81 wickets fell across the nine games in an exciting day of County Championship action
Well the weather has become, shall we say, a bit more seasonal this afternoon, so we had a few early finishes.
Anyway, here are the scores:
Van der Merwe has got Tom Westley late in the day! And that stumps at Taunton. I see Wood has nabbed Lumb’s wicket up at Durham. Game on in both.
All done here at the Ageas, where Hampshire fought back very well indeed to limit Middlesex to 290 for six.
The sun has just broken out at the Riverside and the players are coming back on for eight overs...
All over at the Oval. What a turnaround. Into the last over at the Ageas.
New from the Oval.
Back off for bad light at the Oval. Lancashire 294-6. #SURvLAN
Champions Trophy, anyone?
Alastair Cook 33* including 28 in boundaries. 49-1. Tom Westley 5*. #SOMvESS
JOFRA ARCHER ENDS WITH SEVEN FOR 67. He’s seriously good. Kent all out for 304.
What an effort from Jordan Clark!
HUNDRED - Jordan Clark brings up his ton with a hooked SIX off Footitt. He went to it thus 44.46. It came off just 118 balls. Lancs 283-6.
Wicket! And a very soft one too. John Simpson the man to go, slashing Wheal to point - where the sub Mason Crane to took a fine catch above his head - having dug in for 57 balls for his nine. Careless. The swashbuckling Toby Roland-Jones comes to the crease.
Meanwhile in Cardiff.
BAD LIGHT// It's getting gloomy in the middle and the umpires have decided to take the players off. @WorcsCCC 180/4 with Kohler-Cadmore 52no
Jordan Clark is into the nineties at the Oval!
Jofra Archer. Prospect.
Absolute worldie of a catch at second slip gives Archer his first Champo 5-fer. Bit of a late rally (RALLY) from Sussex. Kent 278-8
Googled.
Reckon you could pick this one out from @AdilRashid03? pic.twitter.com/daCJZZznnv
Just as I say that ...
WICKET: a third strike from Shahzad! Darren Stevens is caught behind down the leg side for 68. Kent 275 for 7 #GOSBTS
Great effort from Kent.
Kent on 275-6. Stand now worth 123 runs with Stevens 68* and Parnell 40*. New ball taken: Archer and Shahzad return to attack #ProperCricket pic.twitter.com/1PSfQHXwvY
Middlesex, having been in such a strong position earlier in the day, are really digging in here with 10 overs to go in the day. Simpson has five off 44 and Abbott just keeps plugging away. 265 for five and honours about even right now.
That’s all at Derby. 219 for six, the hosts. Intrigued to hear how the Northants lads spend their extra hour or so off.
That is just superb.
We've welcomed over 2,000 people through the gate today!
Thanks for your magnificent support #DURvNOT pic.twitter.com/YSvQVRzjiX
Wowzer it’s getting brighter in south London.
We will restart at 5.40...17 overs left today #bbccricket
New balls please.
The new ball has been taken by Sussex and first use will come from Vernon Philander from the Cromwell Road End. Kent 256 for 6 #GOSBTS
What a shot this is.
Check this improvisation out from @spoynter_90 earlier today! #DURvNOT pic.twitter.com/WF1wh8r91t
Hold your breath, it’s all happening at the Oval!
Umpires out in the middle checking conditions with our ground staff...
Bad light stops play at the Riverside where Nottinghamshire have reached 85 for three in reply to Durham’s 162. Looking at the radar, rain is on the way too...
Wicket! Kyle Abbott has struck with the new ball! I’m at an angle here so it’s difficult to tell, but I reckon he’s dragged this on, rather than been clean bowled. But it’s 258 for five, and the skipper James Franklin is in. Simpson has just four from 29.
At Taunton, they are off for light with Essex two without loss. And at...
The rain has returned to Edgbaston.
In answer to the Samit Patel at No3, Michael Lumb at No5 query, just asked Mick Newell who is watching on from the press box and the answer is simply: that’s the new plan. Boring eh? While typing this, Patel has just driven Graham Onions through extra and then struck a sumptuous, plumtuous on-drive, which would be the shot of the day if Stuart Poynter hadn’t deliciously lifted James Pattinson over the keeper earlier.
That’s a lot of overs after 5.15.
Planned restart at 5.15pm with 24 overs lost in the day. 23.3 left to bowl.
Watching a sturdy riposte from Nottinghamshire at the Riverside where Samit Patel and Michael Lumb have turned seven for three into 57 for three. Mark Wood, who came on after tea, has looked lively if bowling a touch shorter than the pitch has demanded all day but did get Lumb flashing a rising delivery past third slip. Patel, who survived a couple of lbw shouts early on, has looked in pretty good touch with some slapped cuts, laced drives and the odd flamingo pull shot.
All out for 209, Somerset.
☝️ | @SomersetCCC innings comes to a close on 209, with Craig Overton top edging @NeilWagner13 straight into the gloves of Wheater. #SOMvESS pic.twitter.com/4qPQ3j2H5p
A couple more wickets at Derby and they are ...
Off for bad light @DerbyshireCCC 219/6 #bbccricket
Well bowled; just nipped back at Eskinazi.
WICKET: A crucial wicket and it's a first for @Sean_Ervine as he clean bowls Eskinazi (82) - 234-4 (72 overs). & pic.twitter.com/k4W76yxGah
...And now Eskinazi’s been bowled! Ervine, with the keeper up, has crept one through his gate, possibly off the inside edge. It’s 234 for four, and Middlesex just need to be a wee bit careful.
Light’s improved, by the way, but bad news elsewhere:
A bit wafty, ya know what I mean?
WICKET: @Brad_wheal is the man to break the partnership with @Sean_Ervine pouching the catch. Malan (43) departs with Middlesex 220-3. pic.twitter.com/84NiD23Dcm
That batting point is up for Somerset and, as Vic reminds me, there are no floodlights at Taunton. It’s 206 for nine now.
At the Ageas, Eskinazi is into the 80s. He edged just wide of second slip off Wheal just now but has played very well.
It’s a strangle, and Clarke quite clearly doesn’t think he’s hit it.
WICKET! Lloyd breaks the partnership picking up the wicket of Clarke for 39. Worcestershire 80/3 #GoGlam #GLAvWOR pic.twitter.com/qG3LMuNPaa
Somerset are nine down. Joverton gone to Zaidi. Craig still there, with Leach now.197 for nine; can they sneak a point?
Wicket! Third of the day for Hampshire, and first for Wheal, who has plugged away manfully. Malan’s just wafted away from the body and it’s gone straight to the first of two slips. A point for Hants. Bit soft from Malan, who had 43.
Always peeled, covers, aren’t they?
Much brighter scene at Edgbaston now as the ground staff start to peel the covers back.
I’m reliably informed that the lights are also on at the Oval. At Taunton, where I’ve no idea about the lighting situation, Trego has fallen straight after tea.
If the weather is anything like it is here elsewhere, then we are going to have some early finishes through bad light. Floodies on as the players come back out.
Here are the scores from around the grounds at tea time on the first day of the second round:
Division One:
Emphatically Essex’s afternoon. They took five wickets for 91 runs on a pitch that lacks demons leaving Somerset on 186 for seven. Peter Trego, not for the first time in recent years, has been trying to rescue the home side after some profligate batting and some spirited bowling from Essex.
Of the Somerset batsmen only James Hildreth looked in peak form; his dismissal, crunching a hook straight to long-leg was a surprise. Otherwise there was early season tension among the batsmen: they looked troubled, tentative and a bit ring-rusty.
Lancashire reach tea 214 for six - a really rather decent fightback - with Shiv 54 from 144 and Jordan Clark 60 from 82, including a bit of humpty for the spinners. Not much batting to come; can they propel them up towards 300?
That’s the end of a fine session for Middlesex. Eskinazi takes tea on 74 and Middlesex are 210 for two. Malan has feasted on Dawson a bit before the break, with a six down the ground and o over the legside too. Robson the one wicket to fall since lunch, caught low at second slip off Berg.
Not sounding good for Fidel Edwards, who has done a hamstring. Rumours that it’s weeks, not sessions, that he’ll be out. Rossouw not emerged since dropping Robson at second slip either.
Lovely stuff from Wayne Parnell.
Jofra Archer has 2 in 2. Parnell, in for the hat-trick ball, does a Broad & points out an issue with the sightscreen. 5 mins & counting...
Theories as to why Samit was at No3 and Lumb No5? I reckon Lumb might have been in the bathroom. Seen that before, with Nick Compton I think.
Jofra Archer makes things happen.
WICKET: Rouse is bowled, first ball! Jofra Archer is on a hat-trick. Kent 152 for 6 #GOSBTS
NOTTS ARE SEVEN FOR THREE!! Hales gone to Rushworth for 0.
Liam Dawson’s just bowled a full toss to Dawid and Malan and he has nailed it, not just for six, but onto the Nursery Ground. Enormous. He has 28, while Eskinazi has moved on to 70.
Two in two balls at the Riverside, with Jake Libby now gone to Chris Rushworth. Life in the old dogs yet. Samit (in at No3?!) and Hales having a bat together now ...
Notts one down already, Greg Smith gone c Collingwood b Onions. Not the first, won’t be the last to go in that fashion.
At Derby, Gary Wilson has a half-century on debut, which really isn’t that surprising. He’s a quality operator.
Meanwhile, at Edgbaston:
Off for rain again. 152-8 in the 49th over.
Decent fightback from Lancashire at t’Oval. Clark and Chanderpaul have put on 71, to go with the 55 Shiv shared with McLaren. 193 for six with tea approaching.
Durham all out for 162. Still on -48, then.
A wicket for Rash!
OUT! Patel b @AdilRashid03 with the googly, 36. It's 130-8.
Durham are 162 all out as Stuart Poynter is bowled by Luke Fletcher for 65. A terrific, zesty counterattack from the wicketkeeper has given their seamers something to bowl at though.
Back on at Edgbaston, with Warwickshire 128 for seven, and you can watch it here:
I mean, the trap was set.
☝️ | Wagner Time! @NeilWagner13 gets in on the action with the wicket of Lewis Gregory, who is caught by Harmer. #SOMvESS pic.twitter.com/mefFh3kYrk
There’s the wicket.
WICKET: A deserved first scalp for @Bergy646 who finds Robson’s (84) outside edge & @Jhkadams takes a good catch. pic.twitter.com/sLyNE2Rbkd
What is going on in Cardiff? Fell and Clarke both in on 0.
WICKET! Hogan is back and firing with a wicket from his 2nd ball of the County season. Worcestershire 1/2 #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/mX2dOM7Lzs
We’re witnessing a gutsy fightback from Stuart Poynter at the Riverside, with the wicketkeeper having pulled James Pattinson for four to bring up a 45-ball half-century. Nine fours in there, with lots of cheeky flicks, either ramped over the keeper or flicked through midwicket, and the 10th wicket stand of 36 is starting to grate with the away side. Durham 146 for nine.
Wicket!
Berg’s pitched one up and Robson’s edged a drive to second slip, where he was dropped by Rossouw (who I think injured himself in the process) earlier. This time it’s lower and the hands are safer (Jimmy Adams) so he has to go for 84. He looked in great touch. 150 for two.
50 for Eskinazi as he pumps Dawson through the legside for four. He’s playing really nicely (106 balls, eight fours), and the stand is 101 and the 150 is up.
Bloomin’ ‘eck
WICKET! Carey has Mitchell caught behind for a second ball duck. Worcestershire 1/1 #GoGlam #GLAvWOR pic.twitter.com/yqYEMrNxZJ
Dreamboat out to Grievous Bodily Harmer.
☝️ | A deserved first wicket for @SimonHarmerRSA who bowls Steven Davies for 12! #HarmyArmy #SOMvESS pic.twitter.com/ch2tfhYMzg
Robson moves from 78 to 83 after an over-enthusiastic (read: stupid) shy at the stumps turns a single into a single and four overthrows. 140 for one.
Glamorgan 207 all out. A first batting point of the season for them! Should also mean they make their second game of the season last longer than two days.
Absolute beauty from Wheal has Eskinazi on his backside. Short and at the throat, he does well to get out the way of it. 128 for one. Fidel Edwards still off the field with a hamstring injury.
Rain at Edgbaston with Warks 128 for seven. Rain?
You do not do that to Gareth Batty.
Here comes the counter-attack from @LancsCCC all-rounder @Clarksy16. The first 6️⃣ of the innings!
Scorecard ️ https://t.co/anDl4JMuiS pic.twitter.com/ReKm5chORY
WELL DONE GLAMORGAN. Still reeling from the Royal Mint Coin Toss that never happened earlier.
BATTING BONUS POINT// Glamorgan recovering from 82/7 to claim a first batting point with Lloyd and Hogan going at 7p/over 201/9 #GlavWor
It’s all happening in Derby. The hosts are 114 for four; Kleinveldt and Buck with the wickets, and now two batsmen are in on 0.
Two wickets in six balls and @NorthantsCCC now on top https://t.co/3khdHeq0DZ #bbccricket
Hildreth walked!
☝️ | @jamieporter93 gets his first wicket and the big wicket of Hildreth meant a lot to him with a big fist pump! #SOMvESS pic.twitter.com/lew7CwO29s
That Lancashire partnership broken.
Batty gets McLaren lbw, who - to judge from his reaction - may have thought he got an edge on that. Lancashire 122 for 6.
Somerset want to be careful.
WICKET A deserved wicket for Jamie Porter when James Hildreth pulls a ball to Ravi Bopara at fine leg. Out for 36. 112-4. #SOMvESS
At Cardiff, Glamorgan are fighting back: David Lloyd, who got a pair at Northampton, and Lukas Carey have on 65 at about eight an over and they 168 for eight. You can watch that here.
And you can watch the game at Edgbaston, where Warwickshire are in all sorts, here.
So, plenty going on everywhere but here, where Robson is looking superb.
McLaren and Chanderpaul have put on 50 for Lancashire’s sixth wicket at the Oval, but the news is not so good for Warwickshire at Edgbaston; they are 93 for seven and CoadBreaker has four. What a start to the season from him.
Worse for Durham after lunch as Jake Ball nabs two in two with Paul Collingwood pinned lbw and Ryan Pringle feathering behind. 69 for six in the 29th. And as I type that, it’s seven down as Paul Coughlin gives Harry Gurney his first. 71 for seven in the 30th. No mercy shown from Nottinghamshire here, could be very chastening start for the home side but Mark Wood, the new man in, may yet have a say later on this pitch.
Cleaned up.
WATCH: We could see Pattinson v Jennings in the #Ashes next winter, let's hope it ends better for England next time... #DurvNotts pic.twitter.com/ICikNCeqOT
If you’re looking for something to listen to, try this: very enjoyable chat on a new podcast. Proper characters.
Featuring @norcrosscricket and @sjjperry, our new podcast is not to be missedhttps://t.co/vGe2xGi9dF
Seeing as my two colleagues have provided such comprehensive wrap-ups of the morning session, I should probably do the same. Middlesex will be pretty happy with their morning’s work after winning the toss; Robson has looked in lovely touch - although was let off by Rossouw at second slip with a very, very sharp chance in the 40s. Robson’s done well what Robson does well: cut ferociously, flicked through midwicket and left loads. Good player.
At t’other end Gubbins looked very steady until getting a beauty from Fidel, who has since left us with some sort of injury I believe. He was erratic early doors but found some swing. In Gubbins’ place, Eskinazi has settled nicely after spending 10 balls on 0. He’ll be looking to make it very difficult to squeeze Compton back in the side when he returns from injury. Abbott beat the bat plenty and Wheal bowled with zip but without any great threat. Good session. 84 for one.
All sorts of happy juxtapositions here: Trescothick and Cook. Here to the dismay of the locals Trescothick was well caught by Cook for 28 off Bopara, who took both the wickets to fall in the morning session. Then there’s Elgar and Wagner. Here Dean Elgar, the South African, prevailed - just about. Somehow a top-edged pull landed between fielders and before lunch he hit the first six of the match – a majestic straight drive off fellow-countryman, Simon Harmer. Wagner was expensive: 0-55 off eight overs.
So the season has begun beguilingly with Somerset 95-2 at lunch. The Trescothick Stand is full; the Botham Stand is well populated. So is the Somerset pavilion now that its inhabitants have been reassured about the fire alarm just before play. Here one gets the impression that county cricket is far from moribund – there were queues outside the ground when I arrived soon after 10am.
Life in Division Two has been something of a challenge thus far for Durham, reaching 68 for four at lunch on a pitch that has given Nottinghamshire’s high-class attack some lateral movement to exploit. Two leaves accounted for Stephen Cook and Jack Burnham, the former trying to pull his bat out of the way against Jake Ball and feathering behind, the latter shouldering arms to Luke Fletcher and seeing his off stump sent flying. Keaton Jennings offered resistance at first but was winkled out on 28 with a terrific ball from James Pattinson.
Fresh from his all-round heroics against Leicestershire, Pattinson pitched one on middle and leg, teased the left-hander into a clip through mid-wicket, the ball jagged sideways and clattered the stumps. Paul Collingwood, who made it to lunch unbeaten on eight, nearly came a cropper first up when beaten by Pattinson outside off by one that may possibly have flicked the stumps on its way to a Chris Read sprawling down leg. Fletcher then made it Nottinghamshire’s morning when Michael Richardson fenced to slip. Terrific crowd in, applauding every Durham run heartily ... here’s hoping there’s a few more this afternoon.
Here are the scores on the doors around the nine grounds.
Division One:
I like the idea of Shiv Thakor at No3 for Derbyshire. He’s in with Madsen against Northants; Derbyshire are 78 for two and Sanderson has both the wickets. State of the game similar at Bristol, where Gloucestershire are 88 for two.
50 for Sammy Robson! He started last year with scores of 231, 106, and 99. 82 balls for the fifty, brought up with a glance fine. 84 for one.
Cor - well done them!
// Glamorgan reach three figures in the 27th over Lloyd 43* De Lange 6* 100/7 #GlavWor
Thank you PCA for the doing the maths.
Stat of the Day: It is 6,420 days since all 18 f-c counties were last all in @CountyChamp action on the same day pic.twitter.com/OADL8XFcrU
Dropped! Robson on 40, cuts hard at Abbott and it goes fast to second slip’s right, where it’s shelled by Rossouw. Would have been a blinder and it’s run away for four.
Robson has 40, Eskinazi has settled, and Dawson is into the attack. Couple of neat dab sweeps from Eski in his first over; he loves that shot. 72 for one.
Do not leave the ball at Hove this morning.
WATCH: Lovely stuff from @AJShahzad and a fine celebration as he bowls Joe Denly for 24 #GOSBTS #SussexFamily pic.twitter.com/UnMVuiIvvW
Keaton beaten as James Pattinson produces a pearler ... ball angled in, Jennings on 28 goes to clip through midwicket, it seams away from the left-hander and sends off-stump flying. Durham 55 for three ...
Don’t mess with Jack Shantry.
WICKET// Podmore goes for one caught Ben Cox bowled Jack Shantry. Glamorgan 82/7 #GLAvWOR pic.twitter.com/tazR3jxySN
Footitt has three at the Oval. Vilas goes now. 67 for five.
Anther big in swinger, another wicket for Mark Footitt! @LancsCCC now 67/5 with Dane Vilas back in the hutch second ball! pic.twitter.com/vayKEiPrwW
There goes another
WICKET// D'Oliveira with a great catch to remove Carlson (13) off the bowling of Barnard. Glamorgan 79/6 #GLAvWOR pic.twitter.com/nyHHoBLqcy
Warwickshire 65 for five ... Bell gone.
And the skipper gone at the Oval too.
Wicket. Footitt has his second wicket as Livingstone, who just whipped him away for four, is caught at square leg. @LancsCCC are 63/4.
Couple of other Div One wickets to catch up on:
Nut. What is Robson up to here though?
WICKET: The first wicket falls and it's @EdwardsFidel who claims it, Gubbins' (13) edging to a diving @Rileerr - @Middlesex_CCC 45-1. & pic.twitter.com/e8kj4WCVNH
Right, I think it’s time to answer that teaser I stuck out earlier. To be honest, I didn’t know the answer when I mentioned it initially, but I’m a full paid Cricket Archive subscriber so thought I might as well make use of it. So, the teaser was the six active players who played in the last round of fixtures in September 1999.
The six appear to be: Bell, Collingwood, Trescothick, Read, Stevens and Joyce.
A slimmed down Luke Fletcher has just been brought into the attack by Notts and struck with the last ball of his opening over, with Jack Burnham’s stumps detonated in spectacular fashion when leaving a ball that nipped back. Couple of lovely drives in Burnham’s 15 but off he stomps. Durham 47 for two after 14 overs. Keaton Jennings has enjoyed a good battle with Harry Gurney and remains on 26 not out.
State of this
WATCH: A fine delivery from @craig_arch to dismiss Bell-Drummond. Kent are currently 41 for 1 with 45 minutes until the lunch break pic.twitter.com/bzsnNRSfko
Warwickshire v Yorkshire is watchable here. First look at Coad Breaker for me.
Morse Coad takes his wickets in clumps. The inspector.
OUT! @BenCoad10 strikes again. He's got Trott lbw, 13. @WarwickshireCCC are 52-3 in the 17th.
First wicket of the morning at the Ageas and it’s a beauty. Fidel Edwards, returning for a second spell, the bowler. He’s bowled full and shaped it back in to the left-handed Nick Gubbins, who could do nothing but nick to second slip, where Rilee Rossouw took the catch. An all-Kolpak wicket. 45 for one, and Stevie Eskinazi in at No3.
Mark Footitt at it again. Shiv time.
Footitt traps Davies in front with the in swinger and @LancsCCC now 44/3 at the Kia Oval pic.twitter.com/8YcYWubqOy
A reminder that you can get in touch ATL as well as BTL. I’m emailable at will.macpherson.freelance@guardian.co.uk and on the twitters at @willis_macp.
Haha this twitter account really does serve up some gold. Happy birthday! Chris Cooke’s just been run out and they are 48 for five because Glamorgan.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY// A big happy birthday to Glamorgan all-rounder Owen Morgan who turns 23 today
Nice start from Middlesex. Gubbins just smashed Berg through the covers for four and they are 43 without loss, with Robson - who took 10 off the match’s first over - on 30. Looks a pretty flat deck.
Coupla wiggits in the red-ball criggit
Another lovely catch from Scott Borthwick and Tom Curran joins his brother in the wickets! @LancsCCC 31-2 after 11 overs pic.twitter.com/vzGWiD9HbN
WICKET// Hastings clean bowls Donald for two. Glamorgan currently struggling on 33/4 #GLAvWOR pic.twitter.com/L0bPMj0i3d
Glamorgan are 33 for four and Donald is gone. Oh deary deary me.
Six catches this season for Badger Borthwick.
WICKET: Procter c Borthwick b T. Curran 12
Lloyds Leach. Say no more.
WICKET// Ingram goes 1st ball caught at fourth slip from the bowling of Leach who is on a hat-trick. Glamorgan 28/3 pic.twitter.com/LeUNEXom3O
Spin at Ciderabad for the ninth over of the match!
ELGAR AND WAGNER IN TAUNTON. CLASSIC(AL)!
Successive boundaries by Elgar when facing Neil Wagner. 7 overs gone and Somerset 28-0. Trescothock 13, Elgar 9/ #SOMvESS
Yorkies in among the wickets early doors. Porterfield gone to Morse Coad. Said it before, say it again, Warwickshire are going to be two down for not many a lot this season.
What does everyone think of Jonny Bairstow sitting out Yorkshire v Warwickshire to cover the IPL for Sky? (FWIW I don’t think either will be his decision ...)
Think I might be the last to the party on this teaser, but six players are still playing county cricket who were active and involved last time all 18 counties played in the same round, way back in September 1999 (I was approaching my ninth birthday at this stage, I’m afraid).
Go on, name ‘em.
And Glamorgan picking up where they left off last week.
WICKET// Rudolph caught at third slip off the bowling of Hastings for 2. Glamorgan 14/1 #GLAvWOR pic.twitter.com/r3OvKS4AAr
There goes Has.
EVERY 4️⃣, EVERY 6️⃣, EVERY ☝️, EVERY 5️⃣0️⃣, EVERY .
Watch video of more #ProperCricket than ever before! https://t.co/Q77IIknlxh pic.twitter.com/I5nXZoRdEO
Who needs Stuart Broad anyway?
Stephen Cook's 1st @DurhamCricket innings ends for 2 after he tries to leave Jake Ball & tickles behind. 6-1
Good morning Will, Good morning everyone.
There is a buzz at Taunton, of course. A little ceremony with Brian Rose making a presentation to Marcus Trescothick as he starts his 25th year as a Somerset player started proceedings. Then there was a fire alarm in the newish Somerset pavilion. “A burnt pasty”, explained the chief executive, Guy Lavender, not a problem he is likely to encounter when he takes over at the MCC later this year. Then a moment of confusion – especially for the umpires - when all the clocks on the ground showed a different time (none of which seemed to be correct). Oddly Somerset was about ten minutes behind GMT.
Good news from the Oval, where Zafar Ansari is back for Surrey against Lancashire. Procter and Kerrigan in for Croft and Anderson. But, oh, that’s not good news:
Oh dear: Haseeb Hameed drives wildly at his second ball and is caught behind for a duck off Sam Curran here at The Oval. Lancs 0 for 1.
For the Ageas World XI, Fidel Edwards and Gareth Berg are making their 100th first-class appearances. Gubbins about to face up to Kyle Abbott.
Well that’s a good start to the season for Middlesex. Fidel Edwards drifts onto Sam Robson’s pads, and he flicks him through midwicket for four. And then four more through point. They’ve just hoisted the penant (ATL privilege to correct spelling) above the Middlesex changing room, which is nice.
Cook for Chopra at Taunton, and a second spinner in Ashar Zaidi, who comes in for Aaron Beard.
Morning all from the Riverside - aka Ground -48 (points, not degrees) - where under overcast skies Nottinghamshire skipper Chris Read has decided to eschew the toss and unleash James Pattinson and co on the home side. No Stuart Broad, of course, he’s pooped. Paul Collingwood was out there in short sleeves, perhaps trying to hoodwink his opposite number into it being a batting day. It may yet be, of course, with the pitch here more bountiful last year than the long-held reputation. Keaton Jennings and Stephen Cook to get the fightback underway for Durham, who have a decent smattering of supporters in. Feels like a Div One game in all but name.
Durham: Jennings, Cook, Burnham, Collingwood (c), Richardson, Pringle, Poynter (wk), Coughlin, Wood, Onions, Rushworth
Interesting team news from Hove.
Toss at Hove – Kent win & bat. No Magoffin for Sussex (Shahzad), no Harris for Kent (Parnell).
Big news: Delray #countycricketlive
We’ve had a toss here at the Ageas Bowl and Middlesex will bat first! Strap up, Gubbins and Robson. Hants unchanged, so no Crane. Eskinazi bats No3 for Middlesex with Compo injured. Helm misses out.
News from other tosses:
Reece Topley, yet to ball a bowl in anger for Hampshire, is warming up but he’s not in the squad. Nor is Tom Alsop, the England Lions batsman, because he’s not deemed good enough. Mason Crane is on the squad, but we’re yet to find out if he’ll play. James Franklin has dashed off to put his whites on, so we might be about to see a toss! Umpires, James Vince and Dapper Dave Fulton of Sky are all eagerly waiting for the champions’ captain. I say that, and now Dial M for Murtagh is marking out his run ...
Here's a quick look at the pitch for our first home @CountyChamp contest!
Would you want to bat or bowl first? & pic.twitter.com/PooHyG2gbn
The Royal Mint coin toss?! Streuth.
TOSS// @RoyalMintUK coin toss is due at 10.30am unless visiting captain Leach decides to bowl first #GlavWor #countycricketlive pic.twitter.com/3cFmEoGiJ2
Overcast at the Ageas but the pitch looks a belter; will we have a toss?
Happy Friday! Good Friday, indeed. I spent last week merrily moaning that the ECB’s fixture computer had failed to spit out a schedule that saw all 18 counties play at the same time, which is one of the eight-ten divisional split’s virtues. Well here it is! I reckon for the first time since ’99 - which is quite a cool sentence to type - all 18 counties are playing in the same round of matches. Hey nine-nine split talk nah!
Anyway, for today at least, I am not alone! Victor of Taunton is at, erm, Taunton (where Somerset start their season against Essex and Alastair Cook), while Ali Martin is up at the Riverside to watch Durham’s return to Championship action after their rather abrupt relegation. They play Nottinghamshire, who are Broad-less but Ball-ed. I’m Will Macpherson and I’m at the Ageas Bowl where Hampshire - we will call them that for now - are playing the champions, Middlesex! Ali interviewed Nick Gubbins, the Middlesex opener, here. Well worth a read.
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