Roundup: Somerset safe, Glamorgan boost promotion hopes
Somerset delightedly boxed off Division One survival after bowling out Northamptonshire for 109 at Taunton. It was a triumph for captain Tom Abell, whose two centuries built the foundations, and who polished off the Northants innings by having Jack White caught by Craig Overton.
And it was Overton who had started Northants’ origami, running out Emilio Gay with a flash piece of fielding to a rash bit of running. Overton finished with seven for 74 in the match. Abell, who has made five Championship centuries and over a thousand runs this summer, has been the driving force in Somerset’s near-constant battle to avoid the drop.
It is more important than ever this year because if the Strauss reforms do go ahead, 2024’s Division One will be drawn purely from the top six in 2023’s top tier; there will be no promotion from Division Two. “Historically, we like to keep Somerset followers on the edge of their seats all the way through a season,” said the county’s director of cricket, Andy Hurry. “We have been true to that again.”
In Division Two, Glamorgan kept their promotion hopes alive on the day that the Australian Michael Hogan waved goodbye to Sophia Gardens for the last time after ten years with the club. James Harris made the crucial breakthrough against Derbyshire, dismissing Wayne Madsen for 77 as the hosts won by an innings.
At the Riverside, Sussex’s Tom Haines and James Coles put on 70 to fluff up the visitors’ six for four, but a post-lunch collapse gave Ben Raine five wickets – four of them lbw – as Durham won by an innings and 140 runs.
Leicestershire’s second innings was the last to fold after Colin Ackermann, batting nearly three hours for his 80, was undone by Sam Robson. The last wicket pair of Callum Parkinson and Mike Finan then put on an unlikely 59, but Middlesex got their win to keep Division One in touching distance as Toby Roland Jones gathered four for 50.
Updated
Tanya’s full roundup will follow later on; here are some quick reports from PA Media.
Somerset v Northants
Craig Overton finished with match figures of seven for 74 as Somerset guaranteed their Division One survival with a thumping 352-run win over Northamptonshire at Taunton.
The hosts began the final day by quickly extending their second innings total from 277 for one to 337 for four declared, centurions Tom Abell and Tom Lammonby falling for 115 and 110 respectively. That set Northamptonshire a massive 462 to win, and they lost their first four wickets for 15 before being bowled out for 109.
Overton began the rout with a brilliant piece of fielding off his own bowling to run out Emilio Gay, and then claimed two for 36 to add to his first innings figures of five for 38. Josh Davey finished with three for 25. Somerset took 22 points from the game to move into sixth place in the table, 25 clear of second-bottom Warwickshire.
Middlesex v Leicestershire
Middlesex finally ended Leicestershire’s stubborn resistance on the final afternoon at the County Ground to claim an 80-run victory that sees them close the gap on Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire.
Having reduced Leicestershire to 13 for four at Thursday’s close, chasing 275, Middlesex looked set to wrap up victory relatively easily on Friday as the hosts slumped to 70 for seven. But Colin Ackermann, who batted almost four hours for his 80, and the Leicestershire tail refused to fold and they had progressed the score to 194 before Middlesex were able to wrap up the win.
Tailenders Chris Wright and Michael Finan had some fun at the end, thrashing 61 runs in just over 11 overs for the final wicket before Sam Robson (two for 28) had the latter caught at deep midwicket to end proceedings. Toby Roland-Jones finished with four for 34 and seven wickets in the match.
Closing down for the day, the round, with Surrey Champions, Somerset safe, Gloucestershire down, Nottinghamshire up, but life in the old dog yet going into the final lot of matches starting on Monday. Time for a cuppa, thanks for all the messages as ever. Good evening!
Yorkshire win the Second XI Championship
Funny old world.
.@YorkshireCCC seconds have won the Championship title with a draw at Kent. Huge congratulations to Tom Smith, Tim Boon in their first season in charge and all the players involved. 🎉
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) September 23, 2022
Leicestershire are unsurprisingly not voting for their own demise:
𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀: "𝘐𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴, 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯"
— BBC Sport Leicester (@BBCRLSport) September 23, 2022
Leicestershire's CEO has had his say, following the ECB's High Performance Review.
🔊 | https://t.co/BbA4kRGpxh 👈 pic.twitter.com/BL9O9lZw4k
Division Two table with just one round to play
1 Nottinghamshire 218
2 Middlesex 209
3 Glamorgan 200
4 Worcestershire 183
5 Durham 182
6 Derbyshire 171
7 Sussex 117
8 Leicestershire 84
The top two will be promoted
Middlesex beat Leicestershire by 80 runs
Leicestershire’s No 10 and 11 had a good go against Middlesex, putting on 59 runs in their 10th wicket stand as they tried in vain to get an unlikely win. They always had too much to do but what an effort, Chris Wright swinging his way to an unbeaten 36, with Michael Finan caught out after a thoroughly entertaining 19. The win keeps second-placed Middlesex in the promotion hunt while Leicestershire stay marooned at the bottom of Division Two.
This would be the turn up for all turn ups if Leicestershire’s No.s 10 and 11 could make the 93 runs needed against Middx. But they are showing stubborn tendencies….
Somerset director of cricket: Andy Hurry:
Historically, we like to keep Somerset followers on the edge of their seats all the way through a season and we have been true to that again.
“We played what turned out to be the top two teams twice early on, which made it a tough start, but we never lost hope or faith in the players and have seen some progression in recent games, particularly with our batting.
“We still have a way to travel, but we are finishing the Championship season strongly and want to keep that momentum going at Canterbury next week.
“Craig Overton showed what he brings to our side. We want all our players to achieve international aspirations, but it’s great that those who do go off with England show a real desire to play for Somerset when they return and Craig exemplifies that.”
An email waves from across the screens. Hello James Butler!
“Sorry to make a rather depressing contribution to your excellent coverage but I’ve just seen the Ashes ticket prices for Headingley...
“Last year I bought two tickets for the NZ test - day 1 in the ‘posh’ seats behind the bowler’s arm and then day 2 in the family stand - for a total of £115.
For the Ashes game the same seats come to £240...with the family stand ticket rising to (wow) £90 vs £35 last year. I was about to say I can’t see many people bringing their families given those prices, although to be fair the kids’ seats are £20.
“Ok - so no doubt the cost of hosting a game has increased since last year and yes, it’s the Ashes, so you expect to pay a little more. And Yorkshire are struggling financially (albeit through their own mistakes). But still...”
Ooof. Good that they’ve kept the kids tickets affordable but that’s quite the hike.
I read that Will Jacks has been presented with his England cap over in Pakistan.
Don’t watch this in public if you’re prone to a quiet weep. Well played indeed, Michael Hogan.
Well played @Hoges31 https://t.co/C1V5bu0nlG
— Kevin Howells (@KevinHowells16) September 23, 2022
Division One table with just one round to play
1 Surrey 247
2 Hampshire 220
3 Lancashire 201
4 Essex 181
5 Northants 151
6 Somerset 145
******************************************** safe
7 Yorkshire 135
8 Kent 134
9 Warwickshire 120
10 Gloucestershire 95
Ackermann is lbw to Sam Robson for 80, and an over later Callum Parkinson’s 89 ball 16 comes to an end. Murtaghed. Leicestershire 135 for nine and the round holds its breath.
Glamorgan beat Derbyshire by an innings and 24 runs
Glamorgan 550-5dec BEAT Derbyshire 253 and 273
The new ball did the business. Three for Harris, three for van der Gugten. Stoical fifties from Madsen and du Plooy – but not much to be done in the face of David Lloyd’s astonishing and unbeaten 313.
Glamorgan’s 24 points keeps promotion dreams alive next week against Sussex. Derbyshire will play a Midlands derby against Leicestershire – who are still battling away at Grace Road.
Great tenacity from Somerset over these last few games – there were times this season when they seemed dead-certs to go down.
Will Sterling hit the floor before Leicestershire?
Somerset beat Northants by 352 runs
Somerset 389 and 337-4 dec BEAT Northants 265 and 109
Somerset are safe for another year! End of season-itus by Northants (also safe) – Tom Taylor the highest scorer with 25. Wickets shared equally between Davey (3-25) and Coverton, Abell and Aldridge grabbing two each. What a match for Abell – two centuries, two wickets and Division One secured!
Updated
Durham beat Sussex by an innings and 140 runs
Durham 459-7 dec BEAT Sussex 162 and 157-9
Sussex win/lose the race, folding after lunch. Raine 5-54; Tom Haines 37. Henry Crocombe unable to bat after hurting his shoulder on day one. Durham inch up to fourth; Sussex remain marooned in seventh.
Summer days drifting away…
Red ball turned into white #bazball pic.twitter.com/l4X31knhWw
— Jordan Clark (@Clarksy16) September 23, 2022
In fact it’s a race to the finish: 100-8 (Northants) v 147-8 (Sussex) v 239-8 (Derby) v 119-7 (Go the Foxes!).
Turns out Northants used up all their energy last week holding off Surrey. Now 96-8. Can Zaib make it Saif?
A great story!
Nottinghamshire’s Paul Franks has arrived in Pakistan to become head coach of Central Punjab in first-class and 50-over cricket, with Bilal Shafayat also on his staff - nice to chat to him about this opportunity https://t.co/7Elvs9ipjv
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) September 23, 2022
Huge apologies, I’ve just been caught in a wifi vortex where I thought I was connected but wasn’t
Wickets, wickets. Keogh at Northants, down to the tail now, and last rites for Sussex – 115-7.
Time to grab some lunch, back soon.
Lunchtime scores
Chelmsford: Lancashire 131 and 73 BEAT Essex 107 and 59 by 38 runs
Bristol: Gloucestershire 255 and 149-7 BEAT Warwickshire 274 and 128
The Rose Bowl: Kent 165 and 269 BEAT Hampshire 57 and 300 by 77 runs.
Taunton: Somerset 389 and 337-4dec v Northants 265 and 49-5
The Oval: Surrey 333 and 55-0 BEAT Yorkshire 179 and 208 by ten wickets
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 459-7dec v Sussex 162 and 112-5
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 550-5dec v Derbyshire 253 and 212-5
Grace Road: Leicestershire 294 and 91-7 v Middlesex 297 and 271
New Road: Worcestershire 390 BEAT Nottinghamshire 128 and 183 by an innings and 79 runs
Rumours of revolt at MCC
Not that CCLive wishes to gossip, but it appears the vote is extremely close on whether MCC should cut the Oxford-Cambridge and Eton-Harrow fixtures at Lord’s. Malcontents called a special general meeting to protest about the axing of those fixtures in favour of competitions that involve all universities and schools.
Voting, postal and online, closes for members on Monday October 3 at noon.
Poor Parkinson C. I wonder if he’ll stick at Grace Road. Hope so. Even more, I’d love to see a Leicestershire revival – perhaps next year. And I should add that Ackermann is putting in a stint, 46 not out in over two hours.
Leicestershire 88 for seven. I don’t really know what else to say.
Sussex have lost Tom Haines, but Coles (25 not out in and Charlie press on. 96-5. Till lunch, plucky Sussex.
Northants? Losing four wickets in three overs is notable work. Coverton does for three, with the run-out and dismissing Young and Proctor. Cobb goes to Davey and suddenly its a bun-fight. 15-4, 447 behind.
This may have been a silly run – Northants 14-1.
RUN OUT!!! Brilliant work by Craig Overton to dismiss Emilio Gay for 11. He picks up on his follow through and hits direct!
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) September 23, 2022
LIVE STREAM ➡️ https://t.co/dF6GhNA901 #SOMvNOR#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/IHpEvLuzd9
If anyone knows of any players tweeting or speaking in favour of the Strauss review, please tell me. I know that twitter will be curating my feed in a certain way and I don’t want to give a biased view.
I’m glad I had my career when I did. Champo in the week, Sunday one day. Two knock out cups and a T20 block. #simple
— Steffan Jones (@SteffanJones105) September 22, 2022
Big love for Brian the cat, but just making it quite clear that CCLive! prefers dogs. Emilio Gay has hit a typically chirpy four and Northants are 4-0 at Taunton.
Delighted to make my commentary debut on the Somerset live stream 🐈#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/ElwMDNmRrh
— Brian The Cat (@SCCCBrianTheCat) September 23, 2022
Heave-ho!
Lewis Gregory onto 26* from 9 balls!
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) September 23, 2022
LIVE STREAM ➡️ https://t.co/dF6GhNA901 #SOMvNOR#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/6xdPAUp6pc
Meanwhile Tom Haines and James Coles have had an adhesive morning against Durham. From 6-4 to 60-4 deserves some kind of tasty elevenses with their isotonic drink.
A wicket, at last, at Grace Road. Toby Roland-Jones collects his fourth of the innings, and his 63rd of the spring/summer/autumn. Leicestershire are half way out with only 35 on the board.
Somerset declare 337-4 dec
Northants to “chase” 462, or bat out two and a bit sessions. They’ll do it, I think. There was just time for Lewis Gregory to go caveman around Taunton, in his 29 not out.
I don’t want to make this too much of a Surrey love-in but this video is a tear-jerker. Those making decisions at the ECB should remember than in their relentless search to attract the young, they are forgetting people like Micky Stewart, for whom cricket is their lifeblood, as well as countless nameless people round the country who have spent their working lives supporting cricket and now want to spend their well-earned retirement having a chance to watch some. It provides companionship and meaning in a sometimes lonely world.
“What does Surrey County Cricket Club mean to you?”
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) September 23, 2022
“Everything.”
We will never forget the three days we spent at The Micky Stewart Oval 🏆
Thank you, Micky. pic.twitter.com/Xtedt3G2Wd
I didn’t realise Robinson had been on loan to Durham already for the T20. A dangerous game these loans!
Martin Bicknell becoming one of the more vocal old-pro twitter voices .
Once you lose the proposed 4 Championship matches there will be gaps in the calendar. Won’t be for long. A revamped 100 and 20/20 will squeeze in a few more matches. Maybe not straight away, but it will happen
— Martin Bicknell (@bickers1969) September 22, 2022
Kent's Ollie Robinson to move to Durham
On a three year deal. Does he know about the weather? As a southerner stranded in the north, I feel strongly that a proper report should be made.
And this is really quite cute:
Checking in at home for the last time this summer 👋
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) September 23, 2022
x @ctshirts #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/QXzbzaZKcq
A semi qualified approval from Surrey’s Alec Stewart – talking to BBC Five live.
“Once the energy drops your performance drops so you are trying to maintain the high performance, which is what the review was all about, so it is getting that balance right.
“If it was just high performance and you forgot the members and the finances then yeah go for it.
“But it is a little bit bigger than that. In my opinion we must respect the members who pay their membership money to come and watch and support. The finances that makes the game happen, does it all balance up nicely?”
Some straight talking from Sussex’s chair Jon Filby.
“Strauss’ high performance review is equally unworkable as far as county cricket is concerned.
“When looked at through the lens of high performance it is exactly what the game needs. But we are not only looking through the lens of high performance.
“We are looking through a financial and commercial lens. We are looking through the eyes of our members who have cricket that they want and we’re looking very much through a variety of angles that is not just high performance.
“It can’t be acceptable that we in Sussex shut our ground for a couple of matches when we know there are people who are desperate to come and watch and enjoy some of the world’s great cricketers playing at Hove”
The PCA view on the Strauss review: a holding position:
“The PCA and majority of professional players agree that the current schedule is unsustainable and requires reform."
“The PCA and the players support the vision to make England the best team in the world across all formats.
“For this to happen, players need to be allowed space to grow and develop with appropriate rest and recovery to maximise performance and protect player welfare.”
“We will debate the merits of the findings of the review and more detail is needed” working to “achieve a positive outcome for the players and the game.”
Updated
Scores on the doors
Chelmsford: Lancashire 131 and 73 BEAT Essex 107 and 59 by 38 runs
Bristol: Gloucestershire 255 and 149-7 BEAT Warwickshire 274 and 128
The Rose Bowl: Kent 165 and 269 BEAT Hampshire 57 and 300 by 77 runs.
Taunton: Somerset 389 and 277-1 v Northants 265
The Oval: Surrey 333 and 55-0 BEAT Yorkshire 179 and 208 by ten wickets
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 459-7dec v Sussex 162 and 9-4 Rain
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 550-5dec v Derbyshire 253 and 123-3
Grace Road: Leicestershire 294 and 13-4 v Middlesex 297 and 271
New Road: Worcestershire 390 BEAT Nottinghamshire 128 and 183 by an innings and 79 runs
The HPR backlash:
And Ali’s report on Surrey’s magnificent Championship win:
Thursday's round-up
While Surrey did a lap of honour, beers in hand, at a sun-kissed Oval, Hampshire were left to rue what might have been save for a complete malfunction during the 16.5 overs which made up their first innings against Kent.
Second-innings seventies from Jameses Vince and Fuller took Hampshire to within dreaming distance, but Kent’s unheralded bowlers winkled them out with 77 to spare. “There is massive disappointment in the dressing room,” said Vince, with Hampshire’s dreams of their first Championship for 49 years in the bin. “It was always going to be hard work but we felt we had a chance of doing something special. I got out to probably the worst ball of the day.” Kent’s victory leaves them 14 points clear of the relegation zone.
A career-best eight for 23 by Tom Price handed Gloucestershire victory in the Division One relegation shoot-out, as Warwickshire were bowled out for 128. Gloucestershire’s chase of 148 was not without its nerves, with four batters chewing over their shots with just 30 on the board. But Chris Dent and Graeme van Buuren guided them close enough that a late wobble was not terminal.
Tom Abell carpet-bagged a six over extra-cover in the last over of the day to top off a dominant day for Somerset at Taunton. Abell strolled to his second century of the match, in companionship with an unbeaten 101 from Tom Lammonby, setting Northamptonshire an impregnable chase at Taunton. A win would guarantee Somerset first-division cricket next season, a draw lets them breathe easier.
Worcestershire duly handed out one of the most unexpected drubbings of the season after defeating Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire by an innings. Dillon Pennington made the breakthrough with the 10th ball of the day, and Notts slipped quietly away, giving Worcestershire a chance of promotion going into their final game against Middlesex. Notts remain favourites to go up.
Rain meant 14 only balls were possible at Leicestershire, bad light saved the hosts’ blushes after Middlesex’s Toby Roland-Jones had reduced them to 13 for four and Ajaz Patel grabbed his first five-fer for Glamorgan as Derbyshire were forced to follow-on.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the morning after the afternoon before. A quiet day today – just four games in play – but plenty to chew over, from Surrey’s magnificent win, to the Strauss review, its fallout, timing and Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s tic-tac-toe against England.
Only one Division One game left unfinished, at Taunton where Somerset can be safe from relegation if they win and nearly safe if they draw – we’ll find out how bold they are shortly. But beautifully played by Toms Abell and Lammonby.
In Division Two, Leicestershire look as if they’ll be on the receiving end of a shellacking, after doing so well to restrict Middlesex. A win will do Middlesex a huge favour in the promotion ding-dong. Sussex were saved by the rain yesterday, but the sun is due to sign on their disastrous few days at The Riverside. And Derbyshire have a fight on their hands to not lose seven wickets in the day against promotion-chasing Glamorgan.
Also, and I didn’t mention this yesterday, Northants are now officially safe from the drop.
