Bairstow and collapse hurt Somerset amid title tension: county cricket, day one – as it happened | County Championship

A brow-mopping 123 wickets fell on the first day of the penultimate round of matches as the season hurtled towards the autumn trapdoor. It was difficult to know what to make of it, though title-hunting Somerset might repent at leisure the last half of the evening session at Headingley, which they finished on 68 for five. Jonny Bairstow’s busy 79 had hauled Yorkshire to 212, though he was dropped twice. Much rests on the oaken shoulders of Craig Overton.

With clouds building and floodlights on, Nottinghamshire crawled towards a precious batting point at Hove against Sussex’s parsimonious bowlers, something that seemed risible until a ninth-wicket stand of 74 between Brett Hutton and Tom Giles. Hutton’s two-and-a-half-hour 59 was the highest score of the innings.

A career-best six for 26 by Ethan Bamber helped keep Essex down as Warwickshire drove for points at Chelmsford. Essex were whistled out for 134, though that was riches from the ashes of 33 for seven, thanks largely to an unbeaten 61 from the on-loan wicketkeeper George Bell, who has jumped out of the Old Trafford frying pan to find his boots burning again. But Warwickshire wouldn’t have it all their own way as they too collapsed, 151 for nine at stumps, a slender lead of just 17 runs.

Zak Crawley curated the only half-century at Canterbury to bring Kent in touching distance of Lancashire’s 161.

There was a cascade of 20 wickets at the Oval, where neither Glamorgan nor Surrey could reach the heady heights of 140. Matt Fisher limped out of the game with a groin injury.

Ian Holland’s career-best six for 38 dismissed Hampshire for 214 in the Division One battle for the wooden spoon. Ben Brown’s unbeaten 80 saved his side too many blushes. Leicestershire, who are still waiting for the Cricket Regulator to rule on their pitch, shuffled to 148 for seven, thanks to fifty from Hamza Shaikh.

At Chester-le-Street the runs ran freely as India’s Mayank Agarwal blazed Worcestershire’s bowlers around the ground with a dazzling 177. For once, Ben Stokes had to play second fiddle, though his thunderbolt 50 off 40 balls delighted the faithful who had come to wallow in autumn sunshine and the warmth of promotion. Durham were cruising to a full set of batting points before the setting sun spoiled their fun.

Hundreds for Derbyshire’s Ben Aitchison and Wayne Madsen stayed Northamptonshire’s promotion push.

One hundred and twenty three wickets in a day and not a single first-division batting point. If that isn’t a record, it should be. I’m not quite sure where it leaves us as the teams hurtle towards the end of season trap door, but Somerset had an evening session to regret at leisure. Join us tomorrow for more of the same. Good night!

A final word from Stephen Moss at The Oval: “Ul Hassan avoided his double pair and, miraculously, he and Tribe were still together when, with a handful of overs left, the umpires deemed the light too poor to continue. Odd with the sky still blue, but autumnal shadows were encroaching.

“The 30 runs they accumulated, almost half of them in extras, were riches indeed on a day such as this, and there were remarkably few alarms. Advantage Glamorgan, which I did not think I would be saying halfway through the day.

“The absence of the injured Fisher could be sorely felt by Surrey, who just didn’t seem as potent second time around. Struggling Glamorgan can still dream of the win which would virtually guarantee first-division survival.”

Division One

Chelmsford: Essex 134 v Warwickshire 151-9

Grace Road: Leicestershire 148-7 v Hampshire 214

The Oval: Surrey 115 v Glamorgan 132 and 30-0

Hove: Sussex v Nottinghamshire 232-9

Headingley: Yorkshire 212 v Somerset 68-5

Division Two

Chester-le-Street: Durham 437-7 v Worcestershire

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Middlesex 324-9

Canterbury: Kent 151-7 v Lancashire 161

Wantage Road: Northamptonshire 15-0 v Derbyshire 372

I’d better write this wicket-fest up for the paper. BTL remains open for gnashing of teeth.

“Incredibly there are still 13 overs to go,” says Stephen at The Oval. “I already feel I’ve seen about three days’ cricket. Ul Hassan, who bowled so effectively, has a chance of recording a pair on the same day.” Glamorgan survived the first over.

The dog sits on the remote and when the TV comes back on Henry Nicholls has been stupendously caught with one hand and spagetti reflexes by George Hill. Somerset 55-5. I’m not sure any of the top three are going to garner any batting points. Anyway, here comes Craig Overton to save the day.

Stephen thought he was off for a relaxing day at the cricket. “The clatter of wickets continues at The Oval. Hamza accounted for Lawes, caught behind: Foakes was bowled by Van der Gugten; and Nabi was lbw to Hamza for a duck, another ball that kept a little low. There is now every prospect of a Glamorgan first-innings lead, and we should see the Glamorgan openers in action again before the day is out. I don’t think this is one for the overpressed pitch inspectors – the wicket seems largely undemonic to me – but you never know.” And Glamorgan do grab that lead – of 17. And I’m afraid there is enough time for ul Hassan and Tribe to go again.

“

Ian Holland picks up the coal shovel again, after taking six wickets a couple of hours ago he’s back out in the middle. Well played Hamza Shaikh, 35 not out. Leicestershire trail by 105, five wickets in hand.

“Here is a bit more about Agatha Christie and cricket,” writes Nick Richards. Thank you Nick!

“Injury news from The Oval, where Matthew Fisher has been replaced by James Taylor as a like-for-like pace-bowling injury sub. The Guardian’s large team at The Oval did not notice anything untoward about Fisher when he bowled. Indeed we were enjoying his graceful, liquid approach to the wicket. This suggests we may need our eyes tested.” Excellent sleuthing Stephen!

Ali Martin has joined the chat: “Essex are keen to watch Chris Woakes bat, he’s been dropped at slip and has just taken 16 runs off a Zaman Aktar over.”

Oh Somerset, what are you doing? Ben Cliff the destroyer as Tom Abell is caught behind first ball and Cliff is on a hat-trick. Somerset 24 for four.

Anthony Gibson is not happy with Archie Vaughan, as he hoists another ball in the air just short of the waiting Yorkshire fielders. A nasty bouncer from Ben Cliff keeps him tidy. And there’s the full stop as Vaughan’s eyes open wide and he drives a merry drive, inside edging onto his stumps.Somerset 24 for three.

Warwickshire have slipped on the freshly mopped floor and dropped the eggs, currently 92 for six against an Essex side without Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer.

Archie Vaughan pulls Ben Cliff for six, which is bold with Somerset 12 for two. But a cracking shot.

Durham are batting in entirely different shoes to everyone else today, storming towards 400. Mayank Agarwal seems to be finding September conditions and the big seam on the Dukes’ ball no problem at all as he passes 170.

That Oval news, over to you Stephen:

“Er, when I say much is depending on Dan Lawrence, I mean nothing is depending on him, because he’s out, another victim for Ul Hassan, well caught by Asa Tribe at first slip immediately after tea.

“In the next over, Toole bowled Patel as the latter looked to counter-attack. The New Zealander Toole has bowled a terrific spell, and you can see why he was selected ahead of Ingram as an overseas player for this match. Incredibly, Ul Hassan then picked up his fourth wicket, bowling Adam Thomas with a ball that might have kept a shade low.

“The contest is now gripping and we clearly have to re-evaluate par. The movement does not appear excessive, but there is pace in the pitch for two impressive four-pronged seam attacks. The cold flannels are being used up at a ridiculous rate.” Surrey’s score at the time of pressing send: 78 for six.

Josh Thomas joins today’s long line of cheaply-dismissed openers, lbw Cliff for 11. Somerset 11 for two.

Kent have decided that attack is the only way to get through this, Muyeye is Anderson’s third lbw for a 15-ball 18. Crawley currently has 20 of his 23 runs in boundaries. Kent 50 for three.

A Mike Daniels missive arrives, “Supposed to be in the Grace Road box on Friday – not sure that’s going to happen with the game moving apace.” Jeepers, you’re right, Leicestershire 54 for four but hang on, what is happening at The Oval?

Ben Coad punches the air as the golden-touched Lammonby is smartly held with both paws by George Hill at slip for a duck. Somerset 11-1.

Jimmy Anderson has put a second wicket in that weary pocket. Kent 19 for two. Zak Crawley still in, for now, on a two-boundaried nine.

Stephen Moss is still seeking out a sunny patch in south London.“I was halfway through writing how steady Surrey’s batting was compared with Glamorgan’s skittishness when bang bang, as the pros like to say. Two wickets fell in rapid succession, and Surrey were themselves in the mire at 50 for three. This two-day autumn cricket is fun, for bowlers anyway.

“Dom Sibley went early, well caught at slip by Kellaway off Van der Gugten, but Rory Burns and Ryan Patel were proceeding relatively calmly before Ul Hassan trapped the Surrey captain leg before. That brought Pope to the wicket, and he looked aghast to be given out almost immediately, caught by keeper Cooke, again off Ul Hassan, Cooke’s 600th all-format dismissal according to the PA announcer.

“Pope couldn’t believe it. He lingered at the crease; he looked to the heavens (as Popes are wont to do); he stared at the square-leg umpire, as if demanding a second opinion; he seemed to wonder why DRS wasn’t coming to his aid (how he misses being a fixture in the England Test side). But he had to go – and suddenly we had a match, with much depending on Dan Lawrence as the players trooped off for tea.”

Somerset duly wrap things up, Yorkshire all out for 212. Which feels neither feast nor famine. Three wickets each for Gregory, Ball and Pretorius.

Jimmy Anderson is doing the inevitable to Kent, Compton caught behind for six.

This was new to me, Agatha Christie, through her will, financed England Young Cricketers to tour the West Indies in 1978 for the Agatha Christie U19 Test series.

No hundred for Jonny at Headingley as, third time lucky, Somerset hold on to a chance – Lewis Gregory watching the ball into his hands. Bairstow (79) swishes his bat in frustration even before Gregory has taken the catch. A third for Pretorius, Yorks 207 for nine.

Like England at Edgbaston, Somerset experiment with the short ball. YJB says thanks very much. Yorks 207 for eight.

A second century of the year for Mr Evergreen as Madsen props Derbyshire up with 112. A helpful 47 not out from Aitchinson has helped in the afternoon rebuild from the depths of 107 for six.

Kyle Abbott winds up once more, and jettisons Sheridon Gumbs off bail. Leicestershire 11 for one.

Jonny Bairstow has lost Kuldeep for 11 and gets rid of some of that ginger fury with a short armed jab off Pretorius for four. Yorkshire 194 for eight. Somerset need one more wicket to join Warwicks with maximum bowling points.

A very enjoyable read by Barney.

And after that unusually perky start, Lancs slide to 161 all out, joining Glamorgan and Essex in the all-out for under 200 club. Though Notts (now 121 for six) are watching with interest..

Division One

Chelmsford: Essex 134 v Warwickshire 58-3

Grace Road: Leicestershire v Hampshire 214

The Oval: Surrey 40-1 v Glamorgan 132

Hove: Sussex v Nottinghamshire 121-5

Headingley: Yorkshire 182-7 v Somerset

Division Two

Chester-le-Street: Durham 292-5 v Worcestershire

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Middlesex 222-8

Canterbury: Kent v Lancashire 161

Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Derbyshire 222-6

If any county needed an Indian Test batter in their line-up, it probably wasn’t Durham. But there he is, and has duly stroked a glorious 101 not out with 19 fours against Worcestershire. Durham 270 for five as they take tea around the grounds.

As Hampshire are rumbled for 214, which is much more perky than looked likely at 42 for five. Thanks mostly to Ben Brown’s 80 not out. Holland can rest his boots proudly with six for 38.

but Jonny has lost his partner George Hill for 45 and Pretorius takes two in two with Bess next ball. Yorkshire 173 for seven. Oh gorgeous, four for Bairstow through mid-on, he doesn’t bother to run.

It’s all happening at The Oval, over to Stephen.

“Glamorgan, sinking fast, have been dismissed for 132 at The Oval, Lawes having last man Hamza caught by the infallible Pope in the covers.It’s double what Glamorgan managed last week against Warwickshire, but still hopeless. Conditions are typically autumnal, but by no means impossible. 250 would have been par.

“I am at The Oval with John Mehaffey, an authority on New Zealand cricket. He has a theory about Auqib Nabi’s odd three-match, end-of-season stint with Surrey. The 29-year-old Nabi has been picked for India’s two-match Test series against New Zealand in November. Autumn in south London mirrors perfectly the swinging conditions India will experience in New Zealand. Coincidence? We think not.”

Over in Canterbury, Josh Bohannon reached 20 before becoming a first wicket for Quinn, but Matty Hurst has hung around for 27 and Lancs are trundling along at 138 for five.

A third quick wicket has cheered up Chelmsford faithful as Warwickshire’s batting line-up joins join the Spillikins pile. Warwicks 20 for three, two for Snater, one for Cook.

Over to our man at The Oval, Stephen Moss, who could do with a cold flannel: “The sun has returned in south London, but it’s become desperately glum for Glam at The Oval, where the fall of Welsh wickets has become a procession.

“Ben Kellaway batted nicely before edging Worrall to second slip and Billy Root battled hard before being superbly caught by Ben Foakes off Nabi, who is rather enjoying his brief stint with Surrey.

“Matthew Fisher then joined the end-of-season party, dismissing Mason Crane – Adam Thomas snaffling his third catch at second slip – and Tim Van der Gugten, another fine catch by Foakes, in quick succession.

Lawes then accounted for Cooke with another superb catch by Foakes, as the afternoon turned into a rout. Glamorgan are going to need that Leicestershire pitch penalty to save their Division one status.”

Nervous fingers at Headingley as Bairstow is dropped for a second time, this time by Craig Overton at slip. He jogs through to pick up a single and stands, nonchalant legs crossed at the non-striker’s end on 45. This partnership with George Hill now worth a valuable 73.

Wicket number eleven of the day at Chelmsford as Rob Yates is speared on the pads by Shane Snater. Warwicks seven for one.

OK, what can Jack Leach do? Kuldeep Yadav peering over his shoulder. Bairstow sweeps his second ball for four

And here come the Warwickshire openers after the bowlers ran through Essex for 134. Ethan Bamber a magnificent six for 26 and a full hand of bowling points for the Bears.

Just the ten fours, in 39 balls. And now he’s out, lbw to Gibbon. Durham 186 for four, with a slightly more sedate fifty from Agarwal at the other end.

Yikes, James Rew drops YJB on 27 at Headingley, off Ball. He can’t hold on above his head and the rebound escapes him too. Yorks 117 for five.

In the the other Division Two promotion match, Guthrie has three,Sanderson two, Conway one in Derbyshire’s dismal 119 for 6. Wayne Masden’s 46 not out the shining light.

Bad dog Lancashire. They’ve lost four for one. Ducks for Harris and Flintoff. Jos Bohannon, back in the team after his physical jerks on the sidelines at OT, is five not out. Two wickets each for Milnes and Khaled.

Leicestershire have reduced Hants to 131-6 and have eighth-placed Essex in their sights. In their rear-view mirror, though, the spectre of a pitch penalty in super shoes.

Bravo! His second since joining Essex on loan, though his presence doesn’t seem to have done much for the rest of the batting. Now a fulsome 104 for eight against Warwickshire.

It is raining at Headingley but they’re staying on for now.

Derbyshire’s captain Anuj Dal is hanging up his boots to take up a job in finance.

Durham’s former captain Scott Borthwick is retiring to become a full-time coach at CLS.

CC-Live favourite Rob Keogh, Northampton written on his heart, steps away due to a back injury. Andrew Radd wrote on the BBC website: “Although born in Bedfordshire, ‘Dunstable’s finest’ Rob Keogh has been that rarest of birds in modern professional sport, a ‘one-club man’.

“After getting involved in Northamptonshire’s Emerging Player Programme at the age of 12, he went on to prove a vital cog in the side at Wantage Road for a decade-and-a-half – the ultimate multi-dimensional cricketer.”

A third for Gregory asJames Wharton loses his off stump from a beaut of a yorker. Yorks 85-5.

Just eaten my sandwich in the garden. Is autumn sun the sweetest?

Meanwhile, Jonathon Doidge has just compared a shaven Jonny Bairstow to Mick Hucknall.

They’re back on at Headingley, where Bairstow and Wharton have made the Yorkshire score a little healthier but bad news for Notts fans, it is raining at Hove.

Division One

Chelmsford: Essex 86-7 v Warwickshire

Grace Road: Leicestershire v Hampshire 109-5

The Oval: Surrey v Glamorgan 93-4

Hove: Sussex v Nottinghamshire 69-3

Headingley: Yorkshire 77-4 v Somerset

Division Two

Chester-le-Street: Durham 117-3 v Worcestershire

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Middlesex 91-3

Canterbury: Kent v Lancashire 73-0

Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Derbyshire 88-4

Warwickshire are a boot ahead in the Championship charge as lunch approaches after reducing Essex to a pitiful 33 for seven. Essex have crawled to 81 for seven – thanks largely to 36 from Lancs loan George Bell.

Notts have lost their top three to an underpowered Sussex side, but run-machine Joe Clarke is in. Notts 69 for three.

And Somerset are on top after being invited to bowl at Headingley, Yorks 77 for four.

They will dine at 12.20.