Key events
With the news that Dan Moriarty has been released by Yorkshire, just thinking about the trajectory of other promising spinners in county cricket – Amar Virdi (who during Covid was involved in England training and reserve squads) was released by Surrey in November 2024 and the centrally contracted Shoaib Bashir went all round the houses on loan before signing with Derbyshire last winter. But Bess (Yorks), Leach (Somerset), LPW and Farhan Ahmed (Notts), Rehan Ahmed (Leics), the Parkinsons (Kent and Durham), Harmer (Essex) Carson (Sussex), and Kellaway (Glam) seem to be holding steady. I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone, do let me know who.
Weather good/ weather bad
Play at Chelmsford (Sussex 38-2); Southampton (Warwickshire 22-1, Young-Currie-3), Taunton (Glamorgan 45-1); Canterbury (Kent 54-2) and just now at Wantage Road (Durham 0-0).
Nowt at MTS, Bristol,The Oval or Trent Bridge.
A great diving catch by James Rew to send Asa Tribe on his way, though his landing is elegantly sack of potatoe-esque. Glamorgan 44-1.
Oh dear, at Canterbury, Muyeye is dropped at second slip on 10. Bowler Waite stalks back to his mark, head down. Kent 50-2.
Love this piece by Jim. I’m old enough to remember Gooch’s lbw Alderman period, the punchline to lots of jokes at the time.
Two more games have chugged into action. Warwickshire are 9-0 at Southampton; and Glamorgan, spearheaded by Crane and Tribe, have raced along to 31-0 against Somerset.
A little shout out to Hove and Away, the independent website covering Sussex cricket. The site is a treasure-trove of all things Sussex written by Bruce Talbot and Paul Weaver, two wise sages, and great journalists, who’ve covered Sussex forever (and very helpful to me for a piece on Ollie Robinson yesterday). I’ve just read there today that the Sussex chief exec Mark West is leaving at the end of the season.
Meanwhile Hughes and Tear have survived a couple more overs and Sussex have moved on to 17-2.
Sam Cook is taking large chunks of Sussex for breakfast – Haines and Clark both out almost identically, nibbling into the gloves of Pepper. Sussex 7-2.
Kent’s start is on the crunchy side of autumn. Compton (8) and Crawley (6) both gone. Kent 18-2.
Rain at The Oval too, where my daughter is looking after my nephews and a couple of their friends. If you see an auburn haired young woman looking harassed, placate her with a mini roll. Auqib Nabi is Surrey’s latest recruit.
11am start at Taunton
Weather permitting.
Hampshire statement – “Kuggeleijn will not represent the club”
“Having reflected and listened to feedback from our staff and supporters. Hampshire Cricket can confirm that Scott Kuggeleijn will not represent the Club.
“We value the passion of our fanbase and thank everyone who took the time to share their views.
“Our focus now turns to supporting the team through the final four County Championship fixtures of the season.
“We encourage everyone to unite behind the team as we enter a crucial stage of the campaign.”
Rain
And delayed starts everywhere except Chelmsford (Sussex won the toss and will bat) and Canterbury (Worcestershire won the toss and will field).
Hampshire sign Scott Kuggeleijn
Amongst a sack of September signings, Hampshire’s announcement yesterday that they had called on Scott Kuggeleijn is the most eye raising. Kuggelijn, a fast bowling allrounder who has played 23 times for New Zealand, was put on trial for rape in 2016 and, after a hung jury, again in 2017. He was found not guilty, but some of his own evidence in court was very disturbing. You can read a little about it here.
Kuggelijn has also played for Dubai Capitals, who are owned by the same GMR group who own Hampshire.
Division Two table
1 Durham 191
2 Kent 151
3 Northants 151
4 Worcestershire 127
5 Middlesex 113
6 Derbyshire 110
7 Lancashire 94
8 Gloucestershire 44
Division One table
1 Notts 148
2 Somerset 144
3 Warwickshire 140
4 Glamorgan 121
5 Sussex 120
6 Essex 119
7 Yorkshire 117
8 Surrey 105
9 Leicestershire 102
10 Hampshire 86
Fixtures
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex v Sussex
Southampton: Hampshire v Warwickshire
Trent Bridge: Notts v Leicestershire
Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan
The Oval: Surrey v Yorkshire
Division Two
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Derbyshire
Canterbury: Kent v Worcestershire
Merchant Taylors School: Middlesex v Lancashire
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Durham
Preamble
Good morning! A little late this morning after forgetting my own missive that play starts at 10.30am, September rolling in and landing, at least in Manchester, damp and grey. There are four games left of the season, things hotting up as the temperature drops.