Derbyshire cling on after Root and Brook centuries
Centuries of different but sparkling hues by Joe Root and Harry Brook helped Yorkshire to maximum batting points at Headingley. Together they dabbed 201 for the fourth wicket, Root celebrating his 10th century for Yorkshire with a reverse-ramp for six before being bowled by a Zak Chappell yorker for 119, shaking his head as he trudged off.
Brook’s hundred, his ninth for Yorkshire and second of the season, was a more brutal affair at a run a ball. Derbyshire looked in deep trouble at 23 for three, but Wayne Madsen (88) and Brooke Guest (74) frustrated Yorkshire until stumps on a day so chilly that Root fielded in a snood.
Essex batted with restrained fortitude at Chester-le-Street, thanks to a quick-witted and stylish century from Feroze Khushi, his second for Essex, and a steady unbeaten 94 from Nick Browne, trailing by just 44 but with rain forecast for Sunday.
The groundsman Vic Demain explained that the wet weather had meant that his team couldn’t get heavy machinery on to the square early this year to compact the earth, and that therefore pitches are starting softer than he would like, without the bounce he was aiming for. Durham’s attack proved testing in the early overs of the day, with Ben Raine and Matthew Potts agitating, unsuccessfully but energetically, for several close lbw shouts.
Rory Burns put together a seven-hour 113, blunting skilful spells from Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas, to reach his first hundred since July 2022. The innings hauled Surrey from a wobbly 44 for four to an intimidating 359 on a grassy Oval pitch. Jordan Cox provided the power hitting, freestyling an unbeaten 106 at a run a ball, and biffing Surrey to a lead of 208. Browbeaten Hampshire then lost two quick wickets before the rain fell.
Pepperpot Ben Duckett duly reached a brilliant 200 at Edgbaston, the fifth of his career and the one he considers his best in county cricket, as Nottinghamshire got the upper hand at a damp Edgbaston. He and Dillon Pennington steered Notts to 400, before Warwickshire’s in-form top order were reduced to 26 for three. Ed Barnard and Dan Mousley steered them safely to stumps.
There was a first hundred for George Bartlett in Northamptonshire colours, as he, with support from the gung-ho Chris Tremain and Lewis McManus, carried Northants to maximum batting points, biffing 116 in 14 overs and reaching 450 with two balls to spare.
Ben Sanderson then dismissed Leicestershire’s Australian opener Marcus Harris for a duck. On a wet day at Kidderminster, Jake Libby reached his fourth half century of the summer against Somerset, while Miles Hammond (81) and Graeme van Buuren (75) helped Gloucestershire to a 68-run lead over Middlesex at Bristol.
The covers have been securely fastened at Chester le Street, ready for the expected deluge tomorrow. A satisfying day for Essex, but if the rain comes they’ll have to get moving on Monday to try to force a result. That’s it from me for today, back tomorrow at 10am. Have a lovely evening!
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 314-3
The Oval: Surrey 359 v Hampshire 151 and 31-2
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 71-3 v Nottinghamshire 400
Kidderminster: Worcestershire 107-1 v Somerset 309-9dec
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 271-6 v Middlesex 203
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Northampton 453-7dec
Headingley: Yorkshire 450-5 v Derbyshire 190-3
With bad light or rain everywhere except Chester le Street, where Jordan Cox has just been dropped, and Headingley, where Madsen and Guest have fifty each, time for me to write up for the paper. Do mull over things BTL.
In Division Two: Gloucestershire have a 52 run lead over Middlesex at Bristol, have just lost van Buuren (75) and Hammond (81); play suspended for bad light at Grace Road with no play since tea; and excellent work by Madsen and Guest at Headingley, who have taken Derbyshire from 23-3 to 120-3.
Browne opens up and pulls Ackermann for four to go onto 74; Jordan Cox just one off 14 balls. Rather hoping might see him play hoopla later today. The new ball has been taken by Durham.
Elsewhere in Division One, Hampshire are holding on, 29-2 at The Oval; rain at Edgbaston, Warwickshire 71-3; Jake Libby and Gareth Roderick doing a fine job at Kidderminster, Worcs 107-1 but bad light has stopped play.
A lesser-spotted wicket in the north east. Feroze Khushi is caught off Callum Parkinson at short extra cover – dropped on one, hit on the back shortly after, walks off with 107 to his name. Essex 260-3, trail by 98.
Hampshire’s long road back stretching off the map, now 21-1, Worrall (inevitably) and Roach the wicket takers. Trail Surrey by 187.
This just popped up on my timeline. Loving the woolly hats all round – as here at CLS Brown drives Ackermann handsomely for successive fours.
There was only one player who could present Aamir Jamal with his debut cap... 🇵🇰
— Warwickshire CCC 🏏 (@WarwickshireCCC) April 26, 2024
🐻#YouBears | @RealHa55an | @iaamirjamal pic.twitter.com/bWW01yIY7u
And fifty for Nick Browne in his first Championship game of the season, with a risky edge which runs down to the rope.
A hundred for Feroze Khushi!
With an elegant drive, Khushi reaches the second Championship hundred of his career, the first since his debut century against Kent at Canterbury in 2022. Raises his arms to the dressing room and then celebrates with a sajdah on the outfield, the Islamic display of gratitude. Essex 237-2.
Updated
Time for a quick stroll.
Tea time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 220-2
The Oval: Surrey 359 v Hampshire 151
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 62-3 v Nottinghamshire 400
Kidderminster: Worcestershire 67-1 v Somerset 309-9dec
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 231-4 v Middlesex 203
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-2 v Northampton 453-7dec
Headingley: Yorkshire 450-5 v Derbyshire 82-3
Updated
A century for Jordan Clark, off just 96 balls. Surrey – inevitably – roll past 350 – actually now they’re all out, as Worrall is dismissed coming back for a second. Clark unbeaten on 106. Four wickets for Kyle Abbott. Poor Hampshire must go again after tea with a starting deficit of 208.
At Headingley, Derbyshire, from the wasteland of 23-3 have recovered to 82-3 thanks to that dad-rock duo of Madsen and Guest. Matt Fisher 6-4-7-2.
Nothing doing for the Durham bowlers this afternoon. Vic Demain the Durham groundsman said that the wet weather – dampest 18 months in England on record – meant that they couldn’t get the heavy machinery onto the square early this year to compact the earth, and that therefore pitches are starting softer than he would like. “We don’t get the good ball bounce for all aspects of the game. A bit more bounce aids the bowlers and gives the batters more freedom to play shots.” Essex 201-2, trail by 157.
A hundred for Rory Burns!
While my attention was elsewhere, Surrey have been striding masterfully onwards. Rory Burns reached his first century in the Championship since July 2022 at Scarborough and Jordan Clark has freestyled his way to 70 off 59 balls. Surrey 311-7, a lead of 161.
And Dom Sibley was awarded his county cap yesterday.
Special moment at lunch today as @DomSibley received the prestigious Surrey County Cap! 🧢
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 26, 2024
Sibley - who returned to his boyhood club ahead of the 2023 season, was also named as the Surrey Vice-Captain!
🤎 | #SurreyCricket
Fifty for Feroze Khushi, who celebrates with a twinkle-toed straight drive off Parkinson C, for four. Essex 171-2.
I ask Graham Hardcastle if the Joe Root in snood rumour (Schnaffi BTL) is true. He confirms, but says that he is wearing a winter coat in the press box so he doesn’t blame Root. Unclear whether any more Yorkshire players are wearing snoods or just have their collars up, boating style.
Russell Wides comes up to the press box. He’s a member of the team who run a free commentary service for the blind at CLS. The team, all volunteers, are in every day and Durham allocates a box where visually impaired people, plus their companions and guide dogs, can sit and listen to the special commentary. “You have to keep on your toes,” says Wides “The lady who is in today has a tiny bit of sight out of one eye. I was describing a fielder being at deep mid off -‘He’s not that deep’ she said – it was the only thing on the field she could see!”
In Division Two:
Yorks have declared with maximum batting points, Brook 126 not out. Derbyshire, a long road ahead, 5-0.
A wicket for Sanderson at Grace Road, Marcus Harris the man to go for a duck. Leicestershire 24-1, 462 behind Northants’ 453-7dec.
Another fifty in the bag for Miles Hammond, but he’s lost Bracey, a second wicket for Helm, one each for Higgins and Bamber. Gloucestershire 134-4, 69 behind Middlesex.
56 over scheduled at Kidderminster, where they’re about to restart.
Just had a lovely chat with Vic Demain the Durham groundsman, more on than shortly, no real problems for Khushi and Brown since lunch. Essex 114-2.
Only one other Division One game in play, at The Oval, where Rory Burns is inching towards three figures, Surrey 239-7, an ominous lead of 88 in a low-scoring game.
Just did a round of the ground and can report that, against all odds, the ice-cream man sold 30-40 ice-creams yesterday. Actually quite nice and warm if you can find a little pocket next to a wall, protected from the wind.
Ali’s T20 musings:
Updated
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 97-2
The Oval: Surrey 209-6 v Hampshire 151
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 17-1 v Nottinghamshire 400
Kidderminster: Worcestershire 14-0 v Somerset 309-9dec no play yet today
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 82-3 v Middlesex 203 no play yet today
Grace Road: Leicestershire 17-1 v Northampton 453-7dec
Headingley: Yorkshire 433-5 v Derbyshire
Updated
Root out for 119!
Root out at Headingley, done by a Zac Chapple yorker. Doesn’t even bother turning round and shakes his head in annoyance as he trudges off….
…and Dean Elgar at CLS, after doing all the hard work for 43, nibbles at Matthew Potts, or Paul Potts as the announcer has it, which would be a decent effort for the opera singer. Elgar kicks the ground in frustration. Essex 95-2.
Updated
Hundred, franchise, money, money, money.
Update on the sale of 100 teams, from meetings this week. ECB have given counties until May 10 to mull proposal, which would now see the ECB’s entire 49% stake sold. Purpose of this is to generate more £ for counties, and entice buyers with a bigger stake https://t.co/TVytaNlzX0
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) April 27, 2024
Brook casually eyes up Reece, pick up and flicks him for six five rows back. Yorks careering towards 450.
Joe Root...WOW pic.twitter.com/hFHHm14rFK
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) April 27, 2024
Updated
And to make matters worse, a dashing, casual as you like, reverse scoop for six by Joe Root.
Alas, more buttery fingers from Derbyshire, Brook is dropped off a low full toss on 106.
A hundred for Harry Brook!
A 13th first-class hundred for Brook, and his second for Yorkshire this season. Gets there uncharacteristically gently, off 102 balls, and glances to the sky.
On comms they mention that, on top of the four catches dropped yesterday, Derbyshire’s slippery fingered fielders had already dropped nine in the previous games this season.
A hundred for George Bartlett!
In Division Two:
A ferocious straight drive for four off poor old Luis Reece takes Harry Brook to 98.
No play yet at Bristol, while at Grace Road George Bartlett has whistled to his first century for Northants since leaving from Somerset, and with a biff bash boff, Northants grab maximum batting points too just before they go off for bad light. Here is a little read on why Bartlett decided to leave Somerset.
Joe Root wins the race to 100!
With a reverse-paddle for four, Root picks up his 44th first-class century. Takes off his helmet, waves, grins the irrepressible Joe Root grin. Chanceless perfection. Yorks 363-3, the partnership now 150 plus.
Here at CLS, Cook’s off stump went a-flying as Coughlin makes the breakthrough.
Updated
Sam Cook having an excellent start to the season, 49 last week as nightwatchman, another 20 not out here against some tough bowling. Essex 50-0.
And with an hour gone, let’s trot briskly round the Division One grounds.
Rory Burns holding Surrey together with 62, he and Roach have now put on 39 in a low-scoring game. Burns didn’t make it to three figures last season – just so you know. Surrey 162-5
Warwickshire 8-0 in reply to Notts’ 400. Olly Stone (heartening to see him back) has successfully got through his first over.
Rain at Kidderminster.
Ben Duckett is finally bowled, for 218, and Notts are all out for 400. Five for the admirable Hannon-Dalby, playing in his 200th game for Warwickshire. Meanwhile, here, Essex have seen off Matthew Potts, who is replaced by Brydon Carse.
Ali on Jamie Overton’s back injury and selection for the England men’s T20 squad:
No play at Kidderminster or Bristol this morning, while at Headingley Harry Brook (67 off 63) is racing Joe Root (82 off 139) to his century. Yorks 316-3.
Ben Raine giving Dean Elgar a thorough working over from the Lumley end. But he survives. Essex 33-0.
200 for Ben Duckett!
Gets there with a single, what riches after a run of lowish scores. High praise for Duckett yesterday from both his teammate (Ben Slater) “Ben batted really well. We know how good he is. I think he has been a bit annoyed to miss out in the first couple of games, but he has had a couple of decent balls in there and you can get that early season in England. He showed us how good he is today with that knock.”
and the opposition (Olly Hannon-Dalby): “Ben Duckett showed why he is an international cricketer. He batted really well and scored over half his team’s runs. It was a fluctuating day and the conditions changed a little bit with the weather. When it went overcast just after lunch the ball did a bit for us and then again later on we were glad to be bowling and took advantage with a few late wickets.”
Notts 394-8 with Pennington hanging around well.
Good morning Gary Naylor!
“If anyone is around leafy Richmond and fancies a bit of cricketing drama, Testmatch is running at the splendid Orange Tree Theatre. The Guardian was very positive in its review; I was less so in mine.”
Looks intriguing. Richmond is gorgeous and used to have amazing water slides, though beset by the urban myth that rogues had stuck razor blades in the tube joins.
A very silly arms and legs wobbling appeal by Potts against Dean Elgar leaves the umpire unmoved. Potts picks up his jumper and jauntily takes up his place in the field undaunted. Ominous clouds now circling overhead.
“A question popped into my head last evening for which I have no answer - which county cricketer lives furthest from the county s/he plays for (overseas players aside)? Players sometimes move counties, and perhaps there are some who prefer to commute than to move?
Good morning Andrew Benton! I don’t have a definitive answer to this but from the depths of my memory I think that KP may have lived in London while playing for Notts, and likewise Jos Buttler?
Now munching on a tea-cake from the very friendly cafe at CLS’s health club. They do a very reasonable breakfast if anyone has a visit up here inked into the calendar. Play started on time, Matthew Potts has just bowled a maiden, no snoods on show from Durham. Graham Clark is wearing a sunhat which seems on the optimistic side, but then I’m from Surrey.
Lots of wild garlic flowering by the side of the Wear but even more energetic young people getting into boats. The first email of the day is a fascinating one from Tim Maitland, who was watching at Headingley yesterday.
“Just a few words on how interesting watching Yorkshire was one day one. Not for Adam Lyth’s 97, but for the massive contrast between the quick-scoring innings of Shan Masood and Harry Brook. The Pakistan captain’s innings of 10 fours and nothing else (from 25 balls at a strike rate of 160.00) was surgical in its precision, all cuts, glides and caresses off the hips. It’s a surprise Derbyshire ever got him out.
“If Masood’s weapon was the scalpel, Brook’s was the pugil stick. Competitor ready? Gladiator ready? You knew exactly what was coming and it was exactly what we got. To be fair to Brook it wasn’t as agricultural as some “Bazball” innings have been, but by County Championship standards it was still brutal. Straight drives, lofted fours and a straight six and anything short clubbed with a Neanderthal enthusiasm. Unlike Masood it wasn’t flawless - at one point he almost chopped on to his own stumps and you could argue his 44 off 37 balls and a strike rate of 118.92 was less efficient - but unlike Masood he’ll still be at the crease when play resumes today.
“So will Joe Root who, in comparison, was just nurdling … perhaps crucially, he shelved almost all of the trick shots with the exception of an immaculately executed reverse sweep.”
Thank you Tim, beautifully put.
Updated
Friday's round up
Three Essex players fielded in snoods at Chester-le-Street, with Jordan Cox adding a hand warmer for good measure, as the temperature tiptoed to 7C and the coffee van did a roaring trade. But three batters flourished in the chill: Colin Ackermann, who played a sedate anchor role for 112, his first century for Durham, and David Bedingham and Ollie Robinson who sparkled. Bedingham, fresh from his 138 off 99 balls against Worcestershire, was soon into his stride, pinging Harmer into the health club for six. Robinson made his fifth Championship half century in consecutive innings before being caught for 90. Essex plugged away, dismissing Durham shortly after Ben Raine ensured a third batting point with a six.
Fifteen wickets tumbled on a basil-green wicket at the Oval. First Hampshire were routed for 156, with three wickets for Dan Worrall, Gus Atkinson and Jordan Clark. Then Surrey too slipped about, Hampshire winkling out four of their brightest – Dominic Sibley, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith and Dan Lawrence – for just 44. Ryan Patel steadied things but was bowled before stumps.
Ben Duckett enjoyed himself at Edgbaston for Nottinghamshire, with a rapid 197 not out – there were four wickets for Warwickshire’s Olly Hannon-Dalby – while Tom Banton was run out for 92 at Kidderminster as Somerset crept past 300 despite Jason Holder’s brutal spell of three wickets in 12 balls for Worcestershire.
In Division Two, an unbeaten stand of 71 between Joe Root and Harry Brook provided pretty entertainment for Yorkshire, and much frustration for Derbyshire who dropped four catches either side of lunch. Shan Masood made 40 consisting entirely of fours.
Emilio Gay’s quickfire 88 put Northamptonshire in a good position against Leicestershire at Grace Road. Marchant de Lange stormed away with six for 49 as Middlesex were bowled out for 203 at Bristol against Gloucestershire.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chester le Street: Durham 358 v Essex 5-0
The Oval: Surrey 123-5 v Hampshire 151
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Nottinghamshire 367-8
Kidderminster: Worcestershire 14-0 v Somerset 309-9dec
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 82-3 v Middlesex 203
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Northampton 337-6
Headingley: Yorkshire 276-3 v Derbyshire
Good morning! The birds are singing their little hearts out here in Chester le Street and the sun has been sending those out little heat kisses to remind us that spring is hovering in the background. I’m about to walk to the ground from my hotel so setting this up a little early – the kettle is on BTL.
