Sunday's Round Up
Emilio Gay’s third century of the season was achieved with a modest trowel to third man, yet it may prove career-defining. Like Zak Crawley, Gay competes in Division Two cricket, but two of his Durham centuries have come against the formidable Lancashire and Middlesex bowling attacks, despite the Lord’s pitch offering some assistance. David Bedingham also reached a century, while Kasey Aldridge was dismissed lbw for 99.
Gay’s former team, Northamptonshire, secured their first victory of the summer after Ben Sanderson dismantled Worcestershire’s second innings. His six wickets in 29 balls ended an innings that had been progressing steadily at 88 for two. Fourteen overs and 26 runs later, Worcestershire were all out. Sanderson’s figures of seven for 31 marked a career-best, giving him 11 wickets in the match. Earlier, James Sales and Lewis McManus both scored centuries in Northants’ total of 597 for seven declared.
Youthful exuberance was on display at The Oval where 19-year-old Adam Thomas scored a century on his Championship debut, complementing Dom Sibley’s 187. Sussex endured the onslaught until Surrey were eventually bowled out for 622. Matt Fisher then launched an immediate assault on Sussex’s reply. His first ball bounced sharply and struck Tom Haines in the face, causing him to retire hurt. Fisher then dismissed Tom Clark lbw with his second delivery and caught James Coles behind off his sixth ball.
An intriguing contest developed at Taunton, where Joe Root scored 64, James Wharton made 92, and some tail-end resistance ensured Yorkshire’s bowlers would have a target to chase against Somerset on the final day.
Despite a flamboyant first-innings century from Stevie Eskinazi, Nottinghamshire pushed strongly towards victory. Olly Stone, who took five wickets in Leicestershire’s first innings, claimed another three during the follow-on, including Eskinazi lbw for a duck. Ben Green and Jonny Tattersall ensured Nottinghamshire would bat again.
Hampshire’s difficult season continued; following on, they finished five wickets down, still 204 runs behind Glamorgan. Mason Crane took four wickets at his former home. Kent remain hopeful of their first win of the year against Derbyshire, buoyed by a 184-run partnership between Chris Benjamin (123) and Joey Evison (88).
Scores on the Doors
Southampton: Hampshire 214 and 118-5 vs 536-7 declared
Leicester: Leicestershire 308 and 215-7 vs 490
Taunton: Somerset 274 vs 162 and 365-9
The Oval: Surrey 622 vs 358-9 declared and 76-4
Canterbury: Kent 352 and 335 vs 304 and 19-1; Derbyshire need 365 to win
Northampton: Northants 597-7 declared beat 306 and 114 by an innings and 177 runs
Hello and happy bank holiday Monday! If you are not engaged in other activities, there is absorbing cricket to follow. The weather may be unsettled with showers especially across the south, but play is expected to start at 11am. Join us for coverage; there is plenty to observe.
