Key events
Roundup: Lancashire collapse as Somerset beat Essex in two days
Lancashire collapsed in spectacular fashion under floodlights on Friday afternoon, all out for 92 in 30 overs and forced to follow on against Kent. With the overhead skies interchangeably frowning and fretful, Lancashire were taken apart by outstanding seam bowling, the odd lackadaisical shot thrown in for good measure. Wes Agar thundered in from the Statham end, glowering Greek god bearing gifts, entreating Luke Wells, bravely clad in short sleeves, to edge to second slip, then removing Keaton Jennings and Tom Bruce in consecutive balls. Nathan Gilchrist was also operating with steely menace, picking away at the Lancashire middle order to finish with a career best six for 24. It was only Matty Hurst, swinging the bat with abandon until he picked out Zak Crawley on the rope, who took Lancashire past their lowest score against Kent – 61 in 1884.
Lancashire’s second attempt looked to be running more smoothly, until they lost three for three just before stumps, Josh Bohannon caught driving, Keaton Jennings suffering a rush of blood against Matt Parkinson (returning to Old Trafford for the first time since moving to Kent) which left him splayed on the soil as Harry Finch pulled off a spectacular stumping, and the nightwatchman Will Williams bowled for a duck. They remain 50 runs behind.
While waiting for the outfield to dry in the morning, Saqib Mahmood was spotted going through his paces. After a second stress fracture in two years wiped out his 2023 season, Mahmood has been working his way back to fitness in the Lancashire second XI, captaining the side and bowling four- and five-over spells.
Somerset wrapped up a three-wicket victory in two days at Taunton, bowling Essex out for a second time for 138, whipping out the last four wickets for one run, then knocking off the 167 required. Despite Matt Renshaw and Sean Dickson putting on 75 for the first wicket, a partnership which defied previous batting efforts on a green pitch, the chase was full of jeopardy almost until the end. It was Somerset’s first win of the season.
On a turning pitch, Joe Root and Finlay Bean clattered 201 for the third wicket at Headingley as Yorkshire drilled their heels into Glamorgan’s hopes. Root was eight short of a second consecutive elegant Championship century at stumps, while Bean danced along to a career-best 140. Earlier Dom Bess and Daniel Moriarty pocketed four wickets each as Glamorgan were bowled out for 221 – the first time Yorkshire had fielded two front-line spinners at Headingley since Adil Rashid and Azeem Rafiq in 2013. Bess’s four for 25 was a timely filip after a torrid 2023 – dispatched on one-match loans to Somerset and Warwickshire, and a winter spent playing in Zimbabwe.
Leicestershire’s Peter Handscomb made a painstaking first century at Lord’s, and Rehan Ahmed hit 42, on a day when the ball kept going out of shape in NW8; while Cheteshwar Pujara’s unbeaten hundred, alongside fifties from James Coles and Toms Haines and Alsop put Sussex in a handy position against Derbyshire.
What a belting day, a bum-clencher at Taunton and Lancs falling at the feet of the Kent massive, as well as runs for Joe Root and Bean, Pujara and Handscomb. We’ll be back tomorrow at 10am – have a lovely evening. Bye!
Close of play scores
DIVISION ONE
Old Trafford: Lancashire 92 and 119-4 v Kent 261
Taunton: Somerset 128 and 170-7 BEAT Essex 156 and 138 BY THREE WICKETS
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 246 v Sussex 357-5
Lord’s: Middlesex 64-1 v Leicestershire 306
Headingley: Yorkshire 295-2 v Glamorgan 221
Right. With Somerset three down, but in sight of victory; Jennings and Wells surviving the first 1.3 overs of the follow-on; Pujara 30 short of a century at Derby; Handscomb even close at Lord’s; and Bean (91) and Root (60) biffing Glamorgan around, time for me to write up for the paper. All eyes on OT and Taunton.
Here we go again: 29 overs left in the day, though the skies may see to that. Lancashire’s first innings lasted 30 overs. Agar 4-35; Gichrist 6-24. Only two scores in double figures – Hurst (36) and Wells (10).
Lancashire all out 92 – and will follow on
Williams getting a working over from Agar, a throat ball, a chest ball. And there’s the final wicket, an edge to give Gilchrist six. Bell Drummond gathers his bowlers together, I think… yes they’re following on.
And Hurst’s luck runs out, as he picks out Zak Crawley on the rope. Lancashire 83-9, still 178 behind. Gilchrist 5-19.
Porter gets in on the act at Taunton, Somerset 83-2.
A missive from Vic Marks: “it appears to have flattened out a bit.”
Hurst is having a swing at Agar – a top-edged six follows four, then he advances down the ground and shuffles him for four more. Agar looks strangely ruffled.
A wicket at Taunton, but shhhurely too late. Somerset 75-1, need only another 92 to win. Cook the wicket-taker, Renshaw lbw for 35.
“Would it be out of order for me to ask for an uppercase G on Greek (but
not god)?” asks Romeo. But of course. Gg picked up another while I went on an emergency press box run for chocolate, Bailey having a swish down the legside to donate another catch to Finch. Lancs 61-8.
With Armageddon at Old Trafford and Taunton suddenly a batting paradise, time for a cup of tea.
Tea-time scores
DIVISION ONE
Old Trafford: Lancashire 48-7 v Kent 261
Taunton: Somerset 128 and 45-0 v Essex 156 and 138
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 246 v Sussex 196-3
Lord’s: Middlesex v Leicestershire 221-8
Headingley: Yorkshire 106-2 v Glamorgan 221
Parky is on.
Tom Hartley decides to try and lasso a wildebeest, gets an outside edge to first slip. Zak Crawley says thanks very much. Lancs 40-7. Gilchrist 4-11.
A third wicket for Gilchrist, Balderson, already given a working over, squared up, the edge scooped up at third slip. A despondent Balderson looks at his bat and almost shrugs. Lancs 38-6.
Some relief for Lancs as Agar is sent to chew the pasture for a while, as Stewart replaces him from the Statham end. Lancs 38-5. And no wickets down yet at Taunton, Somerset 15-0.
Agar sends one in the direction of Hurst’s head. Lancashire’s lowest score against Kent is 61, in 1884.
Bell has a possibly unwise leaden footed swish at Gichrist, the ball nips a bit, and he is caught behind. The skies suitably glowering, Lancs 35-5.
Somerset need 167 to win
Meanwhile at Taunton… three wickets each for Gregory and Davey, as Essex lose 4-1, all out 138.
No hat-trick for Wes Agar, who is steaming in like a brooding Greek god. George Bell, then Balderson, survive three balls.
And another. And another! Lancs 30-4.
Agar two in two balls. Jennings caught behind off a beauty. Then Bruce sticks his pad forward brusquely and is sent on his way. Hat-trick ball…
In Division Two: Alsop (42) and Pujara carrying Sussex on their merry way, Sussex 133-2.
Four wickets for Bess and Moriarty at Headingley as Glamorgan all out 195. Bean and Lyth have eased along to 26-0.
And Peter Handscomb has fifty at Lord’s – Leics 183-6.
Here at OT the Kent slips all have their jumpers on. Bohannn fizzes a gorgeous drive for four, and is promptly bowled off an inside edge for nine.
Hmmm. Essex lose two on 137. Now eight down, the lead 165. Harmer and Snater to bash it around.
A tricky period for Lancashire here, but it could become easier as Gilchrist replaces Stewart at the James Anderson end.
Luke Wells and his shirt sleeves are no more – edging behind to second slip off Wes Agar. Lancs 15-1. Josh Bohannon bristles to the crease.
It’s all slowed down a bit at Taunton. Jordan Cox out for 27 – the fourth largest score of a match where the highest score is Westley’s 43 – Thain and Duke have stitched together 15 for the seventh wicket. Essex 133-6 – lead by 161, which would already be, if Somerset were to chase it, the highest score of the match.
Floodlights on at OT, Agar racing in, wearing a jumper. Wells, Eastborne born, Manchester acclimatised, in short shirt sleeves. Lancs 8-0.
There’s time for Evison to have one more swing for four, before Parky edges to the waiting fourth slip, Tom Hartley. Williams’ 200th first-class wicket. Kent all out 261. Evison 71 not out.
A nice round of applause for Matt Parkinson as he comes to the crease at Old Trafford with the wicket of Gilchrist. Four slips await. Bailey paws the ground.
Just come back from a tour of the ground, it’s bloody freezing. Spectators in thick coats, gloves and hats. Admirably stoical.
Jennings, Bruce, Bell, Hartley return to the slips as Evison takes a single with Lancs one short of a first batting point. It’s a gamble….but one Parky survives.
A thoughtful read on sport and disordered eating:
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Kent 239-8
Taunton: Somerset 128 v Essex 156 and 95-4
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 246 v Sussex 70-1
Lord’s: Middlesex v Leicestershire 108-4
Headingley: Yorkshire v Glamorgan 194-6
Nine from his first over, a wicket from his second. Nathan Lyon makes the breakthrough at Old Trafford, Wes Agar befuddled and bowled. Lyon’s 3-48 now his best Championship figures. Bowling in sunglasses despite the gloom. Kent 233-8.
They’re playing at Old Trafford, not a great deal to report. A wicket to Lewis Gregory at Taunton, Browne for 23. The Essex lead creeps up to 111.
Glamorgan now six down at Headingley, another wicket each for Moriarty and Bess – 182 for six; while at Lord’s Rehan Ahmed joins Peter Handscomb at the crease, Leics 86-4.
Vic’s view
From Taunton, Vic sends a morsel to CCLive!:
“The pitch is greener than the Notts game! There was torrential rain down here Wednesday and Thursday, which means it was damper too. It’s still moving around a bit but they usually get easier for batting. Good job it’s not spinning or we’d be on course for a points reduction.”
The stye in Sussex’s eye, Blair Tickner, winkled out at Derby for 47, but not until he’d added 68 with Jack Morley.
Saqib Mahmood warming up with Lancs. He’s been bowling well in the seconds, in spells of four or five overs, and easing his way back. I cross everything for him, we spoke to him pre-season and he seemed so down about his injuries, but desperate to play red ball again.
“It’s quite overwhelming to think that two years of my career have just sort of gone. I don’t want to have a third year like that,” he said.
“I still watch Test cricket more than I watch white-ball cricket, I still focus on it. As soon as I’ve got a red ball in hand I really love the things that come with it: trying to work batters out, the craft of bowling, things I pride myself on.
“Even the short experience I had in Test cricket, I didn’t want to give that up. It might feel like I’ve put a tick in the box by playing Test cricket but I feel I’ve got more to give in that format.”
Three wickets at Lord’s all of a sudden, what can Kimber and Handscomb do? Two wickets for Bamber, one for Higgins.
Another one bites the dust at Taunton, this time the first-innings top scorer Tom Westley. Brown and Cook the men in. The Essex lead 66.
A 12.30 start at Old Trafford, lunch at 1.10pm – 80 overs left in the day.
Actually only two of these in the 20 wickets to fall yesterday at Taunton.
An underrated part of the Championship is the old-fashioned cartwheeling stump.
International ones need heavy electronics in them, removing one of the great aesthetics of the game.
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) May 4, 2024
Made the mistake of looking away from Taunton: Essex already 21-2, Elgar and Cook to Davey and Coverton.
Patel and Harris rattling away at Lord’s, Ryan Higgins meanwhile, named player of the month.
🏆 | RYAN HIGGINS WINS PCA PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our very own Ryan Higgins, who has been awarded the @PCA‘s Player of the Month Award for April 🥳The allrounder scored 448 runs at an average of 112.00 and took nine wickets!
FULL STORY ⬇️ | #OneMiddlesex
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) May 4, 2024
At Old Trafford, the Lancashire players are kicking a ball around, a groundsman is brushing the pitch and they’re having an inspection at noon.
Jamie Porter sums up yesterday at Taunton:“The pitch is too slow to be dangerous in any way, but there clearly was not much time to prepare it and there was a lot of seam movement all day.
“I thought our batters did well to post 150-plus in the conditions and I was confident that if the bowlers hit the right areas, we would get our rewards.
“My plan was simply to concentrate on a line and length and let the pitch do the rest. I can’t see it playing much differently as the game progresses.
“It has been a great start to the season for me. The ball is coming out well an long may it continue.”
Delayed start at Old Trafford, whilst Middlesex have won the toss at Lord’s, and will field.
A snippet from Leeds courtesy of Graham Hardcastle. Yesterday was the first time since 2013 that Yorkshire have played two spinners in the same Championship match at Headingley – Bess and Moriarty. Adil Rashid and Azeem Rafiq were the 2013 pair, playing in an August draw against Warwickshire that season, striking once between them.
Level-headedness under pressure – Ali talks to Chris Jordan on Caribbean cross winds, reflex slip catches and more:
Weather watch
Humdrum: “most northern areas will have a cloudy day with showery rain, locally heavy and perhaps thundery. Northwest Scotland, central and southern England, along with south Wales will be brighter with warm sunny spells, though some heavy showers, especially southeast England.” (Thank you Met Office)
Friday’s round-up
Around the country, players wore black armbands in memory of the young Worcestershire spinning all-rounder Josh Baker, whose death was announced on Thursday.
His parents, Paul and Lisa, paid tribute to their son: “We are both broken. Achieved so many of his dreams before reaching 21. Take every opportunity to hug your parents and children. We’ve taken great comfort from the many messages received so far – keep sharing and posting your memories please.”
At New Road, where Baker had come through the ranks, the club opened a book of remembrance. His former Worcestershire coach Shaftab Khalid recalled, “not just a very talented cricketer but also an amazing and wonderful human being. He was such a nice, humble and sweet person. He was a Worcestershire boy so playing for his county and then the England Under‑19s, the dream was coming true.”
There was a minute’s silence in memory of Baker at Derby, among other grounds. Ollie Robinson grabbed two wickets after Sussex won the toss and chose to field under filthy skies. Derbyshire were 189 for eight when the rain fell, with 50 for Luis Reece and a giddy 44 for Aneurin Donald. At Old Trafford, Kent fought back after being reduced to 129 for six by Lancashire under the floodlights, with a third fifty of the season for Joey Evison, and a boundary heavy 41 for Zak Crawley, who brushed George Balderson (three for 62) for three successive fours.
In the battle of the brothers at a soggy Headingley, Glamorgan’s Billy Root stroked 51 against Yorkshire, but not before older brother Joe had dropped him at slip; and it was dismissals a-go-go at Taunton, where 20 wickets fell on an emerald pitch, all to seamers. Somerset bowled Essex out for 156 after winning the toss, with only Tom Westley making it past 25, Migael Pretorius finishing with four for 26. Sam Cook and Jamie Porter soon got their revenge, ripping through Somerset for 128, with five wickets each. There was time for Essex to face one over, with five slips, before stumps.
Play was washed out without a ball bowled between Middlesex and Leicestershire at Lord’s.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Kent 203-7
Taunton: Somerset 128 v Essex 156 and 6-0
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 189-8 v Sussex
Lord’s: Middlesex v Leicestershire no play on day one
Headingley: Yorkshire v Glamorgan 109-4
Preamble
Good morning! Feet up, coffee on, it’s bank holiday weekend! Five games chugging along – from Taunton, where 20 wickets have already fallen, to Lord’s, where they haven’t yet managed the toss.
