Tag: Surrey v Hampshire

The Closing Stages of the County Championship Round Two

A look at what is happening as the second round of County Championship 2025 fixtures draws towards a close.

Those matches that have not already been decided are into the final session of play for this round of county championship matches.

HEADING FOR A DRAW

Surrey and Hampshire are still in action at The Oval. Yesterday evening saw a splendid spell of fast bowling from Sonny Baker. A combination of the fact that Surrey wanted quick runs for a declaration and the youngster nailing some searing yorkers saw him claim 5-26 in a five over spell. That gave him innings figures of 5-80, his maiden first class five-for. Surrey declared at 342-9, an overall advantage of 377. A bizarre mini-session then ensued, with Surrey chopping and changing bowlers according to the extent to which the umpires were worrying about the light. Rory Burns, with two wickets in a 203 match first class career, even gave himself an over (the alternatives at that stage with pacers ruled out were the even more comical offerings of Sibley and Pope). Hampshire, imagining that an early close due to the light was inevitable, sent Brad Wheal in to bat as a night watcher with 13 overs still scheduled. Then when he was out Hampshire then sent Baker, the bowling hero, in as a second night watcher. He too failed to make it to the close, and at that stage Surrey looked favourites. However, only one wicket has fallen today, Fletcha Middleton late in the morning session. Since then Nick Gubbins and Toby Albert have staged a very impressive rearguard action, which looks likely to save Hampshire, though the new ball has generated a little excitement.

ELSEWHERE

Yorkshire made a bit of history last night when they completed a victory over Worcestershire by the margin of 504 runs, the biggest runs margin ever in a first class county match (the overall FC record is 725 runs for a game in India, with the test record the 675 by which England beat Australia at the Exhibition Ground in Brisbane in 1928, the first test ever played in Queensland’s capital city). Somerset have been beaten by Sussex after a gallant but unavailing last wicket stand between Lewis Gregory and Jack Leach). Last week I criticized Sussex for overcaution. This week I am putting Leicestershire on blast for downright cowardice. Coming into today they were already over 400 runs ahead of Derbyshire, so an overnight declaration was surely indicated (even that looks cautious – surely they should have given themselves at least a short burst at Derbyshire last night), but no, Leicestershire batted on for almost 40 minutes, extending their advantage to 448 and more or less killing the game. Derbyshire are looking like emerging with the draw without really breaking sweat due to Leicestershire’s failure to make a serious effort to win the match when they had the opportunity to do so.

PHOTOGRAPHS

My usual sign off…

County Championship Round Two

A look at goings on on day one of the latest round of county championship victories.

The second round of county championship fixtures got underway at 11AM today. I had a commitment which disrupted the morning session for me. This post looks at developments so far.

SURREY v HAMPSHIRE

Surrey drew at Chelmsford in the first round of matches, while Hampshire won their match, Hampshire have lost two old faces from previous years, Mohammad Abbas, who they decided was a spent force, and James Vince who has decided to go full-on cricket mercenary and to base himself in Dubai, while a third veteran, seam bowling all rounder Keith Barker is out for at least the first half of the season. Tom Prest is being given first shot at the vacated middle order slot, while Sonny Baker and Brad Wheal are both featuring as pace bowlers. Hampshire intended to have Jack Edwards as overseas player, but that has fallen through, and they have signed Brett Hampton, a 33 year old New Zealander with no international experience, instead. Hampshire won the toss and bowled, and started excellently with Brad Wheal and former Protea Kyle Abbott each taking an early wicket with the new ball. Hampton came on first change and has not been all that impressive, though he was gifted the wicket of Ryan Patel late in the afternoon session. Baker, the youngster, has been economical but has yet to take a wicket, Wheal is leading the way three wickets and Abbott has two. Dom Sibley has been batting right from the start and is currently on 82 not out in a Surrey score of 218-6. Hampshire have fared well, but they need Surrey all out before the close if they are to claim that their decision to bowl first has worked. As I type Jordan Clark has fallen to the left arm spin of Liam Dawson, edging an attempted cut through to Ben Brown behind the stumps to make it 218-7. Matthew Fisher has just given Baker has first wicket, by way of a return catch, and it is 227-8, with Sibley 83 not out. Roach has just joined the clatter of wickets, bowled by Dawson to make it 233-9. Sibley is 84 not out.

SUSSEX v SOMERSET

I also have an eye via cricinfo on the match at Hove, where Sussex, whose delayed second innings declaration against Warwickshire last time out condemned that match to be a tame draw (see this post) are taking on Somerset. Sussex chose to bat, and are currently 263-9.

PHOTOGRAPHS

My usual sign off…

This is the first of this type of butterfly I ahve seen this year. It is a woodland species, never far from the nearest tree.
There is at least one orange tip in this picture – there was pair of them flying around and I got this picture.

Closing Stages of County Championship Round Four

A look at developments in the County Championship as round four draws to a close.

Welcome to this post looking at the closing stages of this round of County Championship fixtures. Those who have followed each day’s posts know that Glamorgan beat Kent in two days and that Notts thrashed Derbyshire, winning early on day three. Surrey polished off Hampshire by an innings and 289 runs not long after I completed yesterday’s post, Kemar Roach raking a career best 8-40 in the second Hampshire innings, and Durham also completed their demolition of Warwickshire with a day to spare.

GAMES SETTLED TO DATE ON DAY FOUR

Lancashire beat Sussex by five wickets, Sussex’s second inning collapse proving terminal to their hopes. Failed England opener Keaton Jennings anchored the chase with 91 not out, while England hopefuls Alex Davies (73, opening alongside Jennings) and Josh Bohannon (46) also made runs. Jack Carson took 3-45 from 24 overs of off spin, giving him seven wickets in the game.

Somerset beat Middlesex by four wickets. This match had certain elements of familiarity – at Lord’s in the first round of matches Middlesex led Somerset comfortably on first innings, collapsed in the second and Somerset pulled off an impressive chase to end up winning. This match followed a very similar pattern – Middlesex were 89 ahead on first innings, but then crashed to 117 all out in the second dig. Somerset were 104-4 at the end of day three, Hildreth having scored 43 off 38 balls and Abell batting with typical solidity at no3. Abell fell for 49 early on the final morning, and was followed in short order by Bartlett, at which point it was 123-6, with debutant Lewis Goldsworthy being joined by Steven Davies. Middlesex had no further success, as Davies reached 44 not out, and Goldsworthy 41 not out, including the winning runs, a four through the covers. Goldsworthy did not get to bowl his left arm spin in this match, but 80 runs in the match for once out is a fine debut. Craig Overton enhanced his England credentials by taking 3-60 and 5-34 with the ball as well as scoring 38 not out in the first Somerset innings (due to the use of Leach as nightwatch he was padded up waiting to bat in the second). If County Championship games did player of the match awards Overton would have been a shoo-in. Goldsworthy was utterly unflappable in the chase, even when the umpires were ridiculously doctrinaire in insisting on breaking for lunch with the ask below 20 and Middlesex obviously on the ropes and it then rained, extending the interval by 15 minutes, and if we do not see him donning an England cap with a number in the low 700s I will be surprised. A full scorecard of this fine game of cricket can be viewed here.

THE REMAINING GAMES

The match between Yorkshire and Northamptonshire is currently delayed by rain at a crucial stage – Northamptonshire are 206-9 chasing a target of 220 in a match that like many a low scoring game has been nip and tuck throughout.

Overcaution by Leicestershire at Bristol means that the most likely result there is a draw – they set Gloucestershire 340 in only a little over two sessions of play, and although Gloucestershire have lost three wickets, including England hopeful James Bracey, it is likely that the clock will beat Leicestershire, although it is about 0% that Gloucestershire will do so.

At Worcester the draw is even likelier, on a wicket that must have been prepared using a steam roller, it is that flat. Essex have breathed a little life into proceedings by dismissing Worcestershire cheaply enough to enforce the follow on, but Worcestershire are 71-1 in their second innings and have only 40 overs to survive to confirm the draw. This is the second match at Worcester this season in which bowlers have been rendered toothless by the surface and I hope that Worcestershire will be docked points for what I regard as a far worse case of bad pitch preparation than the spinning surface in 2019 for which Somerset were punished.

A CRICKETING PUZZLE

From a road of a pitch to a puzzle based on a road name near my home (see picture below):

Archdale has two links to cricket history – can you identify them? (Answer in my next blog post, little hint on one of the links- don’t ignore 50% of the population just because it is a sporting question!)

PHOTOGRAPHS

My usual sign off…

County Championship Saturday

A look at the county championship on day three plus some photographs.

Welcome to another round up of County Championship action. Seven matches are still live, but two have already produced results, and we start with the decided games.

THE RESULTS

Kent were beaten by ten wickets yesterday evening, having collapsed for 74 in their second innings, which gave them a mere 15 to defend since they have been 59 behind on first innings.

Nottinghamshire put an end to a long run of games without a win by thrashing Derbyshire by 310 runs. There is an excellent post about that game on insideedgecricket, which you can read by clicking here.

THE LIVE MATCHES

The third match to finish will be the Surrey v Hampshire game. Hampshire are currently six down in their second innings and over 300 runs adrift, after Surrey scored 560-7 declared in response to Hampshire’s beggarly 92 all out. James Vince who had scored runs in Hampshire’s earlier games against ordinary bowling underlined his status as ‘Captain Statpadder’ by failing twice against good bowling in this game.

Sussex v Lancashire: Sussex, helped by four wickets from young off spinner Jack Carson and three from veteran seamer Stuart Meaker took a first innings lead of 98 against Lancashire, but are struggling in their second innings, 95-6, a mere 193 to the good.

Somerset v Middlesex: Middlesex claimed a first innings lead of 89, although some good batting by Overton late on reduced what had looked being a comfortable three figure lead. Middlesex are 78-6 in their second innings, 156 to the good. This match has featured an unusual development: Lewis Gregory of Somerset has withdrawn due to Covid, and under the protocols relating to such happenings Jack Brooks has come in as a replacement – he batted at no11. Josh Davey has three wickets and Overton two. Brooks is bowling his seventh over and currently wicketless as I type.

Worcestershire v Essex: Worcestershire are 210-3 in reply to Essex’s 561-8 declared in a game that seems destined to be drawn.

Durham v Warwickshire: Durham bowled Warwickshire out for 87, took a first lead of 304 (391-8 declared) and now have Warwickshire 70-3 in their second innings.

Gloucestershire v Leicestershire: Leicestershire took a first innings lead of 146 (421 plays 275) and are currently 42-1 in the second innings.

Yorkshire v Northamptonshire: An interestingly poised game. Three of the four innings are completed, Yorkshire scoring 206 and 247, and Northamptonshire 234. They are taking tea, and will resume with Northamptonshire setting out to chase down 220 to win the game.

A few updates: Surrey have moved even close to victory while I have been typing this, Hampshire now 143-7, with five wickets for Kemar Roach – effectively -325-7. Middlesex are now 84-7 against Somerset, leading by 173. Sussex are now 127-7, leading by 225. Notwithstanding the early finishes and the run-fest at Worcester tomorrow looks like being a splendid day’s play.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Time for my usual sign off…

Day Two Championship Action

A look at goings on in the county championship, a solution to yesterday’s teaser and some photographs.

We are just in to the afternoon session on day two of the current set of county championship games. This post looks at what is going on.

SURREY V HAMPSHIRE

This is the game I have been focussing on today. Yesterday Surrey dismissed Hampshire for 92, and were going well in response, with Burns and Amla established at the crease. Today Surrey have been hugely impressive, although Burns fell for 80. Amla is past his century, 137 not out, and Ollie Pope is on the verge of reaching 50. Surrey, 278-2, are already 186 to the good.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Sussex v Lancashire: Lancashire cleaned the Sussex tail up quickly this morning, restricting them to 328 all out, and have reached 55-0 in reply. Tom Bailey and Danny Lamb each took three wickets, and Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson and Liam Livingstone picked up one apiece. Keaton Jennings and Alex Davies are both in the 20s for Lancashire.

Notts v Derbyshire: Nottinghamshire scored 256 batting first, and had Derbyshire 86-8 at the end of yesterday. This morning they winkled out the last two, Derbyshire reaching 105. Nottinghamshire then declined to enforce the follow on, an understandable but cautious decision. Notts are 115-1 in their second innings, 266 to the good. Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett are going well for them. Luke Fletcher took five wickets in the Derbyshire innings, and Stuart Broad and Dane Paterson two each.

Worcestershire v Essex: Essex are 393-4, with Cook and Westley having scored centuries and Dan Lawrence 90. Alzarri Joseph has 2-92.

Durham v Warwickshire: By the close yesterday Warwickshire were already in the lead with all 10 wickets standing. They have lost one wicket today, and are currently 212-1 in response to Warwickshire’s beggarly 87. Lees has 86 not out, while Will Young has just gone for 124. Liam Norwell has the one wicket Warwickshire have taken.

Gloucestershire v Leicestershire: Leicestershire are 393-7, Ben Mike having just reached 50. Sam Evans and Lewis Hill both scored centuries. Daniel Worrall has 4-79 and Ryan Higgins 2-65.

Somerset v Middlesex: Middlesex batted first and made 357, Somerset are 14-0 in reply. Robbie White scored 92 for Middlesex, while Davey and Overton each took three wickets.

Glamorgan v Kent: Kent were all out for 138, and Glamorgan are 170-8 in reply, having resumed today on 109-2. David Lloyd followed his four cheap wickets with 62, and birthday boy Darren Stevens has 5-53, while Matt Milnes has 3-46. Were Stevens to get an England call up he would be the fourth oldest test debutant ever, behind James Southerton (49years 19 days old when the first ever test started), Miran Baksh (47 when called up in 1955) and Bert Ironmonger (46 when called up in 1928). If he went on to get selected for the Ashes tour he would be the oldest Ashes tourist since Hobbs in 1928-9 and the oldest to make a first trip to Australia since Southerton.

Yorkshire v Northamptonshire: Yorkshire reached 206 in the first innings, helped by a half century from Dominic Bess. Northamptonshire are 137-5 in response, Saif Zaib 31 not out and Tom Taylor 21 not out. Steven Patterson has three wickets and Jordan Thompson two. Wayne Parnell took five wickets for Northamptonshire and Gareth Berg three.

While I have been typing this Surrey have cruised on to 308-2, Amla 147 not out, Pope 68 not out.

SOLUTION TO TEASER

Yesterday I posed this from brilliant.org:

192 + 162 + 122 = 476. There 30 x 3 students = 90 doing two languages at least. 476-90 = 386. There are 404 students in total and 404 – 386 = 18, thus 18 students must be studying all three languages.

PHOTOGRAPHS

As I go to publication Surrey have moved on to 324-2, Amla 156, Pope 75.