Roundup: Jones century in vain as Lancashire fall short against Essex
In a late afternoon and early evening of high-wire jitters in the Championship, three games tottered and flailed.
At Blackpool, where all results were possible until the 10th wicket fell, Essex finally prised out Rob Jones with only 10 balls remaining, snatching victory by 46 runs. Jones, magnificent in his first century for a year, had kept Lancashire in the hunt for what would have been a record run chase until he was snaffled by Wednesday’s wrecker of dreams, Dan Lawrence, off Doug Bracewell for 111.
He had been well supported by a restrained 41 from Phil Salt and half-centuries by Luke Wells and Josh Bohannon who, in a partnership of muscular hitting – one six from Bohannon cannoning into the hospitality tent – had kept the crowd on their toes.
But the efficient Essex attack kept chipping away, with three wickets each for Bracewell and Matt Critchley – though a muted Simon Harmer finished with uncharacteristic figures of none for 103. When Jones, a fan of sea-swimming and bird-watching, was finally out, to leaping Essex delight, he was applauded off by all.
At another outground, Merchant Taylors’, another thriller. With three needed for victory off the last ball of the match, Sam Robson could scramble only two to level the scores, finishing 126 not out and Middlesex’s only centurion of the year. Northants had set Middlesex 323 to chase after losing their last three wickets in the first 11 balls of the morning, but scoring proved tricky, the ball keeping low unpredictably. Robson was supported by 75 from John Simpson and a rollicking 34 from Toby Roland-Jones.
Derbyshire’s captain, Leus du Plooy, having the summer of his life, chivvied 128 as his side attempted to chase down 380 at Hove. But with 54 needed from 41 balls, and Du Plooy 21 short of 1,000 runs, he was caught; and after a flurry of wickets, Derbyshire held tight for a draw. Sussex’s James Coles had been finally out for a career-best 180 – in a what has been a cracking round for 19 year olds.
Elsewhere, a four-hour block-and-prod from Nick Gubbins, brilliantly supported by Liam Dawson, saved the day for Hampshire against Somerset; the game at the Oval drifted to a draw despite five wickets for Nottinghamshire’s Brett Hutton against Surrey.
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Tanya’s report from today will be along shortly.
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Great games, great fun. See you all back here next Wednesday. Good night!
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Warwickshire 549-7dec BEAT Kent 171 and 332 by an innings and 46 runs
Blackpool: Essex 282 and 292-8 dec BEAT Lancashire 145 and 383 by 46 runs
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 277 and 322-6 DRAW with Northamptonshire 219 and 380
Taunton: Somerset 500 DRAW with Hampshire 330 and 215-7
The Oval Surrey 355 and 340 DRAW with Notts 399 and 118-1.
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 453 and 52-1 BEAT Gloucestershire 316 and 188 by nine wickets
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 403-9dec DRAW with Leicestershire 451-6dec
Hove: Sussex 402 and 384-9dec DRAW with Derbyshire 407 and 361-8
New Road: Worcestershire 242 and 142-2 DRAW with Yorkshire 407
I’m now down to ten percent power and dropping and must write up for the paper – will leave you with Middlesex needing 17 and Derybshire 37.
Back to du Hove, where du Plooy is OUT! A third wicket for Shipley. You’d have thought that might be it, but they plough on. 44 needed from six overs, four wickets left.
Essex 20 points; Lancashire 3
Jones gets a huge round of applause from the Essex players and the Blackpool faithful.
Essex beat Lancashire by 46 runs!
And with ten balls left, Rob Jones’s long innings comes to an end, caught by last night’s wrecker of dreams – DAn Lawrence.
Williams plays out Harmer like he’s Joe Root – two overs left.
A hundred for Sam Robson and Middlesex chasing this down!
36 needed from 30 at Merchant Taylor’s. TRJ out and de Caires replaces him. Robson 111 not out.
23 balls left at Blackpool…
Somerset DRAW with Hampshire
Well blocked Nick Gubbins and Liam Dawson! Gubbins 50 off 241 balls, Dawson 68 off 141.
Taunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire 330 and 215-7
A hundred for Leus du Plooy!
What a season for du Plooy. A third century, keeping Derbyshire in with a crazy chance: 75 needed to beat Sussex.
Had to run to the ladies after crossing my legs for far too long (sorry) but seem to have missed just Rob Jones taking a single off the first ball of the over and leaving Williams to face the other five. Apparently a drink – and a telling off – was served up. Williams ducked into a ball from Bracewell and is now having a concussion check.
A drop for the ages by Walter as Bailey smashes the ball into the stratosphere and Walter lets it fall through is fingers. But Harmer takes a much better one two balls later! Sprinting, diving, and holding on. LAncs 376-9.
88th over: Lancs 373-8 (Jones 102, Bailey 7) Bailey takes a wild swipe at Cook and misses, before picking up a sensible single next ball. Right – Scott is back on comms so I’m going to have to leave this OBO-ing to think about writing up and find some power – apols! Lancashire need 57 from 48 balls.
A hundred for Rob Jones!
87th over: Lancs 370-8 (Jones 100, Bailey 6) Bailey keeps out a grubber from Porter, and Jones gets the single he needs for his hundred, warmly applauded by the Essex fielders and the spectators. Seagulls also swarm in celebration.Bailey lofts FOUR! Porter responds with a bouncer. Lancashire need 60 from 54 balls.
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86th over: Lancs 364-8 (Jones 99, Bailey 1) A breathless hush by the sea as Jones takes a couple off a reinvigorated Cook. He and Westley chew the fat at the top of his mark. Bailey nicks the strike for Porter’s over. Lancashire need 66 from 60 balls.
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85th over: Lancs 360-7 (Jones 96, Bailey 0) Porter from the South End, Blatherwick plays him back watchfully. Until suddenly he doesn’t any more. Lancashire send Bailey in, which presumably means they’ll have a go? Lancashire need 70 off 66 balls.
WICKET! Blatherwick c and b Porter 1 (Lancashire 360-8)
After carefully prodding away five balls, Blatherwick taps back an easy catch.
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I have slight power issues but I will try to OBO from Blackool for a while as requested BTL
WICKET! A grateful round of applause greets Hartley, caught behind for 17 off Cook: Lancs 359-7. Enter Blatherwick.
72 off 68 balls needed, but. Jones has his eye in now and tbh the new ball not looking super dangerous. Jones 96 not out…
Worcestershire draw with Yorkshire
New Road: Worcs 242 and 142-2 v Yorkshire 407
Rain does for a result at New Road. Libby walks off 61 not out.
And the generator blows again at Blackpool as Jones slices Cook to the rope. Lancs 352-6.
As Essex take the new ball – the old one thrown back to the boundary in disgust – Lancashire need 89 runs off the last 16, four wickets in hand. Easy. (hee hee hee)
Harmer’s demeanor matches his bowling figures: 23 overs, 0-102. After Jones cracked back to back fours, he slumps across the pitch as he’s directed from fielding position to fielding position. Without trying too hard, this chase is still doable. New ball due in one over.
Fifties for Jake Libby and Leus du Plooy
The good ship du Plooy sails on – Derby 181-4, need 199.
Libby and Roderick keeping Worcestershire safe at New Road: Worcs 127-2, 38 behind Yorks.
Can Harmer get a wicket before Essex take the new ball? [eight to go}
Searching for wickets too at Taunton where Gubbins’s steadfast 37 off 190 balls is soon to be sold as wallpaper paste. Excellent adhesiveness also from Dawson -47 off 90 -too. But after an over of Andy Umeed – time for the new ball. HAmpshire 172-7.
And the runs tick on at Blackpool, one ball from Critchley misses everything to run down to the rope, the next is thrashed for six by Jones. Lancs 315-6.
Surprise move by ICC! Now let’s see them make some positive moves, or indeed any moves at all, on ways in which they can help cricket in a climate crisis – emergency fund for worst affected countries etc etc.
It’s not too long ago that senior figures were deriding the idea of equal prize money as economically absurd. Very pleasantly surprised to see this announcement today. https://t.co/s4LzCOmCqM
— Raf Nicholson (@RafNicholson) July 13, 2023
de Grandhomme trudges off after swinging, not hard enough, and being well caught by Porter on the long leg boundary. Lancs 294-6.
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Fifty for Rob Jones
Cracking effort from Jones, who in his spare time goes to Islay, swims in the sea, drinks whisky and watches birds. His first fifty since he made one a year ago against Kent.
First ball, second over after tea, Salt top edges Critchley into the safe hands of Cook (S). Enter de Grandhomme, whose batting this year has been less Grand than Lancs hoped. Lancs 281-5.
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If Lancashire pull this run chase off, it will be the highest fourth-innings run chase in their history (thank you Scott Read).
Teatime scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Warwickshire 549-7dec BEAT Kent 171 and 332 by an innings and 46 runs
Blackpool: Lancashire 145 and 274-4 v Essex 282 and 292-8 dec. Lancashire need 156 in 32 overs to win
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 277 and 147-3 v Northamptonshire 219 and 380 Middlesex need 176 to win
Taunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire 330 and 135-7
The Oval Surrey 355 and 340 v Notts 399 and 60-1 Notts need 237 to win
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 453 and 52-1 BEAT Gloucestershire 316 and 188 by nine wickets
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 403-9dec v Leicestershire 228-2
Hove: Sussex 402 and 384-9dec v Derbyshire 407 and 110-3 Derbyshire need 270 runs to win
New Road: Worcestershire 242 and 95-2 v Yorkshire 407
Key event
The first “get on with it” of the day.
Stopped raining at New Road: Out the 22 go. Yorks need eight wickets, Worcestershire to still be there in 36 overs’ time.
Jones carefully plays the ball back on the brink of tea. Time for a brew and some calculations up in the Lancashire dressing-room.
A cheeky roar from the Blackpool crowd as a bouncer from Bracewell passes over both Jones’s head and the keeper’s head for four. We reckon Essex will get 16 overs with the new ball later. Stuck for now with the soft old Kookaburra.
Still rain at New Road – Yorkshire going to be done by the weather again. Derbyshire have just lost a third (77-30) two for Shipley, one for Karvelas. Madsen and Mr run-accumulator du Plooy at the crease.
And sudden activity in the skies above Blackpool, as a helicopter temporarily scares the seagulls away. Lancs 258-4, haven’t put the foot right down yet.
Excitement trickling away at The Oval: Notts 39-0 off 10 overs, needing 258 more if they were to push for victory.
A masterclass of patience’s virtue from Nick Gubbins: 29 from 127 balls. Just another session and 30 minutes to go…. Hampshire 124-7
For Rob Keogh fans everywhere.
Off spin perfection from Rob Keogh. 🤌 pic.twitter.com/R9vw7cNyQP
— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) July 13, 2023
Middlesex, 128-3, need 195 with seven wickets in hand. Robson closing in on a half century. Out ground boundaries.
Lots of dust out there in the middle in Blackpool, but nothing really happening for Harmer. A gettable total gets more gettable – just 186 needed. Jones and Salt’s fifty partnership comes and goes to a ripple of applause.
Amazed to hear that DIG used to be shy. There’s hope for all of us in the diffident gang!
I would encourage you to listen to this but I’m too shy!! https://t.co/HvpqSP7y8L
— David Gower (@David215Gower) July 13, 2023
Just in case it had passed anyone else by, Saqib Mahmood is out for the season with a recurrence of his lumbar stress fracture.
100 for Rishi Patel!
The match may be dead, but the milestones aren’t. A fourth hundred of the. year for young Rishi. Twelve balls fours, 153 balls. Another to file as a promising musketeers alongside Rew and Bean and Haines and Coles and others to be filled in BTL.
After a partnership of 57 between Gubbins and Brown, a double breakthrough from Casey Aldridge: BRown for 35 and Fuller for a two-ball duck. Hants 115-7, still 55 behind.
A double wicket maiden for Shoaib Bashir! 🔥🔥🔥#WeAreSomerset #SOMvHAM pic.twitter.com/HQ9Z6NFJV7
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) July 13, 2023
Here at Blackpool, more calculations from Ken – half the runs, in the half the allotted overs.
Notts need 297 to beat Surrey
Five wickets for Brett Hutton as Jacks (60) and Lawes (55), plus some shimmying from the tail, take Surrey to a decent target. Love to see Has get a win under his belt in his first game as captain.
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Just a 90mph thunderbolt in a cloth cap.
Following on from the video of Old Trafford 1976, this short montage of Jeff Thomson bowling v England in 1974-75 shows clearly how terrifying he was in his pomp. The ball to Derek Underwood, a genuine tailender, on 38 seconds in brutal pic.twitter.com/RyEXhI260H
— Historic Cricket Pictures (@PictureSporting) July 13, 2023
Bohannon, Ken Grime announces to the tent, has just made 700 runs for the season at an average of fifty. Next ball he top edges into the hands of Porter as a Walter bowling change brings immediate dividends. Bohannon gone for 68; Lancs 194-4.
Coles out for 180: Derbyshire need 380 to beat Sussex
Coles finally caught, for a bonzer career-best 180. Sussex declare and Derbyshire, hold your hats, are about to bat.
Decided to watch a little bit from side on, saw Wells galloping onto the pitch and little Bohannon skipping behind. Seven off the first over after lunch, eight off the second. Bohannon lofted six onto the hospitality tent. Wells drove violently for four. Then disaster in one Critchley over: Wells caught for 75; Vilas, whose season should be wrapped in brown paper and put in the cupboard under the stairs, bowled for o. Lancs 180-3.
I’m off to find coffee, back soon.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Warwickshire 549-7dec BEAT Kent 171 and 332 by an innings and 46 runs
Blackpool: Lancashire 145 and 140-1 v Essex 282 and 292-8
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 277 and 61-2 v Northamptonshire 219 and 380
Taunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire 330 and 78-5
The Oval Surrey 355 and 299-7 v Notts 399
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 453 and 52-1 BEAT Gloucestershire 316 and 188 by nine wickets
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 403-9dec v Leicestershire 124-1
Hove: Sussex 402 and 322-8 v Derbyshire 407
New Road: Worcestershire 242 and 49-2 v Yorkshire 407
Harmer looks fed up at the top of his mark at the north end as another four flies down behind the slips for four. Black arm bands, btw, are for the Essex CEO’s father. I’m not that keen on this cricket lark when Wells is facing, the poor little unprotected press tent is directly in his crosshairs. Also, I’m in the front row. And that’s lunch: Lancs on target 140-1; Wells 69, Bohannon 32.
Gosh, Hampshire. Two more wickets have fallen, but they’re big ones. Middleton for an 80-ball 29 and Vince for a four-ball duck, caught off 19-year old off-spinner Bashir. Three for Bashir, and Bess wheeling in again on home territory. Hants 77-5.
They’ve taken lunch at New Road. Worcestershire will be hoping for leisurely linen cloths and five courses after losing two wickets this morning, still lingering 116 behind Yorkshire’s first innings 407.
More rain at Cardiff in this weather-soaked game. Mr 176 not out, Michael Neser, took the one wicket to fall. Budinger for five. A(nother) fifty for Patel; while Hill unbeaten on 45. Leics 118-1.
Fifty for Luke Wells
Survived being dropped by twice, once on 2 once on 44, to keep Lancs solid. Magpies peck the outfield as we move towards lunch.
You spotted him BTL first!
22-year-old Tawanda Muyeye will feature in The Hundred for the first time this August after having been selected by Oval Invincibles in the Men's Vitality Wildcard Draft 🏏
— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) July 13, 2023
Sussex whizzing along down on the south coast, James Coles still there on 138, Jack Carson having fun, five fours in his 25 not out. Sussex 299-7, the lead 294.
As, at Blackpool, Lancashire bring their hundred up off 23 overs. Sweet acceleration here. Maybe this could be more than survival. Lancs 101-1
A few technical difficulties here with the generator, which might be affecting those of you tuned into Scott Read and Dickie.
Turned my back for a minute, Jennings was out, Bohannon in and promptly swept Harmer for six. Lancs 77-1. And Wells turns Cook out of the dust and to the rope. Lancs 81-1.
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Forgive me, Eskinazi has retired with an injured hand, so Stoneman and Robson come together. Middx 18-0
Northants lost their remaining three wickets in eleven balls this morning, good to get it out of the way I suppose, to set Middlesex 323. I can’t see this being a goer – but they’re currently 12-0 and ticking over nicely.
An intriguing day set up at The Oval too. Surrey have added 25 to the overnight score, relatively sedately for Jacks and Laws. The lead over Notts has inched up to 182. Foakes didn’t managed to do a pick-me dance with quite the style Dan LAwrence did – out for 25.
Or, they could be saved by the rain – which is currently falling on the south west.
Eyes to Taunton where its been a humdinger every day. Somerset flexed their nascent muscle yesterday and enforced the follow-on, whereupon Vince sent back in his No. 10 Kyle Abbott, stranded on 89 in the first innings, alongside Fletcha Middleton. Abbott was out before the close, as was Weatherley, and Felix Organ has followed suit this morning. Hampshire 45-3. They’ll need another Vince masterclass to last till the evening.
Sorry, just realised I omitted a perhaps crucial piece of information – Essex declared overnight to “set” Lancashire 430 to win. Jennings has just driven Porter beautifully for four. Lancs 13-0.
Porter from the South End and Cook from the North End opening proceedings at Stanley Park. It’s warm today – shirt sleeves on the tiered steps of the old ground.
Some reading on the women’s Ashes, a classic in the making:
Geoff’s ruminations:
and Raf’s report
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Warwickshire 549-7dec BEAT Kent 171 and 332 by an innings and 46 runs
Blackpool: Lancashire 145 v Essex 282 and 292-8
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 277 v Northamptonshire 219 and 372-7
Taunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire 330 and 34-2
The Oval Surrey 355 and 200-5 v Notts 399
DIVISION TWO
The Riverside: Durham 453 and 52-1 BEAT Gloucestershire 316 and 188 by nine wickets
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 403-9dec v Leicestershire 28-0
Hove: Sussex 402 and 193-5 v Derbyshire 407
New Road: Worcestershire 242 and 22 v Yorkshire 407
Dan Lawrence drops a calling card
Dan Lawrence bashed a brutal hundred at Blackpool, grinding Lancashire hopes with his big boots and entertaining thespectators watching from their fold-up seats high on the tiered banks. Exquisitely timed too, with England in need of a No 3 and the Old Trafford Test coming up fast on the inside, just a week away.
A salty seadog in the queue by the coffee van sniffed a force seven gale and at times it felt like that, as the wind skated up the coast and over the ground. But it did not put Lawrence off his stride, squatting his considerable frame into a Z before cracking the ball with huge power. He hit nine sixes: three of them lost over the wall into Stanley Park, one pancaked straight back past Will Williams over the press tent; one to reach his third hundred of the summer over wide long-on.
Lawrence hit even more freely and monstrously after reaching three figures, finally out for 135 off 125 balls in the last over of the day. Earlier. Lancashire had lost seven wickets in the morning session, and two more soon afterwards, just avoiding the follow-on, with four wickets to Sam Cook and three to Paul Walter.
Essex then had a disastrous start to their second innings, as both Nick Browne and Alastair Cook were out for nought, before Lawrence came in and turned the game upside down. In 100 first-class matches at Blackpool, the highest run-chase is 301; with the Essex lead now 429, Lancashire have their work cut out tomorrow.
Preamble
Hello! It is beautiful in Blackpool this morning, wind turbines whirring far out to sea and the hazy outline of north Wales hovering on the horizon. And I met a big, beautiful collie on my morning walk.
Could be a cracking day at Stanley Park today after Dan Lawrence’s fireworks – Lancs bolting the door and hunkering down against Cook, Walter, Harmer et al.
Two games finished yesterday – Warwickshire thrashing woebegone Kent and runaway Durham beating Gloucestershire by nine wickets.
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