Matthew Maynard’s men at Taunton had plenty to be proud of despite watching Middlesex deny the county what would have been a first Championship titleAt least the bar sales were good at Taunton. There was a determination to enjoy the sunshine and the cider (well, there must have been a few drinking cider). All three bars at the ground were full and there was cause to turn to drink. The televisions were on for the masochists. Related: Middlesex pip Yorkshire and Somerset to title after thrilling finale at Lord’s Related: Ryan Sidebottom chuntering away signals good health for county cricket | Barney Ronay Continue reading...
The unspectacular Yorkshire bowler digging in to keep his side in the hunt for the County Championship title was a self-contained moment of pure theatreSexual Chocolate. Shirley Temple, Sideshow Bob. Stringfellow. Ryan Sidebottom seems to be one of those people who just attracts nicknames, the kind of man who looks like he gets clapped on the shoulder a lot, bear-hugged by acquaintances, bantered at by passing stag-dos when he appears on a crowded railway station, head bobbing above the heads, unmistakably that guy. Related: County cricket: three-way title race goes to the final day – live! Related: Ian Bell’s Warwickshire need seven Lancashire wickets to stay in Division One Continue reading...
Ryan Sidebottom’s thrift at one end allowed Jack Brooks to cut loose at the other but the champions could rue some poor fielding against MiddlesexLate September, the very butt end of the season. In London it was a soupy sort of day, the sky a uniform grey and the atmosphere, in the morning at least, still thick with the lingering humidity of last week’s Indian summer, leaving the city’s commuters facing the dilemma of whether or not to pack an umbrella. If this morning was meant for anything, it was bowling first. Related: Middlesex rally against sloppy Yorkshire as Nick Gubbins hits unbeaten 120 Continue reading...
James Hildreth hobbled to a ton with a runner at his side to set Somerset on course in the first innings before a late collapse, while it was tight at Lord’s 6.13pm BST That’s close of play around the grounds. Here is how it’s poised after the first day of play: 4.55pm BST Durham have made a couple of breakthroughs at the Ageas Bowl but from the Hampshire angle they were pretty soft dismissals.Vince had made 92 and was clearly in boots-filling mood when Sean Ervine, who had played a stroke to Stokes in the covers, called for a sharp single. 3.40pm BST Tea at Lord’s and Middlesex, largely through the diligence of Nick Gubbins, are hanging on to their...
Middlesex, Yorkshire and Somerset all have title hopes in the tightest race for years and it may yet be one decided on bonus pointsForty-eight years ago, your correspondent was at the non-striker’s end when Surrey’s Arnold Long edged a ball from the seamer Tony Nicholson to Long’s opposite number, Jimmy Binks, standing up to the stumps, to complete a hat-trick of County Championship titles for Yorkshire. Since then, seven other counties have tried to emulate the feat and fallen short (Middlesex, who won in 1976 and tied in 1977; Essex, champions in 1983 and 1984 and again in 1991 and 92; Worcestershire, 1988 and 89; Warwickshire, 1994 and 95; Surrey, 2002 and 03; Sussex, 2006 and 07; and Durham 2008...