Key events
Before the Warwickshire bamboozling, Ali interviewed Scott Boland
As Masood goes for 140, Lewis Gregory has some fun in the middle, Tom Prest misses out on a hundred, time for me to write up for the paper. BTL though, is always open.
Stretch my legs at tea and spot: one green three-piece suit, three Mr Whippies, two of them double, two games of cricket, one year eleven leaversâ sweatshirt, two pairs of shorts and three people refilling their water bottles. And a wicket â Pretorius a third for Steel. But, from the ashes, a batting point. Applause at 250-9.
Cricket meets the repair cafe . So much love for this scheme which combines combatting the cost of living with upcycling and reusing.
A heart-gladdening sight at The Oval as a good pepperpot full of the nearly 3000 people who have come through the turnstiles wander onto the field and stand and stare at the pitch. There be dragons.
Tea time scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 272-4 v Kent
The Rosebowl: Hampshire 216-4v Lancashire
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 223-4 v Worcestershire
The Oval: Surrey v Somerset 231-8
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 346-1 v Durham
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 172-4 v Derbyshire
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Yorkshire 243-6
Grace Road: Leicestershire 227-5 v Sussex
Northampton: Northamptonshire 183-6 v Middlesex
A wicket, a wicket!
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Ali Martin
A wicket at Edgbaston! Rob Yates, who looked to be crashing his way to a double century, finally holes out off Colin Ackermannâs part-time spin nine short of his latest milestone. Still, at 343 for one from just 61.5 overs itâs been some start for Warwickshire and, as mentioned, a record partnership – any wicket – for them against Durham.
Elsewhere in Division One, more runs for Joe Clarke (87) in Nottinghamshireâs 207-4, three wickets for Nathan Smith. Three fifties (Gubbins, Vince, Prest) but no cigar in Hampshireâ s 209-4 â a couple of wickets for Nathan Lyon in his first (proper) bowl for Lancs. And Dean Elgar has gone for 120 at Chelmsford, a wicket for Matt Parkinson.
Meanwhile, elsewhere:
The fall of Lancashireâs sixth wicket in the SEC roses match brings together a seventh wicket pairing of Joe Chappell, son of Glen, and Corey Flintoff, son of Andrew.
— news of the twos (@newsofthetwos) April 12, 2024
Somerset trying on last seasonâs clothes and finding they fit just fine. Now 218-8, Overton bowled Steel for a duck.
âHow is Atkinson lookingâ asks Ali, seconds before he snaffles two in two. Atkinson was the one unused seamer in India and was name-checked for a possible Test debut this summer by McCullum at the end of the tour. Somerset 213-7.
Hmmm, Somerset going to have to resort to the back of the sofa in the search for batting bonus points. Now 211-6 as Rew departs, caught behind off Atkinson, not long after Jamie Overton at slip swallowed a catch off Goldsworthy in Cameron Steelâs first over.
A hundred for Shan Masood!
Now Ali has whetted the knife, time to go round the grounds. To Division Two first, where Kiran Carlsonâs nice start to the season continues, 68 not out. Glamorgan 147-3, a couple of wickets for Tickner.
Shan Masood has pulled Yorkshire up by the collar with 103 off 142 balls after an attack of the middle order collywobbles, mostly induced by Zaman Akhter (3-53).
No hundred for Rishi Patel (87), but Handscomb (51) and Trevaskis helping Leicestershire build nicely. 206-4.
And Gay and Procter still going great guns at Wantage Road â Northants 154-1.
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Ali Martin
Just applying the jinxing knife to the whetstone by looking up record partnerships for Warwickshire against Durham. Davies and Yates have long since surpassed Nick Knight and Mark Wagh making 207 for the first wicket at the Riverside in 1997, currently sitting on 272, and now sit 50 short of the unbroken 322 made by Brian Lara and Keith Piper in the old world record 501* for the former. Warwickshireâs all time best for the first wicket is 377* made by Norman Horner & Khalid Ibadulla versus Surrey at the Oval in 1960. Dennis Amiss, to my right in the press box, points out that was his first-class debut, with his one contribution in the match being the wicket of Eric Bedser. And heâs not wrong.
A hundred for Dean Elgar!
Hundreds, hundreds everywhere , Elgar doing exactly what Essex hoped heâd do and out-Alastair Cook Alastair Cook. A partnership of 159 with Critchley (67). Essex 219-3, a couple of wickets for Garrett.
Somerset now slipping into more familiar territory â 199-4, having lost three for three. This time Banton for one. Enter James Rew.
A hundred for Tom Lammoby… and out!
And with a little tuck of a single, Lammonby â star, as noted wisely BTL, of the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy â gets his hundred off just 132 balls. Lovely to see him back looking so effortlessly fluent. Ah, and 100 is all heâll get, lbw to Clark.
A century for Rob Yates!
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Ali Martin
And now Rob Yates has joined Alex Davies on three figures at Edgbaston, launching Callum Parkinson down the ground for his first six and sparking a crackle of applause and cheers from the members beneath us. Heâs looked as good as heâs ever been here, a lovely compact left-handerâs innings of 15 fours and one six. Warwickshire 224 for no loss, already a record opening stand in this particular fixture. Brydon Carse, who has been mucking about with peroxide recently, is currently charging in with purpose but the Kookaburra ball is doing very little now and fresh plans are being deployed.
A run-out at The Oval â a scramble and then a direct hit brings an end to the second wicket partnership of 178. Lammonby eager for the run but Renshaw the man to go, for 87. Somerset still rolling around in verdant pastures at 196-2.
Also, I forgot to mention â Shoaib Bashir playing for Somerset today, but not Ollie Robinson.
And as Lammnonby waits on 99 not outâ¦
âAn anecdote,â writes Gary Moors. âYou Bears, you Bears!â I donât remember which year or which match it was when Warwickshireâs new mascot was paraded around the ground. There was a ballot to name him. When the winning name was announced, even though it was the most popular choice, a universal groan went up, something unique in its Brummy resonance. The name: âHUGH BEAR.ââ
Very good.
I just followed Caesar (?) the Surrey mascot round the ground and his tail fell off, if that counts as a follow-up anecdote.
A hundred for Alex Davies!
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Ali Martin
A wonderful century for Alex Davies at Edgbaston, who drives Matty Potts through the covers to get there in just 102 balls and celebrates with a passionate punch of the air. A strong statement from the new Warwickshire club captain – 16 fours, one six – on what is turning out to be a tricky first day for Durham back in Division One. I reckon there was one chance on 74, a possible edge off Callum Parkinson that deflected off Ollie Robinsonâs gloves (?) only to wrong-foot first slip.Otherwise heâs been maddening to bowl at for what is his first hundred since the opening round of last season and eighth overall. Warwickshire 186 for none…
Vegan cauliflower pie and salad and a walk round the sunny and actually warm Oval with Wisden editor Lawrence Booth. He wouldnât tell me any of the Five Cricketers of the Year, so feel free to have your best guess BTL. Judged on the English summer and mustnât have been chosen before. Wisden published on April 18.
Time for some lunch.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 123-2 v Kent
The Rosebowl: Hampshire 98-2 v Lancashire
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 83-2 v Worcestershire
The Oval: Surrey v Somerset 131-1
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 146-0 v Durham
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 60-2 v Derbyshire
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Yorkshire 90-5
Grace Road: Leicestershire 133-3 v Sussex
Northampton: Northamptonshire 106-1 v Middlesex
With ten minutes left, Tom Lammonby is making Surrey look relatively tame â though he did get hit by Jamie Overton, in between two lovely fours. Incidentally, I learn from Huw that Lammonbyâs dad is Ryan Campbellâs cousin.
And in a continuation of the keep-it-in-the family theme, Jaydn Denly makes his first-class debut today for Kent, playing alongside uncle Joe. Good luck!
Also debuts for Nathan Fernandes and Scott Boland, whose Durham debut so far has been tricky (7 overs, 0-34) as Warwicks continue to play clap-happy cricket.
âDo you think Joe Root will take a bath after being out for two?â asks Gary Moors. Hmm Gary, I donât know but Iâve asked those with more knowledge at The Oval and although there are still a couple of single baths in dressing rooms here, there are no longer any troughs. The shower is the washing place of choice for the 2024 player.
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Ali Martin
Itâs quickfire half-century for Alex Davies at Edgbaston, having punched his way there in 57 balls, with nine fours and six. Not a huge amount of early juice in the pitch for Durhamâs seamers and Warwickshireâs new skipper has tucked in nicely (one short boundary notwithstanding). Inauspicious start from Scott Boland after I sounded the bugle yesterday, first ball driven down the ground and, despite a spot of beat-beatage, a few loose ones in his opening burst. Durham were last yearâs quickest scorers at 4.39 an over .. the Bears, with Roy Yates starting to cut loose at the other end on 36, are currently taking them for 5.8 to sit 94-0 after 16 overs.
An early bath for both Roots
In Division Two, Joe Rootâs return to runs has drizzled away, out for two to Zaman Akhter. Yorkshire not enjoying the Bristol sponge one bit, 46-3 â though Masood (31) and Brook (5) are both in.
Leicestershire were whizzing along at Grace Road, till Hudson-Prentice took two in two. Now 73-3, Rishi Patel still there on 35.
Billy Root also un-velcroeing his pads in the Glamorgan dressing room, caught for 17 against Derbyshire. Glamorgan 39-1, that hungry Northeast in.
And Northants, who lost Broad to the seventh ball, sailing along nicely now against Middelsex, 60-1.
In Division One:
Feroze Khushi, shorn of his big bat, lasted one ball at Chelmsford. Westley also out cheaply. Wickets for Wes Agar and George Garrett. Essex 56-2.
Fletcha Middleton run out for six at the Rose Bowl ⦠and there goes Ali Orr for 10, to Tom Bailey in his 100th Lancs game. Hants 25-2.
Both openers gone cheaply again for Notts, both wickets to New Zealandâs Nathan Smith. Notts 46-2.
Fifty up for Somerset here at The Oval, as a warbler at third man hops towards a discarded jumper, while Yates and Davies giving Scott Boland a bip on the nose as they do their own Bazballing â Warwicks 72-0 off 13.
With Renshaw looking good with a delightful punch through mid-off, Somerset 43-1, time to look round the grounds.
“It’s a bit like conquering Everest”
Sitting next to Huw Turbervill, The Cricketer magâs editor, at The Oval who has thrust in front of me the new issue of the mag. A great-looking feature on what Surrey have to do to make it three in a row, speaking to others who have managed two in a row â Chris Adams, Dermot Reeve and Phil Neale.
âIt is a bit like conquering the summit of Everest,â says Adams. âYou donât have very long to enjoy it, before the hard work starts again (getting back down!)â
And Kenâs stats reach across from Rose Bowl, where Tom Bailey is playing his 100th game for Lancashire and has sent down four overs in Hampshireâs 17-0.
BEST BOWLING STRIKE RATES FOR LANCASHIRE IN FIRST-CLASS MATCHES SINCE 1946
(qualification: 350 wickets)
NameâWKTSâSR
JB Statham 1816â41.9
JM Andersonâ368â45.9
Wasim Akramâ374â46.0
TE Baileyâ358â50.0
Overall Tom is 15th on the all-time list of strike rates by Lancs bowlers who have taken 350+ f-c wickets.
This was lovely at The Oval this morning. A minuteâs applause for Keith Booth, the legendary Surrey scorer, who died in January :
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Ali Martin
Morning from Edgbaston, where Iâm hoping the âsnifferâ nickname doesnât stick. Bonus to see Ben Stokes having a trundle before play though, with a big team of England physios and bowling coaches looking on. Thereâs talk he might have a bat in the nets at some point but heâs not in the XI to face Warwickshire, Durham having won the toss and opted for a bowl on a dry, slightly chilly day (with blue starting to creep on to the canvas overhead). Championship debut for Scott Boland, who seemed a friendly, do my talking with the ball kinda guy when chatting from the team bus yesterday, Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse also in the attack, and itâs a chance for the visitors to announce their return to Division One after last weekâs quagmire at the Riverside.
A thin edge, a juggle, and thatâs the end of Sean Dickson . Sibley with the magic, Jordan Clark with the wicket. Somerset 18-1.
There is play at Bristol:
but a delayed start at Sophia Gardens.
Time for a quick stroll round the ground, back in ten.
And a great spot from Daddy Pig, who has seen signs of a Lancashire dynasty, with two Flintoffs and one Chapple on the Lancashire second XI card.
Lots of warming up going on at The Oval, though surprised to hear Eurythmics Sweet Dreams on the speaker. Flags bustling in the breeze and extremely good coffee in the media room.
Stokes spotted
Ali âsnifferâ Martin always where the story is at.
Struck by how wet and without good drainage a lot of the Division two counties are. Big advantage for Sussex and Middlesex there if they can get more play. at home.
Division Two table
1 Sussex 15
2 Glamorgan 13
3 Northamptonshire 13
4 Leicestershire 13
5 Yorkshire 12
6 Middlesex 11
7 Derbyshire 8
8 Gloucestershire 8
Too early? Division One table
1 Essex 20
2 Somerset 15
3 Worcestershire 14
4 Warwickshire 13
5 Kent 12
6 Surrey 11
7 Lancashire 8
8 Durham 8
9 Hampshire 8
10 Nottinghamshire 4
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Kent
The Rosebowl: Hampshire v Lancashire
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
The Oval: Surrey v Somerset
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Durham
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Derbyshire
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Yorkshire
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Sussex
Northampton: Northamptonshire v Middlesex
Preamble
Good morning from The Oval where the sun is shining and hello from Ali soon- to-be at Edgbaston where it may not be.
Firstly, the weather: The met office reports âmostly dry with warm sunshineâ round the grounds, though we wait to see whether things have dried out everywhere, particularly Bristol.
News in brief: assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has left Surrey to join Pakistan â Jade Dernbach to step into his shoes for now; Somerset have signed South African quick Migael Pretorius for six red-ball matches starting today against Surrey; while Derbyshire have signed another South African quick Daryn Dupavillon from the start of May till mid September. And in a bitter blow, Warwickshireâs Liam Norwell is out of action again after missing the whole of 2023. His last bowl in anger was his 9-62 to keep Warwickshire up at the end of the 2022 season.