Key events
Right, I’m going to glue together some wet words for the paper. But do chat on BTL. They’re back on at New Road (Notts 34-1, need 102) and Canterbury (Kent 196-5, lead Lancs by 205).
Stumps at Lord’s
The rain is going to make it tricky for Derbyshire and Middlesex to set up a win. Derby 33-1, lead by 18.
Stumps at Taunton
Just 10.3 overs possible.
And, against all odds, there will be more play at Grace Road at 5.30. If the weather is agreeable. But clouds are gathering.
At New Road, a handful of doughty souls with amazing staying power sit in the stands. Slater sends Allison flying through the covers for four, then McCann flies and misses at Taylor. But it is getting dark and the umpire lays his light metre on the stumps. Off they all troop with Notts 25-1.
As we wait for an inspection at Grace Road – it looks soggy – there is action at New Road where I imagine Notts will be keen to get a move on and secure that win. McCann has savaged three fours in his 17. – 119 more needed.
I don’t think there is anything to report apart from rain. So here is my Division Two team of the year:
Asa Tribe
Ben Compton
Tawanda Muyeye
Saif Zaib
Ben Kellaway
Rehan Ahmed
James Bracey
Calvin Harris
Luis Reece
Ian Holland
Ajeet Singh Dale
Tea and rain scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 457-8 v Durham 333 RAIN
Taunton: Somerset 441-6dec v Yorkshire RAIN
The Oval: Surrey 246 and 276-2 v Warwickshire 248 RAIN
Hove: Sussex 122 and 37-1 Hampshire 226 and 173 PLAY ABANDONED WITHOUT A BALL BOWLED
New Road: Worcestershire 182 and 160 v Nottinghamshire 207 AND 12-1
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 and 156-3 v Lancashire 284
Grace Road: Leicestershire 342 v Gloucestershire 482 and 8-0 RAIN
Lord’s: Middlesex 298v Derbyshire 283 and 33-1 RAIN
Northampton: Northants 413-9 v Glamorgan 467 RAIN
An update on the second promotion spot maths: Glamorgan need 36 points to secure promotion – assuming Derby and Middlesex draw
Great throw, a crucial hesitation and a sad Ben Whitehouse head drop.
Hampshire announce that head coach Adi Birrell is leaving to go home to South Africa. All good things come to an end” said Giles White, “and we are sad to see Adi go. It’s been a fantastic seven years at the Club, during which he has become a hugely popular figure and overseen a successful period across all formats.
“Under his leadership, the team has reached numerous finals, come close in Championships, and lifted the Blast title in 2022. His contribution has left a lasting mark, and he will be deeply missed by players, coaches, and fans alike at the Utilita Bowl.
“We hope to give him the send off he deserves, with two pieces of silverware still up for grabs in the next two weeks and important days ahead in the Championship.”
Love this story – never give up on your dreams.
“Can you run the scenario for the second promotion spot please.” Just my cup of tea, Mes.
If we assume there will be a draw at Wantage Road, then one of Derby or Middlesex, if they win, can get close to Glamorgan. If it is Derby, then they play Glamorgan in the next round, which could be the vital game; while Middlesex travel to Old Trafford. BTL friends may like to do more exact calculations.
Other than the Lions tour, Saif Zaib can also aim for Bob Hayward’s record of eight Championship centuries. (With thanks to BBC comms). Northants 406-8. The umpires consider the drizzle but carry on.
Just the ticket for rainy days like this – Field of Dreams showing how grass-roots sport can change lives. Respect to Flintoff for putting his heart and soul into this programme.
And rain at The Oval too – Surrey’s lead is 274, which is probably enough already. But not probably enough that they’ll declare. So all eyes to Wantage Road – where Zaib is 131 not out and Northants close in on another batting point. Five wickets for Crane, two for Carlson.
The covers are now coming off at Grace Road, we think optimistically.
At Chelmsford, ah no, they’re off again. Anyway, the lead over Durham is 124, thanks to a useful 44 from Harmer and a merry 22 from Bracewell.
A hundred for Saif Zaib!
And then there were two.
Zaib reaches his sixth Championship hundred of a delightfully fruitful year. He dances down the pitch, drives Crane for four and punches the air. Northants 377-8.
Foakes and Lawrence are battling through light rain at The Oval. Lawrence has muscled a couple of fours and a six in his 18 not out – the lead 243.
It is suddenly dark and suddenly wet at Grace Road. The players run off: Gloucs 8-0.
Play abandoned for the day at Hove
A saturated outfield means than they call it a day in Sussex.
We think Leicestershire will be promoted if they win, or draw and there is a draw at Lord’s.
And Leicestershire lose their final wicket, another lbw, this time Wright trapped by Singh-Dale. An old-style collapse by the Foxes, who lost six wickets for 22 – the Gloucestershire lead 140.
Saif Zaib is continuing his princely season at Wantage Road, now 79 not out at Wantage Road: Northants 328-5, still 132 behind, four wickets for Crane.
At Chelmsford, Harmer and Bracewell are frustrating Durham with a partnership of 22, Essex 432-7, lead by 100. and they’re back on at The Oval, and have rustled three runs, Surrey 222-2.
Elsewhere, there is still no play at Taunton, Hove, New Road, Canterbury and Lord’s.
And Wright does it! Loops Sing-Dale up and over for a four that ends up just under the press box. Leics 336-9.
More news from New Road – they’re off for rain, with Notts 4-1.
Tension at Grace Road. Singh-Dale with the ball, one run needed for Leics to avoid the follow-on. Four slips wait. Wright defends….
Ooof – a pair for HH as Taylor sends his off stump dancing away. Notts 0-1. Interesting times.
And Leicestershire lose a ninth wicket with still one run needed to avoid the follow on….
Leicestershire are trudging through treacle here. Another wicket for Singh-Dale, hair blowing in the wind, smooth accelerated run-up. Logan van Beek lbw for 5, and Leics have now lost four for 12.
Two and a half overs gone at New Road, not a run scored.
A second wicket in three balls at Grace Road, when Eskinazi nudges ASD to third slip. Leics are still (just) short of the follow on, and will want another bonus point. Leics: 331-7
Notts need 136 to win
Josh Tongue looking the real deal again, and five wickets for Lyndon James as Worcs are all out for 160. Notts prepare to chase and put the pressure on at The Oval, where it is still raining.
Hello Ben Bernards. “Do you, or anybody really, fancy giving me a snap update on how the assorted New Zealanders have performed in CC this season?”
Kiwis, hmmm. Kane Williamson has played two games for Middlesex and made two centuries. Trying to think who else was here – Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry… can the hive mind help?
Delicious risotto by the way, and a coffee plus a bittermint in green silver foil. Oh, and a wicket – a fourth for Taylor – and Cox must go…
Somerset have declared
But will the weather let them at that tasty pitch? I’m off for some Grace Road risotto – back shortly.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 372-6 v Durham 333
Taunton: Somerset 441-6dec v Yorkshire
The Oval: Surrey 246 and 219-2 v Warwickshire 248
Hove: Sussex 122 and 37-1 Hampshire 226 and 173 no play yet today
New Road: Worcestershire 182 and 141-8 v Nottinghamshire 207
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 and 131-2 v Lancashire 284
Grace Road: Leicestershire 320-5 v Gloucestershire 482
Lord’s: Middlesex 298v Derbyshire 283 and 30-1
Northampton: Northants 309-5 v Glamorgan 467 no play yet today
Oh dear. Mahmood is sent on his way to the last ball before lunch, lbw Price 111. He look perturbed. They shuffle off for lunch, needing 12 to avoid the follow on and with time to accrue more bonus points. Leics 320-5, scores to follow.
Early lunches being taken at The Oval, Lord’s, Canterbury and New Road – where Worcestershire lost three quick wickets on a tricky track while Roderick and Taylor nurdled runs. At 141-8 and lead by 116 – not, you’d guess, enough.
There is still much chuntering from the Gloucestershire contingent after one of the groundsmen on the blotter inadvertently unloaded the sopped up gunge on their practise kit. It is getting darker here.
A hundred for Shan Masood!
He’s not bad this lad. Under grey skies, and Grace Road floodlights, he reaches 100 in his first Championship innings for Leicestershire and brings up a bonus point in the process. He raises his bat modestly and gets a handshake and a bat-on-bottom pat from Eskinazi. Leicestershire 300-4.
The rain has – at the moment – knocked out proceedings at The Oval, Taunton, Hove, Lord’s and Northampton.
Canterbury and Chelmsford have avoided this southern deluge and events are moving on. Lancs, via Williams and Bailey, have removed Denly (74) and Dawkins (36). Kent 125-2, lead by 132.
At Chelmsford, there’s a battle for bonus points – Durham have just picked up a bowling star, after winkling out Pepper, while Essex will fancy reaching 400. They already have a lead of 26.
We’re on at Grace Road, and the strong wind rustling the flags is about the most exciting thing to report.
It was heartbreaking to hear from this young girl in Afghanistan, and her dreams for a different life. How precious freedom is.
An email drops:
“In The Spin today, you mention some counties opposed to a reduction in the number of county championship matches. I think Essex might be added to this list, following their meeting last evening.
“Your summary of the new proposal mentions the ‘sweetener’ of 2 extra one-day cup matches to make up for the loss of a Championship match. But this would mean a net reduction of only 2 days in the schedule plus more travelling between games. I thought one of the reasons for cutting back on the Championship was supposed to be reducing wear and tear on the players?”
Thank you Paul McIntyre! Were you at the meeting? Can you fill us in? And yes I completely agree on the two extra ODC games – all that faff for just two fewer Championship days.
There’s a drying wind blowing at Grace Road and the players are out in the middle running through their paces. The groundsmen fold up covers with purpose. Play is due to start at 11.4o.
Rain has arrived at Taunton, just as Somerset were getting a hurry on. While at The Oval, Surrey have lost scurrying Ollie Pope to be replaced with the bombastic Dan Lawrence – Warwickshire wont want him to get his eye in.
Is weatherhousing a verb? Anyway, they’re off at Lord’s, they’re on at Chelmsford, and there’s a pitch inspection at Wantage Road where Asa Tribe made his maiden 200 yesterday – and raised his hand yet further for the Lions trip.
He reflected on it last night:
“It feels like I can’t do much wrong at the moment and I’m really happy with the way it’s going. I need to focus on my game and keep putting performances in for Glamorgan, it’s good to be in the position I’m currently in and I’m really enjoying it.”
Dom Sibley has retired hurt at The Oval, Ben Foakes now accompanies Ollie Pope.
And Ben Green is having fun at Taunton – presumably under orders to smash it around. Somerset move into the 420s.
No red-ball change of heart for Adil Rashid ahead of the Ashes. Unfortunately.
At Taunton, Ben Green finds himself batting for Somerset again, before his permanent move to Grace Road, which has been his temporary home for much of this season.
More rain
Delayed starts also at Grace Road and Chelmsford.
Weather watch and delayed starts
Unsettled. Delayed starts at Northampton, Hove and probably more.
The Met Office forecasts: “Bands of rain or showers, turning heavy and thundery at times, will move northeast across most areas through the day. There will be some sunny spells. Windy with possible gales in the southwest. Turning cooler from the west.”
“My form has been awful”
Tom Abell on his relief at that fantastic hundred yesterday.
“My form has been absolutely awful up to the last couple of games. I was short of runs earlier in the summer, but now I feel I have found a rhythm and greater clarity to my batting, which means I can fulfil my role in the middle order.”
Durham’s Ryan Campbell sets the scene at Chelmsford:
“There will be a battle going on, that’s for sure. We’re going to have to fight for every run. We know they’ve got a good spinner to bowl on the last day. But there is weather coming, depending who you listen to or which weather app you’re looking at. But we’ve going to ignore those and come out trucking with a great attitude and try and bowl Essex out.
“We know it’s a massive game. We’ve got a massive three games. We’re playing three teams around us and we want to win every game. It’s all up for grabs. These two days are going to have a big bearing on the rest of our year.”
Tuesday’s round-up
A round of closely matched first-innings games bubbled intriguingly around the country. At the Oval, Surrey oiled their sinews and started to pull away from Warwickshire, after Rory Burns (idiosyncratically), Dom Sibley (steadily) and Ollie Pope (busily) each collected a half century. Earlier, Warwickshire had inched to a two-run first-innings lead, but just short of a batting point, thanks to fifty from Ed Barnard and some lusty blows from Nathan Gilchrist. There were three wickets for the rapid Gus Atkinson and four for Tom Lawes.
Nottinghamshire, who started the round just nine points behind Surrey, stay on their tail after Josh Tongue ruined Worcestershire’s afternoon. Tongue’s intimidating spell of nine overs, three for 24, took out Worcestershire’s top three, and Lyndon James removed Nos 4 and 5 to leave them 93 for five and with a lead of just 68. It was galling for Worcestershire after Tom Taylor’s four wickets had earlier kept Notts in check.
At Taunton, where afternoon rain swept through once more, Tom Abell carried Somerset’s innings with a distinguished five-hour 130 on a pitch that looks likely to turn. He was finally out to an off-balance slog-sweep to mid-wicket off his former teammate and now Yorkshire spinner Dom Bess. Abell and Lewis Goldsworthy (65) had kept the fires burning after James Rew was caught in the first over of the day.
A five-and-a-half hour century from Dean Elgar and a smash-and-grab 97 from Matt Critchley took Essex to tickling distance of Durham in the relegation battle at Chelmsford.
Shan Masood enjoyed his first Championship innings for Leicestershire, his fourth county, moving to a chanceless 80 not out against Gloucestershire at Grace Road. He put on 152 with Lewis Hill (88), much to the delight of the watching fans, including a tubby, and hungry, golden retriever.
Middlesex’s Leus du Plooy hit a hundred against his old county Derbyshire in a tight game at Lord’s; while Lancashire crept to within nine runs of Kent’s first innings, thanks largely to 64 from Tom Hartley. There were four wickets for Matt Parkinson and an inspired Matt Quinn. Saif Zaib, Division Two’s leading scorer, hit yet another half century for Northamptonshire, this time against Glamorgan, while Sussex continued their poor run of form, bowled out for 122 by Hampshire.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 312-3 v Durham 333
Taunton: Somerset 391-6 v Yorkshire
The Oval: Surrey 246 and 181-1 v Warwickshire 248
Hove: Sussex 122 and 37-1 Hampshire 226 and 173
New Road: Worcestershire 182 and 93-5 v Nottinghamshire 207
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 and 96-0 v Lancashire 284
Grace Road: Leicestershire 270-4 v Gloucestershire 482
Lord’s: Middlesex 298v Derbyshire 283 and 17-0
Northampton: Northants 309-5 v Glamorgan 467
Preamble
Good morning from a damp Leicester. The rain plops down on the hoodied students and the put-out squirrels feeding in Victoria park. It looks like an on-off day around the grounds, but do join us to watch the covers and chew over miscellany.