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| County cricket – as it happened | County cricket – as it happened |
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| 5.43pm BST17:43 | 5.43pm BST17:43 |
| The game is ambling along – definitely no quicker than that – at the Ageas Bowl, writes Will Macpherson. Michael Carberry played nicely for his 67, strong as ever on the leave, in defence and when cutting, but fell caught at slip off James Harris – who has improved steadily throughout the day – after stalling a little. | The game is ambling along – definitely no quicker than that – at the Ageas Bowl, writes Will Macpherson. Michael Carberry played nicely for his 67, strong as ever on the leave, in defence and when cutting, but fell caught at slip off James Harris – who has improved steadily throughout the day – after stalling a little. |
| Will Smith has looked untroubled and Adam Wheater watchful and with very little happening, Franklin’s handed the new ball to Steven Finn in attempt to prize a couple of before tomorrow, when it’s going to rain. And then rain some more. Sun’s out at the moment, mind. | Will Smith has looked untroubled and Adam Wheater watchful and with very little happening, Franklin’s handed the new ball to Steven Finn in attempt to prize a couple of before tomorrow, when it’s going to rain. And then rain some more. Sun’s out at the moment, mind. |
| 5.33pm BST17:33 | 5.33pm BST17:33 |
| Bad light here at Grace Road, writes Richard Rae, but bright smiles on the faces of Steven Croft and Nathan Buck, the not out Lancashire batsmen, as they head for the pavilion with the orange lights of the electronic scoreboard confirming the visitors to have just past 300, with just seven wickets down. That, believe me, is a very decent return on a pitch which has helped the bowlers throughout, and yet which has also been possible to score quickly on – Croft’s 72 has been scored off 102 balls, and has included ten fours. He’s so far added 48 with Buck, one of the four young players who left Leicestershire at the end of last season, and who will be looking forward to bowling himself. It is, in short, a good cricket wicket, and with the sky lightening away to the west, it should see more play shortly. | Bad light here at Grace Road, writes Richard Rae, but bright smiles on the faces of Steven Croft and Nathan Buck, the not out Lancashire batsmen, as they head for the pavilion with the orange lights of the electronic scoreboard confirming the visitors to have just past 300, with just seven wickets down. That, believe me, is a very decent return on a pitch which has helped the bowlers throughout, and yet which has also been possible to score quickly on – Croft’s 72 has been scored off 102 balls, and has included ten fours. He’s so far added 48 with Buck, one of the four young players who left Leicestershire at the end of last season, and who will be looking forward to bowling himself. It is, in short, a good cricket wicket, and with the sky lightening away to the west, it should see more play shortly. |
| 4.42pm BST16:42 | 4.42pm BST16:42 |
| There’s a very impressive ninth wicket partnership going on here at Trent Bridge, reckons Lizzy Ammon. Craig Overton has played a brutal knock and has just moved onto 55 from 29 deliveries with eleven fours. It’s been an innings of extreme competence helped by some friendly bowling from Gurney and Ball in particular. There have been 41 runs in 25 minutes since tea. | There’s a very impressive ninth wicket partnership going on here at Trent Bridge, reckons Lizzy Ammon. Craig Overton has played a brutal knock and has just moved onto 55 from 29 deliveries with eleven fours. It’s been an innings of extreme competence helped by some friendly bowling from Gurney and Ball in particular. There have been 41 runs in 25 minutes since tea. |
| And as I was just about to press send on this, Overton goes for one shot too many and is bowled by Gurney for 55 from 31. | And as I was just about to press send on this, Overton goes for one shot too many and is bowled by Gurney for 55 from 31. |
| Nottinghamshire will be disappointed that they’ve let Somerset get this many given they were 101/5 at lunch. | Nottinghamshire will be disappointed that they’ve let Somerset get this many given they were 101/5 at lunch. |
| 4.15pm BST16:15 | 4.15pm BST16:15 |
| Leicestershire must have thought they were very much back in the game when Lancashire lost three wickets without adding a run in five balls in mid-afternoon, but an unbroken partnership of 71 for the sixth wicket between Steven Croft and a tall young Cumbrian called Jordan Clark meant the visitors could claim to have had the best of the afternoon session, writes Richard Rae at Grace Road.Resuming after lunch on 91-2, Paul Horton and Ashwell Prince took the visitors’ score on to 156 before Horton, on 70, drove loosely at a wide delivery from Tom Wells and edged a catch behind to Niall O’Brien behind the stumps.Prince, having survived two leg before shouts on 29, did not survive a third, Charlie Shreck swinging the ball back into the left-hander to win the decision from umpire Martin Bodenham, and Shreck then produced a fine delivery which left Alex Davies, took the edge, and was caught by O’Brien.Clark joined Croft however, and despite being hit painfully amidships by a Clint McKay delivery, took the attack back to the Foxes, hitting eight fours in going to tea on 42 not out. On a pitch which continues to give the bowlers plenty of assistance, it’s a very decent score, and anything over 300 would surely delight Lancashire skipper Croft. | Leicestershire must have thought they were very much back in the game when Lancashire lost three wickets without adding a run in five balls in mid-afternoon, but an unbroken partnership of 71 for the sixth wicket between Steven Croft and a tall young Cumbrian called Jordan Clark meant the visitors could claim to have had the best of the afternoon session, writes Richard Rae at Grace Road.Resuming after lunch on 91-2, Paul Horton and Ashwell Prince took the visitors’ score on to 156 before Horton, on 70, drove loosely at a wide delivery from Tom Wells and edged a catch behind to Niall O’Brien behind the stumps.Prince, having survived two leg before shouts on 29, did not survive a third, Charlie Shreck swinging the ball back into the left-hander to win the decision from umpire Martin Bodenham, and Shreck then produced a fine delivery which left Alex Davies, took the edge, and was caught by O’Brien.Clark joined Croft however, and despite being hit painfully amidships by a Clint McKay delivery, took the attack back to the Foxes, hitting eight fours in going to tea on 42 not out. On a pitch which continues to give the bowlers plenty of assistance, it’s a very decent score, and anything over 300 would surely delight Lancashire skipper Croft. |
| 4.05pm BST16:05 | 4.05pm BST16:05 |
| So, tea time at the Ageas, where Middlesex have enjoyed a marginally better session, but it’ll still be Hampshire who are happier, reports Will Macpherson. James Harris got Jimmy Adams before another James - Vince - came out and played a lovely busy, flighty innings. Alas Vince holed out to a deepish mid-on off Ollie Rayner’s off-breaks, which was a poorly played stroke after looking totally in control with some gorgeous cover drives and flicks and late cuts. How frustrating. | So, tea time at the Ageas, where Middlesex have enjoyed a marginally better session, but it’ll still be Hampshire who are happier, reports Will Macpherson. James Harris got Jimmy Adams before another James - Vince - came out and played a lovely busy, flighty innings. Alas Vince holed out to a deepish mid-on off Ollie Rayner’s off-breaks, which was a poorly played stroke after looking totally in control with some gorgeous cover drives and flicks and late cuts. How frustrating. |
| All the while Michael Carberry has been efficiently going about his business at the other end. He’s cut beautifully and brought up his 50 with a meaty sixdown the ground off Rayner before, peculiarly, not scoring for 20 balls. Earlier, he took 23 to get off the mark. He’ll take tea on 53 and has been joined by Will Smith in Vince’s absence. Hampshire have batted impressively after James Franklin was seduced by a green-tinged track and a bit of cloud cover. | All the while Michael Carberry has been efficiently going about his business at the other end. He’s cut beautifully and brought up his 50 with a meaty sixdown the ground off Rayner before, peculiarly, not scoring for 20 balls. Earlier, he took 23 to get off the mark. He’ll take tea on 53 and has been joined by Will Smith in Vince’s absence. Hampshire have batted impressively after James Franklin was seduced by a green-tinged track and a bit of cloud cover. |
| Weather-wise, it’s still nae warm but it’s the next couple of days we need to worry about: the radar looks filthy. | Weather-wise, it’s still nae warm but it’s the next couple of days we need to worry about: the radar looks filthy. |
| 4.03pm BST16:03 | 4.03pm BST16:03 |
| It’s tea here at Trent Bridge and Somerset will be relatively pleased with where they are given they lost the toss and the conditions have been very testing, writes Lizzy Ammon. Jim Allenby struck his highest score in a Somerset shirt before being caught at first slip by Brendan Taylor off Philander who’s taken 4 for 56 today. Luke Wood got the wicket of Lewis Gregory from some very smart bowling, firing in a short ball followed by a full length ball which bowled the all-rounder on the drive. | It’s tea here at Trent Bridge and Somerset will be relatively pleased with where they are given they lost the toss and the conditions have been very testing, writes Lizzy Ammon. Jim Allenby struck his highest score in a Somerset shirt before being caught at first slip by Brendan Taylor off Philander who’s taken 4 for 56 today. Luke Wood got the wicket of Lewis Gregory from some very smart bowling, firing in a short ball followed by a full length ball which bowled the all-rounder on the drive. |
| Alex Barrow and Craig Overton have put on 29 for the ninth wicket, Overton in particular looking in a destructive mood. It’s cold, gloomy, murky and not very nice at Trent Bridge; the floodlights are on and I’ve put another cardigan on. Things are getting serious. | Alex Barrow and Craig Overton have put on 29 for the ninth wicket, Overton in particular looking in a destructive mood. It’s cold, gloomy, murky and not very nice at Trent Bridge; the floodlights are on and I’ve put another cardigan on. Things are getting serious. |
| 3.13pm BST15:13 | 3.13pm BST15:13 |
| Action, shouts Will Macpherson! A rather nice 61 for Jimmy Adams ends as he drags on to James Harris. Well batted that man. The good news is that the wicket brings slippery stylist James Vince to the crease, and if you don’t like watching him bat then you probably don’t like cricket very much. To prove that, he creams his fourth ball through the covers and his fifth through midwicket, both on the front foot, both absolutely beautifully. Carberry skimming along just fine at the other end. Low and deep in the crease as ever, he’s looking good on the back foot. | Action, shouts Will Macpherson! A rather nice 61 for Jimmy Adams ends as he drags on to James Harris. Well batted that man. The good news is that the wicket brings slippery stylist James Vince to the crease, and if you don’t like watching him bat then you probably don’t like cricket very much. To prove that, he creams his fourth ball through the covers and his fifth through midwicket, both on the front foot, both absolutely beautifully. Carberry skimming along just fine at the other end. Low and deep in the crease as ever, he’s looking good on the back foot. |
| And as if to confirm that it’s cold, Steven Finn is wearing two cable-knit jumpers for his stint out of the attack. Vicious cold front at mid-on, evidently. | And as if to confirm that it’s cold, Steven Finn is wearing two cable-knit jumpers for his stint out of the attack. Vicious cold front at mid-on, evidently. |
| 2.52pm BST14:52 | 2.52pm BST14:52 |
| For the second time today, writes Lizzy Ammon, it’s Steven Mullaney, Nottinghamshire’s fifth seamer, who is brought on and he immediately breaks the big partnership. He floated one down to Peter Trego who tried to blast it back over the bowler’s head but instead had his off stump sent flying. Trego’s 41 came from 53 balls with eight fours and contained some powerful drives and cuts. | For the second time today, writes Lizzy Ammon, it’s Steven Mullaney, Nottinghamshire’s fifth seamer, who is brought on and he immediately breaks the big partnership. He floated one down to Peter Trego who tried to blast it back over the bowler’s head but instead had his off stump sent flying. Trego’s 41 came from 53 balls with eight fours and contained some powerful drives and cuts. |
| Allenby, also not one known for prodding and leaving, has quickly moved to 35 from 42 but has played and missed a handful of times. | Allenby, also not one known for prodding and leaving, has quickly moved to 35 from 42 but has played and missed a handful of times. |
| Chris Read will be very grateful for Mullaney’s ability to break the partnerships because aside from Philander, who’s been excellent, his seamers have lacked penetration and accuracy. | Chris Read will be very grateful for Mullaney’s ability to break the partnerships because aside from Philander, who’s been excellent, his seamers have lacked penetration and accuracy. |
| 2.44pm BST14:44 | 2.44pm BST14:44 |
| Well it’s been more of the same since lunch, writes Will Macpherson at the Ageas Bowl. Middlesex are toiling hard but are wicketless since the break, although James Harris is much improved if still not at his best, and Steven Finn bowled well again. For the hosts, Jimmy Adams has gone past 50, looking extremely calm and putting away the bad ball. Michael Carberry has got going after the slowest of starts, with his customary cut and looking good. He’s got 22 off 61. | Well it’s been more of the same since lunch, writes Will Macpherson at the Ageas Bowl. Middlesex are toiling hard but are wicketless since the break, although James Harris is much improved if still not at his best, and Steven Finn bowled well again. For the hosts, Jimmy Adams has gone past 50, looking extremely calm and putting away the bad ball. Michael Carberry has got going after the slowest of starts, with his customary cut and looking good. He’s got 22 off 61. |
| After a lovely start to the day, it’s gone a bit cold here. The sun is trying desperately to put his hat on but is only coming out to play sporadically, unfortunately. Ireland all-rounder Paul Stirling is on 12th man duties for Middlesex and has been worrying about cable-knit more than Gatorade so far, as he ships extra layers out to the middle. Plenty of fleeces on display in the stands. In other news, the raffle happened and one lucky soul won themselves £50. Raucous scenes. | After a lovely start to the day, it’s gone a bit cold here. The sun is trying desperately to put his hat on but is only coming out to play sporadically, unfortunately. Ireland all-rounder Paul Stirling is on 12th man duties for Middlesex and has been worrying about cable-knit more than Gatorade so far, as he ships extra layers out to the middle. Plenty of fleeces on display in the stands. In other news, the raffle happened and one lucky soul won themselves £50. Raucous scenes. |
| 2.35pm BST14:35 | 2.35pm BST14:35 |
| Every time I type this, it brings about a cluster of wickets, but just quietly Somerset are beginning to rebuild here after losing three wickets in eleven balls before lunch, reports Lizzy Ammon. Peter Trego, not one for poking about, has set about the afternoon session by piling the pressure back on to the bowlers. He’s muscled seven boundaries in the 45 minutes he’s been at the crease and has been ably supported by Jim Allenby who’s had a quiet season with the bat thus far. This partnership has moved on quickly to 64 from 72 balls. | Every time I type this, it brings about a cluster of wickets, but just quietly Somerset are beginning to rebuild here after losing three wickets in eleven balls before lunch, reports Lizzy Ammon. Peter Trego, not one for poking about, has set about the afternoon session by piling the pressure back on to the bowlers. He’s muscled seven boundaries in the 45 minutes he’s been at the crease and has been ably supported by Jim Allenby who’s had a quiet season with the bat thus far. This partnership has moved on quickly to 64 from 72 balls. |
| As the ball has got softer and the sun has come out, Philander lost his potency and has been replaced by Jake Ball who secured his place in the Nottinghamshire first team over Luke Fletcher after an impressive pre-season tour. | As the ball has got softer and the sun has come out, Philander lost his potency and has been replaced by Jake Ball who secured his place in the Nottinghamshire first team over Luke Fletcher after an impressive pre-season tour. |
| Yet again though, Somerset find themselves having to rebuild after a bad session. It’s becoming a bit of a theme. | Yet again though, Somerset find themselves having to rebuild after a bad session. It’s becoming a bit of a theme. |
| 1.15pm BST13:15 | 1.15pm BST13:15 |
| New head coach Andrew McDonald has talked long and hard about the importance of what he refers to as “winning the key moments” if Leicestershire are to improve their sorry recent record in the county championship, writes Richard Rae at Grace Road. One can only imagine what the Australian must be thinking after a session in which the Foxes all-rounder Ben Raine saw three catches dropped off his bowling after the home team put the visitors into bat on a greenish pitch.Paul Horton, who battled his way to 36 not out at the break, was badly missed by Leicestershire skipper Mark Cosgrove at first slip on 20, before Rob Taylor, who replaced Cosgrove at first slip, twice failed to hold relatively straightforward chances offered by Ashwell Prince, on 6 and 11. Horton and Prince are Lancashire’s top-scorers in the championship this season, and Raine, who has had numerous chances dropped off his bowling this season, was understandably distraught. Nobody drops catches on purpose of course, and it’s a chilly day here in Leicester, but all three chances were two-handed efforts that should have been held.The Foxes picked up two wickets, however: Karl Brown was on 21 when edged Clint McKay to wicket-keeper Niall O’Brien, a delivery which held up off the seam, and O’Brien also made no mistake when Alviro Petersen wafted at a Tom Wells delivery that lifted outside off-stump. The consolation for Leicestershire is that the ball did a little more as the session progressed, and they will be desperately hoping that trend continues after the break. | New head coach Andrew McDonald has talked long and hard about the importance of what he refers to as “winning the key moments” if Leicestershire are to improve their sorry recent record in the county championship, writes Richard Rae at Grace Road. One can only imagine what the Australian must be thinking after a session in which the Foxes all-rounder Ben Raine saw three catches dropped off his bowling after the home team put the visitors into bat on a greenish pitch.Paul Horton, who battled his way to 36 not out at the break, was badly missed by Leicestershire skipper Mark Cosgrove at first slip on 20, before Rob Taylor, who replaced Cosgrove at first slip, twice failed to hold relatively straightforward chances offered by Ashwell Prince, on 6 and 11. Horton and Prince are Lancashire’s top-scorers in the championship this season, and Raine, who has had numerous chances dropped off his bowling this season, was understandably distraught. Nobody drops catches on purpose of course, and it’s a chilly day here in Leicester, but all three chances were two-handed efforts that should have been held.The Foxes picked up two wickets, however: Karl Brown was on 21 when edged Clint McKay to wicket-keeper Niall O’Brien, a delivery which held up off the seam, and O’Brien also made no mistake when Alviro Petersen wafted at a Tom Wells delivery that lifted outside off-stump. The consolation for Leicestershire is that the ball did a little more as the session progressed, and they will be desperately hoping that trend continues after the break. |
| 1.11pm BST13:11 | 1.11pm BST13:11 |
| So, it’s lunchtime down here and while Middlesex have fought back in the last half hour with the wicket of Liam Dawson, it’s been a fine morning for the Hampshire faithful and there’s a few of them here, too, writes Will Macpherson. Skipper Jimmy Adams is still there and they lunch satisfied on 97-1. | So, it’s lunchtime down here and while Middlesex have fought back in the last half hour with the wicket of Liam Dawson, it’s been a fine morning for the Hampshire faithful and there’s a few of them here, too, writes Will Macpherson. Skipper Jimmy Adams is still there and they lunch satisfied on 97-1. |
| It was Neil Dexter who did for Dawson, who nibbled at his nagging mediums before a diving John Simpson did the rest. Dexter has been the surprising pick of the bowlers, although Steven Finn’s first spell was impressive and he made life tricky for Dawson early on. Finn looks like he’s enjoying himself too, which hasn’t always been the case in the last couple of years. Dexter’s consistency has suited the conditions, with clouds overhead and a bit of green in the track. James Harris, who’s enjoyed such a fine start to the season, has been given just three pretty grim overs (they went for 28) by new skipper James Franklin. The Kiwi appears to be of the Alastair Cook school of captaincy, standing headmasterly at slip and giving offie Ollie Rayner the obligatory over of tweakers before the break. | It was Neil Dexter who did for Dawson, who nibbled at his nagging mediums before a diving John Simpson did the rest. Dexter has been the surprising pick of the bowlers, although Steven Finn’s first spell was impressive and he made life tricky for Dawson early on. Finn looks like he’s enjoying himself too, which hasn’t always been the case in the last couple of years. Dexter’s consistency has suited the conditions, with clouds overhead and a bit of green in the track. James Harris, who’s enjoyed such a fine start to the season, has been given just three pretty grim overs (they went for 28) by new skipper James Franklin. The Kiwi appears to be of the Alastair Cook school of captaincy, standing headmasterly at slip and giving offie Ollie Rayner the obligatory over of tweakers before the break. |
| Hampshire will be very happy after being put in. Dawson timed the pants off a few and took a particular liking to Harris, while Adams has been steady. Michael Carberry got out his Viv Richards swagger for the walk to the crease but has barely laid bat on ball, taking 23 balls to get off the mark and sitting two from 29 at lunch. Time for a feed. | Hampshire will be very happy after being put in. Dawson timed the pants off a few and took a particular liking to Harris, while Adams has been steady. Michael Carberry got out his Viv Richards swagger for the walk to the crease but has barely laid bat on ball, taking 23 balls to get off the mark and sitting two from 29 at lunch. Time for a feed. |
| 1.02pm BST13:02 | 1.02pm BST13:02 |
| Lunch at Trent Bridge where Somerset had staged a good recovery after the loss of those two early wickets, adds Lizzy Ammon. Myburgh and Hildreth’s third wicket partnership was worth 78 and going along fluently until Chris Read brought Steven Mullaney into the attack; earlier than he would normally but forced into the change because young left arm seamer was becoming very expensive. He removed Myburgh in his first over with a superb yorker and then Philander, in his second spell, got rid of Hildreth who was guilty of half playing and half leaving and losing his off stump for 32. | Lunch at Trent Bridge where Somerset had staged a good recovery after the loss of those two early wickets, adds Lizzy Ammon. Myburgh and Hildreth’s third wicket partnership was worth 78 and going along fluently until Chris Read brought Steven Mullaney into the attack; earlier than he would normally but forced into the change because young left arm seamer was becoming very expensive. He removed Myburgh in his first over with a superb yorker and then Philander, in his second spell, got rid of Hildreth who was guilty of half playing and half leaving and losing his off stump for 32. |
| Things got worse for Somerset when Cooper looped one up off a leading edge to James Taylor for 1. So another bad session for Somerset finishing the morning session 101/5 | Things got worse for Somerset when Cooper looped one up off a leading edge to James Taylor for 1. So another bad session for Somerset finishing the morning session 101/5 |
| 1.01pm BST13:01 | 1.01pm BST13:01 |
| James Hildreth and Johann Myburgh have weathered the early storm and have put on fifty for the third wicket, writes Lizzy Ammon. The sun is trying its very best to break out here at Trent Bridge and batting has got a bit easier. Both left handers, Wood and Gurney, from the pavilion end have been guilty of some wayward deliveries which has allowed the two Somerset batsmen to settle in a bit more having seen off the probing opening spell by Philander. His opening spell was an impressive 7-5-6-2. | James Hildreth and Johann Myburgh have weathered the early storm and have put on fifty for the third wicket, writes Lizzy Ammon. The sun is trying its very best to break out here at Trent Bridge and batting has got a bit easier. Both left handers, Wood and Gurney, from the pavilion end have been guilty of some wayward deliveries which has allowed the two Somerset batsmen to settle in a bit more having seen off the probing opening spell by Philander. His opening spell was an impressive 7-5-6-2. |
| 12.11pm BST12:11 | 12.11pm BST12:11 |
| The naughty go-faster boots that Lizzy mentions are on show down in (near) Southampton too, reports fashion correspondent Will Macpherson. James Harris is rocking a pair and he’s been going alright lately so I’m all for them. | The naughty go-faster boots that Lizzy mentions are on show down in (near) Southampton too, reports fashion correspondent Will Macpherson. James Harris is rocking a pair and he’s been going alright lately so I’m all for them. |
| Anyway, the first hour has passed without success for the visitors after James Franklin chose to have a bowl. Steven Finn has looked good, beating the bat on a number of occasions and having a huge LBW shout turned down by Gunner Gould. General consensus was that it was just sliding down. It’s been a decent seven-over spell so far from Finn, who is feeling his way back to his best after a pretty rotten World Cup and another jettisoning by England. Toby Roland-Jones should have had Jimmy Adams run out at the non-strikers early doors but missed from mid-off, while Harris’s first three overs were expensive at first change. | Anyway, the first hour has passed without success for the visitors after James Franklin chose to have a bowl. Steven Finn has looked good, beating the bat on a number of occasions and having a huge LBW shout turned down by Gunner Gould. General consensus was that it was just sliding down. It’s been a decent seven-over spell so far from Finn, who is feeling his way back to his best after a pretty rotten World Cup and another jettisoning by England. Toby Roland-Jones should have had Jimmy Adams run out at the non-strikers early doors but missed from mid-off, while Harris’s first three overs were expensive at first change. |
| For Hampshire, Liam Dawson took a while to get off the mark but has timed a couple very sweetly – one through midwicket and an off drive, too. Slower going for Jimmy Adams, who didn’t field on Friday in the T20 due to a bad back. One lovely straight drive from him, though. The pair have eased their way to a fifty stand. | For Hampshire, Liam Dawson took a while to get off the mark but has timed a couple very sweetly – one through midwicket and an off drive, too. Slower going for Jimmy Adams, who didn’t field on Friday in the T20 due to a bad back. One lovely straight drive from him, though. The pair have eased their way to a fifty stand. |
| In other news, the Hilton Hotel (other high end chains are available) overlooking the ground here looks marvelous and has been full up, apparently. Middlesex have chosen not to stay there though, that really would be living and breathing cricket. | In other news, the Hilton Hotel (other high end chains are available) overlooking the ground here looks marvelous and has been full up, apparently. Middlesex have chosen not to stay there though, that really would be living and breathing cricket. |
| 11.37am BST11:37 | 11.37am BST11:37 |
| Somerset’s morning hasn’t started very well, reports Lizzy Ammon. Trescothick was cleaned up by Vernon Philander in the first over and the Somerset captain’s record at Trent Bridge is surprisingly poor. Philander is proving a real handful on this wicket under cloudy skies. He’s just taken his second wicket of the morning – that of opener Tom Abell with a ball that just moved enough off the seam to take the edge of the bat with Abell playing a solid looking defensive shot. James HIldreth is the only Somerset batsmen to be in any real form this season – he’s averaging 68. He’s come out to join Johann Myburgh and they are facing a very testing period against the skilful bowling of Philander from the Radcliffe Road end. | Somerset’s morning hasn’t started very well, reports Lizzy Ammon. Trescothick was cleaned up by Vernon Philander in the first over and the Somerset captain’s record at Trent Bridge is surprisingly poor. Philander is proving a real handful on this wicket under cloudy skies. He’s just taken his second wicket of the morning – that of opener Tom Abell with a ball that just moved enough off the seam to take the edge of the bat with Abell playing a solid looking defensive shot. James HIldreth is the only Somerset batsmen to be in any real form this season – he’s averaging 68. He’s come out to join Johann Myburgh and they are facing a very testing period against the skilful bowling of Philander from the Radcliffe Road end. |
| In other news, there’s a boot amnesty in county cricket. A lot of them are wearing boots which have luminous orange backs and sides and Lord’s have decreed that as more than 70% of the boot isn’t white, they have a month to find new boot suppliers. How this news hasn’t made the back pages I really don’t know. | In other news, there’s a boot amnesty in county cricket. A lot of them are wearing boots which have luminous orange backs and sides and Lord’s have decreed that as more than 70% of the boot isn’t white, they have a month to find new boot suppliers. How this news hasn’t made the back pages I really don’t know. |
| 11.12am BST11:12 | 11.12am BST11:12 |
| A very fine Sunday morning to you all, writes Will Macpherson at the Aegeas/Rose Bowl. The drive to the ground this morning really was southern England from the postcards, with pure blue skies and rolling green hills, as well as the occasional bit of craggy coastline off to the left. Lovely stuff. | A very fine Sunday morning to you all, writes Will Macpherson at the Aegeas/Rose Bowl. The drive to the ground this morning really was southern England from the postcards, with pure blue skies and rolling green hills, as well as the occasional bit of craggy coastline off to the left. Lovely stuff. |
| The sun’s stayed out – just about – at the Rose Bowl but there are a few clouds about; enough, indeed, to persuade Middlesex’s stand-in skipper James Franklin to elect to have a bowl upon winning the toss. Steven Finn and man-of-the-moment James Harris are warming up in front of me as I type and Franklin’s just rolling his arm over, too. There’s enough green on the wicket and overhead coverage to keep them interested today, certainly. | The sun’s stayed out – just about – at the Rose Bowl but there are a few clouds about; enough, indeed, to persuade Middlesex’s stand-in skipper James Franklin to elect to have a bowl upon winning the toss. Steven Finn and man-of-the-moment James Harris are warming up in front of me as I type and Franklin’s just rolling his arm over, too. There’s enough green on the wicket and overhead coverage to keep them interested today, certainly. |
| Anyway, the Kiwi all-rounder is skippering the side because Adam Voges – he of myriad Shield runs – has jetted off to the Caribbean in the hope of a late-life Baggy Green. Taking his place in the side is his compatriot, the Brisbane-born stylist Joe Burns, who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against India a few months back. | Anyway, the Kiwi all-rounder is skippering the side because Adam Voges – he of myriad Shield runs – has jetted off to the Caribbean in the hope of a late-life Baggy Green. Taking his place in the side is his compatriot, the Brisbane-born stylist Joe Burns, who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against India a few months back. |
| Interesting team news for the hosts, with young Bradley Wheal into the side in place of Andre Adams. To be honest, nobody seems to know too much about him, except that he’s a pacey right-armer who has impressed for the seconds, and was born in South Africa (he has a British passport) in 1996. Yes, 1996. Feeling old? You should be. Jimmy Adams returns to the side, after missing the defeat to Yorkshire due to the birth of his second child. He takes the captaincy reigns from James Vince and Sean Terry’s place in the side. Should add to that that Adam Wheater has replaced Lewis McManus for Hampshire as well. Couple of international umpires in Rob Bailey and Ian Gould, too. | Interesting team news for the hosts, with young Bradley Wheal into the side in place of Andre Adams. To be honest, nobody seems to know too much about him, except that he’s a pacey right-armer who has impressed for the seconds, and was born in South Africa (he has a British passport) in 1996. Yes, 1996. Feeling old? You should be. Jimmy Adams returns to the side, after missing the defeat to Yorkshire due to the birth of his second child. He takes the captaincy reigns from James Vince and Sean Terry’s place in the side. Should add to that that Adam Wheater has replaced Lewis McManus for Hampshire as well. Couple of international umpires in Rob Bailey and Ian Gould, too. |
| Hants: Adams (c), Dawson, Carberry, Vince, Smith, Wheater (wk), Ervine, Berg, Wheal, Edwards, Tomlinson | Hants: Adams (c), Dawson, Carberry, Vince, Smith, Wheater (wk), Ervine, Berg, Wheal, Edwards, Tomlinson |
| Middlesex: Robson, Gubbins, Compton, Burns, Franklin, Dexter, Simpson, Rayner, Harris, Roland-Jones, Finn | Middlesex: Robson, Gubbins, Compton, Burns, Franklin, Dexter, Simpson, Rayner, Harris, Roland-Jones, Finn |
| 10.45am BST10:45 | 10.45am BST10:45 |
| Good morning from Trent Bridge where it’s overcast but dry, adds Lizzy Ammon. Nottinghamshire have won the toss and invited Somerset to have a bat. The pitch is greener than the Chicago River on Paddy’s Day so it’s probably a very good toss to win. Greg Smith comes in for Alex Hales who has jetted off to join the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Jake Ball joins the seam attack. Somerset have left out overseas player Abdur Rehman – unsurprising on this green wicket. | Good morning from Trent Bridge where it’s overcast but dry, adds Lizzy Ammon. Nottinghamshire have won the toss and invited Somerset to have a bat. The pitch is greener than the Chicago River on Paddy’s Day so it’s probably a very good toss to win. Greg Smith comes in for Alex Hales who has jetted off to join the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Jake Ball joins the seam attack. Somerset have left out overseas player Abdur Rehman – unsurprising on this green wicket. |
| Notts: Mullaney, Taylor (B), Smith, Taylor (J), Patel, Wessels, Read, Philander, Ball, Wood, GurneySomerset: Trescothick, Abell, Myburgh, Cooper, Hildreth, Allenby, Barrow, Trego, Gregory, Groenewald, Overton (C ) | Notts: Mullaney, Taylor (B), Smith, Taylor (J), Patel, Wessels, Read, Philander, Ball, Wood, GurneySomerset: Trescothick, Abell, Myburgh, Cooper, Hildreth, Allenby, Barrow, Trego, Gregory, Groenewald, Overton (C ) |
| It’s seventh versus ninth with both sides still searching for their first win of the season. For Somerset, tipped as relegation candidates, that is less surprising than for Nottinghamshire who were second favourites with the bookies to lift the trophy. | It’s seventh versus ninth with both sides still searching for their first win of the season. For Somerset, tipped as relegation candidates, that is less surprising than for Nottinghamshire who were second favourites with the bookies to lift the trophy. |
| Should be an interesting day’s action given I’ve never seen a Trent Bridge wicket look quite this colour. | Should be an interesting day’s action given I’ve never seen a Trent Bridge wicket look quite this colour. |
| 10.00am BST10:00 | 10.00am BST10:00 |
| Elizabeth Ammon | |
| Good morning one and all and welcome to Sunday’s county blog, writes Lizzy Ammon. I am reliably informed today is also National Hypertension Day. After all the tension of last week at ECB towers (see what I did there) it’s nice to be back in the warm embrace of the county championship. | Good morning one and all and welcome to Sunday’s county blog, writes Lizzy Ammon. I am reliably informed today is also National Hypertension Day. After all the tension of last week at ECB towers (see what I did there) it’s nice to be back in the warm embrace of the county championship. |
| Because the T20 blast erm blasted off on Friday, the county championship schedules all start to go to pot from hereon in; so there are just four matches starting today and another three tomorrow. | Because the T20 blast erm blasted off on Friday, the county championship schedules all start to go to pot from hereon in; so there are just four matches starting today and another three tomorrow. |
| I’m at Trent Bridge where both Nottinghamshire and Somerset have yet to win this season. Somerset are planted firmly at the bottom of Division One and, James Hildreth aside, have some serious worries in the batting department. | I’m at Trent Bridge where both Nottinghamshire and Somerset have yet to win this season. Somerset are planted firmly at the bottom of Division One and, James Hildreth aside, have some serious worries in the batting department. |
| Will MacPherson is at the Ageas Bowl where Middlesex, riding high at the top of the table, take on Hampshire – another team yet to win this season. And also by my reckoning the county with the oldest squad in either division. | Will MacPherson is at the Ageas Bowl where Middlesex, riding high at the top of the table, take on Hampshire – another team yet to win this season. And also by my reckoning the county with the oldest squad in either division. |
| Richard Rae is at Grace Road where Leicestershire are taking on Lancashire. It was a chastening week for Leicestershire who were on the receiving end of a Pietersen on a mission and spectacular second innings century by Steven Davies. Leicestershire are, as we know, still on the hunt for that all elusive victory but throughout the season so far there have been plenty of signs that a win might not be very far away. | Richard Rae is at Grace Road where Leicestershire are taking on Lancashire. It was a chastening week for Leicestershire who were on the receiving end of a Pietersen on a mission and spectacular second innings century by Steven Davies. Leicestershire are, as we know, still on the hunt for that all elusive victory but throughout the season so far there have been plenty of signs that a win might not be very far away. |
| So grab a cuppa (or something stronger), sit back and let us guide you through the action. | So grab a cuppa (or something stronger), sit back and let us guide you through the action. |