couldn’t prevent Glamorgan following on at home to leaders Durham, but his team-mates defied the aptly-named Ben Raine et al to save the match. At Worcester, Gloucestershire’s Tom Price achieved a remarkable double on Thursday. He smashed a maiden century, then claimed a hat-trick, all three victims caught behind by James Bracey. 

In the week’s other game, Yorkshire were stranded just 63 runs short of the Sussex target thanks to the Hove rain, with Adam Lyth and Shai Hope on half-centuries. In the next round, Durham will extend their lead handsomely by beating Derbyshire but, if not, Leicestershire will pounce with success at home to Glamorgan. 

Team of the Week:-  Crawley (Ken), Jennings (Lan), Duckett (Not), Vince (Ham), Abell (Som), Rew (Som +), Higgins (Mid), T Price (Glo), Fuller (Ham), Mohammad Abbas (Ham), Ajeet Dal (Glo)

Strange Results but it’s Surrey’s Title

I was on the holiday island of Ibiza last week, enjoying the unfamiliar surroundings of sun, sea, pine-clad hills, golden cliffs and super-yachts. But nothing was as bizarre as some of the cricket results leaping out at me from the internet, especially on Tuesday when the penultimate round of fixtures kicked off. 

Twenty-six wickets fell at Chelmsford and twenty-three at Southampton. I’d have anticipated title-chasing Hampshire to tear into Kent but it was the home side who were skittled for just 57 inside 17 overs, Matt Quinn taking 6-23. Kent skipper Jack Leaning tipped the scales back towards the batsmen with a century but, despite the efforts of Vince and Fuller the 378 target was always going to be beyond Hampshire. 

This defeat left Surrey clear to claim another Championship pennant at The Oval. They did so in style by thrashing Yorkshire who now face the possible ignominy of relegation. Ollie Pope’s 136 anchored Surrey’s first innings while the key bowlers were Aussie Dan Worrall and local teenager Tom Lawes. Rory Burns struck the winning boundaries and the crown was theirs to celebrate. 

Lancashire have an outside chance of finishing as runners-up after emerging victorious from the wild wicked bonanza in Essex. Simon Harmer, Tom Bailey and Shane Snater all improved their season’s averages but it was Lancashire’s George Balderson’s 5-14 and Will Williams’ 4-24 which proved decisive as Essex plunged to 59 all out, just 38 runs short. Alastair Cook’s 40 was the highest individual score, and surely the pitch inspectors will be publishing a critical report in the coming days. 

At the other end, Somerset produced a surprisingly emphatic 352-run victory at home to Northamptonshire, completing a welcome recovery from their dreadful start to the summer. Their fantastic run of top-tier cricket will continue in 2023, thanks largely to Tom Abell’s twin tons and Craig Overton’s seven wickets. What would we do without him? 

Warwickshire now find themselves in the bottom two, victims of already-relegated Gloucestershire’s first success of 2022. Dom Sibley gave the Midlanders a promising start but Jack Taylor and Zafar Gohar evened things out. Young medium-pacer Tom Price produced an outstanding 8-27 but Gloucester still faced a tricky target of 148. At 30-4 on a turning pitch, a ninth loss looked probable, only for a 97 partnership between Dent and Van Buuren to steady the listing ship. They may be heading straight back to Division Two but at least they have this result to console them, having already seen Ryan Higgins been loaned out to Middlesex. 

His new club have yet to ensure promotion, despite a hard-fought victory over poor Leicestershire who matched them all the way until the final morning. Toby Roland-Jones left them struggling at 13-4 but once Colin Ackermann was trapped LBW for 80, another defeat was inevitable. Middlesex could yet go up as champions should they beat Worcestershire, who dealt Nottinghamshire a sobering blow by an innings. Gareth Roderick top-scored with 102 and took seven catches behind the stumps.

Glamorgan are also in the frame after defeating Derbyshire. Captain David Lloyd became their second triple-centurion of the season as the Cardiff faithful witnessed them rack up a mighty 550-5 declared. Ajaz Patel and Timm van der Gugten shine with the ball but the loudest applause came for 41-year-old Michael Hogan as he left the Sophia Gardens field for the last time. His metronomic pace has been a feature of Glamorgan’s game for so long that he will be almost impossible to replace. 

There was another innings-victory at Chester-le-Street, with Durham comfortably beating Sussex. Four of their batsmen reached 80 without making three figures but none of the opposition managed even 40 in two attempts. Ben Raine was the stand-out bowler. If they repeat this performance at Trent Bridge they could deny Nottinghamshire the promotion that has looked nailed-on all summer. 

The Division One battle to avoid the drop goes to the wire. Kent host Somerset, Warwickshire face Hampshire and Yorkshire welcome Gloucestershire but it’s Warwickshire who have the trickiest task. They have to win and do what Kent did last week. Surely lightning won’t strike twice?

Somerset Blitz Record Books to reach Finals Day

They may be in deep trouble in the Championship but Somerset dug in during the past week of the Vitality Blast not only to qualify for the quarter-finals but also to make the last four in incredible fashion. In the South Group, they overcame Middlesex with just two balls remaining while long-term leaders Surrey were despatched decisively thanks to a third-wicket stand of 165 between Smeed and Abell, plus three wickets in seven deliveries for Craig Overton, who capped a great evening of family bragging rights by having twin brother Jamie caught behind.

In yesterday’s quarter-final against Derbyshire, the Taunton crowd must have been breathless in amazement. Somerset struck eighteen sixes and twenty-two fours, led by Tom Banton and Riley Rossouw on their way to an English Blast record total of 265-5.  Poor Derbyshire never got started. Wayne Madsen’s runs ensured they reached the knockouts but, with the exception of George Scrimshaw’s bowling, they were never at the races, bowled out for a paltry 74, a record losing margin. To keep the unwanted records flowing, Mattie McKiernan’s four overs of leg-spin went for 82. The fifteenth over conceded 36 runs, including an embarrassing no-ball and five sixes.

The unpredictability of T20 was confirmed when Surrey, so dominant for most of the summer, hosted Yorkshire at The Oval and somehow contrived to lose. Players on both sides were absent on England duty but there were still plenty of internationals on the pitch. David Willey had been allowed to race up to London and put in a good all-round stint for the visitors but Jamie Overton’s brutal striking looked to set to win the game for Surrey. They needed just five from Jordan Thompson’s final over but, after three dots, JOverton dithered over running on a fumble by ‘keeper Tom Kohler-Cadmore and ran himself out. Narine was brilliantly caught in the deep first-ball but Thompson held his nerve at the death and the Vikings were home by a single run.

Their Roses rivals also had a topsy-turvy week. After losing to Worcestershire and Derbyshire, they scraped through as North division runners-up only by defeating the leaders, Birmingham Bears. Lancashire also had several players away for the India T20I but regardless they made short work of Essex, courtesy of tight seam bowling from Bailey, Wood and Lamb, and an unbeaten 76 by 37-year-old Steven Croft. Their Finals Day entrance pits them against … Yorkshire!

Somerset’s semi-final will be against old Finals Day adversaries Hampshire, who knocked out the Bears by 104 runs. The latter had produced seven 200+ scores but needed only 187 to win. That they didn’t come remotely close was largely down to James Fuller’s 4-17 and Nathan Ellis’ 3-4 in just nine balls.

So, who will win this weekend? Not Somerset. Obviously. If they have their star players back, I’ll plump for Lancashire but Hampshire have a habit of surprising me..

Team of the Week: D’Oliveira (Wor), Rossington (Ess +), Duckett (Not), Madsen (Der), Ackermann (Lei), Abell (Som), Mousley (War/Bears), Fuller (Ham), C Overton (Som), Sams (Ess), Stone (War/Bears)

County Cricket: Surrey lead but Shan Masood breaks records

After a slow first day, the runs flowed across the country. No fewer than six of the nine Championship fixtures were won by an innings, helped by nine individual scores of 150 or more. 

Somerset looked set to turn things around when Tom Abell’s career-best 150 earned the county their first batting bonus points of the year and Peter Siddle’s 6-51 gave the country a slender first-innings lead at The Oval. However, a Ryan Patel century laid the foundations for a three-wicket victory, as neither the Aussie veteran nor Craig Overton could crack Ben Foakes. At least Somerset weren’t amongst those crushed by a huge margin.

That list included Kent, who, despite a Bell-Drummond ton, were victims of Hampshire. The trusty duo of Abbott and Barker helped themselves to wickets while captain James Vince, Liam Dawson and new recruit Ben Brown each reached three figures en route to a first innings of 652-6 declared. I don’t know why Sussex let wicketkeeper Brown move along the coast but he brings extra solidity to the batting as well as being excellent behind the stumps. He took eight catches in this match. 

Lancashire made it two wins out of two at Old Trafford, making short work of Gloucestershire. Bolton’s Josh Bohannon advanced his England credentials with an excellent 231 and, whilst James Anderson had a solid return with the ball, it was his Pakistani team-mate Hasan Ali whose aggregate of 9-96 prevented the visitors posing any challenge. 

Essex did at least force Warwickshire to bat twice, but Davies and Sibley strolled past the 107 target in 37 overs. Keeper-batsman Michael Burgess starred for the victors, combining a blistering 170 with eight victims behind the stumps. The week’s only draw came at Northampton, although Yorkshire were well on top for the first three days. George Hill, Dawid Malan and Harry Brook filled their boots with runs but Northants did well to bat through the final four sessions to avoid defeat.

 

Nottinghamshire predictably won at Chester-le-Street. Ben Slater’s unbeaten 225 and academy graduate Lyndon James’ maiden hundred proved too much for Durham, and the sound-a-like trio of Pattinson, Paterson and Patterson-White captured sixteen wickets between them. Neighbours Derbyshire easily overcame Leicestershire, too. Pakistani opener Shan Masood became the first man for his county to post successive double-centuries while all-rounder Mattie McKiernan, promoted from 2^nd XI cricket, enjoyed a knock of 101.

Worcestershire dealt Sussex a pasting inside three days at New Road. New skipper Brett D’Oliveira cracked an unbeaten 169 and his predecessor Joe Leach took six wickets, while only Pujara’s first-innings 109 and a devil-may-care 67 not out from Grant Stewart demonstrated any consistent response. 

Glamorgan’s success against Nottinghamshire last week counted for nothing as their batting collapsed twice at home to Middlesex. Former England all-rounder Toby Roland-Jones merited the plaudits with a valuable 65 and ripping through the Welsh second-innings line-up, taking 5-40.

Next week, Glamorgan will have to keep Shan Masood at bay if they are going to beat Derbyshire, while Notts and Worcester meet for a chance to top the table. In Division One, Surrey travel to Bristol, favourites to remain ahead of the rest. However, should they slip up, Hampshire and Lancashire are waiting to pounce. They meet at Southampton.

Team of the Week: Slater (Not), Shan Masood (Der), Bohannon (Lan), Abell (Som), Brown (Ham), D’Oliveira (Wor), Burgess (War, +), Roland-Jones (Mid), Barker (Ham), Patterson-White (Not), Hasan Ali (Lan)

Darren Stevens Gives the Fans a Treat

If anything this week’s weather was even worse than last week’s. There were plenty of excellent seam bowling performances and hopeful batting thrashes but only one produced a victory. The nationwide sweeps of rain make Nottinghamshire’s long-forgotten ability to win even more remarkable. 

They returned to the pinnacle of Group 1 with a resounding innings victory at Trent Bridge. First, Ben Duckett (177 not out) and skipper Steve Mullaney (88) flayed the Worcestershire attack to achieve maximum batting bonus points, then the bowlers twice dismissed the opposition with ease. For the second successive match, Luke Fletcher achieved his career best figures, taking 7-37 and 3-20. In Essex’s draw with Warwickshire, Peter Siddle starred with 6-38 while in the Durham-Derbyshire clash, veteran Chris Rushworth and 21 year-old Ben Aitchison swapped six-fors. 

In Group 2, only 115 overs were possible in the one-two challenge in Bristol. A brilliant 132 not out by Tom Abell, ably supported by Lewis Gregory, took them to 300, then in what time was available on Sunday Craig Overton grabbed four cheap Gloucestershire wickets to back his England recall. The draw was inevitable but Somerset edged the bonus point battle to cut Gloucestershire’s margin at the top by three. Generous innings forfeits by Hampshire and Leicestershire proved ultimately in vain at Southampton, but Kyle Abbott did shine with 6-47. 

At The Oval, Surrey and Middlesex came creditably close to producing an exciting conclusion. In-form Surrey opener Rory Burns scored a further 168 runs and team-mate Kemar Roach claimed nine wickets as the visitors’ run chase ran out of time despite an 173-run stand between Nick Gubbins and Peter Handscomb. 

In Group 3, barely 34 overs were possible at Northampton, although Lancashire’s Alex Davies made a patient half-century. However, the star performance of the week was created by that modern marvel of county cricket, Darren Stevens. With his Kent side bottom of the table, struggling on 128-8 and well aware that rain would prevent any chance of beating Glamorgan, the 45 year-old thought he had nothing to lose. He’s been in terrible form with the bat but suddenly the stars were aligned, the fans were back in Canterbury and the boundaries flowed: his total of fifteen sixes is the second highest number ever struck in a Championship innings. In a perfectly executed study of how to use the wind and farm the strike, in his ninth wicket stand of 166, partner Miguel Cummins contributed precisely just a single! Stevens had made 190 from 147 balls when Marnus Labuschagne, having already dropped him, induced a catch to long-on. ‘Bilbo’ gained revenge on the Aussie in Glamorgan’s brief reply, trapping him lbw for 11. 

He’ll relish the rest next week as Kent don’t have a fixture, but the Bank Holiday weekend will witness the Roses match at Old Trafford to decide the leadership of Group 3. In Group 2, Gloucestershire travel to Surrey with a chance to establish a substantial advantage, and Nottinghamshire can do the same in Group 1 by defeating Warwickshire at Edgbaston. However, should they lose, Essex and Derbyshire are waiting to pounce should they beat Durham and Worcestershire, respectively. 

Team of the Week: Burns (Som), Stoneman (Som), Duckett (Not), Abell (Som), Simpson (Mid +), Mullaney (Not), Stevens (Ken), Abbott (Ham), Fletcher (Not), Roach (Sur), Aitchison (Der)

Somerset reign by beating the rain

Last week it was Storm Ellen, this one, Storm Francis. Both wreaked havoc across the UK, but each affected the cricket schedule in different ways. 

Essex, beneficiaries of some fourth-day sunshine a week ago, failed to even complete a single innings against Hampshire at Arundel, although Sir Alastair Cook passed 24,000 first-class career runs with a 66^th century. Kent advanced to second in the South table by dealing Surrey their fourth successive defeat, but it was a close-run thing. Ben Foakes’ first ton of the summer restricted Surrey's deficit to 64 before Rikki Clarke (5-20) and Sam Curran  (4-39) gave their batsmen a fairly easy target of 192. Enter the venerable Darren Stevens. He ripped out three top-order batsmen in his first spell and Matt Milnes wrapped things up with the home side an agonising 17 runs short. 

At Radlett, another evergreen seamer, Tim Murtagh, maintained his 2020 form taking a second-innings 5-34 to set up Middlesex’s five-wicket triumph over Sussex. 

In the Central group, Somerset seemed once more destined to fall victim to the weather with their opponents on the ropes eight wickets down and 300+ behind. Fortunately the rain abated and the outfield dried sufficiently to hand Craig Overton and Jack Brooks the opportunity to finish the job. ‘Coverton’ and Josh Davey claimed sixteen wickets between them as Gloucestershire were skittled twice for sub-100 scores. So much for their first four-dayer against their local rivals for donkeys’ years! The Cidermen have yet to concede a single batting bonus point, a remarkable achievement, and yet online viewers were also treated to Bartlett, Abell and Tom Lammonby each reaching three figures. It was the latter’s maiden century in only his fourth match. 

Worcestershire remain only six points adrift after their draw at home to neighbours Warwickshire. Daryl Mitchell has been around for ages but his 110 was remarkably his first ever red-ball ton against Warwicks, for whom Will Rhodes struck an impressive 207. A draw was inevitable and now Worcester host leaders Somerset, the winners destined for a place in the Bob Willis final. 

Debutant Callum Taylor showed his fellow Glamorgan batsman how to score runs, making 106 against Northamptonshire. However, he blended in well second time around with a duck, before tail-ender Marchant De Lange went wild, blazing a 78-ball 113, in the process surpassing the county record for the fastest hundred. However, it was too little, too late, and Charlie Thurston saw Northants home with a rapid 64 not out. 

The weather was unkind to northern England, with no positive outcomes possible. The Roses encounter at Headingley proved a sterile encounter with batsmen broadly in charge. Adam Lyth top-scored with 103 then two ex-Tyke umpires had no option but to halt proceedings on the final morning. Leaders Derbyshire were also hamstrung at Chester-le-Street, but Luis Reece had time to add 122 runs to his two wickets. 

Leicestershire entertained Nottinghamshire but it was the visitors’ ex-Somerset legend Peter Trego who rolled back the years with the ball. Ackermann and Swindells ensured Leicester didn’t suffer a final day humiliation but neither have a chance of reaching the final. After the week’s break for T20 action, Leicester can instead extinguish any hopes harboured by Yorkshire but Derbyshire have an excellent chance of qualifying at Lancashire. Essex are in pole position in the South group but, as ever, it’ll be the performance of cold fronts and shower clouds which are likely to decide the leading two points scorers. 

Team of the Week: Rhodes (War), Reece (Der), Abell (Som), Thurston (Nor), Foakes (Sur +), Taylor (Gla), Stevens (Ken), De Lange (Gla), C Overton (Som), White (Nor), Davey (Som)

Essex, Derbyshire and Eoin Morgan storm into the last eight

The Vitality Blast group stage provided an exciting climax, especially in the South Group where the quarter-finalists weren’t decided ‘til the last evening. Sussex and Gloucestershire had done enough to qualify by the Thursday night. Michael Klinger may be in his 40^th year but the 8^th T20 century of his career, together with Ryan Higgins’ three wickets, ensured a five-run defeat of Kent at Canterbury. The top two met on the final day and a Van Buuren six from the last delivery meant Gloucestershire could book their Bristol home for the knockouts.

Come Friday evening, former leaders Kent were still in the hunt for one of the other places, along with Somerset, Hampshire, Middlesex and Essex. The Eagles looked down and out last week but pulled off a fabulous week which consisted of a tie with Hampshire and two close wins against Surrey and Sussex, before ending Kent’s hopes with a ten-run victory at Chelmsford. Ravi Bopara capped a fine individual week by striking 47 not out and taking 2-27. Mohammad Amir also bowled consistently well, conceding fewer than 30 runs in each of the four fixtures. They’ll need his pace and guile if they are to reach the semis.

At Taunton, it was a winner-takes-all clash between Middlesex and Somerset. Tom Abell’s improvement in white-ball batting looked complete when he reached a maiden T20 century off the last ball to set Middlesex a massive 227. That would prove impossible for most opponents but this side boasted a formidable top-order of Stirling, Malan, Hafeez, De Villiers and Morgan. They raced to 50 inside three overs and never really took the foot of the pedal. Every time I switched channels to watch, AB or Eoin Morgan seemed to be swiping sixes, and it was the England captain’s 29-ball 83 which swept the pink princes to victory with three overs still remaining.

Elsewhere, Hampshire’s chances were extinguished at Cardiff where Glamorgan finally registered a two-point result in fourteen attempts. When the sides met earlier in the month, the Welsh were dismissed for 84. This time they amassed 216-5, including thirteen sixes, which proved beyond even Vince and Northeast. 

In the North group, the top four had already broken away by Friday, and Lancashire held onto the top spot with a five-wicket defeat of Leicestershire. Aided by the return of Alex Hales, Nottinghamshire finished second despite losing to Durham, but it was Derbyshire who finished stronger than anyone in the country. They smashed Northants and Leicestershire each by nine-wicket margins, before overcoming the table-topping Lightning courtesy of Wayne Madsen’s 69 and Ravi Rampaul’s 3-19, propelling them into third.

Moeen Ali’s unintended stint with Worcestershire yielded plenty of runs this week, just about keeping the chasing pack at bay. Yorkshire were just one victory over Notts from stopping them. Their opening pair of Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Adam Lyth did everything you could hope for, not just for their runs but also Lyth’s ten wickets, but the rest of the attack let them down a bit.

And so the quarter-finals beckon later this week. Old Trafford is otherwise engaged with some Test match or other, so Lancashire’s home tie against Essex has been shifted cross-country to Chester-le-Street. I’d rate the ‘home’ side narrow favourites. Nottinghamshire v Middlesex is closer to call. Neither have shone particularly brightly but if AB can turn out for Middlesex, they will have the edge. Sussex’s array of spinners could well stifle Worcestershire at Hove next Friday, while in the concluding match, Derbyshire’s squad look particularly useful in the Blast and may well edge Gloucestershire for a place in Finals Day in three weeks’ time.

Team of the Week: Kohler-Cadmore (Yor), Lyth (Yor), Klinger (Glo), Moeen Ali (Wor), Morgan (Mid), Bopara (Ess), Carey (Sus +), Abbott (Ham), Shutt (Yor), Batty (Sur), Mohammad Amir (Ess)

Somerset Celebrate at Lord's at last

When Somerset clinched a place in the Royal London One-Day Cup final a fortnight ago, my first thought was: “Oh, well. We’re bound to finish second again”. You can hardly blame me; in the past decade or more we’ve made a maddening habit of falling at the final hurdle, be it in the Championship or a knockout competition so why should 2019 be any different? Somerset’s opponents were Hampshire, reigning champions and, in stark contrast to us, with an unenviable record of finals success, so history was not on our side. Furthermore, they had murdered us at Taunton at the group stage.

What about showing my support by travelling to London? Hmm. Why should I splash out on a Lord’s ticket and another for the return train journey from Cardiff only to witness the inevitable crushing disappointment at first hand. And yet…what if this was the game that turned the tables? I’d be gutted if I missed the one occasion where Somerset finally fulfilled their potential. Encouraged by my wife, and with only thirteen days before the fixture, I determined to go online and make the bookings before my natural pessimism could regain the upper hand. Thank God I did!

And so it was with a mixture of excitement and apprehension that this 57 year-old caught the 07.26 to Paddington thence by Tube to Baker Street. Taking my seat in the Mound Stand close to the Somerset zone in the Edrich Stand, I took in the atmosphere at the ‘Home of Cricket’. When the teams were announced a chink of hope broke through. The 2018 winners were missing not only Vince and Dawson on England World Cup duty but also South African Aidan Markam, while we were more or less at full strength. Well, it made up for the years when Somerset were robbed of our own international stars.

Sadly the stadium was only half full at the start but the sun was beginning to make an appearance bathing the greensward in light. Old Father Time was surely pointing his arrow towards the Somerset dressing room as its occupants entered the pitch, closely followed by Tom Alsop and Aneurin Donald. Hampshire had won the toss, which proved to be about the only thing that went their way all day.

Craig Overton looked lively but it was the unsung Josh Davey who removed both openers during the Powerplay. Somerset looked a tight unit in the field, cutting off singles and Lewis Gregory flinging himself around the boundary to prevent boundaries. Indeed, fours were in very short supply until last year’s centurion Rilie Rossouw joined his skipper Sam Northeast in the middle. Enter Jamie Overton.

He’d spent the previous two weeks loaned out to Northants for the Championship but he made a fabulous return to the Somerset fold. Bowling at up to 90mph his controlled hostility was troubling the in-form Northeast. ‘Joverton’ reaped his reward by forcing the dangerous Rossouw to play on then induced both Berg and Wood to miss-pull skiers into the hands of Bartlett in front of the Somerset fans. Hampshire spent ten overs failing to strike a boundary and Tom Abell brought himself on for a rare 50-over bowl and bowled both Northeast and Abbott. Mason Crane and James Fuller stopped the rot but saved any fireworks until the last three overs, marring Jamie Overton’s figures and making their total vaguely respectable: 244-8.

Respectable perhaps but, in these days of regular 350+ scores, it was hardly challenging. However, the fat lady had not yet sung. My only previous one-day final visit to Lord’s had been the one in 1996 when Lancashire bowled out Essex for a paltry 57, so I wasn’t yet counting my chickens.

Fortunately, after the 45-minute break spent wandering around the sun-baked Food Lawn and picnic area, I enjoyed the opportunity to watch young ‘keeper Tom Banton in action for the first time. Noticing Fidel Edwards’ tendency to stray onto leg stump he struck him for 4-6-4, hitting him out of the attack after only three overs. The 20 year-old was making Azhar Ali look pedestrian and before we knew it Somerset’s opening partnership reached 100. Fans around me were taking bets on how quickly Somerset would win. 29.2 overs? 32.4? I would have gone for 48.3!

Edwards eventually returned to the attack, this time from the Pavilion End. It worked. In two overs his pace did for both openers and later on what looked like a long hop was slapped by Abell straight to Donald at midwicket. Kyle Abbott was hard to get away and Mason Crane’s leg-spin was accurate. Nevertheless, at the 30-over mark, Somerset needed only three an over to reach their target. Surely we couldn’t screw this up? Luckily we had the wise head of James Hildreth to manage proceedings. George Bartlett seemed set on turning singles into risky twos but Hildy’s experience held sway. Northeast switched the attack with T20-style frequency, bringing the field in to increase the pressure but all to no avail.

At six o’clock, two Hildreth boundaries and a single off Edwards had taken Somerset to that elusive Lord’s success. The shouts of “Zummerzet la-la-la” intensified and filled St John’s Wood with West Country fervour. There was no way I was leaving the ground without witnessing the presentation of the trophy. Irritatingly the podium was erected below the Warner Stand, as far from the fans as it was possible to be. My zoom lens tried its best as the flames flared and the champagne fizzed but our hopes were pinned on a lap of honour. When it eventually came, it was a rather haphazard affair but the squad did finally line up in front of the Edrich Stand and deliver a rousing rendition of the Somerset song. County legend Peter Trego was so emotional he walked along by the advertising boards and clasped any outstretched hand he could find – including mine. 

Eighteen years of hurt were over. Now dare I dream about winning the Big One, the title that has eluded Somerset since their nineteenth century inception, the County Championship? Winning at Lord’s was wonderful but clutching the pennant really would make 2019 the year of all years.

Mullaney and Patel put Notts in the driving seat

Wickets were a-tumbling on the first day, but a Bank Holiday weekend heatwave went some way to restoring the balance between bat and ball. In Division One, Nottinghamshire went seventeen points clear with a 203-run victory over Hampshire at Trent Bridge. The margin looks large on paper but Hashim Amla’s resistance on the final day made it hard work for the home side’s attack. Jake Ball finally induced a catch to Ross Taylor but Notts owed a great deal to captain Steven Mullaney’s 130 and a fine all-round performance by Samit Patel, whose spin was parsimonious in the extreme.

Somerset remain second despite managing only a draw against Lancashire at Old Trafford. Batsmen were very much in the ascendancy, and the visitors got off to a cracking start when Marcus Trescothick (100), Millfield OB George Bartlett (110, a debut century) and Tom Abell’s frustrating 99 took them past 400. However, Lancs went even better, thanks largely to Dane Vilas’ unbeaten 235, and Somerset simply batted out the fourth day. However, they had to do so without Tres, who broke a toe during his innings. I fear he could be out of action for a while and even his fantastic career is in danger of a premature end.

At one stage, it looked as if play wouldn’t extend beyond the second day at Chelmsford but even that was two more than they had in the reverse fixture last month. No fewer than 22 wickets fell on day one, including ducks for England captains past and present, Messrs Cook and Root. It was a wonderful world for Sam Cook who took 5-29 in the opening session but Yorkshire’s seamers struck back quickly. Perhaps the decisive blow on Saturday was made by Keighley teenager Harry Brook, who struck his inaugural first-class century, then Steven Patterson’s 6-40 did the rest.

At the Oval, Worcestershire piled on over 500 runs, led by Joe Clarke’s first decent score of the campaign, 156. Rory Burns had already made 192 in Surrey’s first innings and so by the Bank Holiday, their second was a gentle stroll in the sunshine.

Warwickshire retained control of Division Two by means of an eight-wicket triumph over Derbyshire at Edgbaston. Their guests did at least pass 300 on the first day, largely the result of Wayne Madsen’s 144. Jonathan Trott may have announced his retirement at the end of the season but on this game’s evidence he still has plenty of runs in him, contributing 111 in total. Jeetan Patel toiled for his ten-for, ably supported by 18 year-old medium-pacer Henry Brookes, who picked up eight.

Sussex advanced into second place by overcoming Middlesex in a close contest on the South Coast. Ollie Robinson’s 7-58 pinned the Londoners to just 230 then added 52 runs as Sussex established a healthy first-innings lead. Nick Gubbins and Dawid Malan each made three figures to keep them in the hunt but Ben Brown kept his head on the final afternoon and it was Robinson again who clouted James Harris for the winning boundary.

The county are clearly the latest outfit to benefit from the leadership and nous of Jason Gillespie, but Kent are pushing them hard following a six-wicket success in Cardiff. Nineteen wickets clattered in the opening three sessions, including six for the redoubtable Darren Stevens. Glamorgan’s Tim van Gugten responded with 7-42 but was less effective in the second innings. South African Heino Kuhn compiled 69 not out and Stevens hit the winning run.

In the other fixture, Durham snatched victory from the gaping jaws of defeat at Chester-le-Street. Leicestershire forced them to follow on but, despite Gavin Griffiths’ excellent 6-49, Durham gave themselves hope by accumulating 403, leaving Leicester a target of 148. Thanks to James Weighell’s 7-32 and a trio for Chris Rushworth, they fell 46 short. This triumph leaves Northamptonshire, who were in action (and losing) against the Pakistan tourists, bottom of the pile. Next week doesn’t look more positive as they visit table-toppers Warwickshire. The Channel derby between Kent and Sussex looks more tasty.

In the top tier, Nottinghamshire host Lancashire, Hampshire visit Somerset, Yorkshire pop down to Surrey while Essex need to get their breath back and their championship defence on track at Worcester before they get left behind.

Team of the Week: 

Mullaney (Not), Burns (Sur), Amla (Ham), Vilas (Lan), Clarke (Wor), Abell (Som), Patel (Not), Brown (Sus +), Siddle (Ess), Griffiths (Lei), Robinson (Sus)

Notts and Somerset beat the Rain

The last weekend of April was a miserable one across the country. Northampton saw a complete washout and many other sessions were lost to the weather, be it rain, waterlogged pitches or bad light. Runs were in such short supply that Matt Renshaw’s 112 at Taunton, amassed with indecent haste before lunch on the second day, was the only three-figure score of the entire round of fixtures.

In that game, with the ball seaming and swinging, even Tom Abell was able to take a few wickets as Yorkshire’s batting failed twice. Jack Leaning offered some resistance on the final morning but he was last out, to Craig Overton, on 68. Somerset – amazingly – have won both their opening matches, something they haven’t managed for 25 years. Before we Somerset fans become too carried away with optimism of that elusive title, it’s worth noting that we finished that season in fifth place.  Never mind, it’s a huge step towards avoiding the relegation I believed to be a near-certainty!

Interestingly, three of the four counties who finished above us in 1993 now languish in the Second Division. The other side, Worcestershire, could well be heading back in that direction after a third successive defeat. After all that effort to ensure that the flooded New Road ground was suitable for cricket, Worcester’s team twice surrendered meekly to Nottinghamshire. Ross Taylor’s 50 was the only half-century of the game while Jake Ball and Luke Fletcher each captured seven wickets, eclipsing Stuart Broad who nonetheless chipped in with a few of his own.

Fewer than two innings were completed at Southampton, where Hampshire’s Jimmy Adams top-scored with 87 and Alastair Cook re-established some early-season form for Essex with a fluent knock of 84. At Old Trafford, Lancashire outplayed Surrey, enforcing the follow-on thanks to an abundance of late-order runs and useful bowling by Tom Bailey and Graeme Onions. That the visitors survived the final two sessions owed everything to Ben Foakes and Ollie Pope who are really earning their Surrey spurs so far this season.

Division Two suffered even more at the hands of the weather gods; no positive results were possible. The fourth day at Hove did at least offer a prospect of a close finish. Gloucestershire needed only 59 runs and Sussex four wickets, but bad light meant the players stayed in the pavilion and a draw was inevitable. The game did at least deliver some good bowling performances by Ryan Higgins (5-21 and 3-63) and Sussex’s David Wiese (a first-innings 5-48).

The Leicestershire-Derbyshire derby was reduced to a bonus-point maximisation exercise after the first seven sessions were lost. At Lord’s, Middlesex and Glamorgan didn’t even approach such a promising situation; only 58 overs were sent down in total. The home team’s Stevie Eskinazi struck 94 quick runs, while Michael Hogan (5-49) and Tim Murtagh (4-12) did their already healthy career averages no harm at all, but that’s about all the positives anyone can take from the four days.

The weather forecast for next weekend is slightly better. Warwickshire and Derbyshire steal a march on their second tier opponents by playing on Thursday, and each can open up a healthy lead by winning at Edgbaston. Meanwhile, in the upper echelons, Somerset will be really up against it against Lancashire, Nottinghamshire will also face a strong challenge from Hampshire, and Worcestershire need to find runs from somewhere if they aren’t to gift Surrey a second success of the summer. May the sun shine on them all!

Team of the Week:

Renshaw (Som), Adams (Ham), Eskinazi (Mid), Ackermann (Lei), Abell (Som), Foakes (Sur +), Clark (Lan), Bailey (Lan), Higgins (Glo), Brooks (Yor), Fletcher (Not)

Trescothick gives Somerset hope and it’s a Blast for Notts

Lancashire were unable to close the gap on leaders Essex after rain wrecked their encounter at Old Trafford. At least there was time for Jamie Porter to claim another five-for. 36 points ahead with three to play; it’s looking good!

It’s not looking good for Warwickshire, though. The bottom two also played each other but this time there was a decisive result, in favour of Somerset.

The home team capped a miserable week, losing both the T20 Blast Final and then this crucial relegation battle in the Championship. For all Somerset’s enduring batting problems, it was encouraging to see struggling Tom Abell register two half-centuries in the same match, although it was Marcus Trescothick, almost twice his age, who scored the decisive 119 not out en route for a declaration. Jack Leach and Tim Groenewald each took five wickets in an innings, and Craig Overton’s 4-33 continued his excellent season. Warwickshire now look in serious danger of relegation while Somerset have risen to within a win of Middlesex a place above them. I can’t imagine what the authorities would make of the champions and Lord’s custodians slipping into Division Two.

Middlesex and Yorkshire played out a rain-affected draw and there wasn’t a great deal more to watch at Southampton. However, wicketkeeper Ben Foakes did his England credentials no harm with another 130 runs and his teenage deputy Ollie Pope was allowed to achieve his maiden hundred before the captains shook hands on the final afternoon.

The second tier featured two major promotion clashes. Nottinghamshire might have expected to carry their Finals Day confidence into the Championship but came a cropper at home to Worcestershire. Another fine all-round performance by Ed Barnard and Daryl Mitchell’s sixth century of the campaign were instrumental in Worcester’s eight-wicket triumph against the leaders.

Behind them, Northamptonshire advanced to level with Sussex after beating them by six wickets. Ben Duckett’s 193 was by far the highest individual score of the week, and Richard Kleinveldt notched his best match figures of the season, 8-98. For once, Jofra Archer wasn’t in form with the ball, but did share a century partnership with Wiese to delay their defeat by a few hours.

At Grace Road, Gloucestershire seamer Liam Norwell practically beat winless Leicestershire on his own. His second innings figures of 8-43 were the best of the summer in the division to date, and he now has 56 victims to his name. I feel sorry for Leicester captain Mark Cosgrove. He has been a consistent run-maker throughout the year yet never in a winning cause. His 92 and 68 this week put him close to 1,000 for 2017, beaten only by Mitchell and Paul Collingwood.

The latter’s Durham rued not declaring earlier in their game against Kent. Graeme Onions became the county’s highest ever first-class wicket-taker, adding eight to his tally but, with nine wickets down, Sam Billings and ex-Durham number eleven Mitch Claydon held out for a draw. At Derby, only 72 overs were possible. Glamorgan must be used to sitting in the pavilion watching the rain this summer but they can at least look back to a rare appearance at last weekend’s Finals Day.

They welcome Northants to Sophia Gardens next week but if Worcestershire beat Leicestershire – as they certainly should – Duckett et al must surely be staying in Division Two in 2018.  In Division One, it’s top plays bottom at Edgbaston. If Essex win, they will surely have one hand on the title and Warwickshire could be doomed. Somerset face Lancashire while Middlesex will hope to treat the Uxbridge crowd against Hampshire. Surrey sit fourth despite winning just one match. Could Yorkshire frustrate them again at The Oval?

Team of the Week: Mitchell (Wor), Duckett (Nor), Northeast (Ken), Cosgrove (Lei), Abell (Som), Foakes (Sur +), Barnard (Wor), Kleinveldt (Nor), Gurney (Not), Onions (Dur), Norwell (Glo)

Essex Shine in the Lights, Hales Hits the Heights

First I must raise a glass to Nottinghamshire for grasping the first county crown of 2017. The Royal London Cup Final at Lord’s was a game of two centuries. Mark Stoneman may have been disappointed at not making the England Test squad but he ripped an unbeaten 144 out of Surrey’s useful total of 297-9. However, this was eclipsed by Alex Hales’ superb 187 in 167 balls. Helped by his skipper’s valuable 58, he not only ensured his side chased down the target but also easily surpassed the previous one-day final record set more than fifty years ago by Geoff Boycott, of all people.

With Notts sitting pretty at the top of Division Two, it looks like a successful finale for veteran wicketkeeper Chris Read. The county were thwarted in their bid to extend their lead by the rain but Steven Mullaney’s 168 and five cheap wickets against rivals Kent showed they have promotion in the bag even with two months to go.

Meanwhile, in the top tier, the loss of almost two days’ play couldn’t halt Essex’s impressive march to the Championship title. At Chelmsford, after dismissing Middlesex for under 250, openers Nick Browne and Alastair Cook put on 373 for the first wicket. Cook’s departure merely brought in Varun Chopra whose own century, with Browne’s ‘double’, took Essex past 500 without further loss. He was only batting because Tom Westley left mid-match to join the Lions. Incidentally Westley also reached three figures, so everyone’s a winner!Nevertheless, it was Simon Harmer's 9-90 which wrapped things up in stirring style.

In the week when all Championship fixtures were day/night events, it was such a shame that awful weather ruined so much of them. Little more than a day’s play was possible at Headingley, but at least those who witnessed some action were able to see yet another batting masterclass from Kumar Sangakkara. His 180 not out at almost a run a ball was his sixth hundred in ten innings. He’ll be sorely missed in the second half of the summer, and not only by Surrey.

At the Rose Bowl, almost the whole game was concertina’d into the fourth day. True to form, Somerset had the worst of it but, amidst the clatter of wickets (many by Hampshire’s Gareth Berg), managed to hold on for a draw. Last week I despaired at the plight of Somerset’s young skipper Tom Abell, hoping he managed some runs this time. So what did he achieve? A pair of ducks! Everyone is allowed temporary dips in form but poor Tom is desperately in need of confidence, which surely now can come only from a drop to the Seconds or club cricket, I’m afraid.

The Edgbaston weather wiped out the final day of Warwickshire’s contest with Lancashire, but not until Shiv Chanderpaul had compiled another 141 to his 26,000+ first-class run tally. Andrew Umeed’s 113 for the home side was only his second century but there’ll be plenty more, I’m sure. Jos Buttler made a rare Championship appearance for Lancs but fluffed his lines by scoring three runs in two innings and 26 balls. Haseeb Hameed fared little better.

Down in Division Two, there were two nail-biting finishes. At Northampton there was a cracking conclusion to proceedings. Duckett, Wakely and Keogh each struck centuries en route for setting Leicestershire a hefty target of 394 in just over a day. Colin Ackermann seemed to be steering them to victory, ably assisted by Mathew Pillans, With time running out on Thursday evening, and just three runs needed, Pillans holed out to Cobb and blew their chances of a first win of the season.

Derbyshire did finally break their duck, beating Glamorgan by 39 runs at Cardiff. Star performer was Derby debutant Hamidullah Qadri. At the age of 16 (yes, 16), the Afghanistan-born spinner claimed 5-60 to end the Welsh rearguard. Elsewhere, there wasn’t much to shout about amidst the raindrops at Hove and Chester-le-Street, apart from Luke Wright’s 118 and a Mark Wood five-for.

Next week, if the sun shines, the key matches could be Kent v Northants and Somerset’s trip to Scarborough. With Gary Ballance likely to be lining up for England, this may be the visitors’ best chance for nicking that elusive victory.

Team of the Week: Browne (Ess), Hales (Not), Mullaney (Not), Sangakkara (Sur), Ackermann (Lei), Wright (Sus), Read (Not +), Berg (Ham), Harmer (Ess), Hamidullah Qadri (Der), Wood (Dur)

Ballance saves Yorkshire, Livingstone Lifts Lancs

Yorkshire fans travelling to the Rose Bowl must have been drooling at a rare opportunity to see their England stars Root and Bairstow appearing with the white rose badge. However, the internationals managed a mere 18 runs between them as Hampshire made them follow on. Instead, it was the Test reject Gary Ballance who shone with the bat. The new captain followed his first innings 108 with a match-saving 203 not out in a game where his opposite number James Vince (147) also reminded us what he is capable of.

The only First Division county to win was Lancashire. For the second successive week, their opponents Somerset threw away an early lead, as Alex Davies and captain Liam Livingstone set up a 164-run victory. Unfortunately, the good form enjoyed by team leaders did not extend to Somerset’s young Tom Abell. His first four Championship innings in charge have yielded a pathetic two runs, and I don’t know how many more chances he can be afforded by Mathew Maynard.

Surrey remain top of the table despite failing to beat struggling Warwickshire at Edgbaston. The home team had Ian Westwood largely to thank for grinding out a draw, after his 205 run aggregate, after first innings centuries by Mark Stoneman and Kumar Sangakkara.

There were plenty of runs from Middlesex’s top three, too. Stewart Robson, Ed Gubbins and Stevie Eskinazi each scored hundreds in the first innings and fifties in the second. However, helped by bad light, Essex kept Finn, Roland-Jones et al at bay throughout the fourth day as the champions failed to capture the final two wickets.

In Division Two, Nottinghamshire and Kent made it three wins out of three. The former side lead the way courtesy of their maximum points at Trent Bridge, where they crushed Sussex by an innings inside two days. The home side must have had a prior engagement on Sunday because they blazed to 447 before day one was completed. Unsurprisingly, it was Riki Wessels who led the assault, slamming seven sixes and 22 fours in a maiden double-century. James Pattinson and Stuart Broad did much of the damage with the ball on the Saturday.

At Canterbury it was that man Darren Stevens who stole the honours yet again, with a peerless all-round performance, featuring 107 runs and nine wickets. It was a good, too, for stand-in ‘keeper Adam Rouse who narrowly missed out on his first Championship hundred and took five catches. It was another very short match at Worcester, too, in which the home team eked out a tight 20-run winning margin against Derbyshire. Moeen Ali’s first-day 50 proved to be the highest score of the game, while captain Joe Leach picked up a couple of five-fors.

There was little to choose between the counties at Grace Road, either, but runs flowed fluently on all four days. Both Leicestershire and Glamorgan reached 420 in their first innings, then a Mark Pettini century set up a pointless declaration on the last afternoon. After an early scare, Aneurin Donald’s 66 not out ensured there was to be no repeat of last week’s batting collapses for the Welsh.

In the other fixture, Paul Collingwood contributed 101 runs, two wickets and five catches for Durham at Bristol. However, Gloucestershire opener Chris Dent’s patient six-hour 101 meant there was insufficient time for the visitors to ram home their advantage, and a draw ensued.

We now have a four-week break in the Championship to allow the sadly-unloved Royal London Cup a run in what I hope will be the late Spring sunshine.

Team of the Week:
Robson (Mid), Westwood (War), Vince (Ham), Ballance (Yor), Wessels (Not), Livingstone (Lan), Stevens (Ken), Leach (Wor), Rouse (Ken +), Broad (Not), Pattinson (Not)

Yorkshire Lose Twice but Win the Title

A strange week for Yorkshire. Firstly, they fell victim to Gloucestershire’s Michael Klinger to lose their Royal London Cup semi-final. A few days later at Lord’s, Ryan Sidebottom took three Middlesex wickets in the first over en route to bowling out their nearest rivals for 106. They thus secured their second successive County Championship, a wonderful achievement.

They continued to rub their opponents’ noses in the brown stuff with the bat before suddenly it all went wrong. Nick Compton (147) and tail-ender Toby Roland-Jones (103 not out) helped the home side to almost 600, then Roland-Jones grabbed 5-27 in 21 overs to secure an unlikely victory. It also spoiled the champions’ unbeaten record in the competition. Still, Andrew Gale and Jason Gillespie can celebrate their overall success with two matches yet to play. Root, Lyth, Ballance, Bairstow, Rashid and Plunkett have all been on England duty yet strength in depth, especially the bowlers have seen them home.

A special mention should go to young Stevie Eskinazi. He struck 122 for Middlesex Seconds in their 2nd XI Final against Notts and was 13 not out in the second innings when he was summoned to make his first-class debut at Lord’s. The fairytale didn’t continue but not any players are whisked away mid-match like that!

It was a topsy-turvy contest at Trent Bridge, too. Durham let a 168-run first-innings lead slip as Samit Patel’s century and a second five-for by Ben Hutton gave Nottinghamshire victory by 52 runs inside three days. Notts could yet gain second-place above Middlesex with a game in hand.

Somerset enjoyed the best of a home draw with relegation rivals Hampshire. Jamie Overton took 4-37 as they restricted Hants to a single batting bonus point. Somerset not only secured maximum points but also piled on 630-9. Each of the top three batsmen Marcus Trescothick, Tom Abell (for the first time) and Tom Cooper reached three figures. Sadly for my team, Carberry, Vince, Adams et al remembered how to bat and the Taunton strip obliged to dish out a draw. Worcestershire look doomed but just eleven points separate the three sides above them.

In Division Two, Essex surged to third place, crushing Derbyshire by an innings. Thirty-somethings Ten Doeschate, Pettini, Bopara and Foster each contributed but, despite the absence on ODI duty of Reece Topley, youngsters also starred. Teenage opener Dan Lawrence returned with 88, while 20 year-old debutant Jack Winslade took 4-20.

Essex were also helped by Glamorgan’s capitulation to Kent. Rob Key continued excellent end-of-season form with 94 and 158, assisted by a typical all-round performance by 39 year-old Darren Stevens.

So, as last year, most of the big questions have been answered two weeks early, but the Division One relegation places may not be settled until the final week. Sussex v Somerset this week will be a crucial encounter, and Worcestershire simply must beat Yorkshire. The others must hope the champs don’t have a champagne hangover!

Continuing the rollercoaster theme, Team of the Week selection has been difficult. Nomally, the intense competition for places comes from middle-order batsmen and seamers. Unusually, this week, most of the runs came from openers, so Tres, Adams and Eskinazi miss out.

Team of the Week: Abell (Som), Key (Ken), Klinger (Glo), Sangakkara (Sur), Stevens (Ken), Pettini (Ess), Ronchi (Som +), Hutton (Not), Roland-Jones (Mid), Winslade (Ess), Sidebottom (Not)

Yorkshire’s Veterans maintain the Pressure

While Durham rested, Yorkshire claimed maximum points at Headingley, moving to within nine points of the leaders with a game in hand. Next week’s meeting of the top two is looking rather tasty! Skipper Andrew Gale and Jack Leaning each scored centuries, while Brooks, Bresnan and Sidebottom led the all-30-something attack to hand Nottinghamshire an innings defeat. The sorry losers featured a rare Championship appearance by Stuart Broad – only his 16th in eight seasons – but his 7-84 and 84 runs showed what they have been missing.

Hampshire are keeping Notts company at the bottom after suffering a nine-wicket home drubbing by Somerset, who also beat Notts last week. Suddenly, the Cidermen are in mid-table safety, just a good win adrift of third place. With sixteen points for a win and only five for a draw, the table can change so swiftly in county cricket. Anyway, not for the first time this season, Craig Overton shone with the ball (8-81 for the match) and young opener Tom Abell made another half-century. While Hants’ all-rounder Gareth Berg did his best to prolong proceedings, as at Notts, the top five batsmen are woefully out of form.

The other Division One fixture was a tame draw between Worcestershire and Middlesex, but at least they scored some runs. Tom Fell made a welcome hundred but James Franklin was the week’s star batsman, contributing 135 and 91 not out for Middlesex as the game petered out on day four.

In the lower tier, Surrey and Glamorgan both won to remind top dogs Lancashire that promotion isn’t yet a done deal. Gareth Batty’s side made short work of Derbyshire inside three days. There were few stand-out performances, with James Burke top-scoring with just 73 and the skipper’s 4-32 finishing off the Derby tail in the second innings.

Neither side reached 300, nor were there any individual three-figure scores at Cardiff, either, but Glamorgan’s bowlers all chipped in with wickets as Leicestershire succumbed on the last afternoon. Graeme Wagg followed his astonishing 200 last week with another 126 runs and three wickets while for the opponents, Ben Raine achieved a decent five-for while Jacques Rudolph dug in for over five hours to make 74 and hold his side’s second innings together and set a sufficiently tough target.

Essex continued their revival by beating Gloucestershire at Bristol. Napier and Porter bowled well enough to make the home team follow on then, despite another century from Michael Klinger, Essex managed to knock off the 114 needed for victory. At 26-4 they wobbled but Tom Westley steadied the ship with an unbeaten 65.

Meanwhile, at Northampton, rain washed out the first day but by the third, Northants had already demolished bottom-placed Kent! Azharullah, Rory Kleinveldt and Olly Stone each clamed five-fors as Kent slumped to 140 and 151 all out. Playing the Australian tourists must seem like light relief and at least they are top of the NatWest Blast South group!

Team of the Week: Abell (Som), Ali (Wor), Gale (Yor, *), Leaning (Yor), Franklin (Mid), Bairstow (Yor/Eng, +), Berg (Ham), Broad (Not), Napier (Ess), C Overton (Som), Kleinveldt (Nor)

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).