Key events
Huge cheers for Lanky here at OT as he warms up for the mascot race, meanwhile Marcus Harris is back in the pavilion contemplating his shoelaces after lifting TRJ to midwicket where Naavya Sharma makes a tricky catch look easy. Lancs 78-3 and that’s lunch.
Ali Martin
Big Benji’s second spell is underway at New Road but so far Adam Hose has held firm, save for one delivery that struck him in the box. You never quite know what the pitch here will do after the annual floods have receded but there is a bit of bounce in this one – certainly accounting for Lategan early on, and the caught and bowled off Gareth Roderick that saw Ben Raine pick up his second wicket. Worcs 77 for four as Hose squirts one throug the offside for a couple.
Those Lancs fans with a Telegraph subscription – not sure how big that venn diagram is – might be interested in Will Macpherson’s summing up of the rebel-club situation . The most surprising detail in it is that each Special General Meeting costs the club £30,000…
Also, for those who have missed the news, Lancs have backtracked on charging for the live stream. The new policy is a free two-fixed camera YouTube stream for all, with premium coverage for members and anyone else who buys a seasonal pass – all still in development.
In Division Two
Luis Reece and Harry Came are looking settled after last week’s calamitous Derby collapse to Kent – Derby 80-0 against Northants
And a wicket for deserving Middlesex here at OT. Ryan Higgins returns from the Jimmy Anderson and Bohannon is duly caught, nibbling, behind for 15. Lancs 69-2.
Ben Charlesworth, (heading to OT next season) is 42 not out in Gloucestershire’s 80-1 v Kent.
And a recovery of sorts for Worcestershire against Durham. They were 40-3, now 71-4. Two wickets for Raine, one for Stokes.
In Division One:
Jake Lehman and Ben Mayes are rescuing Hampshire from Essex’s early onslaught – Hants 59-3.
Tom Lammonby and Josh Thomas are giving James Rew plenty to ponder at Sophia Gardens – Somerset 70-1.
Aha, Dan Worrall is back for Surrey, and he’s already in the wickets, nipping out both Notts openers. Duckett is not out 25. Notts 56-2.
Rishi Patel and Jake Weatherald are making hay against Sussex, racing along at four an over. Sussex 85-0.
And Sam Hain (36) is still the only man to reach double figures at Edgbaston. Warwicks 67-4 against Yorkshire.
Time for a dally around the grounds, where shovel and shake rebuilding has mostly followed early wickets.
Mostly good news, I think.
A lovely read, and round-up, by Gary Naylor.
Hampshire’s seasons doesn’t get any better – Snater and Cook brandishing the knife. Hampshire 35-3.
Warwickshire are in a pretty pickle at 34 for three, Yates, Mousley and Davies all out in single figures. Two wickets for Jack White.
To the accompaniment of the sound of happy children rampaging over the OT concourse having sword balloon fights, Jennings hauls TRJ for six. Lancs 30-1.
Never mind Ben Stokes, the update you’ve all been waiting for from Paul Edwards. He’s been testing almond croissants around the grounds. In third place: Gails in St John’s Wood, silver medal to Panzers just around the corner from Gails, and gold to Oriole underneath the press box at Canterbury “light, huge and delicious, with no stinting on the almond.”
Ali Martin
And Ben Stokes strikes in just his second over back, with a bit of extra bounce enough to tickle the edge of Dan Lategan’s bat as he tries to drive off the back foot. Worcestershire 15 for one.
Four Middlesex slips wait as TRJ slipstreams in.
James Rew, making good on Ali’s whispered tip to open the batting, is duly bowled for four at Sophia Gardens. That’s three failures in the last three innings…
At Old Trafford George Balderson entertained all the school children in for the morning with a couple of fours, then gets a goodie from Ryan Higgins and is sent on his way. Lancs 13-1.
Ali Martin
Morning from sunny-ish New Road, where a certain Ben Stokes gets his season underway for Durham against their fellow relegees (?) Worcestershire. The visitors are bowling first and it looks like Stokes – looking impossibly svelte these days – will be taking the new ball, with Matthew Potts having a week off. A nice chance for young Dan Lategan to impress the England captain.
Marcus North likely to be new England selector
Australia and Durham man North to step into Luke Wright’s boots.
As some possibly cheap wickets arrive at Hove in the form of Leicestershire, Ali ponders an England return for Ollie Robinson.
Division Two table (all teams have played four games)
1 Durham 71
2 Northants 65
3 Lancashire 60
4 Worcestershire 55
5 Middlesex 49
6 Kent 43
7 Derbyshire 30
8 Gloucestershire 24
Division One table (all teams have played four games)
1 Notts 67
2 Surrey 59
3 Somerset 58
4 Warwickshire 55
5 Glamorgan 50
6 Sussex 46
7 Yorkshire 45
8 Essex 40
9 Leicestershire 36
10 Hampshire 26
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Hampshire
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Somerset
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Surrey
Hove: Sussex v Leicestershire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Yorkshire
DIVISION TWO
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Kent
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Middlesex
New Road: Worcestershire v Durham
Preamble
Happy May morning! Suddenly there are just two rounds to go in this spring block and winding narratives are starting to form. Lots to look forward to this week – Ben Stokes returning to action at New Road, Harry Brook easing into red ball gear for Yorkshire, Notts and Surrey exchanging blows at Trent Bridge and Kent and Gloucestershire battling to avoid the wooden spoon. Play starts at 11am round the grounds, though weather is circling. There’s plenty of room on the CCLive sofa, do join us.
