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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| County cricket – as it happened | County cricket – as it happened |
| (5 months later) | |
| 5.39pm BST | |
| 17:39 | |
| Richard Gibson | Richard Gibson |
| Richard Gibson reports | Richard Gibson reports |
| Alex Lees has his first 100 of the season, and Will Gidman his first County Championship wicket for Nottinghamshire. The two go together rather nicely. | Alex Lees has his first 100 of the season, and Will Gidman his first County Championship wicket for Nottinghamshire. The two go together rather nicely. |
| Lees, having been shelled twice by Samit Patel, got to three figures from 223 balls but had not added to his score when he nicked a cross-bat waft at Gidman. Earlier, Pujara became the second visiting batsman dismissed when he picked out the substitute fielder at midwicket off Patel. Yorkshire 215-3. | Lees, having been shelled twice by Samit Patel, got to three figures from 223 balls but had not added to his score when he nicked a cross-bat waft at Gidman. Earlier, Pujara became the second visiting batsman dismissed when he picked out the substitute fielder at midwicket off Patel. Yorkshire 215-3. |
| 5.27pm BST | |
| 17:27 | |
| Paul Weaver | Paul Weaver |
| Sussex took the new ball after tea but there was more frustration for them when Cachopa, at slip, dropped Kervezee off Magoffin’s bowling for 72. Kervezee made another 21 before edging into the slips once more. This time he was caught by Joyce of Shahzad. That was 315 for for seven. Sussex had another set-back when Mills hobbled off in the middle of an over, though he soon returned. Worcestershire lost their eighth wicket at 332 when Jack Shantry was caught, once again by Joyce, to give Magoffin his third wicket of the innings. But Worcestershie have edged ahead of Sussex’s 345 with two wickets in hand. | Sussex took the new ball after tea but there was more frustration for them when Cachopa, at slip, dropped Kervezee off Magoffin’s bowling for 72. Kervezee made another 21 before edging into the slips once more. This time he was caught by Joyce of Shahzad. That was 315 for for seven. Sussex had another set-back when Mills hobbled off in the middle of an over, though he soon returned. Worcestershire lost their eighth wicket at 332 when Jack Shantry was caught, once again by Joyce, to give Magoffin his third wicket of the innings. But Worcestershie have edged ahead of Sussex’s 345 with two wickets in hand. |
| 4.43pm BST | |
| 16:43 | |
| Ali Martin | Ali Martin |
| Ali Martin reports | Ali Martin reports |
| Glamorgan captain Jacques Rudolph has been in combative mood in reply to Surrey’s imposing 563 for seven declared but, as I type this, has just lost opening partner James Kettleborough for 15. Matt Dunn - he of the burgeoning reputation that only a youngster from The Oval can earn - was the man to strike, with the right-handed Kettleborough shouldering arms only to see the ball crash into the stumps off the inside edge. The home side are now 47-1 after 19 overs. | Glamorgan captain Jacques Rudolph has been in combative mood in reply to Surrey’s imposing 563 for seven declared but, as I type this, has just lost opening partner James Kettleborough for 15. Matt Dunn - he of the burgeoning reputation that only a youngster from The Oval can earn - was the man to strike, with the right-handed Kettleborough shouldering arms only to see the ball crash into the stumps off the inside edge. The home side are now 47-1 after 19 overs. |
| 4.04pm BST | |
| 16:04 | |
| Richard Gibson | Richard Gibson |
| Richard Gibson writes | Richard Gibson writes |
| Alex Lees has emulated Sussex’s Luke Wright in scoring 50s in each of his first three Championship innings this season, and has taken tea on 68 in a Yorkshire score of 140-1. The one chance he has offered came in the half-hour before the interval when Samit Patel grassed a low chance off Vernon Philander. | Alex Lees has emulated Sussex’s Luke Wright in scoring 50s in each of his first three Championship innings this season, and has taken tea on 68 in a Yorkshire score of 140-1. The one chance he has offered came in the half-hour before the interval when Samit Patel grassed a low chance off Vernon Philander. |
| At the other end, Cheteshwar Pujara is on 31, having survived a confident appeal for caught behind off Jake Ball midway through the afternoon session. Notts have been disciplined with the ball despite their lack of breakthroughs. | At the other end, Cheteshwar Pujara is on 31, having survived a confident appeal for caught behind off Jake Ball midway through the afternoon session. Notts have been disciplined with the ball despite their lack of breakthroughs. |
| 4.04pm BST | |
| 16:04 | |
| A couple of photos from around the grounds | A couple of photos from around the grounds |
| Updated | |
| at 4.08pm BST | |
| 3.26pm BST | |
| 15:26 | |
| Paul Weaver | Paul Weaver |
| In Hove and Away, the rather impressively put together magazine for Sussex members, they need three full pages to present pen pictures of their squad. | In Hove and Away, the rather impressively put together magazine for Sussex members, they need three full pages to present pen pictures of their squad. |
| The seam bowling department, in particular, has been strengthened, and coach Mark Robinson says: “We’d love to be able to play four seamers, and to win the championship I think you need that, or three seamers and an all-rounder.” | The seam bowling department, in particular, has been strengthened, and coach Mark Robinson says: “We’d love to be able to play four seamers, and to win the championship I think you need that, or three seamers and an all-rounder.” |
| Sussex are playing four seamers in their match against Worcestershire but the batting was so stubborn that they had to call on the part-time twirl of Luke Wells, as well as the more front-line spin of Zaidi. | Sussex are playing four seamers in their match against Worcestershire but the batting was so stubborn that they had to call on the part-time twirl of Luke Wells, as well as the more front-line spin of Zaidi. |
| Sussex did make a quick breakthrough after lunch when Gidman, who had not added to his 29, was lbw as he attempted to play Magoffin off the back foot. | Sussex did make a quick breakthrough after lunch when Gidman, who had not added to his 29, was lbw as he attempted to play Magoffin off the back foot. |
| That made it 137 for three in the 49th over and it became 153 for four in the 53rd when Kohler-Cadmore was caught in the slips off Magoffin for nine. But Oliver and Alexei Kervezee then got their heads down so successfully that captain Ed Joyce had to turn to Wells, who now bowls more leg-spin than his earlier off-breaks. And, in his third over, Wells struck with two wickets in four deliveries. | That made it 137 for three in the 49th over and it became 153 for four in the 53rd when Kohler-Cadmore was caught in the slips off Magoffin for nine. But Oliver and Alexei Kervezee then got their heads down so successfully that captain Ed Joyce had to turn to Wells, who now bowls more leg-spin than his earlier off-breaks. And, in his third over, Wells struck with two wickets in four deliveries. |
| First, he dismissed Oliver for 101, when the batsman hit him straight to Luke Wells at short-extra. And three balls later he had wicketkeeper Ben Cox lbw for a blob. Worcestershire were then 227 for six in replay to Sussex’s 345. | First, he dismissed Oliver for 101, when the batsman hit him straight to Luke Wells at short-extra. And three balls later he had wicketkeeper Ben Cox lbw for a blob. Worcestershire were then 227 for six in replay to Sussex’s 345. |
| 3.25pm BST | |
| 15:25 | |
| Ali Martin | Ali Martin |
| Ali Martin on the news at Glamorgan v Surrey | Ali Martin on the news at Glamorgan v Surrey |
| Apologies for the delay transmission of the following - a chat with a senior Glamorgan/former ECB official on the other side of the ground is to blame - but Surrey have declared on 563 for seven after Steven Davies registered his maiden first-class double century, finishing unbeaten on 200 exactly, from 290 balls with 23 fours. Glamorgan’s reply is underway at two for no loss, with captain Jacques Rudolph the man to register these first baby-steps up the mountain. Matt Dunn and Jade Dernbach are sharing the new ball for the visitors. | Apologies for the delay transmission of the following - a chat with a senior Glamorgan/former ECB official on the other side of the ground is to blame - but Surrey have declared on 563 for seven after Steven Davies registered his maiden first-class double century, finishing unbeaten on 200 exactly, from 290 balls with 23 fours. Glamorgan’s reply is underway at two for no loss, with captain Jacques Rudolph the man to register these first baby-steps up the mountain. Matt Dunn and Jade Dernbach are sharing the new ball for the visitors. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.43pm BST | |
| 2.38pm BST | |
| 14:38 | |
| Richard Gibson | Richard Gibson |
| Richard Gibson writes | Richard Gibson writes |
| Nottinghamshire have made a post-lunch breakthrough at Trent Bridge and it’s Will Rhodes - born in Nottingham, raised in Cottingham - who has departed.It came four overs into the afternoon session when the left-hander Rhodes drove loosely outside off at Harry Gurney and sliced to Samit Patel at second slip. There were some confident strokes in his 41, particularly for a player in only his second Championship match, but as at New Road last week, he fell narrowly short of a first half-century. | Nottinghamshire have made a post-lunch breakthrough at Trent Bridge and it’s Will Rhodes - born in Nottingham, raised in Cottingham - who has departed.It came four overs into the afternoon session when the left-hander Rhodes drove loosely outside off at Harry Gurney and sliced to Samit Patel at second slip. There were some confident strokes in his 41, particularly for a player in only his second Championship match, but as at New Road last week, he fell narrowly short of a first half-century. |
| Yorkshire’s overseas batsman Cheteshwar Pujara got off the mark with a soft-handed guide through the slips for four - his first runs for the club - while Alex Lees has moved into the 40s without getting out of first gear. Yorkshire 93-1. | Yorkshire’s overseas batsman Cheteshwar Pujara got off the mark with a soft-handed guide through the slips for four - his first runs for the club - while Alex Lees has moved into the 40s without getting out of first gear. Yorkshire 93-1. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.37pm BST | |
| 2.38pm BST | |
| 14:38 | |
| Ali Martin | Ali Martin |
| Ali Martin reports from Glamorgan v Surrey | Ali Martin reports from Glamorgan v Surrey |
| Tall, slim and seemingly indefatigable, Glamorgan are getting full value out of their loan ranger Andy Carter, who is midway through a month-long deal from Nottinghamshire. The right-armer now has four wickets, adding Gary Wilson and Gareth Batty to his trophy cabinet after lunch, and has now sent down 34 overs. Wilson was trapped lbw for five, before Gareth Batty was cleaned up by a ball that jagged in for a duck. Steven Davies sits 181 not out, 12 runs short of a new career-best and Surrey are 520 for seven. | Tall, slim and seemingly indefatigable, Glamorgan are getting full value out of their loan ranger Andy Carter, who is midway through a month-long deal from Nottinghamshire. The right-armer now has four wickets, adding Gary Wilson and Gareth Batty to his trophy cabinet after lunch, and has now sent down 34 overs. Wilson was trapped lbw for five, before Gareth Batty was cleaned up by a ball that jagged in for a duck. Steven Davies sits 181 not out, 12 runs short of a new career-best and Surrey are 520 for seven. |
| 1.48pm BST | |
| 13:48 | |
| Paul Weaver | Paul Weaver |
| Oliver and Gidman have survived some hostile fast bowling from Sussex to get to lunch on 133 for two. Oliver has 64 and Gidman 29. | Oliver and Gidman have survived some hostile fast bowling from Sussex to get to lunch on 133 for two. Oliver has 64 and Gidman 29. |
| Oliver was on 46 when he was struck on the helmet by the extremely nippy left-armer Tymal Mills, who has come to Hove on a two-year contract after ending his time with Essex. | Oliver was on 46 when he was struck on the helmet by the extremely nippy left-armer Tymal Mills, who has come to Hove on a two-year contract after ending his time with Essex. |
| The England Lions bowler worked up a full head of steam bowling downhill on this sloping ground but was unable to make a breakthrough, and nor was Ajmal Shahzad, bowling uphill from the sea end. | The England Lions bowler worked up a full head of steam bowling downhill on this sloping ground but was unable to make a breakthrough, and nor was Ajmal Shahzad, bowling uphill from the sea end. |
| Oliver reached his fifty from 119 balls, with seven fours. But he had added just five to that when he chopped a delivery from Ashar Zaidi onto his stumps, but the bails didn’t come off. Oliver had another escape when he had made 58, at 122 for two, when he was dropped at slip by Craig Cachopa off Hobden. | Oliver reached his fifty from 119 balls, with seven fours. But he had added just five to that when he chopped a delivery from Ashar Zaidi onto his stumps, but the bails didn’t come off. Oliver had another escape when he had made 58, at 122 for two, when he was dropped at slip by Craig Cachopa off Hobden. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.33pm BST | |
| 1.11pm BST | |
| 13:11 | |
| Ali Martin | Ali Martin |
| Ali Martin reports from Cardiff at lunch | Ali Martin reports from Cardiff at lunch |
| In Cardiff, Andy Carter struck with six minutes of the session remaining to remove Jason Roy caught behind for 32. | In Cardiff, Andy Carter struck with six minutes of the session remaining to remove Jason Roy caught behind for 32. |
| But once again that was Surrey’s session, with 132 runs coming at a cost of just two wickets and the score now a very healthy-looking 495 for five. | But once again that was Surrey’s session, with 132 runs coming at a cost of just two wickets and the score now a very healthy-looking 495 for five. |
| Glamorgan’s attack have been high on effort but low on threat, with seamer David Lloyd the man with the initial breakthrough, persuading Kumar Sangakkara to slap one to cover on 149. | Glamorgan’s attack have been high on effort but low on threat, with seamer David Lloyd the man with the initial breakthrough, persuading Kumar Sangakkara to slap one to cover on 149. |
| The Sri Lankan had enjoyed some luck first thing, edging Graham Wagg through vacant second slip and past his stumps, with Steve Davies, currently unbeaten on 167, similarly fortunate not to chop on from the same man. | The Sri Lankan had enjoyed some luck first thing, edging Graham Wagg through vacant second slip and past his stumps, with Steve Davies, currently unbeaten on 167, similarly fortunate not to chop on from the same man. |
| There was a run out chance too, with Davies short of his ground on 154 when Dean Cosker at extra cover would have had him with a direct hit at the non-striker’s end. | There was a run out chance too, with Davies short of his ground on 154 when Dean Cosker at extra cover would have had him with a direct hit at the non-striker’s end. |
| He ploughs on however, with a career-best 192 the next staging post in this epic. | He ploughs on however, with a career-best 192 the next staging post in this epic. |
| 12.15pm BST | |
| 12:15 | |
| Ali Martin | Ali Martin |
| Ali Martin writes from Glamorgan v Surrey | Ali Martin writes from Glamorgan v Surrey |
| Kumar Sangakkara’s debut knock for Surrey comes to an end as he slaps seamer David Lloyd to Will Bragg at cover on 149. He and Steve Davies, who is currently 153 not out, had put on 294 together in 67 overs, the club’s second highest partnership of all time for any wicket against Glamorgan. The highest? Answers below the line please... Surrey are 444-4, it’s Jason Roy time and a gaggle of geese are making their voices heard at the Swalec Stadium. | Kumar Sangakkara’s debut knock for Surrey comes to an end as he slaps seamer David Lloyd to Will Bragg at cover on 149. He and Steve Davies, who is currently 153 not out, had put on 294 together in 67 overs, the club’s second highest partnership of all time for any wicket against Glamorgan. The highest? Answers below the line please... Surrey are 444-4, it’s Jason Roy time and a gaggle of geese are making their voices heard at the Swalec Stadium. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.39pm BST | |
| 12.13pm BST | |
| 12:13 | |
| Richard Gibson | Richard Gibson |
| Richard Gibson writes from Trent Bridge | Richard Gibson writes from Trent Bridge |
| Having set a new high first-class score for a Nottinghamshire batsman against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge - surpassing Tim Robinson’s unbeaten 220 - Alex Hales departed for 236 when he played down the wrong line and had his off-stump tilted by Steven Patterson. His dismissal the middle of three this morning as Notts’ innings was wrapped up for 428. Jake Ball’s fun proved short-lived. A smite over midwicket for six from Tim Bresnan’s first ball of the day was followed by an around-the-wicket yorker the next. | Having set a new high first-class score for a Nottinghamshire batsman against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge - surpassing Tim Robinson’s unbeaten 220 - Alex Hales departed for 236 when he played down the wrong line and had his off-stump tilted by Steven Patterson. His dismissal the middle of three this morning as Notts’ innings was wrapped up for 428. Jake Ball’s fun proved short-lived. A smite over midwicket for six from Tim Bresnan’s first ball of the day was followed by an around-the-wicket yorker the next. |
| 11.59am BST | |
| 11:59 | |
| Gary Naylor | Gary Naylor |
| The County Championship is back and with it comes Gary Naylor’s series of Final Overs, which will be published every Monday morning throughout the season. Here is his first blog of the year: | The County Championship is back and with it comes Gary Naylor’s series of Final Overs, which will be published every Monday morning throughout the season. Here is his first blog of the year: |
| Related: County cricket: the week’s final over | Related: County cricket: the week’s final over |
| Updated | |
| at 11.59am BST | |
| 11.52am BST | |
| 11:52 | |
| Ali Martin | Ali Martin |
| Ali Martin reports from Glamorgan v Surrey | Ali Martin reports from Glamorgan v Surrey |
| There are over 400 runs on the board and just three wickets down but Glamorgan’s Graham Wagg is still going hard. Kumar Sangakkara has edged him through the vacant second slip on and chopped another past his stumps, prompting the left-armer to give him the longest of death-stares. Andy Carter bowling from the other end may not thank him though, with Sanga following up the little set-to with a pair of glorious uppercuts over the slip cordon for four. The Sri Lankan is 141 not out, Steven Davies is on 139 and Surrey are 422 for three. And Jason Roy is in next... | There are over 400 runs on the board and just three wickets down but Glamorgan’s Graham Wagg is still going hard. Kumar Sangakkara has edged him through the vacant second slip on and chopped another past his stumps, prompting the left-armer to give him the longest of death-stares. Andy Carter bowling from the other end may not thank him though, with Sanga following up the little set-to with a pair of glorious uppercuts over the slip cordon for four. The Sri Lankan is 141 not out, Steven Davies is on 139 and Surrey are 422 for three. And Jason Roy is in next... |
| Updated | |
| at 11.53am BST | |
| 11.39am BST | |
| 11:39 | |
| Paul Weaver | Paul Weaver |
| A double strike by Sussex fast bowler Matt Hobden has put Worcestershire on the back foot at Hove this morning. | A double strike by Sussex fast bowler Matt Hobden has put Worcestershire on the back foot at Hove this morning. |
| Hobden, running in from the sea end, bowled the Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell, who was half forward, off stump and in his next over had Tom Fell caught behind by wicketkeeper Ben Brown. | Hobden, running in from the sea end, bowled the Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell, who was half forward, off stump and in his next over had Tom Fell caught behind by wicketkeeper Ben Brown. |
| There is plenty of bounce and life in this wicket and the wind is not coming from Siberia today so everyone is looking forward to a good day’s cricket. | There is plenty of bounce and life in this wicket and the wind is not coming from Siberia today so everyone is looking forward to a good day’s cricket. |
| At the other end, Steve Magoffin, the leading wicket-taker in Division One last season, with 72, could also have been among the wickets with a bit more luck. Worcestershire are now looking to their new signing from Gloucestershire, Alex Gidman, to rebuild the innings along with Richard Oliver. | At the other end, Steve Magoffin, the leading wicket-taker in Division One last season, with 72, could also have been among the wickets with a bit more luck. Worcestershire are now looking to their new signing from Gloucestershire, Alex Gidman, to rebuild the innings along with Richard Oliver. |
| Updated | |
| at 11.39am BST | |
| 10.48am BST | |
| 10:48 | |
| Richard Gibson | Richard Gibson |
| Richard Gibson reports from Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire | Richard Gibson reports from Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire |
| Tall, dominant, disengaged England batsman scores bucket load of runs to promote case for future reassessment of international credentials. That was the script this week, right? | Tall, dominant, disengaged England batsman scores bucket load of runs to promote case for future reassessment of international credentials. That was the script this week, right? |
| Well Alex Hales took the lead role on Sunday, and everyone I have spoken to who witnessed his unbeaten 222 – unfortunately, I could not be among them due to other commitments - says it was a ‘proper’ innings. Allowing himself time to get in, against an attack that took more bowling points than any other in 2014, he prospered once conditions improved in the afternoon and the bowlers tired. | Well Alex Hales took the lead role on Sunday, and everyone I have spoken to who witnessed his unbeaten 222 – unfortunately, I could not be among them due to other commitments - says it was a ‘proper’ innings. Allowing himself time to get in, against an attack that took more bowling points than any other in 2014, he prospered once conditions improved in the afternoon and the bowlers tired. |
| There is potential for Yorkshire to suffer some more yet. Nottinghamshire are 393-7, having been inserted at Trent Bridge. As Hales told Ali Martin last week, he does not feel as though he has been given a fair crack by England. He has also spoken in the past about his desire to play all international forms. A year ago he wasn’t even in Notts’ first-choice XI, so this innings is a marker of significant progress. | There is potential for Yorkshire to suffer some more yet. Nottinghamshire are 393-7, having been inserted at Trent Bridge. As Hales told Ali Martin last week, he does not feel as though he has been given a fair crack by England. He has also spoken in the past about his desire to play all international forms. A year ago he wasn’t even in Notts’ first-choice XI, so this innings is a marker of significant progress. |
| Updated | |
| at 11.19am BST | |
| 10.33am BST | |
| 10:33 | |
| Morning all. | Morning all. |
| Today we have Ali Martin at Glamorgan v Surrey, Paul Weaver at Sussex v Worcestershire and Richard Gibson at Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire. | Today we have Ali Martin at Glamorgan v Surrey, Paul Weaver at Sussex v Worcestershire and Richard Gibson at Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire. |
| At Trent Bridge we have Richard Gibson on duty and Alex Hales on 222, with Nottinghamshire 393 for seven after being stuck in by champions Yorkshire. Hales talked the talk last week, now he’s walked the walk. | At Trent Bridge we have Richard Gibson on duty and Alex Hales on 222, with Nottinghamshire 393 for seven after being stuck in by champions Yorkshire. Hales talked the talk last week, now he’s walked the walk. |
| Alex Hales gives England reminder with rapid double-century for NottsThe first double hundred of Alex Hales’ career helped Nottinghamshire into a position of strength on the opening day of their County Championship match against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. | Alex Hales gives England reminder with rapid double-century for NottsThe first double hundred of Alex Hales’ career helped Nottinghamshire into a position of strength on the opening day of their County Championship match against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. |
| Down at Hove, the esteemed Paul Weaver will bring us news from Worcestershire’s reply to 345 all from Sussex, which featured a somewhat futuristic 135 from 100 balls by Scotland international Matt Machan, who was a late addition to the side. The Pears will resume on 45 for no loss. | Down at Hove, the esteemed Paul Weaver will bring us news from Worcestershire’s reply to 345 all from Sussex, which featured a somewhat futuristic 135 from 100 balls by Scotland international Matt Machan, who was a late addition to the side. The Pears will resume on 45 for no loss. |
| Sussex stand-in Matt Machan hits rapid centuryMatt Machan would not have played for Sussex against Worcestershire here on Sunday but for Michael Yardy falling ill the previous day and Chris Nash going down with a hamstring injury. There was a sudden frailty to the Sussex top order but Machan, who appeared in just seven Championship matches last season, dispelled any uneasiness in the home dressing room by playing an extraordinary innings. | Sussex stand-in Matt Machan hits rapid centuryMatt Machan would not have played for Sussex against Worcestershire here on Sunday but for Michael Yardy falling ill the previous day and Chris Nash going down with a hamstring injury. There was a sudden frailty to the Sussex top order but Machan, who appeared in just seven Championship matches last season, dispelled any uneasiness in the home dressing room by playing an extraordinary innings. |
| And here at Cardiff, centurions Kumar Sangakkara and Steven Davies get us underway, with Surrey sitting pretty on 363 for three against Glamorgan. Naturally, the lowest scorer in the innings was the story on day one. | And here at Cardiff, centurions Kumar Sangakkara and Steven Davies get us underway, with Surrey sitting pretty on 363 for three against Glamorgan. Naturally, the lowest scorer in the innings was the story on day one. |
| Kevin Pietersen left frustrated after scoring only 19If Kevin Pietersen is truly locked in battle with England’s middle-order for an Ashes berth this summer, then round one has gone to the incumbents. After Gary Ballance, Ian Bell and Joe Root each delivered in excess of 100 runs in last week’s drawn Test against West Indies in balmy Antigua, it was over to the 34-year-old batsman, who believes he can force his way back into the international XI, to respond with runs in chilly Cardiff. | Kevin Pietersen left frustrated after scoring only 19If Kevin Pietersen is truly locked in battle with England’s middle-order for an Ashes berth this summer, then round one has gone to the incumbents. After Gary Ballance, Ian Bell and Joe Root each delivered in excess of 100 runs in last week’s drawn Test against West Indies in balmy Antigua, it was over to the 34-year-old batsman, who believes he can force his way back into the international XI, to respond with runs in chilly Cardiff. |
| Elsewhere, Lancashire are 292 for eight after a debut century from Alviro “There’s No I in” Petersen, while Warwickshire start the day 14 for no loss after skittling Hampshire for 319. And there’s a loopy old game at Chelmsford, where Essex resume 67 for seven after Kent’s 193 all out. | Elsewhere, Lancashire are 292 for eight after a debut century from Alviro “There’s No I in” Petersen, while Warwickshire start the day 14 for no loss after skittling Hampshire for 319. And there’s a loopy old game at Chelmsford, where Essex resume 67 for seven after Kent’s 193 all out. |
| Have a great day, all. | Have a great day, all. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.58pm BST |