Roundup: Bohannon catches the eye with the wind at his back
Lancashire’s Josh Bohannon made an unbeaten 142 against Gloucestershire to the accompaniment of blustery winds which screamed across Old Trafford, from the rubble of the now dismantled Red Rose suite to the empty space where the party stand sometime shakes. More pertinently, perhaps, James Taylor, England selector, was watching a pugnacious innings of crisp strokes and a gritty dead bat. Bohannon, who had a breakthrough summer in 2021, scoring two hundreds and averaging over fifty in Championship cricket, spent part of the winter with the Lions, and is thought to be more than a twinkle in England’s future plans.
Shan Masood’s superlative spring in a Derbyshire shirt continued against Leicestershire as he majestically strode to his second consecutive double century, pound for pound the best value signing since a wet behind the ears Jamie Vardy autographed the dotted line. Already more than half way to a thousand runs before the end of May, he is galloping towards becoming the first man to do it since Graeme Hick in 1988.
Tom Abell made a career best unbeaten 150 as Somerset kicked on against Surrey at The Oval. Ollie Pope and Ben Foakes brought balance after early wickets, but both fell by stumps, Pope snaffled by an astonishing one-handed boundary catch by Tom Banton.
A frolicsome century by James Vince, at less than a run a ball, kept the runs flowing for Kent against Hampshire at Canterbury; while Michael Burgess skimmed to his second tempestuous mega hundred in successive innings, as the 2021 county champions, Warwickshire, lorded it over the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy winners Essex.
Middlesex built a huge lead against Glamorgan thanks to an undefeated stoical hundred from John Simpson and some entertaining pots and pan bashing from Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shaheen then dismissed Marnus Labuschagne cheaply for the second time in the match, and the middle-order crumpled. Glamorgan’s prospects look bleak; as do Sussex’s against Worcestershire at New Road.
That’s it from me for today, time for a glass of something tasty. Have a lovely evening!
Close of play scores
Division One
Canterbury Kent 305 (Bell-Drummond 149) v Hampshire 337-4
Old Trafford Lancashire 289-3 v Gloucestershire 252 all out
Northampton Northamptonshire 204 all out v Yorkshire 296 and 85-1
The Oval Surrey 204-5 v Somerset 337 all out (Abell 150 no)
Edgbaston Warwickshire 385 all out v Essex 168 and 0-1
Division Two
Riverside Durham 230 all out v Nottinghamshire 371-3
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 and 104-6 v Middlesex 336 all out
Grace Road Leicestershire 213 all out v Derbyshire 437-4
New Road Worcestershire 491 (D’Oliveira 169 no) v Sussex 169-5
Shan Masood out for 219
Bowled Parky - the slow-left arm one.
Back to back double centuries in April, if you please. 91, 62, 239 and 219: 611 runs at 152.75. Grovel, grovel, cringe, bow, stoop, fall. Worship, worship, beg, kneel, sponge, crawl, etc
Stumps: Lancashire 289-3. Bohannon, 142 not out, is applauded off. He raises his bat to those in the pavilion shade, whose toes no longer belong to their bodies, and his teammates basking in the Manchester sun.
Somerset on top at The Oval in a very un-Somerset way: cautious, controlled run accumulation followed by steady bowling. Foakes and Pope winkled out after a partnership of 80 - a beaut of a catch by Banton. Sam Curran 37 not out in his first match back after a long time out with a back injury. Surrey 185-5, trail by 152.
Rumours that Ron Kalifa is favourite for the vacant ECB chair job, though various jars to juggle.
Ron Kalifa set to be next ECB chair | The Cricketer https://t.co/6aX1LZ8Nf7
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) April 22, 2022
For those who are interested in such things: Jos Buttler has just made his third IPL hundred for Rajasthan Royals, 116 from 65 balls, resplendent in pink and purple.
Jos Buttler's first 63 IPL innings: 0 hundreds
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 22, 2022
Jos Buttler's last 8 IPL innings: 4 hundreds#IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/kQyt8SkxQ6
Warwicks have made a concussion substitute, Craig Miles, while Liam Norwell is off to hospital for a precautionary check.
So this happened:
Marnus Labuschagne has been dismissed 5 times out of the last 7 times he has faced Shaheen Shah Afridi in First-class cricket #CountyCricket2022 #Cricketpic.twitter.com/Pj8fQvWUwY
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) April 22, 2022
Things looking glum for Glamorgan, 75-4, still trailing Middlesex on first innings by 134.
I’m back! But so, more importantly, is Ali...
Hello from Edgbaston, where my arrival was nearly so late as to be positively posthumous but thankfully just in time to see Liam Norwell retire hurt after a nasty blow to the head, Michael Burgess bring up a second successive century and play interrupted by a number of advertising hoardings being blown onto the field by a gust of wind. No news yet on Norwell, who walked off visibly dazed from a Mark Steketee bouncer that pranged him on the side of the helmet in the 100th over. Burgess was on 88 at the time - Warwickshire 280 for eight and leading by 116 runs - and for the second time in a fortnight was joined by the BFG that is Oliver Hannon-Dalby. While the No11 is in resolute form after his record 94-minute show of defiance to get off the mark against Surrey a fortnight ago, Burgess decided he’d best not assume repeat, carving four fours from Steketee’s next over, the third of which brought up three figures. Having arrived at 124 for five and still 40 runs in arrears, Burgess is now 111 not out and has since taken his side to 314 for eight in the 110th over for a lead of 146. Hannon-Dalby is 20 dot balls into his latest masterpiece.
Updated
Am waiting for the big hurrah from Bohannon but must write up for early Friday deadlines. Listen for the OT roar...back soonish.
Tea-time scores round the grounds
Division One
Canterbury Kent 305 (Bell-Drummond 149) v Hampshire 205-3
Old Trafford Lancashire 194-2 v Gloucestershire 252 all out
Northampton Northamptonshire 188-8 v Yorkshire 296 all out
The Oval Surrey 118-3 v Somerset 337 all out (Abell 150 no)
Edgbaston Warwickshire 261-7 v Essex 168 all out
Division Two
Riverside Durham 230 all out v Nottinghamshire 276-3
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 all out and 16-0 v Middlesex 336 all out
Grace Road Leicestershire 213 all out v Derbyshire 295-3
New Road Worcestershire 491 (D’Oliveira 169 no) v Sussex 64-2
Last year, Josh Bohannon (98 not out) made 853 Championship runs at 53.31, with two centuries. And that’s tea! He and Croft punch gloves, with much to mull over a cup of Earl Grey/rehydration squash.
In Division One, Lancs are stoically battling the wind as Bohannon pounds towards three figures: 178-2. At Canterbury- neck n neck fifties for Gubbins and Vince as Hampshire hit cruise control (172-2). Two wickets for Dom Bess as Northants falter: 172-7; and Burns, Amla and Ryan Patel all out cheaply at The Oval - Pope and Foakes rebuild (again). Surrey 84-3, trail (!) Somerset by 253.
Another wicket for Marnus, as Shaheen throws the bidet after the kitchen sink.
Marnus gets Shaheen! 💪
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) April 22, 2022
Middlesex 334/9 (lead by 212)
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/5pYkZu6Dt1#GLAMvMID | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/vdidbAepqV
Hundreds for Ben Slater and John Simpson!
It’s been busy, down in Division Two: : Hundreds for Ben Slater for Notts (240-3 - all three to Matthew Potts) and a stoical unbeaten 103 off 244 balls for John Simpson (Middx 334-9, a lead of 212 over Glamorgan)
Only Ali Orr (who I read yesterday is Sussex’s PCA rep, at the age of 21) out for Sussex, Pujara a majestic 7 not out, Sussex 30-1. And Shan Masood over half way to 1000 runs, now 133 not out, Wayne Madsen 88 not out: Derby 255-2.
Do yourself a favour and spend a minute watching Shan Masood bat 😍pic.twitter.com/Ga3guKCBzz
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) April 22, 2022
Updated
Some lovely words from Hassan Ali after play yesterday, following his six wickets:
“It was a great moment for me and great for our team.
“We made a plan to keep it simple and it succeeded. It was special for me to be bowling with the great Jimmy Anderson. I will remember coming off the ground and he was clapping me - it was a great moment for me.
“I was nervous about sharing the bowling with Jimmy but he was there to support me and he was backing me.
“We have a brilliant bowling attack and I’m really enjoying it. The first session wasn’t good enough for us but after that we tried to keep bowling in the right areas and we did well.
“I have heard a lot about county cricket and I will try my best to get a lot of experience here - I have Jimmy here and I will speak to him and I think it is a great opportunity for me. There is a lot of talent in this group.”
It would be really disheartening for Sussex to watch Worcestershire pummel towards 500 and then lose an early wicket.
If you’ve found yourself suppressing a yawn while watching the Old Trafford stream, that’s because things have been slowing winding down towards a post-prandial snooze. Lancs have made 23 in 15 overs since lunch, and seven of the last nine have been maidens.
A(nother) century for Shan Masood!
To date: 91, 62, 239 and 100 in the scorebook - he needs just another 508 for 1000 before the end of May. In that time Derbyshire have games against Glamorgan,Worcester and Notts. No-one has done it since Graeme Hick in 1998, though I’m pretty sure CCLive! predicted it for David Bedingham last year, who had 567 on May 5 2021 but whose form fell away.
Shan Masood, quick! Still there on 98...
Ryan Higgins’ hair is Metamorphosising into Beaker’s from the Muppets, thanks to post-lunch blustery winds which scream across Old Trafford from the rubble of the now dead Red Rose suite to the empty space where the party stand sometimes lives.
Luke Wells has gone, lbw to Zafar for 59, playing back, unadvisedly.
Updated
Wasim Khan set to be announced ICC general manager
George Dobell of The Cricketer reports that Wasim Khan’s new position will be announced imminently, which rules him out of the running for the ECB chair.
Wasim, who was Pakistan’s cricket CEO, left in September.
Wasim Khan is to take up a senior role at the ICC, ending chances of him becoming ECB chair | @GeorgeDobell1https://t.co/Cy1PUp4YYc
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) April 22, 2022
An Americano and a four through gully to bring Bohannon his fifty - which is handy what with James Taylor being here on England watch.
Lunchtime scores
Division One
Canterbury Kent 305 (Bell-Drummond 149) v Hampshire 47-1
Old Trafford Lancashire 103-1 v Gloucestershire 252 all out
Northampton Northamptonshire 116-6 v Yorkshire 296 all out
The Oval Surrey 14-0 v Somerset 337 all out (Abell 150 no)
Edgbaston Warwickshire 148-5 v Essex 168 all out
Division Two
Riverside Durham 230 all out v Nottinghamshire 155-3
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 all out v Middlesex 263-7
Grace Road Leicestershire 213 all out v Derbyshire 147-2
New Road Worcestershire 360-8 (D’Oliveira 149 no) v Sussex
Little and large, Bohannon and Wells, walk past the mower and up the Old Trafford steps. An excellent morning’s work, Lancs 103-1. Lunchtime scores round the grounds to follow.
That’s the 46 - I’m losing my powers. A ripple of applause encircles Old Trafford, congratulations Josh Bohannon.
Some lunchtime reading.
"I won’t be quietened by the system any more, and I don’t care if you call me difficult. Besides, I’ve got a third passion now, and it’s the most important one: I want kids from all backgrounds to see cricket as a chance to have the time of their life."https://t.co/Y3OLJisbbU
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 21, 2022
Somerset are all out for 337 with Tom Abell undefeated on 150 - a career best and played over seven hours. A metaphorical back-slap heading post-haste to south London care of ATL and (may I be so bold) BTL.
Good morning Em Jackson!
“I’ll start by saying Will Brown is an excellent CEO, I’d very much love an apartment - even as a Geordie (and not with a Kenicke related pension fund either) - at the Ashley Down Road End of Gloucestershire’s home ground in Bristol. But the English summer’s love affair with 2-3 match international class overseas players has to end although it could be adapted whereby in Division 2 there’s an “Overseas Guest County” made up of the guest-players, supported by the best Minor County side every season retrospectively (as a reward for their contribution to the Minor Counties League) perhaps? So Amir would play 2-3 games for OGC not GCCC. . . . its “back of tab packet” idea I know but how much wisdom can Amir impart in 3 games plus a bit of training? Either that or the ECB send them as and where . . . . ?”
Hoping Durham can build a small lead come lunch and not lose their last wicket with the final ball of the session like yesterday.”
To Division Two, where international superstars prowl: Slater and Duckett are moving things on nicely for Notts (109-1 - Slater 50. At Sophia Gardens, TRJ has been dismissed for 65 but John Simpson has a nice juicy fifty, and Middlesex a tasty three figure lead. In the least surprising news of the day, Shan Masood has 63, Derbys 113-2. And Worcestershire reach 400 - Dolly still there, 122 not out.
Part of the advertising hoarding blows onto the pitch and play is held up while some poor sap has to run and gather it.
I’m going to put this here, just in case Bohannon doesn’t make the milestones when I’m watching. Stats courtesy of Ken Grime. When/if Bohannon reaches 46 this morning, he will have reached 2000 f-c runs. If he makes 119, he will have made 2000 f-c runs for Lancs.
Of the batsmen to have scored 2,000 runs for Lancashire only Stuart Law (55.63), John Crawley (51.13), Ashwell Prince (49.49), Mal Loye (46.68), Ernest Tyldesley (45.20), Clive Lloyd (44.94), Dane Vilas (44.83), & Mike Atherton (44.41) have a better career average than Bohannon (43.32) for Lancs.
Luke Wells belting the ball gloriously at Old Trafford; while Tom Abell moves celestially towards 150 at The Oval, with Jack Leach for company;Somerset 321-7. Kent are all out for 203, Hampshire getting a bit of their own medicine from Jackson Bird.
Hain and Lamb are building on Warwickshire’s early morning wobble - 112-4, just 56 behind Essex; Will Young and Emilio Gay rebuild at the County Ground: Northants 81-3.
Kent are subsiding, 305-9. Six wickets for Keith Barker.
Almost six degrees of Kevin Bacon: both Josh Bohannon and one of the Old Trafford umpires, Steve O’Shaughnessy, went to Harper Green High School in Bolton, where Michael Atherton’s dad was the headmaster .
I’m afraid to say Has has gone, for 33. Notts 60-1. Here, Josh Bohannon, another twinkle in the selectorial eye, has raced to 17. Lancs 29-1. While Dom Sibley was out to the first ball of the day at Edgbaston, Warwickshire 90-4.
Mohammad Amir signs for Gloucestershire
Yet another Pakistan superstar graces the County Championship! Amir will arrive in time for Gloucestershire’s games against Surrey, Hampshire and Somerset. Amir previously played for Essex in 2017 and 2019 and for London Spirit in last year’s Hundred.
Updated
Bohannaon has hit a four over the rope, through the picnic tables, between the metal gate and under a car.
Updated
Yesterday's round-up
Even the finest racehorses need a bit of rubbing down. After spending the second half of the winter on the sidelines, omitted from England’s West Indies tour, James Anderson rolled up to Old Trafford for Lancashire’s second match of the season.
He was as lithe as ever, a 39-year-old without a sign of middle age. But for one reason or another – the unaccustomed Manchester sunshine, the brisk breeze that rustled across the ground, causing spectators to pull up their gloves – he went wicketless. His first seven overs went for 21 runs; his next nine for just nine. Perhaps he pitched a little short, a little wide at times, perhaps the toast just landed butter side down.
Gloucestershire had spent the morning spreading Lancashire’s international attack of Anderson, Hasan Ali, Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson around the ground, the only batting team in the entire Championship not to lose a wicket in the morning session. They then contrived to lose six between lunch and tea as Mahmood got reward for his accuracy, and Hasan Ali, whose celebrations deserve to be immortalised on the stage, bowled superbly, finishing the day with six wickets.
Another Pakistan international cut a dash, this time Shaheen Shah Afridi on his Middlesex debut against Glamorgan, on a day when 16 wickets fell at Sophia Gardens. He finished with three for 35, bowling a bewildered Marnus Labuschagne with a humdinger. Daniel Bell-Drummond made 149 as Kent inched towards 300 against Hampshire, Zak Crawley out for seven after dancing unadvisedly towards Mohammad Abbas.
Essex collapsed from 98 for two to 168 all out on a good batting track at Edgbaston, a day made worse when Dan Lawrence limped off towards the end clutching his hamstring. Tom Westley had been the last Essex man out for 80. Warwickshire were 76 for two at the close, with Alex Davies out for an archetypal bish, bang, swish on his Warwickshire debut; Dom Sibley survived until stumps.
At the County Ground, there were more runs for Dawid Malan and Harry Brook, who together put on 131, but the Sri Lanka Test captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, was dismissed cheaply. Gareth Berg proved a tricky prospect, finishing with five for 58. Yorkshire’s Jordan Thompson then took two quick Northamptonshire wickets before stumps.
At the Riverside, Liam Patterson-White snaffled five wickets as Durham struggled to 230. Haseeb Hameed was not out on 23 for Nottinghamshire at the close. Sam Conners took four wickets for Derbyshire in the East Midlands derby against Leicestershire, who were dismissed for 213.
Brett D’Oliveira’s golden touch since being made Worcestershire captain continued with his second century in two games. Dropped on 19, he made Sussex pay, blossoming through the day. The leading wicket-taker for Sussex – whose injury list includes winter signing Steven Finn and Ollie Robinson, out with a tooth infection – was the captain and opening batsman, Tom Haines.
Gorgeous:
You need not be a person of faith, only a person in possession of a soul, to find the adhan call to prayer reverberating around the @HomeOfCricket Long Room spine-tingling. A beautiful moment. pic.twitter.com/PGN2EsksOC
— Nakul Pande (@NakulMPande) April 21, 2022
Start of play scores
Division One
Canterbury Kent 271-7 (Bell-Drummond 149) v Hampshire
Old Trafford Lancashire 11-1 v Gloucestershire 252 all out
Northampton Northamptonshire 26-2 v Yorkshire 296 all out
The Oval Surrey v Somerset 283-6 (Abell 121 no)
Edgbaston Warwickshire 76-2 v Essex 168 all out
Division Two
Riverside Durham 230 all out v Nottinghamshire 50-0
Sophia Gardens Glamorgan 122 all out v Middlesex 171-6
Grace Road Leicestershire 213 all out v Derbyshire 36-1
New Road Worcestershire 338-5 (D’Oliveira 106 no) v Sussex
Good morning and welcome to day two of round three ! It’s a blustery sort of day in the north but there is a sun, if somewhat distant and furry. Lots to look forward to today - a chance to see if Lancashire can do better than a ridiculous late-afternoon run out; a statement-score for Dom Sibley; the scent of victory for Yorkshire; unaccustomed bounty for Somerset; while Darren Stevens is not out. In Division Two, Durham have work to do while Glamorgan need quick wickets. Shan Masood is not out at Derby and Sussex must keep on keeping on, probably till a Worcestershire declaration.
