Today we had Will Macpherson at Trent Bridge for Notts-Lancs, Mike Selvey at Scarborough for Yorkshire-Middlesex, and Vic Marks covering Pakistan’s tour game against Somerset
7.15pm BST
So, that’s that. Thank you very much for your company, I’m sure I speak for all BTLers when I say we appreciate it greatly. Have a good evening - and see you at the same time tomorrow.
Here’s the scores:
6.32pm BST
That is stumps at Trent Bridge.
6.30pm BST
We’re off again, with Notts 303-5, and that should be that. Probably rightly this time.
6.27pm BST
Four runs.
For any youngsters watching, that's a textbook square cut pic.twitter.com/l0G4yqolUa
6.24pm BST
Cracking final day in prospect at Hove.
STUMPS on Day Three at Hove and Glamorgan are 30 for 1, trailing Sussex by 187 going into final day's play tomorrow @CountyChamp #GOSBTS
6.13pm BST
New ball taken here, despite another conversation about the light. Tom Smith to bowl.
6.11pm BST
It’s a wrap at Guildford.
And Umeed cuts the ball to the cover boundary and Warwickshire win by 10 wickets...
6.03pm BST
Essex doing their thang today. Two days to push for victory now.
That's it for the day and an excellent one for Essex who reach the close on 480-6 , a lead of 273. Tendo 77*, james Foster 3*. #ESSvKEN
6.00pm BST
Tricky chase, this.
Surrey 177 all out...Steven Davies falls to Boyd Rankin for 44....Warwickshire need 2 for victory...
5.57pm BST
12 overs remain at Trent Bridge... five until the new ball.
5.56pm BST
Sorry old Surrey today.
Surrey 177-9....Meaker b Patel 0....Davies 44*
5.55pm BST
PLAY TO RESUME IMMINENTLY WAHOO! Guessing that there are 2-3 overs lost which means we have 12-13 left to bowl.
5.50pm BST
Umpires coming to have a look. It’s very light. We’ve been off for 35 minutes.
5.42pm BST
STUMPS, day two: @DurhamCricket trail Hampshire by 393 runs and will start day 3 on 79-2 in the @CountyChamp
5.31pm BST
Now the covers are coming on here. It’s not raining, nor is it that dark. Maybe the umpires want to watch Wimbledon?!
5.28pm BST
This made laugh on the cricketers with real sentences for names riff.
@willis_macp Rory Burns and Chris Rogers kind of work but nobody wants either of those sentences to happen.
5.27pm BST
It’s really rather light but there is no cricket happening. Umps just chatting to groundstaff, players in the sheds. Am I missing something?!
5.20pm BST
Sussex have declared with a lead of 217, while Essex are clubbing their way to a big lead against Kent. Declaration on its way there too, you’d think.
5.18pm BST
A suggestion on the cricketers with sentences for names theme:
@willis_macp Chris Wood/Mark Wood/Luke Wood. (Would)
5.17pm BST
How odd. We are going off for bad light. There was a long discussion between the umpires and the Lancashire brains trust - probably about Wagner’s leg theory - and now we are off. Really doesn’t look very dark to me .... Still 16 overs to bowl today and the crowd - which is healthy - are less than impressed.
5.12pm BST
Notts have the lead. The lights are on. Wagner is bowling short. The trap is set. Samit is taking him on. This is fun.
5.09pm BST
Tom fell c Eckersley b Raine 61
5.06pm BST
The other Morgan has a wicket at Hove to end that massive partnership. Interesting game from here....
WICKET.. after hitting him for a four and a six, Wells gives Morgan a return catch and goes for a magnificent 181. Sussex 533 for 5 #GOSBTS
5.02pm BST
At Worcester, Daryl Mitchell is run out, but Tom Fell is still there and is joined by another excellent youngster, Joe Clarke.
I think I’ve asked this before on the blog. But serious question: is Tom Fell the best current county cricket whose name is a complete sentence?
4.55pm BST
Oh my god Robert Croft is fielding for Glamorgan
Former @englandcricket spinner and current Glamorgan Head Coach is now on as a substitute fielder for @GlamCricket! #GOSBTS
4.54pm BST
No good, that.
Surrey are 18-5 from the 12 overs since Tea.
4.53pm BST
Another wicket fell here a short while ago, as Michael Lumb patted back tamely and oddly to Jordan Clark. Samit’s been joined by Wessels, who knocked his first ball through midwicket for four. Patel looks in sumptuous form, and Notts are 21 behind with the new ball 10 overs away. They need to make it count, mind.
I see Surrey have lost a load of wickets ... Steve Davies needs to knuckle down.
4.13pm BST
Tea came at the right time for Middlesex, who having coasted along nicely at one time, suddenly found themselves under the hammer. Having reached 87 without undue alarm, Middlesex lost both Sam Robson for 40 and Nick Gubbins, 43, in the space of three overs. Until that point the Yorkshire bowling had been industrious without looking particularly threatening. But in the last quarter of an hour or so the ball began to move around, quite alarmingly at times, so that George Bailey , in his first championship innings for the county, was given a torrid reception and did well to survive.
As play resumes after the interval, there are dark clouds threatening to come up against the strong breeze which is blowing directly down from the Trafalgar Square end. We may be in for an early finish.
4.10pm BST
Press box chatter informs me that Gus Fraser is here at Trent Bridge and he met with Mick Newell and James Whitaker to select a Lions squad for later this month. They’ll play against Sri Lanka A and Pakistan A, who are locking horns in Leicester as we speak.
3.58pm BST
In Div One:
3.49pm BST
Tea, and Lancashire’s session, with three Notts wickets falling. You sense that the pattern today could be rather similar to yesterday, with the last few overs of the day being the vital ones. 20 overs left of this ball... Notts 212-4
3.44pm BST
Brendan Taylor is out, and in rather strange fashion. Jordan Clark has dug one in and, in the process of trying to get his bat out the way, it’s caught the splice (almost like the worst upper cut you’ve ever seen) and ballooned straight up the man at gullyish backward point. Odd. Very odd. Much-needed for Lancashire though, as Taylor had shared 74 with Lumb, who is joined by Samit with nine balls to bowl before tea. Notts still 66 behind, and the trap is set for the short ball.
3.28pm BST
Somewhat ignominiously Somerset have been bowled out for 128, 231 runs adrift of Pakistan’s total. Unsurprisingly the follow-on has not been enforced. All the bowlers prospered but the headlines will belong to Mohammad Amir, who finished with 3-36. He did look the best of a pretty damn good bunch. The England batsmen, catching the highlights, will have noted that Amir is still swinging the ball at speed.
Mind you, the Pakistan bowlers were scarcely tested by a callow Somerset line-up. Only James Hildreth could cope. He was unbeaten on 47 when the last wicket fell. Other than being dropped on 13 he demonstrated why he has been scoring so many runs over the last two years. He is more consistent now and a better judge of what to leave and what to play around his off-stump. As usual he gleaned runs aplenty to point. He deserves some sympathy. With more support he might have delivered an eye-catching score.
3.20pm BST
Good news.
Great to see Mark Wood bowling again for Durham 2nd XI against Nottinghamshire.
3.17pm BST
Durham in a spot of bother; Ben Stokes in next, mind...
Second wicket for @ryanmac23! Borthwick (5) is clean bowled, as Durham find themselves 47-2 (11 ov). Trail by 425 pic.twitter.com/Ni4VyOCInz
3.12pm BST
Surrey not giving up at Guildford.
Batted @roryburns17 who moves to his fifty from 98 balls with 7x4
3.07pm BST
Ambling along here at Trent Bridge. Over-rate since lunch have felt terribly slow (can almost hear Bumble yelling ‘get on with the gaaammmeee’ at the Lanky fielders), and Brendan Taylor - who has had most of the strike - and Lumb are crawling along against some amiable seam bowling from Smith and Clark. Would like to see Parkinson have another go. 178 for three.
3.00pm BST
Hampshire are on the move...
WICKET for @ryanmac23! Stoneham is bowled for 17, as Hampshire reduce Durham to 37-1. Great start! pic.twitter.com/h4kXtlA3fT
2.44pm BST
Ravi’s gone! He made 94 but Stevens got him with the new ball. Essex 298 for four.
2.41pm BST
Nothing happening very fast at Hove, but Luke Wells has a ton. Sussex building their lead.
LUKE WELLS 100@luke_wells07 #GOSBTS
2.37pm BST
Tom Fell is batting for Worcestershire. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
2.28pm BST
A wicket, and a much-needed one for Kent. Westley - now averaging 59 in the Champo this year - goes for 88. Ravi ploughs on, though ... 280-3.
2.26pm BST
What do you guys think? Is it going to be a great day?
NEWS // Kaiser Chiefs' star Peanut on Cardiff gig: 'It's going to be a great day' https://t.co/h8ZjgYX5Q2 pic.twitter.com/rNyX8BI9gw
2.20pm BST
So, around the grounds. Brilliant couple of days for Hants so far:
Hampshire declare on 472-9, as @slug_7's (93) terrific innings is ended by @DurhamCricket's Coughlin. Brilliant start in the @CountyChamp!
2.11pm BST
Meanwhile ... Play this.
WICKET: Trego is bowled by Amir for 23. Somerset 62/4#SOMvPAK pic.twitter.com/NMAtwNaLLB
2.10pm BST
I spent the first half-hour after lunch enjoying Trent Bridge from the top deck, which was lovely.
In that time, though, Lancs have clawed their way back into the game, prizing out two set batsmen. First, Libby failed to add to his morning session 54, just prodding half-forward at Wagner, then Greg Smith was adjudged lbw - harshly I think but I need another look - a couple of balls after a beautiful pulled four off Wagner. He made 30, and Notts are now 137-3, with a couple of Zimbabweans, Jarvis and Brendan Taylor, sparring.
1.35pm BST
It took Middlesex until deep into extra time in the first session to finish off the Yorkshire innings, but which time the last two wickets had added 72 and the total had progressed to 406 before Toby Roland-Jones finished things with the wicket of Andy Hodd. The wicketkeeper had made an energetic 37, which followed on from Gary Balances 132, an innings that underpinned Yorkshire’s total. The Middlesex seamers lost a little discipline in pursuit of the final wickets and the tail, shepherded by Hodd, was able to frustrate, as sometimes they can. The days of the heavy roller chugging into life when number eleven makes his way to the crease are long gone. These days there would be a danger of running out of petrol.
For a brief while, as James Franklin dismissed Ballance- a checked shot and gentle return catch- and Rafiq in the same over, it looked as if Middlesex would emerge in good heart given the overnight situation. Instead Hodd played busily, and Steve Patterson swung the bat heartily at Steve Finn. Many years ago, Jon Agnew, when facing Wayne Daniel, took up batting station so far outside leg stump that the bowler became confused. “ Do I try and hit him, or hit the stumps?”.
1.16pm BST
Here are @iamamirofficial's two wickets this morning - not the worst balls ever bowled! #SOMvPAKhttps://t.co/0AnDY3zvt2
1.13pm BST
So Notts are going well at lunch here. They lost Mullaney, ten runs later than they should have, and Parkinson - who dropped him - has had a wee bowl. Greg Smith looked more comfortable than when he first came in, while Jake Libby reached a decent half-century not long before the break. It’s 120 for one.
In other news, Michael Lumb just received his county cap, and Jimmy Anderson is having another bowl. Very short run, very gentle, but a bowl nonetheless.
1.08pm BST
In Div One:
1.06pm BST
Mohammed Amir’s morning just got better. He was happier when bowling than batting. Out he came in his pads after Younis Khan had been dismissed for 104. His first ball he received thudded into the pads; it looked a very good shout for lbw but there was the outstretched arm of the umpire. Amir saved by a no-ball from Josh Davey. The next delivery was just outside off-stump; Amir wafted and was caught behind.
However Amir’s fortunes changed when he had the ball in his hand. When he was announced by the PA man there was warm applause from a sparse crowd but what else would you expect at Taunton? His first ball was legal and Trescothick blocked it; then there were two boundaries to third man. But in his third over Amir propelled a beauty to Trescothick, which swung and caught the edge of the bat. Out went the arms in celebration. Later, when bowling around the wicket he sent the off-stump of Adam Hose cartwheeling towards the River Tone.
12.58pm BST
Here’s what Lord Selve saw yesterday:
HIGHLIGHTS: Catch up on all the action from Day 1 here! #YORvMID https://t.co/mKwVwG6cU9
12.54pm BST
Gary Naylor’s back with him little look around the shires. Lovely stuff, as ever.
Related: County cricket: the week's final over
12.34pm BST
The absolute state of this delivery. Welcome back, Mo Amir.
WICKET: Hose is bowled by Amir for 10 and Somerset are 23/2#SOMvPAK pic.twitter.com/UQnpROxWPm
12.32pm BST
Oh dear.
First day's play abandoned at Chesterfield, the bowler's run-ups are deemed dangerous... #bbccricket
12.25pm BST
A wicket, and relief for Lancashire, as Parkinson’s drop of Mullaney has not proved too costly. Jarvis has got him, playing on for 43. Greg Smith in at three. 86 for one.
12.23pm BST
Rory Burns leaping like a salmon. Interestingly, he’s one of just three wicketkeepers Surrey are playing in this match. Sanga off on his travels and Wilson out the side.
The wicket of Jetan Patel off @footitt_mark for 31...cracking catch from @roryburns17 ( trust Church on that one) pic.twitter.com/wnTYIMnWxp
12.20pm BST
Mark Footitt is doing a job on the Warks tail at Guildford. He ends with four, but the visitors have a massive lead of 173. Surrey up against it, especially with Hants and Notts going well.
12.18pm BST
OUT: Trescothick is caught behind off Amir for 8. Somerset 14/1#SOMvPAK pic.twitter.com/Lsxqm83JCR
12.17pm BST
Oh my word, that’s a terrible drop. Parkinson at deep square (one of two men back) has shelled one that’s gone straight down his throat. The shot, from Mullaney on 33, was every bit as bad to be fair, hooking Jarvis when there was just no need to do so...
Insult, meet injury: Libby edged the next ball between second slip and gully for four, and then did the same later in the over...
12.14pm BST
The living is pretty easy for Notts’ openers right now. Tom Smith came on and looked to be tightening things up but Mullaney has just pumped him through midwicket (beating the man in the deep) then down the ground for a pair of fours. Jarvis, expensive earlier, is swapping ends. It’s 70 without loss.
11.54am BST
Amir is back!
Warm applause for Mohammed Amir as he bowls his first delivery. #SOMvPAK pic.twitter.com/spqMsdnUa1
11.53am BST
Good to see from Hove.
Michael Hogan onto bowl for the first time in this match after retiring hurt with a blow to the head yesterday. #SUSvGLA
11.36am BST
Btw, if you want to watch what I’m watching - a rollicking start by Notts’ openers - then you can do so here!
That’s Trent Bridge’s live stream, which is directly linked up to Dave Bracegirdle, Scott Hunt and Isabelle Duncan’s excellent BBC comms. Brilliant service.
11.33am BST
So much to like about Scurran.
Watch @CurranSM with the wicket of Rikki Clarke this morning pic.twitter.com/vMxpBXiwuG
11.28am BST
Here are yesterday’s reports by the way. Click, comment etc - you know what to do...
First, Lord Selve in Scarborough...
Related: Yorkshire lay platform as Ballance weighs in with ton against Middlesex
Related: Younis Khan looks ageless at Somerset on good day for Pakistan’s over-30s
Related: Stuart Broad fires Nottinghamshire attack against Lancashire
11.24am BST
Plenty going on here...
Mohammad Amir's first ball back in cricket in England is... a no-ball. He was the batsman on this occasion. He was ct behind 1st legit ball.
11.15am BST
Wagner, after being hit on the noggin yesterday (in the process of getting out), is bowling. There was some concern about his wellbeing last night, but he’s obviously ok. Mullaney - out there with Libby - hits him for four through midwicket first ball.
I see young Scurran already has his third wicket at Guildford, that of another prodigal Surrey all-rounder: Rikki - not Richard - Clarke.
11.06am BST
Belting morning at Trent Bridge, where Harry Gurney has just bowled a maiden at Kyle Jarvis to start the day. He played and missed at a couple but didn’t look overly perturbed. Immy Tahir, who was good fun yesterday, from the other end, so no Broad, who was tight early on yesterday, and brilliant with the second new ball.
England selector James Whittaker is here to watch, but you sense Jimmy Anderson is what he’s after, given the injured Lanky seamer was having another gentle bowl before play began.
11.01am BST
Belting morning in Scarborough, just perfect for a walk along Marine Drive, round the headland, to the ground. Will do the whelks tomorrow (whelks are my sea snail of choice) but sadly not the donkey ride which stresses no adults. At £2.50 a go it is the price of a flat white anyway, or a nice cuppa as they call it here. It has been a real retro trip so far, and my room, in the hotel we would stay at when playing here, has lovingly kept the same decor in the rooms. A fellow playing Creedence Clearwater cover songs in the hotel lounge to an audience of pensioners completed the picture( although they of course would remember Proud Mary first time around, so not so daft).
Thanks to Gary Ballance and Tim Bresnan, Yorkshire dug themselves out of a hole against Middlesex and they will resume today on 291 for five, in reasonable shape. Im not sure Middlesex bowled that well to Ballance, feeding his shots off his legs and latterly his cut. Round the wicket, and shaping away, especially Tim Murtagh, to a fullish length is not a bad ploy.
10.58am BST
Grey but dry at Taunton. Younis Khan, 99 not out overnight, expressed the view last night that he would like to bat for another half a day. But he can’t. The regulations of tour matches of three days duration insist that the first innings of each side cannot exceed 100 overs. So Younis has eight overs to reach his century.
Better news for the snappers is that Mohammed Amir will soon be in action with the sort of cloud cover that pace bowlers crave. Pakistan have been out and about early training hard. I’m reminded what a multinational set-up there is among the backroom boys. Alongside new head coach, Mickey Arthur, is Steve Rixon, the old Aussie keeper, who was once in charge of New Zealand, and Grant Flower, Andy’s younger brother. Mushtaq Ahmed, with his wealth of English experience, is on board as well. They have all been in the country for over a fortnight with their training camp based at the Ageas Bowl. Could this be the best-prepared Pakistan team ever?
9.51am BST
Hello, happy Monday etc etc.
So, Vic, Mike and I have all stationed ourselves in our particularly lovely spots again to tell you about all of the particularly lovely cricket that will be happening across the land today. Today’s paper, as it happens, is jam-packed with yesterday’s particularly lovely cricket - two county reports, one tour match report, and a report on England women continuing their rollicking form, too. Go on, buy it. You know you want to.
Continue reading...