Key events
A damp day around the grounds, but Somerset were able to steal a march on their Championship rivals after bowling Glamorgan out cheaply and then tapping the bowling around as the sun came out. Fingers crossed for better weather tomorrow, do join us then, have a lovely evening.
Close of play scores
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex v Sussex 213-7
Southampton: Hampshire v Warwickshire 141-1
Trent Bridge: Notts 42-0 v Leicestershire
Taunton: Somerset 92-0 v Glamorgan 194
The Oval: Surrey v Yorkshire 133-7
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire 62-5 v Derbyshire
Canterbury: Kent 238 v Worcestershire 80-2
Merchant Taylors School: Middlesex 139-3 v Lancashire
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Durham 129-3
Stumps at Southampton and Bristol
And delays at Northampton, MTS, and Trent Bridge.
After dismissing promotion chasers Kent for 238, Worcestershire are 8-0. Time for me to write up for the paper, but do keep an eye on things for me BTL.
Essex are working their way through Sussex in methodical order. Porter has three for 32 and I’ve just learnt that he wasn’t initially selected but was a late substitution into the team for Charlie Bennett who bowled three overs before limping off. Sussex 199-7, a valuable eighth wicket partnership between Goodman and Leaning has added 36.
Things are moving along at The Oval, not necessarily in Yorkshire’s favour. Wharton (45) and Revis (40) were separated after a partnership of 89. Jonny, dear Jonny, didn’t last long, directing a slip catch straight into Olly Pope’s hands. Yorks 110-6.
A bit of news from Grace Road, Liam Trevaskis will leave the club at the end of the season. Best of luck to him. They’re playing at Trent Bridge now, where Notts are 29-0 against Leicestershire.
It looks damp at Taunton, and on my TV screen two tiny men in umpires coats are walking back to the pavilion. A good handful of stoical fans are visible in the stands. Glamorgan were all out for 194, three wickets for Pretorius, two each for Gregory, big Craig and Tom Lammonby.
Gosh, Gloucestershire disintegrated like a wet paper bag while I was away – 62 for five. A couple for Randell, a couple for Bashir, one for Aitchison. James Bracey surveys the burning deck in his well-used flame-proof boots.
England’s squad for the third Test v Pakistan
At Edgbaston, beginning on 9 Sept:
The squad is:
Joe Root (Yorkshire – Captain)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Sam Cook (Essex)
Jordan Cox (Essex)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Emilio Gay (Durham)
Dan Lawrence (Surrey)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
Tea is approaching, at some of the grounds, though they’re still off for rain and damp at Wantage Road (Durham 112-3); Trent Bridge (Notts 9-0) and Southampton (Warwicks 141-1, Yates and Mousley charging along). I’ve got to disappear briefly to write a blob for the paper, but comments are still open of course.
There are a lots of slip catches about today, the next at Chelmsford where Charlie Tear (39) has nibbled at Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer collected in his huge paws. Sussex 110-4.
The outfield still looks pretty parched at MTS and Jimmy A is having fun. He currently has 2-19, including Max Holden just sent on his way, beautifully bowled between a thrusting front pad and bat, dinking the bails out of their grooves. Middx 28-2 after chosing to bat.
With soft hands and knocked-knees, Craig Overton holds on at slip after dropping one moments earlier (and in the last game), an away swinger from Lewis Gregory does the business. Dickson the man out, Glamorgan 125-6.
Fifty and out for Ben Kellaway as Pretorius gets one to fly and Kellaway edges to first slip. Pretorius roars a juicy farewell. Glamorgan 123-5.
Middlesex chose to face Jimmy Anderson in the murk at MTS. They’ve survived 1.3 overs, 11-0.
Somerset’s fielders are snug in cable-knits. Ben Kellaway has made yet another pretty 40 something, but he’s lost partner Ingram for 13. Glamorgan 116-4.
Michael Hussey turns down the chance to coach England’s batters.
Looks like a quite a peachy at The Oval for a rainy day, some gentle chatter meandering along on the stream. Yorkshire have recovered from 32-3, Revis looking quite perky. Time to watch some Somerset I think.
Mousley and Yates are making brisk progress against Hampshire at Southampton, Warwicks 92-1.
At Hove, Dan Hughes has just been Snatered for 45, a first slip-second slip juggle between Walter and Harmer. Sussex 79-3.
Worcestershire are chipping away at Kent, Northeast (43) and Muyeye (37) both out within three runs of each other. Bell-Drummond and Benjamin with the rebuild. Kent 111-4.
Action now everywhere except Merchant Taylor’sSchool (where Josh Bohannon has been dropped by Lancs, and Jimmy Anderson returns); and Bristol, where bottom of the table Gloucestershire entertain Derbyshire.
Anything Rew can do…. it was a fabulous flying catch by Ben Foakes off Dan Worrall to dismiss Will Luxton. A second for Worrall, one for Fisher.
The juggernaut is turning. Yorkshire 1-3 after 15 balls.
I know it isn’t quite lunch everywhere but I’m going to grab a quick sandwich, back soon.
Lunchtime-ish scores
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex v Sussex 62-2
Southampton: Hampshire v Warwickshire 58-1
Trent Bridge: Notts v Leicestershire no play yet today
Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan 68-3
The Oval: Surrey v Yorkshire no play yet today
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Derbyshire no play yet today
Canterbury: Kent 90-2 v Worcestershire
Merchant Taylors School: Middlesex v Lancashire no play yet today
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Durham 21-2
A fabulous ball by Luke Procter, which by some sleight of hand plucks out both McKinney’s middle and off stump and sends them in different directions. Durham 14-1.
Rain at Taunton and they take a slightly early lunch.
In other news: Ben Stokes is heading to the Big Bash,
and a morale-boosting century for Maia Bouchier, who missed out on World Cup selection, in England’s ODI victory over Ireland.
They are back out again at Wantage Road: Lees and McKinney v Sanderson and Procter, as Lewis Gregor sends one shimmering past Ben Kellaway’s outside edge at Taunton.
Switch over to the Somerset stream. Craig Overton, Robinson like in his approach, feet splayed at five to one, has the ball, and a wicket – Mason Crane pouched at second slip by Tom Abell after fancying something flashy on the off side. Glamorgan 57-3.
Durham reached 7-0 before it started raining again.
With the news that Dan Moriarty has been released by Yorkshire, just thinking about the trajectory of other promising spinners in county cricket – Amar Virdi (who during Covid was involved in England training and reserve squads) was released by Surrey in November 2024 and the centrally contracted Shoaib Bashir went all round the houses on loan before signing with Derbyshire last winter. But Bess (Yorks), Leach (Somerset), LPW and Farhan Ahmed (Notts), Rehan Ahmed (Leics), the Parkinsons (Kent and Durham), Harmer (Essex) Carson (Sussex), and Kellaway (Glam) seem to be holding steady. I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone, do let me know who.
Weather good/ weather bad
Play at Chelmsford (Sussex 38-2); Southampton (Warwickshire 22-1, Young-Currie-3), Taunton (Glamorgan 45-1); Canterbury (Kent 54-2) and just now at Wantage Road (Durham 0-0).
Nowt at MTS, Bristol,The Oval or Trent Bridge.
A great diving catch by James Rew to send Asa Tribe on his way, though his landing is elegantly sack of potatoe-esque. Glamorgan 44-1.
Oh dear, at Canterbury, Muyeye is dropped at second slip on 10. Bowler Waite stalks back to his mark, head down. Kent 50-2.
Love this piece by Jim. I’m old enough to remember Gooch’s lbw Alderman period, the punchline to lots of jokes at the time.
Two more games have chugged into action. Warwickshire are 9-0 at Southampton; and Glamorgan, spearheaded by Crane and Tribe, have raced along to 31-0 against Somerset.
A little shout out to Hove and Away, the independent website covering Sussex cricket. The site is a treasure-trove of all things Sussex written by Bruce Talbot and Paul Weaver, two wise sages, and great journalists, who’ve covered Sussex forever (and very helpful to me for a piece on Ollie Robinson yesterday). I’ve just read there today that the Sussex chief exec Mark West is leaving at the end of the season.
Meanwhile Hughes and Tear have survived a couple more overs and Sussex have moved on to 17-2.
Sam Cook is taking large chunks of Sussex for breakfast – Haines and Clark both out almost identically, nibbling into the gloves of Pepper. Sussex 7-2.
Kent’s start is on the crunchy side of autumn. Compton (8) and Crawley (6) both gone. Kent 18-2.
Rain at The Oval too, where my daughter is looking after my nephews and a couple of their friends. If you see an auburn haired young woman looking harassed, placate her with a mini roll. Auqib Nabi is Surrey’s latest recruit.
11am start at Taunton
Weather permitting.
Hampshire statement – “Kuggeleijn will not represent the club”
“Having reflected and listened to feedback from our staff and supporters. Hampshire Cricket can confirm that Scott Kuggeleijn will not represent the Club.
“We value the passion of our fanbase and thank everyone who took the time to share their views.
“Our focus now turns to supporting the team through the final four County Championship fixtures of the season.
“We encourage everyone to unite behind the team as we enter a crucial stage of the campaign.”
Rain
And delayed starts everywhere except Chelmsford (Sussex won the toss and will bat) and Canterbury (Worcestershire won the toss and will field).
Hampshire sign Scott Kuggeleijn
Amongst a sack of September signings, Hampshire’s announcement yesterday that they had called on Scott Kuggeleijn is the most eye raising. Kuggelijn, a fast bowling allrounder who has played 23 times for New Zealand, was put on trial for rape in 2016 and, after a hung jury, again in 2017. He was found not guilty, but some of his own evidence in court was very disturbing. You can read a little about it here.
Kuggelijn has also played for Dubai Capitals, who are owned by the same GMR group who own Hampshire.
Division Two table
1 Durham 191
2 Kent 151
3 Northants 151
4 Worcestershire 127
5 Middlesex 113
6 Derbyshire 110
7 Lancashire 94
8 Gloucestershire 44
Division One table
1 Notts 148
2 Somerset 144
3 Warwickshire 140
4 Glamorgan 121
5 Sussex 120
6 Essex 119
7 Yorkshire 117
8 Surrey 105
9 Leicestershire 102
10 Hampshire 86
Fixtures
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex v Sussex
Southampton: Hampshire v Warwickshire
Trent Bridge: Notts v Leicestershire
Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan
The Oval: Surrey v Yorkshire
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Derbyshire
Canterbury: Kent v Worcestershire
Merchant Taylors School: Middlesex v Lancashire
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Durham
Preamble
Good morning! A little late this morning after forgetting my own missive that play starts at 10.30am, September rolling in and landing, at least in Manchester, damp and grey. There are four games left of the season, things hotting up as the temperature drops.