Key events
RIP Frank Duckworth
Sorry to read on the death of Frank Duckworth, known as Duckworth-Lewis, aged 84.
I am sad to announce that Frank Duckworth MBE, creator of the Duckworth-Lewis method of correcting targets in rain-affected cricket matches, passed away last Friday. His method was used just yesterday in the FIFA World Cup match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. REST IN PEACE. pic.twitter.com/GMgn0EQBjG
— Rob Eastaway (@robestaway) June 25, 2024
Worcestershire, 194-9, hanging around for longer than I expected as Finch avoids a racket from Gus Atkinson (2-30). It’s not looking so good for Gloucestershire, who are already one lower down.
205 and out!
Josh Bohannon he just has time to collect the second double century of his career before throwing his notebook at Matt Parkinson. Sensational twist of a stuck car. Before this game, his results since June 17 were 2, 4, 8, 17, 15, 39, 0, 2 (in the Blast) and 12, 15, 39, 38 in the Championship. Lancs go on because why not, currently 464-5, a lead of 220 over Kent.
Essex not smooth sailing through the heat – Pepper got level from Matthew Potts with a ball that pierced his middle stump. Gone in just four. Essex 299-6.
County Cricket Day
Speaking of festivals, next Sunday is County Cricket Day, a fan-led campaign to encourage people to watch Championship cricket, “inspired by (but not related to) A non-league daywho for more than a decade has worked to attract fans to football games at the bottom end of the pyramid and helped revive that level of the game.”
Choose from Chesterfield, Southport, Cheltenham and more plus free tickets at Grace Road.
Women’s cricket, as often, came first!
Gloucestershire 197 all out
That was quick. Three each for Revis and Thompson. Here’s hoping for Scarborough Festival’s sake that they manage to turn on a second time, at least until Wednesday’s packed lunch is eaten.
A hundred for Paul Walter!
Surprisingly, only his second first-class century. He takes off his helmet, his hair stuck to his head, and raises his bat to the slowly roasting locals. I wonder where he buys his very large pads. Essex 274-5, after 313.
Dan Lawrence and his whirlwinds: third wicket to pocket along with 175 and two yesterday. Worcestershire 166-8.
I don’t envy the bowlers over there, my dog has already snuck into the coolness of the sofa back.
And, oops. Critchell takes on Parkinson but chips only to Lees at mid-on. Essex 267-5.
Sai Sudharsan to return to Surrey
Surrey added more ballast to their team by re-signing Indian player Sai Sudharasan. He will be available for the next round when Surrey face Essex at the Oval.
Hot, hot, hot everywhere. The tall Paul Walter drives Peter Siddle silky for four across the parched Chelmsford pitch.
World Cup Clock
australia out Afghanistan after the Aussies were thrashed by India and Afghanistan had just beaten Bangladesh. So the semi-finals are:
South Africa vs Afghanistan: 1.30am BST on Thursday, Brian Lara Academy.
India vs England: 15:30 BST Thursday, Guyana National Stadium.
South Africa Vs
“I just imagined my chances”
In case you missed it yesterday, that was dan lawrence last night after smashing poor shoaib bashir for five consecutive sixes en route to 175. Oh to be young, talented and brave.
“When we lost JT at number 10, it was a no-brainer for me to put my foot down and try to score as many runs as quickly as possible.
“After three balls I was going to try to hit all (sixes). It was downwind and a short boundary and I was just imagining my chances.
“I tried to hit a six on every ball. Luckily I got five and couldn’t get the last one. I had fun and luckily I played well too.”
Summary on Monday
Shoaib Bashir had the misfortune of meeting Dan Lawrence on a mission at New Road. Lawrence hit five consecutive sixes before five wides and a no-ball single. The over equaled the Championship record of 38 hit by Andrew Flintoff for Lancashire against Surrey at Old Trafford in 1998.
To add to his highest first-class score, Lawrence took two wickets Worcestershire slipped into the ditch opposite Surrey.
Durham continued to charge at Chelmsford, galloping to 587, Ollie Robinson’s 198 being the highlight. Simon Harmer’s fours for 188 were his most expensive figures in the Championship. Essex fell to an unbeaten partnership of 129 between Paul Walter and Matt Critchley.
Cake and beer for Josh Bohannon (182 not out) and Luke Wells (150) in a second innings partnership of 312 for Lancashire against a minor Kent. Kent went two sessions without taking a wicket.
A hundred too for Tom Abel in his second Championship game of the season, as Somerset played catch up with Nottinghamshire. HampshireKeith Barker rattled his old club’s timber with six for 74, although Jake Bethel (69) and Dan Mousley (57) kept Warwickshiredeficit to mini sausage roll proportions.
In Division Two, Marnus Labuschagne fell seven short of his century as Glamorgan built up a lead of 111 overs Northamptonshire. Half centuries also for Kieran Carlson and Chris Cook. Yorkshire failed to capitalize on a record opening partnership on Sunday, losing seven for 87 in sudden overcast skies.
Gloucestershire i also find batting difficult. There was a first Lord’s hundred for Lewis Rees and 43 not out from Aneurin Donald as Derbyshire fight against Middlesex. Peter Handscomb’s 92 was not enough to lift Leicestershire from troubles against Sussex.
Meanwhile, Rocky Flintoff crashed out for 103 balls for England Under-19 against the Young Lions Invitational XI.
Door scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 249-4 v Durham 587
Canterbury: Kent 244 v Lancashire 402-4
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 360 v Somerset 293-4
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 254 v Hampshire 298 and 88-2
New way: Worcestershire 147-7 v Surrey 490
SECOND DIVISION
Sofia Gardens: Glamorgan 390-8 v Northamptonshire 279
Lord’s: Middlesex 433 v Darbyshire 308-4
Hove: Sussex 442 and 66-2 v Leicestershire 275
Scarborough: Yorkshire 456 v Gloucestershire 168-7
Preamble
Good morning! Another dawn of late elder and heady high summer. Nine games are on the boil, with only Worcestershire in danger of going down after three days.
