Key events
And Simon looks at the the T20 Blast which…blasts off today at Edgbaston, with Warwickshire v Yorkshire, and Derbyshire v Lancashire. The latter three teams will be looking for a morale-boosting win to launch their so far lacklustre seasons.
Ali speaks to Jimmy Anderson – it seems its worth keeping an eye on Ben Stokes’ bowling boots:
Friday’s round-up
The Northamptonshire batting van arrived at the crease only to be met with banana skins, buttered bats and a desire to get back to the pavilion. A final total of 56 all out was distinguished by a single double-figure score, Saif Zaib’s 29.
Keith Barker, who had been stranded on 38 after Hampshire were dismissed for 367, pocketed four for 12. There were two wickets apiece for Mohammad Abbas and Ian Holland, plus a comedy run-out to start proceedings when Hassan Azad was out without facing a ball.
It was the lowest score at the Rose Bowl. Rain wiped out much of the afternoon, but Northants were able to start their follow-on, whereupon Hassan Azad completed a pair.
Steve Smith made 89 in what will probably be his final innings for Sussex, a third lbw decision in as many innings as he shuffled to off stump. But the plaudits went to the 19-year-old James Coles, who glided to his maiden first-class century as Sussex built a 358-run lead over Glamorgan, bolstered by Ollie Robinson biffing three successive fours off Michael Neser before being caught.
The Kent debutant Arafat Bhuiyan grabbed four Surrey wickets as the 2022 Champions pinched a first-innings lead of 84 – thanks to some tail-end hitting by Sean Abbot and Gus Atkinson. Zak Crawley, 31 not out at stumps, then had to watch as Kent lost three wickets in the day’s final minutes.
Worcestershire’s second innings started almost as catastrophically as their first, 2 for 2 after 11 balls, but they were saved any further blushes when rain stopped play just after six o’clock. Leicestershire had earlier been dismissed for 180 – five wickets for Joe Leach and four for Matthew Waite, who hurried the tail along nicely with a three-wicket over. Worcestershire need another 245 on a capricious pitch.
Matt Montgomery cartwheeled to an unbeaten 130 at Trent Bridge, for Nottinghamshire against Essex, while at Bristol, Ajaz Patel took five wickets, and Matthew Potts two, to give Durham the upper hand. Somerset were on top at Lord’s after Matt Henry took 5 for 45. Middlesex were bundled out for 175 before following on.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 367 v Northamptonshire 56 and 50-2
Lord’s: Middlesex 175 and 81-1 v Somerset 404
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 326-5 v Essex 298
The Oval: Surrey 362 v Kent 278 and 80-4
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire 255-9 v Durham 445
Hove: Sussex 481 v Glamorgan 123 and 118-1
New Road: Worcestershire 83 and 26-2 v Leicestershire 173 and 180 Worcs need 245 to win
Preamble
Good morning! The weekend sun burns brightly on this last Championship Saturday in May, as the elderflower stretches into flower.
A few games look as if they’ll wrap up today – at New Road, at Lord’s, at the Rose Bowl possibly at Hove – much depends if Worcestershire, Northants, Glamorgan and Middlesex are able to construct their second innings from bricks and mortar rather than the glass previously used in the match.
Hope your parkruns, and morning physical jerks went well, I’m going to put the kettle on.
