Jimmy Anderson ‘minor issue’ keeping him off field
“Hi Tanya,” writes Keith Fenton, “do you know why Jimmy is off the field.” Keith, we just have news.
“A minor issue is being assessed.” He came off last night shortly before the rain delay and hasn’t retaken the field today. He’s currently being assessed by Lancashire’s physio Sam Byrne.
Key events
In the party division-Jordan Thompson is marching through Durham (3-34) Ollie Robinson and Graham Clark providing some resistance: 124-5, trail Yorkshire by 130.
Ooof Michael Neser. Flexed the Ashes bowling muscles, now time to flex the Ashes batting muscles – 86 not out with 13 fours. Glamorgan 258-9, a lead of 149. Fear Worcestershire will not see out the day.
Pujara and Alsop have put on 23 at Grace Road – Sussex 76 for two.
George Balderson being screamed at like a member of Take That in their heyday, running into Casey Aldridge from the Brian Statham end. While Northants have joined the sudden tumble down the stairs party: from 113-2 to 128-7. Vasconcelos surveying the bloodied steps with 62 not out.
Fast bowler injury update
Ali Martin
Not Jimmy, I’m afraid, but have just bumped into Warwickshire’s Liam Norwell on his way to the Colts Ground. He looked absolutely cherry ripe when I saw him bowl in pre-season but a random slip in wet conditions jarred his back and a disc is now impinging on a nerve. As such, he’s due to have an injection next week and see how it pulls up. Some days he feels good to go, others less so. So frustrating for him after last season’s combination of injury and final day heroics … at least the feelings of guilt he had in 2022 are offset by the depth in bowling this season. Very much enjoyed doing this piece with him and OHD.
Steve Smith watch
He’s next in at Grace Road, where Wiaan Mulder grabbed both Orr and Clark in the twenties. But Leicestershire have to get Pujara first (or more likely Alsop).
Another drop at OT, this time poor George Bell, hits him on the wrist and dies.
Round the grounds, rain at Canterbury, The Oval and Derby (no play before lunch, wet outfield). Gloucestershire’s weather curse continues.
Apologies, my computer is playing up – hopefully this gets through. A wicket at OT – Lammonby for 38 – but Rew has picked up fifty. Oh, and Saqib Mahmood has just left the field.
Ali Martin
A wicketless first hour at Edgbaston but it’s not for a lack of effort from Essex, who have probed away, beaten the bat and just seen what looked like a strong lbw shout turned down off the bowling of Shane Snater. But – and no doubt this will prompt accusations of chucking a hex their way BTL – they have met some very disciplined resistance from Sam Hain and Will Rhodes in a 50-run partnership. Hain gambolled out of the nets this morning and has played some beautiful punch drives and cuts through the covers since. He’s enjoying a fine start to the season and is growing into the role of senior bat in this Bears side. Warwickshire 69 for two in reply to the visiting side’s 126 all out.
Enough with the Anderson distraction – more news when we get it. Plentiful supporters here at Old Trafford on a day of light clouds and gusty breezes. Clutches of excited school children are meeting Lanky, eating ice creams and playing cricket. On the field, its been slow and steady accumulation by Somerset – now 134-4, and Rew (41) has overtaken Lammonby (38).
Interesting chatting to Sam up from Somerset about Tom Kohler-Cadmore who played such a frenetic innings yesterday. Apparently he spoke last week about his role in this Somerset team.
“I have wanted to bat like that all season,”said Kohler Cadmore after his century last week.“Some days you get off to quicker starts than others, but I like to think that if I face 40 balls I can score significantly, rather than scratch around for five runs.
“I am going to play some shots that will have people tearing their hair out and maybe suffer some awful dismissals. But for me, it is all about making sure I am confident and fully committed.
“If I had been tentative with that first shot it would have ended up in a slip’s hands. Because I was fully committed to it, the ball flew over the slips.”
Ashes walking wounded – to date
Jofra Archer: elbow
Olly Stone: hamstring
now Jimmy Anderson: “minor issue.”
Jamie Overton: stress fracture of the back
Craig Overton: playing but still carrying an injury
Jimmy Anderson ‘minor issue’ keeping him off field
“Hi Tanya,” writes Keith Fenton, “do you know why Jimmy is off the field.” Keith, we just have news.
“A minor issue is being assessed.” He came off last night shortly before the rain delay and hasn’t retaken the field today. He’s currently being assessed by Lancashire’s physio Sam Byrne.
Jimmy Anderson not on the field
Don’t want to worry anyone but Anderson hasn’t been on the field for the first half hour of play.
The fourth catch of the match slips between the soapy fingers of the Lancashire fielders. This isn’t going to be their year, is it. James Rew gets a life, Somerset 109-4.
It\s cold and cloudy at Grace Road and the floodlights are on. Let’s see what Steve Smith can do with that! Oh, and Mr a hundred percent conversion rate Pujara. Ali points out that Sussex are without Nathan McAndrew, who might be ideal for the conditions – because they are playing Smith and only two overseas players are allowed.
Rain watch
Kent will be devastated that the rain is currently falling on yesterday’s dogs dinner.
At last, cricket’s authorities start to understand that less is more.
Thursday’s round-up
A downpour of wickets, 66 in all, on another damp County Championship Thursday. Kent suffered the biggest malfunction, all out for 95 after James Fuller made hay with five for 21. Zak Crawley clapped one four before becoming Keith Barker’s 500th first-class wicket. Hampshire were just six runs behind, with all 10 wickets left, at stumps.
Australian Ashes hopeful Michael Neser followed up his seven for 32 against Yorkshire with four for 40 against Worcestershire, who crumbled to 109 all out. James Harris pocketed four for 18. Glamorgan crunched past, with 42 for Marnus Labuschagne and a morale inducing 48 from the previously out of luck David Lloyd.
Humidity and heavy cloud gave Jimmy Anderson dream bowling conditions at Old Trafford, and he took advantage, grabbing two for 16 from 14 overs, with three catches dropped off his bowling, including a caught and bowled. Somerset recovered from 12 for three to the relative riches of 109 for four, Tom Lammonby gripping on to a three-hour 34 before the rain fell. At the County Ground, Northamptonshire reached 86 for two against Nottinghamshire.
Chris Rushworth’s triple-wicket maiden before tea, and Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s trio afterwards for Warwickshire knocked over Essex in double-quick time: 126 all out in an innings containing four ducks. Jamie Porter’s two wicket evening burst made things interesting.
Middlesex suffered a banana-skin slide against Surrey after encountering an inspired Dan Worrall at the Oval, slipping from 166 for one to 209 all out. It had all seemed so different when Sam Robson (76) and Pieter Malan (66) were at the crease. Gus Atkinson removed both just before tea, then Worrall’s 26-ball spell of five wickets for one run changed the match.
Yorkshire collected the only batting point of the day, new captain Shan Masood, fresh from Pakistan duties, top-scored with 44 against Durham. Jonny Bairstow, in his second game back, notched 27. There were four wickets for Matthew Potts.
No play was possible at Derby, or Grace Road, where Sussex’s Steve Smith is alert for more Ashes toe-touching stretches.
Meanwhile in India, Joe Root’s wait for an IPL innings continues, after Rajasthan Royals chased down Kolkata Knight Riders’ 149 for eight in 13.1 overs.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent 95 v Hampshire 89-0
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Somerset 109-4
The County Ground: Northamptonshire 86-2 v Nottinghamshire
The Oval: Surrey 21-0 v Middlesex 209
Edgbaston: Warwicks 17-2 v Essex 126
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire no play Thursday
Riverside: Durham 42-2 v Yorkshire 254
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 177-6 v Worcestershire 109
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Sussex no play Thursday
Preamble
Good morning! Birdsong and breezes in south Manchester, and not too bad round the rest of the country either. The Met office summing up reads: Cool and breezy across east and southeastern areas with low cloud, then some rain affecting the southeast for a time. Sunny spells across western areas where it will feel warm by afternoon.
So many wickets yesterday even with two games completely washed out, time for the batters to strike back this morning. Hampshire’s openers showed the way last night. I’m just on my way to Old Trafford, so grab a coffee and dive in BTL.