Tanya's county roundup
On a day when rumours of a Saudi prince refinancing Yorkshire perforated through Headingley’s walls, it was a hat-trick by Michael Neser, Ashes bowler in waiting, which lifted the spirits.
Neser ripped through Yorkshire’s batting card, finishing with seven for 32, zipping up three in three with an exhibition of superb bowling in conditions perfect for swing. First Dawid Malan was caught on the crease, then George Hill and Dom Bess chose to watch and leave balls which ducked in a wingspan to remove their stumps. Jonny Bairstow could only watch from the other end, bristling.
In his last Championship game for Yorkshire, back in 2018, Bairstow was also at the crease for a hat-trick, though then the third player in Jordan Clark’s trio that also included Joe Root and Kane Williamson.
Neser, who did not make the cut for Australia’s tour party for the first two Ashes Tests, was named the Sheffield Shield 2022-23 player of the season after taking a career-best 40 wickets for Queensland.
“It would be a special moment if I was selected for the Ashes squad in the back half,” he said, shortly before a sponsors sign unattached itself from a stand, nearly falling on his head. “I’m ready to go. Having matches under my belt is far more important than bowling overs in the nets and not playing any games. From a squad point of view, it’s probably best I’m playing games and being ready to go if the opportunity arises.”
Yorkshire were all out for 106 just before lunch. Heavy rain shortened the rest of the day but Glamorgan had built a lead of 196 by stumps.
At Trent Bridge, Haseeb Hameed was out three short of his first century of the season, Lancashire’s Will Williams the spoilsport, but he had guided Nottinghamshire to a first-innings lead. Both Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad went wicketless, as Lancashire finished the day on top.
Leus du Plooy was also sent back to the pavilion in the nineties, but not before he had batted Derbyshire in to a dominant position at the County Ground alongside Wayne Madsen – who kept up his absurd 60-plus average against Leicestershire. There were five wickets for Wiaan Mulder.
Northamptonshire tucked away their first batting point of the season, before a bludgeoning 95 not out from Tom Kohler Cadmore, off just 71 balls, took Somerset in sight of their total.
There were more runs for the in-form Sam Hain as Warwickshire built a hearty lead over Hampshire. He was backed up by half centuries from Al Davies and Michael Burgess, while Ed Barnard needs nine runs to become the round’s first Division One centurion.
It is proving a knuckle-gnawer of a game at Chelmsford, where Jamie Porter kept the powerful Surrey batting lineup cowed with four for 51, giving Essex a 74-run first innings lead.
Updated
With the tunes blasting out from the other Headingley, where the Rhinos face the Salford Red Devils at 8pm, time for me to pack up. We’ll be back tomorrow, do join us if not distracted with crown-related activities in London. Good night!
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 314 and 15-0 v Surrey 240
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 229 all out v Warwicks 364-5
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 249 v Lancashire 214 and 98-1
Taunton: Somerset 199-4 v Northampton 255
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 326-7 v Leicestershire 122
New Road: Worcestershire 264 and 34-1 v Sussex 373
Headingley: Yorkshire 106 v Glamorgan 245 and 57-2
I’m losing track of today a bit.
Stumps at Headingley, Glamorgan 57-2, a lead of 196.
Stumps at Trent Bridge, with Lancs 98-1, a lead of 63.
Rain at Derby, with du Plooy 94 not out and Derbyshire 299-4, 177 ahead.
Pujara, of course, has inevitablised his way to another century at New Road to add to his crazy record. Currently 134 not out, Sussex 368-8, a lead of 104.
Tom Kohler Cadmore and Cameron Bancroft are pulling Somerset (93-3) towards three figures, 162 behind Northants.
That Ed Barnard is at it again for Warwickshire at the Rose Bowl, a handy 41 not out as they chuff past Hampshire, 259-5, 30 runs ahead.
And in the knuckle-gnawer at Chelmsford, Surrey are 208-7, 106 behind Essex.
Time for me to write up – sorry this has been an on-off kind of afternoon. Do chat on BTL, unless you have anything better to do with your Friday night.
Jonny didn’t fancy talking. Michael Neser did, though he was nearly hit on the head by a sponsorship sign that suddenly left its velcro morings.
Play abandoned for the day at Headingley
Just going to loiter downstairs to see if YJB will speak.
Durham sign Ajaz Patel
Durham have signed left-arm orthodox spinner Ajaz Patel to replace Matt Kuhnemann who flew home to Australia after injuring his back during Durham’s game against Glamorgan. Patel will arrive in time to play in Durham’s next Championship game, against Yorkshire, and will be available for up to seven Champo games. Patel has 48 Test wickets, including 10-119 against India, becoming the third bowler in Test history to take ten wickets in an innings after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.
Happy 80th Birthday Graham Burgess!
Happy 80th Birthday to Somerset legend Graham Burgess from all at the Club! 🎂🎂#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/g5MBfAdL9R
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) May 5, 2023
Tea-time ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 314 v Surrey 163-5
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 229 all out v Warwicks 211-4
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 249 v Lancashire 214 and 98-1
Taunton: Somerset 28-2 v Northampton 255
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 299-4 v Leicestershire 122
New Road: Worcestershire 264 v Sussex 271-6
Headingley: Yorkshire 106 v Glamorgan 245 and 57-2
Is there anyone still there? Sorry about that. There is bright sunshine now at Headingley, but heavy rain – the players are off and the covers are on. While I was writing, Glamorgan lost two wickets – one each to Edwards and Thompson. And Labuschagne is in once more.
Fisher and Thompson fizzing away at Lloyd and Salter at Headingley. Ben Coad, he of the sore groin and run out duck, is not on the field.
Please excuse me briefly from ATL, I just have to write up a quick paper piece.
Updated
Another fifty for Pujara
A fine half-century for Chestehwar Pujara at New Road, his eighth four speeding along the outfield to bring up the milestone from 92 balls. Joe Leach, with the keeper stood up, has caused him a few problems but otherwise he’s looked in lovely touch. And as if to underline the point, he’s just cracked Ben Gibbon uppishly through point for another. Sussex 188 for five here, closing in on Worcestershire’s first innings.
That dream-smasher Will Williams snatches hundred glory away from Has, trapping him lbw for 97 against his old club. But Has has taken Notts into a small but spirit-crushing lead over Lancs. Stuart Broad is having fun though, with five boundaries in his 26 not out. Notts 248-9, lead by 34.
The covers are half on-half off at Headingley, and the players waiting by the boundary, because a dirty big wedge of cloud is slowly drifting across the ground. Elsewhere, though, we have play.
Yorkshire-Saudi talks
Not exactly a denial from Yorkshire on the Saudi situation after all:
Stephen Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer for Yorkshire CCC, said: “While we are not able to comment on any of the individual parties involved, we are involved in numerous positive and serious conversations around refinancing of the Club and continue to explore all the avenues available to us.”
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 314 v Surrey 80-1
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 229 all out v Warwicks 95-3
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 218-8 v Lancashire 214 all out
Taunton: Somerset v Northampton 212-6 Rain
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 189-3 v Leicestershire 122 inspection at 1pm
New Road: Worcestershire 264 v Sussex 158-5
Headingley: Yorkshire 106 v Glamorgan 245 and 0-0
And here comes the Leeds rain.
And off they come, Glamorgan’s one over safely negotiated. Lunchtime scores to follow. All hail Michael Neser
Admirably quick turnaround at Headingley, where the players are already in the middle waiting for the roller to drive off the grass. A dung heap of a morning for Yorkshire who on a brilliantly sunny morning lost five wickets for 44 in less than an hour. YJB back behind the stumps, hand on hips.
And needless to say that after that last update from New Road, Steve Smith is out. Looked a little unfortunate watching the replay, Josh Togue hitting him above the knee roll on 30 with Smith already on his tip-toes. A bail-trimmer if so. Sussex are 128 for four, Cheteshwar Pujara now joined by James Coles out in the middle.
Yorks 106 all out. Bairstow 20 not out, Neser 7-32
Oh dear me. Bairstow and Coad sprint a quick single, and a limping Coad is run-out by the third of a pitch. Sensational bowling by Neser, who is serenaded off the pitch.
Jonny at great risk of being stranded here on 16. A seventh wicket for Neser, Yorks 102-9. And here he goes – bang one bounce into the advertising hoardings.
Absorbing stuff at New Road, where Cheteshwar Pujara and Steve Smith are starting to build a solid partnership after that early wobble from Sussex, moving the score to 118 for three. We had a stoppage after a couple of overs, both players ordered to attach stem guard protectors to their helmets by the umpires. Smith, who is so particular about his equipment, did start using one after that blow to the eck from Jofra Archer in 2019 but as they’re not yet mandatory in Australia or international cricket - just England - he’s clearly dispensed with them in recent times. “I wear my collar up when I bat, so sometimes it catches on my collar, which annoys me a bit,” Smith has said previously. Anyway, one huge shout for lbw when he was on 15, padding up to Josh Tongue, but it was probably missing off stump. And as I type that he has just absolutely drilled Matthew Waite for four through extra cover to move to 30. Woof!
Updated
After a bit of attention to his right leg, the physio runs off and YJB continues.
Physio watch
The Yorkshire physio runs on to tend to Bairstow. But we think it is the right leg…
Deja-vu for YJB. Incredibly, the last time he played a Championship game for Yorkshire, he was part of Jordan Clark’s hat-trick of all hat-tricks at Old Trafford: Joe Root, Kane Williamson, YJB. At least this time he could watch from the other end. Furiously.
Updated
Hat-trick for Neser at Headingley! Yorkshire 90-8
Dawid Malan lbw, George Hill makes an unfortunate misjudgment and Dom Bess, after much faffing about in his crease, also plays no shot and loses his bails.
In and out round the grounds like a hyperactive couple on a weather house. Off at Chelmsford where Surrey are 44 without loss against Cook Porter et al. Off at The County Ground where Derbys are still 189-3.
On, for now, at Edgbaston – where Rob Yates was caught and bowled by Kyle Abbott for 26. Al Davies busying along on 46. No reward yet for Abbas. Notts have lost two this morning at Trent Bridge, but. Has still there, now on 80.
And three wickets for Lewis Gregory at Taunton where Northants have reached 181-5.
Glorious. Jonny pushes briskly and sends Neser down the ground for four.
Jonny boundary klaxon. Has boundary Klaxon. Same result but a very different timbre.
Haseeb Hameed's defiance continues as he looks to push Nottinghamshire past Lancashire's first innings total #LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/c0OPfA6ieN
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) May 5, 2023
Katherine Sciver-Brunt retires from international cricket
After 267 games, 335 wickets, three winning World Cups and four Ashes series, Katherine Sciver-Brunt has hung up her England bowling boots at last.
“Well here I am, 19 years later, at the end of my international journey,” said KSB. “I thought I’d never be able to reach this decision but I have and it’s been the hardest one of my life.
“I never had any dreams or aspirations to do what I’ve done, I only ever wished to make my family proud of me. And what I’ve achieved has gone way beyond that.
“I have so much to be thankful for, cricket has given me a purpose, a sense of belonging, security, many golden memories and best friends that will last a lifetime. Of the trophies and titles I could have wished to achieve, I have reached them all, but my greatest achievement is the happiness that I have found in Nat.
“It has been a huge honour representing England for so long and I’d like to thank all of the England cricket family past and present for making my time a special one. The supporters - you are awesome, without you we wouldn’t be able to do what it is that we love and the atmosphere you guys create is irreplaceable.
“The biggest thanks I have though goes to my family, they are my biggest fans and greatest support without which I wouldn’t have made this journey at all.”
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and England Women’s Managing Director Clare Connor, also Sciver-Brunt’s first England captain, said: “Katherine has done so much for the game of cricket and for women’s cricket in particular. She has been an unbelievable role-model, giving us everything she has for nearly 20 years.
“When cricketers retire, we rightly celebrate their skill, their runs and wickets, their records and accolades. But what Katherine has given the game of cricket extends far beyond those things. Her most powerful impact has been through her human qualities – through her passion to take our sport forward, her care for her teammates, her desire to always come back better and stronger despite significant injury setbacks. Through the time she has spent with fans, signing autographs, having her photograph taken with so many girls and boys who have been inspired by her. Many of those children will have watched Katherine play over the years and will have been inspired to start playing themselves. That’s an incredibly powerful legacy of which she should be so proud.
“Katherine began her career in a completely different era from the one we are in now and we owe her a debt of gratitude for the part she has played in progressing our game, raising standards and bringing a new audience to women’s cricket.
“She is quite simply a legend of our sport and I’d like to extend my thanks and the thanks of everyone at the ECB and across the game to her. We wish her all the best as she steps away from a remarkable international cricket career.”
KSB will play in this year’s Hundred.
12.15 restart at Edgbaston. As Bairstow, who jogged into the middle, lets the first ball of the day fly harmlessly past.
It’s raining at The County Ground, and they wade off with Derby 189 for three, a handy unbroken partnership of 57 between Madsen and du Plooy.
Bleach bright sunlight here at Headingley, as YJB readies himself to return to the middle.
We’re led to understand that the Saudi story isn’t true, though Stephen Vaughan and Darren Gough are in Dubai meeting business types.
Updated
A life for Wayne Madsen at the county ground, dropped at second slip, as Derbyshire (176-3) accelerate away from Leicestershire. A catch for the wicketless Jimmy Anderson at Trent Bridge – worry not, it isn’t Has – still there on 60. Notts 132-6, still 82 runs behind Lancashire’s bailey-balling.
Delayed start at the Rose Bowl and Headingley.
Smith and Pujara dream team
It’s the dream ticket here at New Road, Cheteshwar Pujara and Steve Smith out there in the middle after two wickets in the first two overs to see Sussex 67 for three. Tom Alsop was lbw to Joe Leach initially and then, after a tough chance went down at slip, Ben Gibbon had Ali Orr caught behind. A gentle ripple of applause for Smith as he walked out, shadow batting. Lightsaber leave first up and the usual pre-delivery ticks and checks of the pads remain. Welcome, Smudge.
Apologies, for slow updates, was on the prowl for interviews. Football being played by here at Headingley by both teams ahead of the midday start. – Mickey Edwards seems to be in charge in his long white socks. Jonny standing watching. Let’s go round the grounds, where Pujara and Smith are already batting together…
Morning Tanya and team ... watery sunshine here in Worcester and a fun day in prospect (assuming it stays that way). We’re one wicket away from Chesteshwar Pujara, two away from Steve Smith ... although Ali Orr (33 not out) and Tom Alsop (11) will have designs on delaying their entrances. Orr played very confidently yesterday evening, the ball hitting the middle of his bat consistently. Josh Tongue was probably the pick of the bowlers before bad light but, overall, Worcestershire lacked a bit of cutting edge. Ollie Robinson was operating on a different level. ... PS It’s 104 overs today, lunch at 1.10pm and tea at 4pm.
Updated
Weather watch
They’re hoping for a noon start at Headingley, if no more rain, and it does seem to be clearing around the trees. The forecast round the country is a bit of a mixed bag. Cross your fingers and say Steve Smith.
Very good:
Sussex are so funny man, 3 of the best red ball players in the world, and 8 U16As from whichever posh school is closest to Hove
— Sean (@elseanawy) May 4, 2023
And the Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale envisages Test cricket as a once a year prestige event, like Wimbledon amongst an ocean of T20 franchise tournaments. Just like Matthew Engel’s World Test Championship suggestion of the mid 90s– with a rather large twist.
Updated
But while we were studying YJB’s lateral movement, this was happening behind the scenes:
Saudi Arabia government official in negotiations to invest in cash-strapped Yorkshire in remarkable deal that would see Prince Badr take on the £15m debt owed to Colin Graves Trust https://t.co/rfeURkwBO1
— Matt Hughes (@MattHughesDM) May 4, 2023
Ali's Steve Smith watch
Jonny Bairstow watch and round the grounds
Jonny bounced and Jonny jumped. Jonny ushered his slips into place, Jonny jogged from one end of the wicket to the other in his tight, short-sleeved gansie, Jonny rugby-tackled a flying piece of advertising hoarding and pleased the crowd. Jonny took three smart catches, one a cartwheeling effort to his left to scoop up Kiran Carlson. Jonny looked pleased.
It was just over eight months ago that Bairstow slipped walking to the third tee of a Harrogate golf course, breaking his left fibular in three places and dislocating his ankle. A horror injury, in the midst of a golden run of form: four Test hundreds in five Test innings: 136, 162, 106 and 114. The path back has been long and arduous. As the man himself said in an Instagram post from Wednesday: “36 weeks of pain, 36 week of emotional rollercoaster, 36 weeks of asking questions you may not get answered. The road hasn’t been straight forward nor easy, but hey it’s me, why would it be.”
Despite the best efforts of two Yorkshire nightwatchman in the Leeds gloom, Bairstow did have to bat under lights with slips salivating, as Yorkshire tripped to 62 for 5, with three wickets for Michael Neser. Bairstow survived seven balls, jogged two runs, with power to add if the weather is forgiving in the morning. Yorkshire had earlier bowled Glamorgan out for 245, Marnus Labuschagne top-scoring with a knock of 65 that creaked into action but gradually oiled itself in all the right places. There were three wickets apiece for George Hill and Erling Haaland-lookalike Micky Edwards.
The catch of the day went to a sun-hatted Rory Burns at Chelmsford who powered upwards, left and round the corner at slip to poach Matthew Critchley off Will Jacks for 60. Surrey pulled back the curtains on Essex, with Gus Atkinson taking a career-best 6 for 68.
It was a day for bowlers everywhere, as Hampshire’s James Vince (75 not out) watched his teammates fall about him at the Rose Bowl; and Lancashire slipped from 109 for two to 214 all out; before reducing Notts to 119 for five; Haseeb Hameed surveying the wreckage on 57.
At the County Ground, Henry Brookes, on loan to Derbyshire from Warwickshire, took six for 20 to help bowl out Leicestershire for 122. And Northamptonshire’s Ricardo Vasconcelos nipped along to 70 at Taunton where rain curtailed play. Somerset’s Craig Overton, returning from injury, snaffled a couple of catches and a wicket against Northants.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 314 v Surrey 1-0
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 229 all out v Warwicks 82-0
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 119-5 v Lancashire 214
Taunton: Somerset v Northampton 137-4 Rain
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 144-3 v Leicestershire 122
New Road: Worcestershire 264 v Sussex 63-1
Headingley: Yorkshire 62-5 v Glamorgan 245
Preamble
Good morning! In Leeds, it is damp. I averted my eyes from the MASSIVE almond croissant and am eating porridge in a classy Headingley cafe. Ali is on his way to New Road where Steve Smith is next but one man to come in. Cheteshwar Pujara the not inconsiderable next but one.
Here at Headingley, Jonny is already batting. So I think that is a win for me. Elsewhere Haseeb Hameed stands, like James Vince yesterday, on the burning deck. Perhaps the first hundred of the round will be his. Division Two teasers Leicestershire are in disarray, it’s tight at Chelmsford and let’s hope weather allows a bit more action in the cursed south-west. Time for me to stroll to the ground, back soon.
