Somerset v Surrey, Warwickshire v Leics and extra: County Championship title race goes to wire – stay
Key occasions
Luke McLaughlin
If the ball dominated the primary half of the day – when 14 wickets fell at alarmingly common intervals – the bat has come roaring again this afternoon, with Ben Geddes (57) and Ryan Higgins (88 not out) inserting Middlesex in a seemingly unassailable place, at 217-6 main by 114 runs with 4 first-innings wickets in hand.
There is not any hangover from the One Day Cup celebrations when Higgins additionally starred with the bat. Tim Murtagh, the Middlesex bowling coach, mentioned earlier that if there was one other month of the season he would count on Middlesex to kick on once more, such is the upbeat temper within the camp and their bettering type. They are supremely well-placed to complete the season with a fifth County Championship victory. Another 10 overs are supposed to be bowled, however the mild is fading quick and the shadows are lengthening. The solar has already set on Northamptonshire’s Division One hopes.”
Righto, I’m going to get my head down to jot down up for tomorrow’s paper. Do preserve chatting beneath the road and see you again right here in a short time. Keep an eye fixed on the place for me.
Ed Barnard hasn’t missed a county championship match since 2019. Proper criggit. He strides to the center at Edgbaston after Vansh Jani performs a wild hack to Ajaz Patel and is well caught at mid off for 22. Warwickshire 88-4 and trailing by 37.
Drama within the remaining over of the day at Taunton, Dan Lawrence refuses to take a single on 98 as he cuts Jack Leach to deep level… no mither… subsequent ball he smashes his fourth six of the time without work Leach over cow nook to go to his sixth century of the season!
The oracle Yas Rana informs me that Lawrence hasn’t been out between 50-100 for Surrey all season. Bet he needs that was the case for England…
Here at Edgbaston the Warwickshire pair of Sam Hain and Vansh Jani have steadied issues for the champions elect after that wobbly begin. The Bears path by 39 runs as late September shadows stretch throughout the outfield.
“Somerset’s hopes of a primary County Championship are sinking with the solar into the west” laments BBC Somerset’s Anthony Gibson after Dan Lawrence larrups his third six off Jack Leach. The rubber wristed former Essex man is onto 95 and Surrey are 308-4.
Wayne Madsen continues to be there for Derbyshire however they’ve misplaced one other! Luis Reece edges behind to depart them 52-5! Brooke Guest joins his captain with an enormous job on.
The be-headbanded JT Langridge has simply pinned Zak Crawley for one at Canterbury. Kent 1-1 in response to Gloucestershire’s 229.
Ben Allison is ripening with the ball for the Pears! The Worcestershire man has 3-17 in his opening spell with Derbyshire teetering at 41-4 in response to 214. Skipper Wayne Madsen is on the crease attempting to regular the Derbyshire ship on 15*.
Dan Lawrence is into the 60s at Taunton, Surrey are 253-4 off 84 overs with Ben Foakes unbeaten on 33. 84 overs! They’ve rattled via them down there, very a lot not the case right here at Edgbaston the place we now have evening on 25 overs left to get via.
Asa Tribe is ending the season strongly, his second hundred in as many innings and its been a patiently spectacular one, off 206 deliveries. Glamorgan are cruising alongside at 257-2, captain Kiran Carlson additionally tonning up however is now out bowled to Matt Critchley.
Luke McLaughlin
Middlesex are 110 for 5 at tea, having beforehand slumped to 32 for 4, and so they lead by seven on a wonderful afternoon at Lord’s. Ben Geddes (57) and Ryan Higgins (28 not out) steadied the hosts’ ship and confirmed stable, smart batting is feasible after Ben Sanderson of Northamptonshire had ripped via the highest order. Geddes batted fluently earlier than being bowled by Gus Miller simply earlier than tea, having added 76 for the fifth wicket alongside Higgins.
Meanwhile Sanderson, the seamer, has 4 for 37, together with three lbws, one in all which appeared a contact beneficiant by the umpire. Sanderson appears eager to make up for his weird earlier dismissal, when he successfully left a straight one from Higgins, Middlesex’s hero within the One Day Cup remaining triumph final weekend. The cup winners are certain to ascertain a big first-innings lead right here, absolutely extinguishing any lingering hope of promotion for Northamptonshire.”
Tea-Time-ish scores
It’s tea time right here at Edgbaston so let’s do a scooch across the grounds:
Division One
Cardiff: Glamorgan 243-1 v Essex
Utilita Bowl: Hampshire 0-0 v Sussex -244 all out
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 176-4 v Yorkshire
Taunton: Somerset v Surrey 217-4
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 43-2 v Leicestershire 125 all out
Division Two
Canterbury: Kent v Gloucestershire 205-8
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Durham 251-2
Lord’s: Middlesex 109-5 v Northamptonshire 103 all out
Worcester: Worcestershire 214 all out v Derbyshire 17-2
Haseeb Hameed has been prised out at Trent Bridge, 71 off 187 balls and it took a magnificence from Matthew Revis to attract him into enjoying outdoors off stump and the nick is taken by a gleeful Johnny Bairstow.
Emilio Gay notches up his fourth century of the marketing campaign for Durham at Old Trafford, 156 balls and 14 usually engaging boundaries. One for England’s Test group subsequent Emilio? Durham 229-2
Now then, Warwickshire have slipped to 22-2 right here at Edgbaston! Mousley edges Ian Holland and its a really good low seize by Sheridan Gumbs within the slips. Mousley stands for few seconds, to not problem the catch I don’t assume however extra in disappointment. He’d stopped play to get operating repairs to his bat earlier than the ball that had his identify on it too. Maybe it was a wafty little bit of edging tape that kissed the ball?
Glamorgan are going properly towards Essex – Tribe is ticking alongside on 72* and Kiran Carlson is 65*, the pair have placed on 100 runs and counting.
Elsewhere, Emilio Gay is closing in on a properly made century for Durham at Old Trafford, he’s into the nineties and has struck 12 fours in his 137 balls. Jinxing knife, what jinxing knife?
Here at Edgbaston, Rob Yates hacks an tried off aspect drive onto his stumps to depart for a duck, Ian Holland with the early riposte for Leicestershire.
Seven wickets have fallen within the South Coast ding dong at Hove the inland Utilita Bowl – Sussex are at present 164-7 towards Hampshire, Jack Carter exhibiting some decrease order resistance with 34 and counting together with three 4s and two 6s.
Mo Abbas is doing what Mo Abbas does, he’s scythed via Worcestershire to take 5-69, it’s his 59th top notch five-fer.
This one is for you, Mo.
The recreation is on quick ahead at Lord’s! Three Middlesex wickets have already fallen in response to Northants’ 103. Ben Sanderson pockets each openers Robson and Fernandes lbw and he will get a 3rd too Max Holden is again within the shed after feathering to McManus behind the sticks!
13 wickets within the day and counting. Chaos.
Luke McLaughlin
Northants are skittled out for 103, Ryan Higgins’ accuracy and motion spearheading a powerful Middlesex bowling efficiency with figures of 4-30. Danru Ferns additionally bowled at a full of life tempo for his 4-29. The 23-year-old James Sales, batting No 6, principally struck the ball beautifully for his 43 however ran out of companions – and ended up hacking the ball throughout the park whereas refusing a single to guard the tailenders.
Darren Lehmann’s aspect actually wanted to money in on batting factors to keep up any life like hope of overhauling Kent and snatching promotion. Still, it’s a stunning day for a recreation of cricket, and a lone fox was not too long ago having fun with the sunshine in entrance of the vacant Grand Stand. The “Media soup” was taken at lunch: fortunately it isn’t made out of media, even at this late stage of the season.”
Took a stroll across the Edgbaston outfield to see Ethan Bamber bowl Ajaz Patel via an enormous chop on and get a hearty spherical of applause as he returns to his fielding place at effective leg. Beaming smile throughout cherubic cheeks.
That’s it now too – Josh Hull is Leicestershire’s final man to fall, plinking a easy return catch to Ed Barnard – Leicestershire 125 all out in 47 overs.
That’s the seventh innings in succession that the Bears have routed their opponents for beneath 200.
Kent followers will probably be licking their lips on the Northants scorecard in St John’s Wood however they’re in a scrap of their very own to safe promotion as Gloucestershire are going properly in Canterbury, Ollie Price is unbeaten on fifty and the guests are 107-3 after being put in.
In the Div One relegation stakes it isn’t going properly for Leicestershire right here at Edgbaston – the Foxes are at present 93-6 – but it surely’s not all unhealthy information for the midlanders as fellow backside of the desk stragglers Essex are being made to work by Glamorgan who’re 109-1 in Cardiff with Asa Tribe unbeaten on 50.
More day one chaos at Lord’s as Northants are decreased to 94-9! Ryan Higgins has 4-29 and Danru Ferns 3-25.
A calamitous first half an hour after lunch for Worcestershire at New Road, they’ve misplaced 4 wickets in six overs to slide to 127-6 towards Derbyshire.
Ben McKinney is out for 71 at Old Trafford however concern not Durham followers, Emilio Gay has simply chalked up his half century. Durham 137-2.
Matthew Hoggard can sleep straightforward for now, Yorkshire’s 17 12 months look forward to a Champo hat-trick continues… as Cliff is denied his third in a row by Jack Haynes clipping a straight ball for 4. Notts 70-3.
Adam Lyth has taken his second slip catch at Trent Bridge… and his third! Ben Martindale and Joe Clarke fall in successive balls to Ben Cliff who’s now on a hat-trick…
The gamers reemerge at a solar strewn Edgbaston, afternoon periods about to get underway on day one.
Guy Hornsby is at Old Trafford and sends on this heartfelt message concerning the state of issues at Lancs:
“Afternoon from a fantastically sunny Old Trafford, James. The climate could also be chic however the outlook is something however at Lancashire of late. After a full of life begin to the season, the wheels have very a lot come off. As a lot as I like Jimmy, in case your high stroke bowler is in his 40s, that’s a problem. We’ve struggled to bowl sides out, and when we now have, we will’t again up up with runs.
Today is not any exception, with Durham trying serene at lunch, each McKinney and Gay good for his or her century partnership and whereas Bailey was economical, and Stanley pacy, issues really feel like they’re getting away already. The announcement of the departure of Mark Chilton felt lengthy overdue however jettisoning David Thorley felt fairly unfair given the latest trophies for the ladies. You really feel it’s a clearing of the decks earlier than Richard Kenyon begins his tenure, however with crimson ball cricket at all-time low, who will really feel the job is a sexy one? We can speak about being an enormous membership, however the outcomes simply don’t again it up. It’s an enormous disgrace, as a result of it’s a improbable place to look at cricket. I hope issues can flip round quickly.”
Lunchtime Reading:
The century is batting’s yardstick, from the newbie recreation to the very highest degree. Blame it on a decimal counting system if you would like. Blame your lack of 1 on a lifetime of dodgy dismissals, snakepit surfaces and apparently “unplayable” deliveries. Whatever. When it involves centuries, you’ve both made one otherwise you haven’t.
A person who is aware of that each one too properly is Mason Crane. After greater than 10 years as knowledgeable, the Glamorgan leg-spinner has seen his batting type flourish up to now couple of years, culminating in a maiden first-class century towards Surrey this summer time. “It’s so cool to have the ability to say you’ve received one,” he says. “That additional column … it’s particular. Everyone nonetheless places loads of weight on it.”
Lunchtime Scores:
Division One
Cardiff: Glamorgan 85-1 v Essex
Utilita Bowl: Hampshire v Sussex 97-4
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 63-1 v Yorkshire
Taunton: Somerset v Surrey 86-2
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Leicestershire 78-5
Division Two
Canterbury: Kent v Gloucestershire 74-2
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Durham 112-1
Lord’s: Middlesex v Northamptonshire 80-6
Worcester: Worcestershire 104-3 v Derbyshire
Up the highway, up a bit, a bit extra proper a bit, at Headingley, England have simply began bowling at Sri Lanka within the second ODI. Rob Smyth and Taha Hashim are on the instruments for that one. You can go and take a look, however be again on your tea – the afternoon periods.
Luke M pops up with a lunchtime replace from Lord’s:
No sooner had I written that Vasconcelos was leaving the ball properly, he was caught within the slips for 26 through a wild slash outdoors off stump: and Northants are itemizing badly at 80-6 at lunch. There are glimmers of hope: the 23-year-old James Sales appeared in good nick within the nets at round 9.45am, and has appeared good within the center too, hitting 5 fours in his 27 not out. Gloucestershire are trying able to making a recreation of it towards Kent in Canterbury, however at this price Darren Lehmann’s aspect will definitely be in Division Two subsequent season regardless. Lewis McManus was unfortunate to see a vanguard fly straight again to the bowler Tom Helm, who took a pointy catch for the sixth wicket. The first session emphatically belonged to the hosts.”
The gamers depart the sphere right here at Edgbaston, Leicestershire battling at 78-5. You know what, it may have been worse. Time to take a tour across the grounds for the lunchtime scores.
Notts have misplaced their first at Trent Bridge, Ben Slater edging a rising ball from Ben Coad to Adam Lyth at slip. Notts 59-1.
At Old Trafford, Ben McKinney has gone to fifty off 74 balls for Durham however – don’t inform Big Kookaburra’s Gary Naylor – it’s the fourth Dukes ball of the morning they’ve gone via within the opening twenty or so overs. That’s a foul batch. Durham 112-1
“Hi Jim.”
Hello Gary Naylor!
“Radical thought… an excessive amount of activates the toss in late September, as scorecards right this moment attest. At Lord’s, the ball isn’t hooping or seaming miles, but it surely’s doing sufficient for Northants’ batters to push laborious at it with a “get some runs now as a result of there’s one together with your identify on it” angle. What is to be carried out?
Well, why not play this final tranche of Championship fixtures with the a lot maligned outdated Kookaburra? That may tip the stability again in the direction of the batting aspect and make 10.30am begins extra even.”
I take your level Gary, I do, but additionally if it was so lower and dried I’m confused as to why some groups, together with Leicestershire right here at Edgbaston who’re 63-5, would select to bat first? Herein lies the surprise of cricket and the unreadable nature of pitches, balls and circumstances?
I’ll do a lunchtime sweep across the grounds however am at present all eyes on the motion right here at Edgbaston with Leicestershire 55-5, Ben Cox and Ian Holland digging in towards Hannon-Dalby and Barnard. There’s a way {that a} wicket may fall nearly each ball.
Ollie Hannon-Dalby strikes right here at Edgbaston! Leicestershire at the moment are 47-4 and in some critical hassle… make that 47-5! Sol Budinger nicks off to Ed Barnard and is snaffled by the teflon handed Rob Yates at second slip. Carnage.
No sooner had I pressed ship on Luke’s morning dispatch than the alert pings that Vasconcelos has nicked off to second slip to depart Northants 46-5! Gulp.
M’esteemed colleague Luke McLaughlin is at Lord’s and sends this missive after the primary hour of play. Northants are in massive hassle already:
Sunshine has damaged out at Lord’s after a cloudy begin, the place it feels extra late August than late September, and the pavilion is properly populated. The local weather is altering however Toby Roland-Jones stays fixed, the 38-year-old dealing an early blow to Northamptonshire’s promotion hopes by eradicating Luke Proctor lbw for 0 within the first over. Gus Miller went for 10, additionally lbw to Ryan Higgins, and Saif Zaib was caught at first slip off the identical bowler, earlier than Calvin Harrison slapped a Danru Ferns long-hop to cowl. No 1 batter Ricardo Vasconcelos survived a assured caught-behind attraction off Higgins within the fourth over, however has appeared stable for 26 not out, and has left the ball properly. Not the beginning the guests needed after successful the toss and batting, although: 44-4 off 14 overs.”
That man Jack Leach has received the breakthrough in Taunton. Michael Vaughan and Steve Finn have each been calling for Leach to be recalled into the Test aspect, undoubtedly one to regulate, notably with the Bangladesh sequence early subsequent 12 months.
Leach snares his outdated England teammate Rory Burns who performs a free sweep and presents a high edge to Tom Abell.
I’ve arrived at Edgbaston to see Ethan Bamber ship his seventh over on the spin with solar bursting via the clouds. Leicestershire want it to flatten this pitch into the roadiest highway pronto… Baby confronted murderer Bamber has 1-13 and Woakes 2-11. Tidy.
A ripple of applause for the introduction of Ollie Hannon-Dalby. I loved his chat with Tanya forward of this recreation:
His lengthy profession provides him the angle to see how the sport has been reworked, and what issues. “Cricket has modified a bit bit, there are many offshoots, and the franchise planet after all. But on a day-to-day foundation, the measure of you as a cricketer is both Test cricket should you can play it, or in any other case the County Championship.
To do properly in county cricket is extremely satisfying, and having the ability to win the championship is a good marker in your profession. It says loads that the good Chris Woakes may have sailed off into the sundown, however he has stayed for weeks like this.” By Sunday, we are going to understand how the die fell.”
Am having fun with the chat beneath the road, do preserve the pearls coming.
This for instance:
“Morning Jim, morning everybody. Oh Leicestershire, don’t do this…”
and in addition –
“Off-topic: Mark Wood is one in all solely two cricketers in my brief time following the game who I’ve thought, “There’s a cricketer I’d love to take a seat down and have a chat with.” (Moeen Ali the opposite.) This is partly as a consequence of me not realizing a lot about most cricketers, however Mark Wood was so odd, so fascinating that he broke via that barrier. Seemed like a genuinely beautiful chap who saved his bizarre character regardless of his time within the limelight. Amazing cricketer as properly.
First-class and Test cricket has misplaced a goodun, but it surely’s the commentary field’s acquire. Every radio and TV platform exhibiting the cricket needs to be showering him with gives.”
Taha did a stunning piece on Mark Wood yesterday:
Toby Roland Jones has picked up an early wicket at Lord’s, Procter pinned LBW…
and that’s out too!
It’s all go at Edgbaston, the Wizard Woakes nips one again into Rishi Patel who gives no shot and is stone lifeless. There are good leaves and unhealthy leaves, son… Leics 10-2 and within the mire after selecting to bat.
Ethan Bamber bowls Sheridan Gumbs with the fourth ball of the day at Edgbaston! It’s a magnificence that nips in a contact and beats the surface fringe of Gumbs’ textbook ahead defence to kiss the off bail! Bamber hares off in delight!
DingDingDingDing! For one final time this ‘summer time’ whites clad county gamers take to the sphere. Let’s play!
Good information! The climate is ready honest across the nation with solely a small likelihood of rain coming in a bit in a while and solely in a number of locations. That’s a very detailed forecast eh? Schafernaker is protected for now…
Permutations, expensive boy, permutations:
Warwickshire have their future in their very own fingers, 14 factors will see them topped Division One Champs. They don’t even must win outright both, a draw with six bonus factors will get the job carried out.
Somerset are 11 factors behind in second place and final 12 months’s winners Nottinghamshire 15 behind.
At t’different finish of Div one it’s spicy too –
Hampshire are down already, Leicestershire (who’re as a consequence of attraction their 27 level pitch infraction deduction, say that ten occasions quick) and Essex are battling to not be the opposite group relegated to Div 2.
Leics must beat Warwickshire and scoop some bonus factors to realistically have any likelihood of dropping down and Essex have to not lose to Glammy. It’s all way more sophisticated than that after all however you don’t want me to inform you that.
Fixtures and toss outcomes:
Division One
Cardiff: Glamorgan v Essex – Essex win the toss and bowl
Utilita Bowl: Hampshire v Sussex – Sussex win toss and bat first
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire – Yorks win toss and bowl
Taunton: Somerset v Surrey – Surrey win toss and bat first
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Leicestershire – Leics win toss and bat
Division Two
Canterbury: Kent v Gloucestershire – Kent win toss and bowl
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Durham – Durham win toss and bat
Lord’s: Middlesex v Northamptonshire – Northants win the toss and bat
Worcester: Worcestershire v Derbyshire – Derybshire win toss and bowl
Preamble
James Wallace
Hello and welcome to the ultimate spherical of the 2026 County Championship.
Jim right here, I’m moving into Tanya’s crimson stillettos, sure they’ve a outstanding Dukes seam circling across the toe, for the following two days. Be light received’t you?
I’m at present on the rattler as much as Edgbaston to see if Warwickshire can get the job carried out towards Leicestershire. A good few people in Somerset will probably be hoping the following few days take a special course.
That’s simply on the high of Division One. We’ll have an eye fixed on all the motion throughout the shires and the feedback beneath the road will probably be open on your musings, frustrations and exultations.
Join us for all the tip of season tales as they unfold. Play begins across the grounds at 10:30am. All aboard!
Helpfully, Tanya and Andy Bull have ready these wonderful scene setters:
