Brendan Taylor is out, and in rather strange fashion. Jordan Clark has dug one in and, in the process of trying to get his bat out the way, it’s caught the splice (almost like the worst upper cut you’ve ever seen) and ballooned straight up the man at gullyish backward point. Odd. Very odd. Much-needed for Lancashire though, as Taylor had shared 74 with Lumb, who is joined by Samit with nine balls to bowl before tea. Notts still 66 behind, and the trap is set for the short ball.
Somewhat ignominiously Somerset have been bowled out for 128, 231 runs adrift of Pakistan’s total. Unsurprisingly the follow-on has not been enforced. All the bowlers prospered but the headlines will belong to Mohammad Amir, who finished with 3-36. He did look the best of a pretty damn good bunch. The England batsmen, catching the highlights, will have noted that Amir is still swinging the ball at speed.
Mind you, the Pakistan bowlers were scarcely tested by a callow Somerset line-up. Only James Hildreth could cope. He was unbeaten on 47 when the last wicket fell. Other than being dropped on 13 he demonstrated why he has been scoring so many runs over the last two years. He is more consistent now and a better judge of what to leave and what to play around his off-stump. As usual he gleaned runs aplenty to point. He deserves some sympathy. With more support he might have delivered an eye-catching score.
Ambling along here at Trent Bridge. Over-rate since lunch have felt terribly slow (can almost hear Bumble yelling ‘get on with the gaaammmeee’ at the Lanky fielders), and Brendan Taylor – who has had most of the strike – and Lumb are crawling along against some amiable seam bowling from Smith and Clark. Would like to see Parkinson have another go. 178 for three.
A wicket, and a much-needed one for Kent. Westley – now averaging 59 in the Champo this year – goes for 88. Ravi ploughs on, though … 280-3.
So, around the grounds. Brilliant couple of days for Hants so far:
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket)
July 4, 2016Hampshire declare on 472-9, as @slug_7‘s (93) terrific innings is ended by @DurhamCricket‘s Coughlin. Brilliant start in the @CountyChamp!
At Chelmsford, Ravi and Westley are piling em on, while Worcester’s reply has started solidly against Leicester. Sussex are just about to go past Glamorgan four down. Surrey are looking to steady their ship against Warwickshire, although that may be no fun; Jeetan Patel is already eight overs into his work.
Some cracking games about, aren’t there?
I spent the first half-hour after lunch enjoying Trent Bridge from the top deck, which was lovely.
In that time, though, Lancs have clawed their way back into the game, prizing out two set batsmen. First, Libby failed to add to his morning session 54, just prodding half-forward at Wagner, then Greg Smith was adjudged lbw – harshly I think but I need another look – a couple of balls after a beautiful pulled four off Wagner. He made 30, and Notts are now 137-3, with a couple of Zimbabweans, Jarvis and Brendan Taylor, sparring.
It took Middlesex until deep into extra time in the first session to finish off the Yorkshire innings, but which time the last two wickets had added 72 and the total had progressed to 406 before Toby Roland-Jones finished things with the wicket of Andy Hodd. The wicketkeeper had made an energetic 37, which followed on from Gary Balances 132, an innings that underpinned Yorkshire’s total. The Middlesex seamers lost a little discipline in pursuit of the final wickets and the tail, shepherded by Hodd, was able to frustrate, as sometimes they can. The days of the heavy roller chugging into life when number eleven makes his way to the crease are long gone. These days there would be a danger of running out of petrol.
For a brief while, as James Franklin dismissed Ballance- a checked shot and gentle return catch- and Rafiq in the same over, it looked as if Middlesex would emerge in good heart given the overnight situation. Instead Hodd played busily, and Steve Patterson swung the bat heartily at Steve Finn. Many years ago, Jon Agnew, when facing Wayne Daniel, took up batting station so far outside leg stump that the bowler became confused. “ Do I try and hit him, or hit the stumps?”.
A fair question that would have required considerable change in direction. Agnew’s justification to Raymond Illingworth, his captain, that it was his duty as a bowler not to get injured did not cut the mustard. Anyway back to Patterson, who adopted the Agnew technique and, finally, was bowled by Finn for his pains. Jack Brooks promptly hooked Finn into the pavilion, sending the patrons scattering, and he and Hodd added 35 for the last wicket before Hodd tickled a gentle catch to the solitary slip.
The meat of the day comes now though. There is enough in the pitch to encourage good bowling and Middlesex could have their work cut out if the Yorkshire seamers get it right.
So Notts are going well at lunch here. They lost Mullaney, ten runs later than they should have, and Parkinson – who dropped him – has had a wee bowl. Greg Smith looked more comfortable than when he first came in, while Jake Libby reached a decent half-century not long before the break. It’s 120 for one.
In other news, Michael Lumb just received his county cap, and Jimmy Anderson is having another bowl. Very short run, very gentle, but a bowl nonetheless.
A glance around the grounds reveals that Keith Barker – with bat nd ball – has Surrey on’t ropes at Guildford, while Hampshire plough on remorselessly against Durham.
In Div Two, Tom Westley is doing what Tom Westley does, while Ned Eckersley is back in the runs for Leicestershire, which is good to see. They are all out for 407 against Worcestershire. Sussex are inching towards parity and will look to build a lead on the third day against Glamorgan.
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Mohammed Amir’s morning just got better. He was happier when bowling than batting. Out he came in his pads after Younis Khan had been dismissed for 104. His first ball he received thudded into the pads; it looked a very good shout for lbw but there was the outstretched arm of the umpire. Amir saved by a no-ball from Josh Davey. The next delivery was just outside off-stump; Amir wafted and was caught behind.
However Amir’s fortunes changed when he had the ball in his hand. When he was announced by the PA man there was warm applause from a sparse crowd but what else would you expect at Taunton? His first ball was legal and Trescothick blocked it; then there were two boundaries to third man. But in his third over Amir propelled a beauty to Trescothick, which swung and caught the edge of the bat. Out went the arms in celebration. Later, when bowling around the wicket he sent the off-stump of Adam Hose cartwheeling towards the River Tone.
This was an impressive opening spell, 2-16 from 6 overs. Amir looks no different to six years ago except that he has disposed of the mop of black hair. His action is fluid; his pace is high and the ball is swinging. He offers a threat beyond anything posed by the Sri Lankan pacemen. After Pakistan’s compulsory declaration at 359-8, Somerset are 56-3 at lunch, which represents a bit of a recovery. The county needs their experienced men to hang on. The belligerent skipper, Peter Trego, has 23, James Hildreth 9.
A wicket, and relief for Lancashire, as Parkinson’s drop of Mullaney has not proved too costly. Jarvis has got him, playing on for 43. Greg Smith in at three. 86 for one.
Rory Burns leaping like a salmon. Interestingly, he’s one of just three wicketkeepers Surrey are playing in this match. Sanga off on his travels and Wilson out the side.
July 4, 2016The wicket of Jetan Patel off @footitt_mark for 31…cracking catch from @roryburns17 ( trust Church on that one) pic.twitter.com/wnTYIMnWxp
Mark Footitt is doing a job on the Warks tail at Guildford. He ends with four, but the visitors have a massive lead of 173. Surrey up against it, especially with Hants and Notts going well.
Oh my word, that’s a terrible drop. Parkinson at deep square (one of two men back) has shelled one that’s gone straight down his throat. The shot, from Mullaney on 33, was every bit as bad to be fair, hooking Jarvis when there was just no need to do so…
Insult, meet injury: Libby edged the next ball between second slip and gully for four, and then did the same later in the over…
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The living is pretty easy for Notts’ openers right now. Tom Smith came on and looked to be tightening things up but Mullaney has just pumped him through midwicket (beating the man in the deep) then down the ground for a pair of fours. Jarvis, expensive earlier, is swapping ends. It’s 70 without loss.
Good to see from Hove.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket)
July 4, 2016Michael Hogan onto bowl for the first time in this match after retiring hurt with a blow to the head yesterday. #SUSvGLA
Notts have been flying along here and have just brought the 50 up in the 11th over. Mullaney and Libby both looking good.
Btw, if you want to watch what I’m watching – a rollicking start by Notts’ openers – then you can do so here!
That’s Trent Bridge’s live stream, which is directly linked up to Dave Bracegirdle, Scott Hunt and Isabelle Duncan’s excellent BBC comms. Brilliant service.
Wagner, after being hit on the noggin yesterday (in the process of getting out), is bowling. There was some concern about his wellbeing last night, but he’s obviously ok. Mullaney – out there with Libby – hits him for four through midwicket first ball.
I see young Scurran already has his third wicket at Guildford, that of another prodigal Surrey all-rounder: Rikki – not Richard – Clarke.
Belting morning at Trent Bridge, where Harry Gurney has just bowled a maiden at Kyle Jarvis to start the day. He played and missed at a couple but didn’t look overly perturbed. Immy Tahir, who was good fun yesterday, from the other end, so no Broad, who was tight early on yesterday, and brilliant with the second new ball.
England selector James Whittaker is here to watch, but you sense Jimmy Anderson is what he’s after, given the injured Lanky seamer was having another gentle bowl before play began.
I’m in a mighty fine mood because I started my day by doing something I never do in London: going to the driving range. I hit 60 balls, some very good, some very bad, but made one fatal error. I left my glove in the car, and could not be bothered to go back and get it once I’d realised. Thumping blister developing on my left index finger. Your correspondent, it’s fair to say, is an idiot.
And that’s the end of the innings; Tahir’s top-spinner doing for Parkinson (lbw), and Lancashire are all out for 276. Now the real test for Nottinghamshire’s beleaguered batsmen…
Belting morning in Scarborough, just perfect for a walk along Marine Drive, round the headland, to the ground. Will do the whelks tomorrow (whelks are my sea snail of choice) but sadly not the donkey ride which stresses no adults. At £2.50 a go it is the price of a flat white anyway, or a nice cuppa as they call it here. It has been a real retro trip so far, and my room, in the hotel we would stay at when playing here, has lovingly kept the same decor in the rooms. A fellow playing Creedence Clearwater cover songs in the hotel lounge to an audience of pensioners completed the picture( although they of course would remember Proud Mary first time around, so not so daft).
Thanks to Gary Ballance and Tim Bresnan, Yorkshire dug themselves out of a hole against Middlesex and they will resume today on 291 for five, in reasonable shape. Im not sure Middlesex bowled that well to Ballance, feeding his shots off his legs and latterly his cut. Round the wicket, and shaping away, especially Tim Murtagh, to a fullish length is not a bad ploy.
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Grey but dry at Taunton. Younis Khan, 99 not out overnight, expressed the view last night that he would like to bat for another half a day. But he can’t. The regulations of tour matches of three days duration insist that the first innings of each side cannot exceed 100 overs. So Younis has eight overs to reach his century.
Better news for the snappers is that Mohammed Amir will soon be in action with the sort of cloud cover that pace bowlers crave. Pakistan have been out and about early training hard. I’m reminded what a multinational set-up there is among the backroom boys. Alongside new head coach, Mickey Arthur, is Steve Rixon, the old Aussie keeper, who was once in charge of New Zealand, and Grant Flower, Andy’s younger brother. Mushtaq Ahmed, with his wealth of English experience, is on board as well. They have all been in the country for over a fortnight with their training camp based at the Ageas Bowl. Could this be the best-prepared Pakistan team ever?
Somerset have three players, who may play their first first-class innings for the county today: Adam Hose, who has featured in one-day cricket; Tim Rouse, who has come through the system (though he was born in Yorkshire) and Dom Bess. They might like to see a bit of sunshine.
Morning all it’s the morning call!
Hello, happy Monday etc etc.
So, Vic, Mike and I have all stationed ourselves in our particularly lovely spots again to tell you about all of the particularly lovely cricket that will be happening across the land today. Today’s paper, as it happens, is jam-packed with yesterday’s particularly lovely cricket – two county reports, one tour match report, and a report on England women continuing their rollicking form, too. Go on, buy it. You know you want to.
Here’s where we’re at heading into the second day of action…
In Div One:
- Lancashire 273-9 v Notts
- Warwickshire 345-6 v Surrey 273 (day 2)
- Hampshire 319-6 v Durham
- Yorkshire 291-5 v Middlesex
In Div Two:
- Essex 107-2 v Kent 207
- Leics 299-7 v Worcs
- Sussex 227-3 v Glamorgan 335
In the tour game:
- Pakistan 324-5 v Somerset
We have one new Div Two game too, but I see the squidgy Chesterfield outfield is going to prevent play before lunch, sadly … At some stage, Derbyshire will play Northamptonshire. Doesn’t look to be rain or delays elsewhere.
Anyway – enjoy the cricket and fill the comments section (you can’t actually fill it but I dare you to try.)
ps – hopefully today is the day that sees Worcestershire’s Tom Fell return to the middle with a bat in his hand, having told testicular cancer exactly where to shove it, which is just the best. Go well, sir.
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