Tanya Aldred's roundup
On a June day so fierce that spectators shaped their bodies to the shadows, Felix Organ poached a career-best six for 67, but not before Lancashire had built an intimidating lead of 232 against Hampshire.
A standing ovation had serenaded Phil Salt to his first Lancashire century, and his first Championship hundred since 2019, in the days when he wore a Sussex shirt. Daryl Mitchell biffed 68 blockbuster runs and George Bell made a stylish cameo, Organ wheeling away, while Mohammad Abbas and Keith Barker were furiously unlucky. Liam Dawson was shipped off to hospital for stitches in his top lip split after a ball deflected off third slip straight into his face. Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins then took Hampshire to stumps, the deficit reduced to 113.
The familar jingle of Essex’s Simon Harmer running through a batting card from Chelmsford’s River End returned to the Championship for the first time in 2023, with Somerset the unlucky opponents. Jamie Porter grabbed the first three Somerset wickets, before Harmer started his work (5-64). Sean Dickson carried his bat for 82. Essex, who had declared just before lunch, spruced up by a rapid 50 from Feroze Khushi, didn’t enforce the follow on.
Warwickshire have Nottinghamshire where they want them in the battle of the Midlands big dogs at Trent Bridge. After declaring on 571 for nine, Michael Burgess and Hasan Ali adding rapid morning runs for Warwickshire, whose bowlers then crunched through the Notts top order. Ed Barnard made the breakthrough when he had Ben Slater caught at first slip for 19, Hasan Ali rattled out two more and when Montgomery fell for eight, Notts had lost four for seven. Oliver Hannon-Dalby had time to join the wicket-taking club before Notts were rescued by an oncoming thunderstorm.
Leus du Plooy and Haider Ali conjured a remarkable Derbyshire comeback out of a cold bowl of sick, adding an unbroken 231 for the fifth wicket from just 311 balls against Yorkshire. Derbyshire supporters, despondent at their team’s 17 for four in their second innings and still 225 behind just after lunch, struggled to believe what was happening. Dawid Malan had earlier made 106.
Another fightback at The Riverside, where centuries sensible (David Bedingham) and bold (Ollie Robinson) gave Durham the lead against Glamorgan. At Bristol, Gloucestershire’s Ollie Price celebrated his 22nd birthday with a career-best 85 against Leicestershire, while Jake Libby dominated Worcestershire’s innings against Sussex with an unbeaten 198. And Kent continued to rip up the form book, skittling Surrey for 145, declining to enforce the follow, and then building an intimidating lead.
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Hundreds for Haider Ali , Jake Libby David Bedingham, Ollie Robinson- and more!
A last glance at the party division before I write up.
Derbyshire doing a Leicester on Yorkshire. From 17-4, a mighty 229-4 has grown. Haider Ali 121 not out, Leus du Plooy 86 not out. The deficit only 13.
Durham also in dream land, 290-5, Bedingham 118 not out plus a quick-fire 102 from t’other Ollie Robinson, his second in Durham colours. They now trail Glamorgan by just 22.
Gloucestershire have crept up to 330-8 at Bristol; while Jake Libby has guided Worcestershire to near parity at Hove, 167 not out.
TIme for me to retire to a cooler part of the tent and write , BTL is open all hours.
Updated
Raf's view on England's Ashes squad
Updated
Sorry about the pause in updates, other tasks intervened. Hampshire have lost their first wicket here, Weatherley caught off Bailey for 12, as the sun at last loses some heat.
Elsewhere, Kent have lost Compton, but at 69-1, lead the Division One leaders by 225. Somerset are in a bit lot of trouble, 159-9 against Harmer (5-60). It feels like the first time he’s run through a side this season. I’m sure you’ll tell me if I’m wrong.
Incredibly, from this north-west costal perspective, bad-light has stopped play at Trent Bridge, where Notts have had a shocker, 82-5 against Rushworth, Hasan, Hannon-Dalby et al, still trail by 489.
Loving Tom Hartley’s red socks that suddenly come on show when he hitches his trousers up at third slip. Quite a different Lancs slip cordon to the identikit Jennings, Wells, Hartley trio that often crouch together. Today we haveMitchell, Jones, Hartley, Bell, pepper pots of different heights.
Blast catch up
Remember the Blast? It was all the rage just a few days ago. Here Gary Naylor sums up all you need to know about what’s been happening.
Forty overs still left of the day here at Southport as the sun creeps further into the tent. Bailey and Williams with the new ball. I see Kent decided not to enforce the follow on – I’d have been tempted, but whadda I know . Kent’s decision probably proved right when beaten into the ground Surrey dropped Ben Compton on 0, and they’ve since moved along to 37-0
Felix Organ’s 6-67 were his first wickets of the season, from four games
Tea time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 462-9dec v Somerset 123-6
Canterbury: Kent 301 and 34-0 v Surrey 145
Southport: Lancashire 374 v Hampshire 142
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 54-3 v Warwickshire 571-9dec
Division Two
Chesterfield: Derbyshire 111 and 167-4 v Yorkshire 353
Chester-le-Street: Durham 285-4 v Glamorgan 390
Bristol: Gloucestershire 307-8 v Leicestershire
Hove: Sussex 348 v Worcestershire 205-3
Tea at Southport. I missed Felix Organ taking two in two when I popped to the loo, but got back in time to see Mason Crane spill a skier on the rope. Blatherwick last man out, for four. Organ 6-67 – a spinners wicket after all – but it helps if your batters get runs to start with. Lancs 374, a lead of 232. With the new ball proving tricky, this is going to be a nasty final session for Hampshire.
Updated
Didn’t expect three figures when I clicked on the score from Chesterfield. Well played du Plooy (56) and Haider (42), Derbyshire 110-4.
Durham have pulled on their baz-balling pants: 234-4. Bedinghamand Robinson have put on 127 at quite a lick.
Rain has again haunted Bristol, where Gloucestershire are 267-8, Ollie Price just out for 85; and Worcestershire 176-3, Jake Libby 86 not out, 172 behind Sussex’s first innings.
The second new ball does the business, Mohammad Abbas splitting the Mitchell and Bell partnership, Bell lbw for 45. And then another! This time Abbott, Mitchell lbw for 68. Walks off unhappily, trailing his bat. Lancs 336-7. And a fourth Hampshire slip catch goes down, Bailey edging to Vince who lets the buttery ball through his fingertips.
Really time to look at Division Two now.
Updated
Big fines dolled out to India and Australia for slow over rates
India forfeited their entire match fee, Australia 80 per cent of their match fee, for slow over rates in the World Test Championship final. Shubman Gil was fined an additional 15 per cent of his match fee, for tweeting about the umpiring decision to give him out caught by Cameron Green.
Penalty runs must be the answer, no?
Mohammad Abbas has the new ball, he bowls an over with and then pulls on his jumper as he retreats to field at the rope. Man is made of ice. Bell and Mitchell have batted superbly, 73 in quick time in the hteat.
Let’s potter round the grounds
Surrey are now eight down, for 122, but Abbott and Worrall can add big heavy runs so this isn’t all over. The deficit 179 so the follow on still possible.
Warwickshire declare - 571 for nine
A very pleasant scorecard for Warwicks fans in the big dog Midlands shoot out: Davies 93, Hain 100, Mousley 87, Burgess 77 not out, Hasan 54. Three wickets for the toiling Ball and four for 30-over Harrison. Notts 6-0 after five overs.
Sam Hain is in some serious form this season, both CC and Blast https://t.co/fszXnGsrvY
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) June 11, 2023
“Wake up!!” writes Brian Withington. Thank you Brian.
“Since you asked, how about keeping your eyes open long enough to report that Somerset are now looming untroubled and look set fair to bat all day and next?”
Oh yes, let me check. From humble beginnings, Dickson and Kohler-Cadmore actually are doing rather well – putting on 56 for the fourth wicket. Somerset 66-3.
Fletcha Middleton will not be stamping June 11 and 12 into his scrap book. Another drops through his fingers at slip. Barker turns on his heel and trudges back to his mark. Abbott comes over to whisper fast-bowler repair work.
At Chesterfield, Derbyshire are 36 for four. For variety, the first four wickets read: Coad, Fisher, Fisher, Coad. Whereas in the first innings, it was Fisher, Coad, Fisher, Coad.
At Southport, Daryl Mitchell reaches fifty off 64 balls, and Bell pulls six into the outdoor practise nets.
Sleepy afternoon cricket, Barker in, bowling into the dust. The heat drifts and hangs and presses. I must must not close my eyes. Send me sparky emails. Lancs 289-5, the lead 147.
Somerset’s reply started badly before lunch, losing two wickets in Jamie Porter’s first over . They lost another in Jamie Porter’s third over. Tom Kohler-Cadmore has crashed three fours in his 18 not out, Somerset 42-3.
Two Abbas snorters pass the bat of Bell, much enthusiastic encouragement from the slips. Bell breaks the spell, sending him off his legs for four. Lancashire 279-5, as a seagull flies overhead. This morning I saw a evil-eyed one swallow an enormous rasher of bacon.
Derbyshire now 5 for three; more remarkably, Surrey 60-7, Will Jacks joining his hot and bothered teammates back in the pavilion, bowled for six by Agar.
At Chesterfield, Coad and Fisher are continuing where they left off yesterday morning. Derbyshire deep in the doldrums, 4 for two in their second innings, 238 behind. Yorkshire’s long wait is nearly over. The broken spire droops a little more sadly.
An email waves in from Ainsdale. Hello Daren!
“It’s baking hot in Southport again today after Saturday’s 31C.
Far too hot for working from home!”
From a little stroll around the ground, I concur. Lots of happy punters though, young men larking about with a moon ball, a long queue at the ice cream van and plenty of pints being gingerly carried across the parched outfield. Spectators arching their bodies towards any shade they can find, while Mohammad Abbas spent ten minutes of his lunchtime bowling in full sun.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 462-9dec v Somerset 10-2
Canterbury: Kent 301 v Surrey 60-6
Southport: Lancashire 260-5 v Hampshire 142 all out
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire 524-7
Division Two
Chesterfield: Derbyshire 111 and 0-0 v Yorkshire 353
Chester-le-Street: Durham 119-4 v Glamorgan 390
Bristol: Gloucestershire 206-6 v Leicestershire
Hove: Sussex 348 v Worcestershire 94-1
Love this from Arsheep Singh on why he joined Kent (this great franchise!?!). We need, as always, to thank Rahul Dravid.
Arshdeep Singh is excited to make his Kent debut in the @CountyChamp 🇮🇳✈️ pic.twitter.com/QQYOfHrN6u
— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) June 11, 2023
Lunch scores to follow:
Liam Dawson has gone to hospital for stitches
He split open his upper lip after that slip catch ricochetted into his face from Middleton’s hand.
Thought I should check in on Surrey, to find them in need of a cold flannel and salty snacks: 47-6, with only Rory Burns making double figures. Three for Quinn, one for Arshdeep Singh, as well as the couple for Agar. Obvs Kent recovered from 41 for five so perhaps Surrey just want to prove they can go one better. Yes, that’s what it is. The recovery starts here.
A hundred for Dawid Malan!
quite some time ago actually, he’s since been out to Mark Watt (4-83) for 106.
Revis still there, Yorks 353-8.
Colin Graves latest
The ECB have responded to Colin Graves interview on Sky this morning, where he described some of what went on as Yorkshire as” banter.”
“We are disappointed to see the comments made by Colin Graves on the historical racist issues at Yorkshire County Cricket Club,” read a statement.
We must never again hear of accounts like Azeem Rafiq’s, where racist slurs are used as part of normalised everyday language.
These events, along with many issues experienced by Azeem and others during their time at Yorkshire have been upheld more than once, including during proceedings overseen by the Cricket Discipline Committee.
We vehemently disagree that this is ‘just banter’ and believe that any debate in that regard should stop immediately. Racism isn’t banter.
Yorkshire is of huge importance to cricket in England and Wales with a deep history and an ability to inspire and connect all cricket fans. They are currently working hard to resolve their financial and cultural challenges and the club, and its new management, have our full support.’’
Yorkshire accepted four charges related to allegations of racism and bullying made by Azeem Rafiq in February.
Graves was chairman of the club between 20212 and 2015 and said that, “When I was chairman of the club, when some of these allegations were made, I can tell you now, nothing was brought up within the club.”
“There have been odd occasions where words have been said that people may regret afterwards.
“I don’t think it was done on a racist, savage basis. I know people don’t like the word banter, but I think there could have been a lot of banter in there about it.
“When you play cricket and you’re part of cricket teams and you’re in cricket dressing rooms, that’s what happened in the past.
“But the world has changed; society has changed. It’s not acceptable. I understand that, I accept it, full stop.”
Last week Graves withdrew from the running to become new Yorkshire chairman.
Updated
It’s all been happening at Trafalgar Road while I wrote up that Test squad: Salt out for 103, caught at slip, though though he wasn’t too happy about it, then Daryl Mitchell has come in and biffed 20, 18 of them off four balls, one six soaring over the press tent (I ducked, I’m a coward) and thudding into something behind.
England women announce their Test squad
Heather Knight (captain, Western Storm)
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Alice Davidson-Richards (South East Stars)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Emma Lamb (Thunder)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (vice-captain, The Blaze)
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Brave)
Issy Wong returns to international duties after being left out of the T20 World Cup squad, Kate Cross has recovered enough from her parasite illness to be available, and England have picked two uncapped players: all-rounder Danielle Gibson and seamer Lauren Filer.
The Test, at Trent Bridge, starts on June 22 and will run for five days for the first time in women’s cricket. It is worth four points in the multi-format Ashes.
A first Lancashire hundred for Phil Salt!
A standing ovation for Salt, as he chivvies the ball down to the fine leg boundary. It’s his first century for Lancashire in any cricket – and (thank you Paul Edwards) his fifth Championship century in all – he had two in 2018, two in 2019, both for Sussex. A super innings. He has a hug from Dane Vilas as the bottoms settle back in the warm fold-up chairs.
Oh and that’s nasty – the ball flies off Vilas’s bat, is deflected off Fletcha Middleton’s hand at third slip straight into second slip Liam Dawson’s face.
Updated
A change of bowling here at Southport, with Bohannon and Salt lucky to survive some tricky stuff from Barker and Abbas. Not had things quite their way. Barker replaced by Kyle Abbott – and the bowling change brings a wicket! Bohannon beautifully pouched at third slip by Dawson, for 39. Lancs 189-2.
Updated
With forty minutes gone, the party poppers are already out in Division Two:
Dawid Malan is 92 not out as Yorkshire build what threatens to be a bells and whistles lead over Derbyshire – already 194. Revis has contributed a handy 17 not out at No. 7.
Durham have already lost a wicket at The Riverside, but its only their nightwatchman Stanley McAlindon.
It’s not raining at Bristol, but Gloucestershire have lost two wickets, Chris Wright grabbing both James Bracey and Graeme van Buuren.
Sussex cobbled together another ten runs this morning before losing their last wicket, and Worcestershire have added 19 without loss.
No play at Canterbury yet, but they’re due to chug into action at 11.45 with Surrey 18-and let’s say under the cosh, as there won’t be many opportunities to type that this season.
Critchley run out going for a fourth!
After notching up two centurions yesterday, Essex’s first ten minutes of the working week have brought them back to earth. First Ben Allison’s stumps are splattered by Craig Overton, showing no signs of yesterday’s foot injury, then Critchley is run out for 121. Essex 371-6.
Phil Salt starts today as he did yesterday, a thick outside edge flying through the slips for four, accelerating through the heat. Lancashire have the lead.
A fascinating interview with Mitchell Starc by Andy Bull – a modern cricket cut from a different cloth.
Sunday's round-up
The grass was brittle-dry at Southport, a hot-fire outfield begging for quick runs. And it was Lancashire who made the most of the conditions, first bowling Hampshire out for 142, with three wickets each for Will Williams and Tom Bailey, and then letting fly with the bat. Phil Salt, opening the innings for Lancashire for the first time in red-ball cricket, eyed up the Championship’s best attack and advanced. He was dropped on four in the first over, off the hard working Keith Barker, and then pounced, combining flambéed attack with, as stumps approached, watchful defence. Lancs finished the day just three runs behind, with the loss of only George Balderson, to the approval of more than 1500 spectators in fold-up chairs and sunhats.
At Canterbury, Jordan Cox turned Kent’s day upside-down with a sparkling century, transforming a miserable 41 for five into a respectable 301 all out. Wes Agar then took two early Surrey wickets to further twist the tale. Sam Billings was left out of the Kent side after “mutual discussions about form.” Alastair Cook, an old-fashioned knight in a sudden surfeit, reached his 74th first-class century accompanied by heat and a welcoming Chelmsford pitch. He was joined in the three-figures club by Matt Critchley, whose gung-ho hundred wearied the Somerset attack. New Taunton signing Shoaib Bashir, a 19-year-old off-spinner, was put through his paces, fizzing down 29 overs.
Yorkshire, winless in the first tranche of Championship cricket, had a good day. Perhaps buoyed by their T20 Blast successes, they filleted Derbyshire for 111, Matt Fisher picking up a career-best five for 30, Ben Coad three for 28. By the close, Yorkshire were already 161 ahead, with five wickets in hand. Shan Masood collected his highest score of the season, Dawid Malan unbeaten on 76. Elsewhere, Sussex fought back against Worcestershire, rain again haunted Gloucestershire, and a century from Sam Hain put Warwickshire in a strong position against Nottinghamshire. Kiran Carlson conjured up another bewitching century, his fourth of the season, as Glamorgan were all out just a sneeze short of 400 at Durham.
Start of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 360-4 v Somerset
Canterbury: Kent 301 v Surrey 18-2
Southport: Lancashire 139-1 v Hampshire 142 all out
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire 361-5
Division Two
Chesterfield: Derbyshire 111 v Yorkshire 272-5
Chester-le-Street: Durham 4-0 v Glamorgan 390
Bristol: Gloucestershire 108-3 v Leicestershire rain
Hove: Sussex 338-9 v Worcestershire
Preamble
Good morning! It’s hot, hot, hot. I got up at six and walked around Southport’s King’s gardens. Had forgotten how lovely they are – there was even a rabbit hopping delicately about the miniature railway. Searched for the sea bathing lake, gutted to discover it was demolished in 1993. If there is a Southport millionaire out there with money on their hands – this is what you need to invest in.
To the cricket - where Lancashire, to most people’s surprise, are hugely on top. Hampshire misread the pitch. “We looked at the stats and it was very hot and the pitch looked quite hard so we thought if we batted very well it would set it up for us spinning them out on the last day,” said Adrian Birrell.“It didn’t materialise for us with the bat so we are in a bit of a hole and we’re going to have to fight to salvage a draw or a remarkable win.”
Elsewhere, Kent pulled a rabbit out of a hat against Surrey, Yorkshire had a great day, Kiran Carlson (England radar?)- scored his fourth century for Glamorgan, Sussex fought back against Worcestershire, rain again haunted Gloucestershire, and a century from Sam Hain put Warwickshire in a strong position at Trent Bridge.
I’ve slathered on the suncream to walk to the ground. Will report soon from the cool of the tent.
