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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/may/05/county-cricket-live-kent-leicestershire-middlesex-durham
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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| County cricket – as it happened | County cricket – as it happened |
| (7 months later) | |
| 5.20pm BST | 5.20pm BST |
| 17:20 | 17:20 |
| The PA report from Middlesex v Durham | The PA report from Middlesex v Durham |
| In case you missed it earlier, here is the PA report from Lord’s... | In case you missed it earlier, here is the PA report from Lord’s... |
| 5.19pm BST | 5.19pm BST |
| 17:19 | 17:19 |
| Lizzy Ammon with an update from Canterbury | Lizzy Ammon with an update from Canterbury |
| Leicestershire are in real danger of squandering their strong position. They lost seven wickets for 86 within 33 overs. Australian Clint McKay, having put in a serious stint with the ball, is now having to salvage the situation. He’s going OK at the moment adding a quick 20 to the score. Leicestershire’s lead is 225 which isn’t to be sniffed at. But it’s a good pitch for batting on (although the scorecards may suggest otherwise) and this collapse has let Kent right back into the match. | Leicestershire are in real danger of squandering their strong position. They lost seven wickets for 86 within 33 overs. Australian Clint McKay, having put in a serious stint with the ball, is now having to salvage the situation. He’s going OK at the moment adding a quick 20 to the score. Leicestershire’s lead is 225 which isn’t to be sniffed at. But it’s a good pitch for batting on (although the scorecards may suggest otherwise) and this collapse has let Kent right back into the match. |
| It’s on a knife edge at the moment. If I were that way inclined, this is where I should be putting in the hashtag #scenes | It’s on a knife edge at the moment. If I were that way inclined, this is where I should be putting in the hashtag #scenes |
| 4.05pm BST | 4.05pm BST |
| 16:05 | 16:05 |
| Lizzy reports from Kent v Leicestershire | Lizzy reports from Kent v Leicestershire |
| Uh oh. Leicestershire are having a wobble. They’ve lost four wickets in the 23 overs they’ve faced in their second innings. And it’s that man Darren Stevens causing the problems again. He’s bowling from his preferred end – the pavilion end – and he’s picked up the wickets of Cosgrove and Robson in quick succession. Leicestershire are 71/4 – leading by 190 and although Kent are prone to a collapse, Leicestershire are going to have to be careful here that they don’t let Kent back into it. | Uh oh. Leicestershire are having a wobble. They’ve lost four wickets in the 23 overs they’ve faced in their second innings. And it’s that man Darren Stevens causing the problems again. He’s bowling from his preferred end – the pavilion end – and he’s picked up the wickets of Cosgrove and Robson in quick succession. Leicestershire are 71/4 – leading by 190 and although Kent are prone to a collapse, Leicestershire are going to have to be careful here that they don’t let Kent back into it. |
| It’s intriguing stuff though, both Coles and Stevens are getting the ball to move about just enough to cause problems. And its passages of play like this which make longer form cricket so compelling. | It’s intriguing stuff though, both Coles and Stevens are getting the ball to move about just enough to cause problems. And its passages of play like this which make longer form cricket so compelling. |
| 3.59pm BST | 3.59pm BST |
| 15:59 | 15:59 |
| Lizzy is in need of a brew... | Lizzy is in need of a brew... |
| A nice little partnership is building between Angus Robson and Mark Cosgrove here at Canterbury. Kent’s opening bowler Ivan Thomas made early in roads taking the wickets of Matt Boyce and Ned Eckersley in quick succession but this third wicket partnership is ticking along although neither batsman is looking entirely comfortable against the nagging bowling of Darren Stevens. Leics are 60/2 with a lead of 178. The wind is getting up to gale force but the sun is still basking down on the lovely Spitfire St Lawrence Ground. In other news, I’m gagging for a cup of tea but the kettle is long way away. | A nice little partnership is building between Angus Robson and Mark Cosgrove here at Canterbury. Kent’s opening bowler Ivan Thomas made early in roads taking the wickets of Matt Boyce and Ned Eckersley in quick succession but this third wicket partnership is ticking along although neither batsman is looking entirely comfortable against the nagging bowling of Darren Stevens. Leics are 60/2 with a lead of 178. The wind is getting up to gale force but the sun is still basking down on the lovely Spitfire St Lawrence Ground. In other news, I’m gagging for a cup of tea but the kettle is long way away. |
| 2.31pm BST | 2.31pm BST |
| 14:31 | 14:31 |
| Lizzy writes from Canterbury | Lizzy writes from Canterbury |
| So with both Division One matches over with, turn your attentions to Division Two where it looks like Gloucestershire will pick up their first win of the season; they just need another 80 to beat Essex at Chelmsford where it seems they have a clear policy to prepare results wickets and in many ways that’s a sensible policy in Division Two even if those results sometimes go against you. | So with both Division One matches over with, turn your attentions to Division Two where it looks like Gloucestershire will pick up their first win of the season; they just need another 80 to beat Essex at Chelmsford where it seems they have a clear policy to prepare results wickets and in many ways that’s a sensible policy in Division Two even if those results sometimes go against you. |
| Here in Canterbury we have a game on our hands. Leicestershire have begun their second innings with Boyce and Robson opening up. Kent will need to bowl a great deal better than they did on the first day where there was at least one bad ball an over. | Here in Canterbury we have a game on our hands. Leicestershire have begun their second innings with Boyce and Robson opening up. Kent will need to bowl a great deal better than they did on the first day where there was at least one bad ball an over. |
| 2.15pm BST | 2.15pm BST |
| 14:15 | 14:15 |
| Lizzy reports from Kent v Leicestershire | Lizzy reports from Kent v Leicestershire |
| Well, well, well. Leicestershire fans can start to get a bit excited. Clint McKay who has been absolutely immense with the ball has taken six wickets. Riley was caught by Angus Robson with an astonishing one handed diving catch in the gully and then Ivan Thomas lost his leg stump. Kent are all out for 268 a deficit of 118. | Well, well, well. Leicestershire fans can start to get a bit excited. Clint McKay who has been absolutely immense with the ball has taken six wickets. Riley was caught by Angus Robson with an astonishing one handed diving catch in the gully and then Ivan Thomas lost his leg stump. Kent are all out for 268 a deficit of 118. |
| Leicestershire really do have a different vibe from the last couple of seasons. There’s a competitive killer edge to them, they’ve been sharp in the field. The seamers have been disciplined and relentless. They are well on top here and very much deserve it. | Leicestershire really do have a different vibe from the last couple of seasons. There’s a competitive killer edge to them, they’ve been sharp in the field. The seamers have been disciplined and relentless. They are well on top here and very much deserve it. |
| There was much chuntering by the Kent members in the lunch room and the clamours for Kent to sign an overseas player are increasing. They’ve said they aren’t going to but they can’t really continue like this or they’ll be the ones with the much unwanted wooden spoon. | There was much chuntering by the Kent members in the lunch room and the clamours for Kent to sign an overseas player are increasing. They’ve said they aren’t going to but they can’t really continue like this or they’ll be the ones with the much unwanted wooden spoon. |
| So Leicestershire are well placed to pile on a big lead and have a very good chance of getting a win here. Get the bunting ready at Grace Road | So Leicestershire are well placed to pile on a big lead and have a very good chance of getting a win here. Get the bunting ready at Grace Road |
| 1.38pm BST | 1.38pm BST |
| 13:38 | 13:38 |
| Lizzy reports at lunch | Lizzy reports at lunch |
| Kent are in trouble here – they’ve lost four wickets in 12 balls. Northeast was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Darren Stevens and then Matt Coles having been dropped on 0 was caught in the slips for 4 both falling to Clint McKay. In the over before lunch Sam Billings was given out LBW to Shreck without scoring and now Kent’s tail must wag and wag hard in order for them not to concede a hefty first innings lead. Kent says 262/8. It’s lunch here now and my stomach says it’s time to raid the carvery. | Kent are in trouble here – they’ve lost four wickets in 12 balls. Northeast was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Darren Stevens and then Matt Coles having been dropped on 0 was caught in the slips for 4 both falling to Clint McKay. In the over before lunch Sam Billings was given out LBW to Shreck without scoring and now Kent’s tail must wag and wag hard in order for them not to concede a hefty first innings lead. Kent says 262/8. It’s lunch here now and my stomach says it’s time to raid the carvery. |
| 1.38pm BST | 1.38pm BST |
| 13:38 | 13:38 |
| Lizzy Ammon writes from Canterbury | Lizzy Ammon writes from Canterbury |
| So with everything wrapped up at Lord’s, you’re left with me for the rest of the day. Joe Denly went for 87 LBW to Raine to a ball that kept quite low and you could see the disappointment as Denly trudged off. He’d done all the hard work and was eyeing up what would have been Kent’s first century of the season. The new ball was taken a few overs ago and Kent’s fifth wicket has just fallen – that of Sam Northeast who had battled equally as hard . He’s just been trapped LBW by Charlie Shreck for 84. And as I type this Darren Stevens edges behind off Mckay and Kent 257/6 – they have avoided the follow on but still trail by 129. There are revised timings here with lunch at 1.15. | So with everything wrapped up at Lord’s, you’re left with me for the rest of the day. Joe Denly went for 87 LBW to Raine to a ball that kept quite low and you could see the disappointment as Denly trudged off. He’d done all the hard work and was eyeing up what would have been Kent’s first century of the season. The new ball was taken a few overs ago and Kent’s fifth wicket has just fallen – that of Sam Northeast who had battled equally as hard . He’s just been trapped LBW by Charlie Shreck for 84. And as I type this Darren Stevens edges behind off Mckay and Kent 257/6 – they have avoided the follow on but still trail by 129. There are revised timings here with lunch at 1.15. |
| Elsewhere, Charlie Morris who is enjoying a very good start to the season has taken four wickets and Somerset are in serious bother at 74/7 – still trailing Worcestershire’s first innings score by 78. Somerset’s batting in the start to the season is something of a worry. | Elsewhere, Charlie Morris who is enjoying a very good start to the season has taken four wickets and Somerset are in serious bother at 74/7 – still trailing Worcestershire’s first innings score by 78. Somerset’s batting in the start to the season is something of a worry. |
| 12.33pm BST | 12.33pm BST |
| 12:33 | 12:33 |
| Ali Martin reports on a victory for Middlesex | Ali Martin reports on a victory for Middlesex |
| Well ... that all escalated rather quickly. A career-best nine for 34 in 12.1 overs from James Harris sees Durham bowled out for 71 and Middlesex chalk up their second win of the season by 187 runs. | Well ... that all escalated rather quickly. A career-best nine for 34 in 12.1 overs from James Harris sees Durham bowled out for 71 and Middlesex chalk up their second win of the season by 187 runs. |
| From 24 for two overnight, the visitors subsided in dramatic fashion as Harris, from the Nursery End, simply blew them away with a spell of sustained accuracy at a good pace. First man gone was Michael Richardson, shouldering arms to a straight one to see off and middle sent flying, before Calum McLeod and Paul Collingwood were removed for ducks in successive deliveries and a five-fer for Harris. | From 24 for two overnight, the visitors subsided in dramatic fashion as Harris, from the Nursery End, simply blew them away with a spell of sustained accuracy at a good pace. First man gone was Michael Richardson, shouldering arms to a straight one to see off and middle sent flying, before Calum McLeod and Paul Collingwood were removed for ducks in successive deliveries and a five-fer for Harris. |
| Phil Mustard survived the hat-trick ball but was the first of two more in Harris’ following over when he edged to James Franklin as second slip, with fellow leftie Scott Borthwick gobbled up by Adam Voges at first three balls later. | Phil Mustard survived the hat-trick ball but was the first of two more in Harris’ following over when he edged to James Franklin as second slip, with fellow leftie Scott Borthwick gobbled up by Adam Voges at first three balls later. |
| All the while Steven Finn was pounding in from the Pavilion End and hitting the splice nicely - before pitching one up to Usman Arshad that flew to gully via inside edge and pad to ruin Harris’ hopes of all 10. | All the while Steven Finn was pounding in from the Pavilion End and hitting the splice nicely - before pitching one up to Usman Arshad that flew to gully via inside edge and pad to ruin Harris’ hopes of all 10. |
| Harris made it eight for the first time in his career when trapping John Hastings lbw for a duck. And while a last-wicket stand of 18 runs took Durham past their championship worst of 67 all out here in 1996, Harris was the man once more as Chris Rushworth was caught behind to complete the win. | Harris made it eight for the first time in his career when trapping John Hastings lbw for a duck. And while a last-wicket stand of 18 runs took Durham past their championship worst of 67 all out here in 1996, Harris was the man once more as Chris Rushworth was caught behind to complete the win. |
| Right, off to the post-match presser to find out what he had for breakfast... | Right, off to the post-match presser to find out what he had for breakfast... |
| 12.24pm BST | 12.24pm BST |
| 12:24 | 12:24 |
| Lizzy Ammon reports from Canterbury | Lizzy Ammon reports from Canterbury |
| Whilst the wickets tumble at Lord’s, it’s altogether more sedate here at Canterbury. Northeast and Denly have put on 57 runs in the first hour of play and have taken advantage of the easier batting conditions against the old ball. The new one is due in 8 overs time and Leicestershire look fairly desperate for it – it’s hard work for the bowlers, there’s not much in the pitch; they’ve stuck to their tight line but there’s noticeably less movement than there was yesterday. | Whilst the wickets tumble at Lord’s, it’s altogether more sedate here at Canterbury. Northeast and Denly have put on 57 runs in the first hour of play and have taken advantage of the easier batting conditions against the old ball. The new one is due in 8 overs time and Leicestershire look fairly desperate for it – it’s hard work for the bowlers, there’s not much in the pitch; they’ve stuck to their tight line but there’s noticeably less movement than there was yesterday. |
| Cosgrove and Key are both fairly naturally attacking captains so it will be interesting to see, if it comes to it, whether they come to some arrangement tomorrow about a run chase. | Cosgrove and Key are both fairly naturally attacking captains so it will be interesting to see, if it comes to it, whether they come to some arrangement tomorrow about a run chase. |
| 11.50am BST | 11.50am BST |
| 11:50 | 11:50 |
| Gary Naylor | Gary Naylor |
| Some later morning reading from Gary Naylor: | Some later morning reading from Gary Naylor: |
| County cricket: the week’s final over | County cricket: the week’s final over |
| Ball One: Bowlers who bat, and bat, and batBall Two: James Franklin and Adam Voges help Middlesex to victoryBall Three: James Middlebrook proves there’s no place like homeBall Four: Brendan Taylor steps up for NottinghamshireBall Five: The Red Rose blooms in ManchesterBall Six: Shiv Thakor is back on track | Ball One: Bowlers who bat, and bat, and batBall Two: James Franklin and Adam Voges help Middlesex to victoryBall Three: James Middlebrook proves there’s no place like homeBall Four: Brendan Taylor steps up for NottinghamshireBall Five: The Red Rose blooms in ManchesterBall Six: Shiv Thakor is back on track |
| 11.41am BST | 11.41am BST |
| 11:41 | 11:41 |
| Ali Martin writes from Middlesex v Durham | Ali Martin writes from Middlesex v Durham |
| So ... James Harris now has all seven wickets to see Durham quickly disappearing down the gurgler on 39 for seven at Lord’s. Phil Mustard fenced one to James Franklin and now Scott “Scoddy” Biorthwick has just been held by Adam Voges at first. Ye gods, this is a breathtaking morning in which Harris has taken five for five in 16 balls. | So ... James Harris now has all seven wickets to see Durham quickly disappearing down the gurgler on 39 for seven at Lord’s. Phil Mustard fenced one to James Franklin and now Scott “Scoddy” Biorthwick has just been held by Adam Voges at first. Ye gods, this is a breathtaking morning in which Harris has taken five for five in 16 balls. |
| 11.31am BST | 11.31am BST |
| 11:31 | 11:31 |
| Ali Martin reports | Ali Martin reports |
| OK, OK, so since that last update Calum McLeod has been trapped lbw and Paul Collingwood has been bowled off the inside edge in successive balls to see James Harris complete his five-wicket haul and find himself on a hat-trick... which was averted by Phil Mustard as he played and missed outside off stump. Some spell this... Durham 37 for five, Middlesex on for a quick kill. | OK, OK, so since that last update Calum McLeod has been trapped lbw and Paul Collingwood has been bowled off the inside edge in successive balls to see James Harris complete his five-wicket haul and find himself on a hat-trick... which was averted by Phil Mustard as he played and missed outside off stump. Some spell this... Durham 37 for five, Middlesex on for a quick kill. |
| 11.31am BST | 11.31am BST |
| 11:31 | 11:31 |
| Lizzy Ammon reports from Canterbury | Lizzy Ammon reports from Canterbury |
| Good morning from Canterbury where the sun is out. There was an inexplicable 15-minute delay to the start of play because there’s a bit of a damp patch right on the edge of the square. Quite what difference that 15 minutes made is unclear to me but such is cricket. Anyway, we’re underway and Kent continue to battle, Denly and Northeast are showing impressive grit but at some point they are going to have to up the run rate or this game is going to end in a very dull stalemate. Kent still trail by 219. | Good morning from Canterbury where the sun is out. There was an inexplicable 15-minute delay to the start of play because there’s a bit of a damp patch right on the edge of the square. Quite what difference that 15 minutes made is unclear to me but such is cricket. Anyway, we’re underway and Kent continue to battle, Denly and Northeast are showing impressive grit but at some point they are going to have to up the run rate or this game is going to end in a very dull stalemate. Kent still trail by 219. |
| In more disappointing news, Dan the ice-cream man (I’ve no idea if his name is actually Dan) has not turned up today so there’s no 99 for me. | In more disappointing news, Dan the ice-cream man (I’ve no idea if his name is actually Dan) has not turned up today so there’s no 99 for me. |
| 11.18am BST | 11.18am BST |
| 11:18 | 11:18 |
| Ali Martin | Ali Martin |
| Ali Martin reports from Lord’s | Ali Martin reports from Lord’s |
| Greetings from a somewhat blowy Lord’s where Durham, chasing 259, have just lost their third wicket - the first of the day - when Michael Richardson decided to leave a straight one from James Harris. The visitors are 30 for three and Middlesex are seven wickets from win No2 this season. It was quite a spectacular dismissal too, with both off and middle stumps demolished. Harris has looked very sharp in this match and has three for 15. Nice to see just the 18 wickets fall on Monday in my absence (and kudos to Chris Stocks for covering me while I spent May the 4th at a birthday party for my nephew Luke. Star Wars gags were very much frowned upon by my sister-in-law). | Greetings from a somewhat blowy Lord’s where Durham, chasing 259, have just lost their third wicket - the first of the day - when Michael Richardson decided to leave a straight one from James Harris. The visitors are 30 for three and Middlesex are seven wickets from win No2 this season. It was quite a spectacular dismissal too, with both off and middle stumps demolished. Harris has looked very sharp in this match and has three for 15. Nice to see just the 18 wickets fall on Monday in my absence (and kudos to Chris Stocks for covering me while I spent May the 4th at a birthday party for my nephew Luke. Star Wars gags were very much frowned upon by my sister-in-law). |
| 10.46am BST | 10.46am BST |
| 10:46 | 10:46 |
| Elizabeth Ammon | Elizabeth Ammon |
| Lizzy Ammon sets up the day | Lizzy Ammon sets up the day |
| A very good morning to you all. Welcome to the county blog and I hope you haven’t got the back to work and school blues after the bank holiday weekend. | A very good morning to you all. Welcome to the county blog and I hope you haven’t got the back to work and school blues after the bank holiday weekend. |
| Ali Martin is back at Lord’s today to see if Durham can chase down the 235 runs they need for victory after yesterday’s madness that saw 18 wickets fall. It’s the final day there and Middlesex are without Tim Murtagh who has a hamstring strain. Elsewhere in Division One, Worcestershire have put themselves into a good position at New Road with an 150 run lead over Somerset thanks to an excellent century by keeper Ben Cox. | Ali Martin is back at Lord’s today to see if Durham can chase down the 235 runs they need for victory after yesterday’s madness that saw 18 wickets fall. It’s the final day there and Middlesex are without Tim Murtagh who has a hamstring strain. Elsewhere in Division One, Worcestershire have put themselves into a good position at New Road with an 150 run lead over Somerset thanks to an excellent century by keeper Ben Cox. |
| In Division Two, I’m back at Canterbury where it was tough going for Kent yesterday. Joe Denly battled hard against some disciplined bowling but Kent still trail by 231 runs. Elsewhere in Division 2, in Cardiff they’ve lost a lot of time in the match to the weather and bad light. Glamorgan resume 121 runs behind with dangerman Colin Ingram still at the crease. At Wantage Road, Ashwell Prince is playing a classy innings to get Lancashire back into things having been 4 for 2 at one stage. Things are moving on a pace at Chelmsford, where Essex are four down in their second innings with a tiny lead of five runs. | In Division Two, I’m back at Canterbury where it was tough going for Kent yesterday. Joe Denly battled hard against some disciplined bowling but Kent still trail by 231 runs. Elsewhere in Division 2, in Cardiff they’ve lost a lot of time in the match to the weather and bad light. Glamorgan resume 121 runs behind with dangerman Colin Ingram still at the crease. At Wantage Road, Ashwell Prince is playing a classy innings to get Lancashire back into things having been 4 for 2 at one stage. Things are moving on a pace at Chelmsford, where Essex are four down in their second innings with a tiny lead of five runs. |
| 10.24am BST | 10.24am BST |
| 10:24 | 10:24 |
| Morning all, | Morning all, |
| Today we have Lizzy Ammon at Kent v Leicestershire and Ali Martin at Middlesex v Durham. | Today we have Lizzy Ammon at Kent v Leicestershire and Ali Martin at Middlesex v Durham. |
| Here are our reports from yesterday: | Here are our reports from yesterday: |
| Kent v Leicestershire | Kent v Leicestershire |
| Joe Denly leads Kent fight-back against LeicestershireIt was tough going for Kent on the second day of their match against Leicestershire. They wrapped up the visitor’s first innings just before lunch but the clouds rolled in as the players were munching their salads, leaving Kent with more difficult conditions to bat in. | Joe Denly leads Kent fight-back against LeicestershireIt was tough going for Kent on the second day of their match against Leicestershire. They wrapped up the visitor’s first innings just before lunch but the clouds rolled in as the players were munching their salads, leaving Kent with more difficult conditions to bat in. |
| Middlesex v Durham | Middlesex v Durham |
| Chris Rushworth bowls Durham into strong positionThe redemptive powers of sport never cease to amaze. Take Chris Rushworth. After being released by Durham in 2006 he took on a part-time job selling satellite TV subscriptions door to door in Sunderland. Now, back at the county, he is more likely to be featuring on television himself after a remarkable career renaissance. | Chris Rushworth bowls Durham into strong positionThe redemptive powers of sport never cease to amaze. Take Chris Rushworth. After being released by Durham in 2006 he took on a part-time job selling satellite TV subscriptions door to door in Sunderland. Now, back at the county, he is more likely to be featuring on television himself after a remarkable career renaissance. |
| Enjoy the cricket. | Enjoy the cricket. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.34am BST | at 10.34am BST |