Roundup: Prest frustrates Essex as Durham seal second-tier title
After morning rumours that Sir Alastair Cook was about to announce his retirement, to be celebrated with a low-key drinks party at Chelmsford, Essex released a prim lunchtime statement zipping up further discussion. It stated that Cook would be “discussing his playing future with the Club at the end of the current season”.
On the field Essex, desperate for points to make up their deficit behind Surrey, the leaders, got in pinching distance of enforcing the follow-on against Hampshire, only to hit a brick wall in the former England Under-19s captain Tom Prest. He cracked a brave and lusty 102. Simon Harmer collected another five wickets.
A most unlikely scoreline decorated the Oval mid-afternoon. After being set more than expected by bottom-of-the-table Northamptonshire, Surrey were reduced to 79 for six, Jordan Clark shuffling off after edging Ben Sanderson behind. But a free-clubbing Jamie Overton then monstered 50 in company with the more sedate Ben Foakes, content with a couple of pretty on-drives for four that tickled the Oval regulars, in for a final fix before the gates are locked. A torrential storm ended play, with the possibility of a declaration and charge tomorrow, Northamptonshire needing a win or bust, and similar discussions in the air at Chelmsford.
Seven years after they were relegated by England and Wales Cricket Board edict, Durham secured the Division Two championship at a soggy New Road. The title was theirs after Worcestershire were bowled out for less than 400, with three wickets each for Bas de Leede and Ben Raine. Worcestershire will spend the final day chasing precious bowling points, with their promotion rivals Leicestershire fighting hard against Yorkshire. Harry Swindells, hero of the One-Day Cup final, hit 73, putting on 93 for the last wicket with Will Davis, both out of contract at the end of the season.
With play at last possible at Old Trafford, Lancashire’s Keaton Jennings passed 1,000 runs for the season and the debutant Matty Hurst made an unbeaten 35 against Nottinghamshire.
Middlesex made a better fist of their second innings, thanks to a fifty from Sam Robson. Warwickshire’s Will Rhodes had earlier made a hundred and Danny Briggs 99.
Fellow strugglers Kent had another long day in the field against Somerset, Tom Kohler-Cadmore smashing a quickfire 68. Lewis Goldsworthy’s hundred was enlivened when he was given out after the bottom of his bat flew off and hit the stumps, only to be reprieved by a no-ball.
The Derbyshire wicketkeeper Brooke Guest snaffled seven catches, to equal the club record, as a sorry Sussex were bowled out for 100.
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Durham are crowned Division Two champions!
With Worcestershire bowled out for less than 400, Durham clinch the Division Two title! Up as Champions, seven years after they were relegated by ECB edict. Signed off during rain-ruined match at New Road – but what a cracking achievement. Can’t wait to see what they can do next year.
Meanwhile, in front of my nose, The Oval is getting an absolute soaking as a torrential storm sits over Vauxhall and unloads. Time to finish writing up, till tomorrow, and possible declaration fun, good night!
Fabulous sky over The Oval after a biblical storm. pic.twitter.com/PUzFZHFhIz
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 21, 2023
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Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 447-9 dec v Hampshire 322-8
Old Trafford: Lancashire 225-6 v Nottinghamshire
Lord’s: Middlesex 121 and 96-1 v Warwickshire 315
Taunton: Somerset 404-4 v Kent
The Oval: Surrey 158-6 v Northamptonshire 357
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire 79-1 v Sussex 100
Grace Road: Leicestershire 233 v Yorkshire 155 and 113-1
New Road: Worcestershire 313=9 v Durham 10-0
Monsoon at The Oval, think that’s over and out for the day.
I\d better think about writing up, as they once again secure the covers at The Oval.
Division Two lives and breathes:
Derbyshire 15-0 after Sussex were bowled out for 100 in 36 overs. Four wickets each for Chappell and Conners.
Yorkshire 67-0 in the crucial fast-flowing game at Grace Road.
And Worcestershire press on, aimlessly. Three wickets for de Leede, including his Netherlands teammate van Beek. Worcs 287-6.
Fifty for Jamie Overton
A big bad one, eating up the follow on target, grinding Northants’ hopes under his hunk of a boot. Surrey 158-6, trail by 199.
We now have no cricket in Division One at all.
Ooof, a drop. A cover-your-eyes one. Overton given a life by Sanderson off Procter, and Overton then cracks/hits/thwacks two successive fours, followed by four byes. OVerton 49 not out.
Foakes and Overton making the previous few hours at The Oval look strangely eventful, as Sanderson resumes from the Pavilion end, half appealing first ball. Over at Chelmsford, they’re still off for bad light.
They’ve called it a day at Taunton, Somerset 404-4, with Kent only collecting one bowling point. Somerset to declare tomorrow and see what Kent can do- or not do?
Jason Roy turns down ODI spot v Ireland
and prepares to call time on his international career.
A much-improved Middlesex batting performance, though Mark Stoneman has just been caught for 32. Middx 78-1. Sussex back on at The County Ground – though not for long, 100-9.
The Oval helicopter circles back and around, desperate to catch another one of those Foakes on drives. And who can blame them.
With a rich crack of the bat, Ben Foakes on drives Taylor for four. Two balls later, he repeats the shot. The Oval crowd wakes up, and a helicopter flies loudly overhead.
Bad light and rain again forcing the teams off at Derby, Grace Road, Taunton, Old Trafford and Chelmsford.
Somerset to lose the head of their groundstaff, Scott Hawkins, to the Premiership.
After four years at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Scott Hawkins will be taking up a new role with a Premier League football club#WeAreSomerset
— Somerset Cricket 🏆 (@SomersetCCC) September 21, 2023
Overton edges, on the ground, through second slip for four. Surrey 105-6. Now bad light at Chelmsford. And the slide rule moves again.
Surrey full of love for – 20 year old – Tom Prest.
Some final over before the break from Presty 🎇
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) September 21, 2023
Two sixes and a four off Simon Harmer 🤯 https://t.co/4rB9VIPwSM pic.twitter.com/cD8RISeJDe
The floodlights are on at Grace Road, Lyth and Bean resist Scriven and Wright. Time for a cup of tea.
Four o’clock restart at Lord’s. Four fifteen start at The Oval as the groundstaff shake out the washing and peg it on the line.
Weather interfering in bonus points here, promotion dreams there. But the teams are back out at New Road in the game where both sides would be happy twiddling their thumbs. Worcestershire 195-4, Adam Hose retired hurt after being hit on the hand. Durham can be outright Division Two winners today if they can rattle out Worcestershire for less than 400.
Hampshire avoid the follow on. Tom Prest just nine away from an almost run a ball hundred. Essex frustrated. And they take tea.
Swindells finally out for a hook-a-duck 73. Leics 233, a most unexpected lead of 78.
Harmer (5-116) grinds the (Felix) Organ, who spoons out to Matt Critchely for a duck. Hants 286-8, 161 behind.
South London skies:
Sun's out after the latest monsoon at @surreycricket. @tjaldred pic.twitter.com/mfrWD2So54
— Richard Spiller (@SpillsSport) September 21, 2023
Harry Swindells making a late entry for performance of the season. He and Will Davis have now passed the record 10th-wicket partnership against Yorkshire, the partnership 90 and counting. Leics 233-9, the lead 78.
And while the ground-staff inspect the soaking covers at a now sunny Oval, a wicket at Chelmsford. Keith Barker holing out off Sam Cook. Hampshire 284-7, Essex lead by 163.
Tea-time-ish scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 447-9 dec v Hampshire 276-6
Old Trafford: Lancashire 182-6 v Nottinghamshire
Lord’s: Middlesex 121 and 52-0 v Warwickshire 315
Taunton: Somerset 404-4 v Kent
The Oval: Surrey 91-6 v Northamptonshire 357
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Sussex 90-8 rain delay
Grace Road: Leicestershire 224-9 v Yorkshire 155
New Road: Worcestershire 179-4 v Durham rain
Prest proving a right royal irritant for Essex, after a 54-run partnership with Liam Dawson, he and Keith Barker have now added 39. The deficit 213, four wickets in hand.
Richard Kendall is hopeful for another year of SAC.
@tjaldred one shouldn't really speak it, but everything is going Essex's way, and Cooky might even stay... fingers and toes crossed
— Richard Kendall (@richardkendall) September 21, 2023
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Harry “soon to be out of contract” Swindells and Davis have stretched that Leicestershire lead to 30. Fifty-one not out to Swindells. Enough?
Men in matching wellies, shorts and cagouls walk in formation across the Oval with groundsheets.
Rain at The County Ground – Sussex 90-8. Rain at New Road – Worcestershire frozen at 179-4. Tight as a drum at Grace Road, where Leicestershire have one wicket in hand, and trail Yorks by one run. A precious 41 not out by Swindells, fresh from his Cup heroics, in his first Championship game of the year.
Keeping it interesting: Lancs five down, Hampshire six down. Rain at Lord’s (Middlesex easing to 52-0), Taunton (Somerset, likewise, 404-4) and The Oval (Surrey 91-6).
And suddenly, down comes the rain.
And Jordan Clark must shuffle off, giving the umpire a glance possibly a verbal or two, caught behind for 9.
Jordan Clark looks as the score and says, hell no, flat-hooking Sanderson for six. Surrey 79-5.
Jack White lollops in from a great height. Clark is watchful, to a chorus of school-children. Below us a couple of members of ground-staff hover by the covers. Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, Lancashire are quietly four down
As Clark survives an lbw shout on 0, some ceremony at Taunton.
Thanks for everything @BrooksyFerret. You'll always be welcome at Somerset County Cricket Club ❤️#WeAreSomerset #SOMvKEN pic.twitter.com/vOKDVz3jHC
— Somerset Cricket 🏆 (@SomersetCCC) September 21, 2023
This is a ridiculous scoreline considering Northants have only won one game all season. Still, Foakes and Steel have this. Thanks to Andrew Radd for telling us that Sanderson is now in the top 30 Northants wicket-takers. BLOW ME THERE IS ANOTHER – as Steel loses his off stump at high speed to Jack White. Surrey 66-5
Consternation amongst the Surrey faithful as Dom Sibley is sawn off sent on his heavy-footed way. Surrey 62-4.
Sir Alastair -a correction
And breathe:
Essex Cricket and Alastair Cook would like to clarify that, contrary to news articles published today, Alastair Cook will be discussing his playing future with the Club at the end of the current season.
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 21, 2023
Cook, and the First Team squad, are fully focused on the last two LV=… pic.twitter.com/ZtgeNA445A
A bucket of wickets this morning, with Sussex in particular strife. Time for some lunch – back shortly!
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 447-9 dec v Hampshire 150-5
Old Trafford: Lancashire 105-3 v Nottinghamshire
Lord’s: Middlesex 121 and 13-0 v Warwickshire 315
Taunton: Somerset 404-4 v Kent
The Oval: Surrey 56-3 v Northamptonshire 357
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Sussex 77-8
Grace Road: Leicestershire 97-6 v Yorkshire 155
New Road: Worcestershire 179-4 v Durham
Hampshire lose three for seven to keep things spicy. Middleton (47), Vince (46) and Dawson (1). Harmer three for 58.
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Does big bad Dom has a limp? Anyway, he drives Procter chunkily for four. Lunch approaches.
Hmm, so, Surrey. Clouds encroaching, cool air falling and Sudharsan back in the paivilion. Three wickets down for fifty.
A half-century for England-bound Tom Kohler-Cadmore at Taunton.
And – ALERT – Middlesex are batting, again.
A wicket at The Oval, as Patel drives Procter straight to cover. Surrey 43-2. They won’t collapse, they never do, but it would be interesting.
Sibley (23) and Patel in no hurry. The tall Tom Taylor, soon to move to New Road, striding in from the Pavilion End, elbows outwards.
In Division Two: Rain at New Road, which will not displease either party – Worcs 179-4. George Hill has whistled through must-win Leicestershire, who are 70-4, 84 behind Yorks. And at the County Ground, Sussex 57-4 and very glad that they only have a day and two thirds to survive.
Harmer (and Walter) time: Hampshire 99-2. Albert gone for 39 and Gubbins fifth ball for one. Vince screaming along to a three-boundaried 17.
And here, reproduced ATL with kind thanks to Brian Withington: Sir Alastair Cook Blues
Stop all the clocks, mute the mobile phone,
Prevent Balti from sobbing with a juicy Rhône,
Silence Don Topley and with muffled drum
Pack up the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He’s Retired,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the Chelmsford doves,
Let the groundstaff lads wear black cotton gloves.
He was our North, our South, our East and West,
Our working week and our Sunday best,
Our opener, our rock, always batting long,
We thought the runs would come for ever: we were wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away Balti’s fizz and put away the wood;
And just to rub it in Dan’s off to Surrey for good.
A hundred for Lewis Goldsworthy!
The second of his career! Kent under the pump, Somerset 308-2.
And thank you to Steve Cox for pointing out this strange happening at Taunton before Goldsworthy reached three figures: “A bizarre incident. The batsman flashed at one outside the off stump, a chunk of wood came off his bat and hit the stumps. Luckily he was saved by it being a front foot no-ball.”
Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?! 🤯🤯
— Somerset Cricket 🏆 (@SomersetCCC) September 21, 2023
❌ No-ball
🏏 Broken bat
😵💫 Onto the stumps.....#WeAreSomerset #SOMvKEN pic.twitter.com/5Zk64wCNyP
An hour in, let’s go round the Division One grounds: Burns and Sibley coping, with patience, and occasional inelegance, competently. Surrey 16-0.
Hampshire 68-0 against the soon to (possibly) be DeCooked Essex . Harmer, seven unrewarded overs.
Wells and Jennings 58-0 at Old Trafford, against Notts in the battle of the under-achieving counties.
At Lord’s, Rhodes out for 102 but Briggs still there in the nervous nineties. Warwicks 278-7, the lead 150 plus.
And Somerset in control against Kent, Goldsworthy just a pigeon step away from his ton. Somerset 273-2.
For your stats book: only 118.2 overs were played across the Championship yesterday.
About 1min 25 in:
1:27 - Murali to Martin Crowe. I'd read, and heard, about this ball before - but never seen it till now. Absolute ripper. https://t.co/azTqHWjQfs
— Nicholas Brookes (@brookeswrites) September 20, 2023
Four red-capped slips waiting as Sanderson approaches Burns, whose stance, I can confirm to Ian Sargeant continues to be, “I’ve heard a noise over my right shoulder that I must immediately investigate.”
An email from Ian Sargeant – the first in what I hope will be a long-running series Cricketers on Public Transport:
“Rory Burns was on my train (to Vauxhall) this morning - no seats available.
“I can confirm he stood in an orthodox side on stance in the walkway - as opposed to the more open stance one has attributed to him at the wicket.”
Retirements
Thanks to HPG BTL during yesterday’s washout, here is a (no doubt incomplete) list of 2023 retirees (sob): Steve Finn, Steve Davies, Tim Murtagh, Mattie McKiernan, Alex Hughes, Andrew Salter, Eoin Morgan (pre season), Graeme White, Stuart Broad, Hashim Amla, Charlie Morris. Plus Dane Vilas (from the CC), Alastair Cook (tbc), Jack Brooks (unless someone else picks him up).
A hundred for Will Rhodes!
Rhodes’ patient work is rewarded with his first hunded of the season. Despite the best efforts of Tim Murtagh, Warwickshire are pulling away:a lead of 116.
Here come Burns and Sibley -with only two days left they need to get a wriggle on for the win. At Chelmsford, Simon Harmer has been brought into the attack. Hampshire 15-0.
I have some trouble plugging in my laptop and in that time Karun Nair reaches 150 and is then caught and bowled by Lawes, who finishes with five for 105. Both are warmly applauded off in precious autumn sunshine. That was Lawes’ fiftieth first-class wicket of the summer.
And if you have a spare half an hour, I can highly recommend this new podcast by our own Emma John – featuring, amongst others, the wonderful Sharda Ugra.
And at The County Ground, where Derby have won the toss and will bowl against mea-culpa-points-docked Sussex.
Shock news: after two days of nothingness, there will be play at Old Trafford. Notts have won the toss and will bowl; Lancs hand out a new cap to wicket-keeper/batter Matthew Hurst.
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Wednesday's round-up
At Lord’s, Tim Murtagh pocketed two early wickets from the Nursery End, to make it five in his last match at home, before Will Rhodes (95) and Danny Briggs (71) put on 133 for the seventh wicket. Then the rain came down. Warwickshire put their feet up with a lead of 107. Ryan Higgins went off with a side strain, and Middlesex remain in relegation peril.
At The Oval, Karun Nair’s feisty and fun 144 not out kept Surrey at bay, his 114-run partnership with Tom Taylor the cause of much south London frustration. Nair had time to slash Tom Lawes for a joyous one-handed six before the bad light arrived, leaving Surrey looking over their shoulders at Essex.
At Chelmsford, second-placed Essex declared on 447 for 9, with three batting points in the bag – cancelled out by Surrey’s three bowling points at The Oval. Matt Critchley was unlucky to fall for 99; before Simon Harmer and Umesh Yadav played whoopee with big-hitting half centuries. Hampshire were 10-0 when the bad light fell. Essex, 18 points behind Surrey, need a win to be in with a chance of a realistic tilt at the title.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 447-9 dec v Hampshire 10-0
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Nottinghamshire
Lord’s: Middlesex 121 v Warwickshire 228-6
Taunton: Somerset 214-2 v Kent
The Oval: Surrey v Northamptonshire 351-9
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Sussex
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Yorkshire 155-9
New Road: Worcestershire 104-1 v Durham
Preamble
Good morning! Summer – or at least a friendly autumn – has returned, at The Oval at least. The teams warm up on a bright outfield, tracksuited but not a beanie in sight. But elsewhere, a small bomb has exploded – the rumours have it that Sir Alastair Cook is to hang up his boots.
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