Key events
Lancashire need 424 to win
The new ball and Jimmy Anderson was all it took to remove Chris Benjamin for 103, a third catch for Harry Singh that we watched all the way from bat to palm as we waited for our coffees up the far bank. Kent 328-9, lead by 424, and there’s the last wicket, Hasan Mahmud caught by Joe Moores. Kent 332 all out, Lancs need 424 to win.
The weather gods are smiling at Stanley park, Just spotted Adam Hollioake, smart in a navy tracksuit, who seem to be in charge of the Kent boom box.
Scores on the doors
Division One
Grace Road: Leicestershire 180-9 v Essex 401
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 193 v Somerset 310 and 73-2
Hove: Sussex 521 v Glamorgan 155 and 42-0
Scarborough: Yorkshire 469 v Warwickshire 225-7
Division Two
Chester-le-Street: Durham 377 v Derbyshire 118 and 99-4
Blackpool: Lancashire 87 v Kent 178 and 320-8
Northampton: Northamptonshire 465 v Gloucestershire 233-5
New Road: Worcestershire 265 v Middlesex 339 and 5-0
Roundup: Stokes warms up as Durham run rings round Derbyshire
Ben Stokes trained with Durham on Saturday, after he was left out of England’s squad for the second Test against New Zealand for breaching a midnight curfew. Stokes and Surrey’s Gus Atkinson, who was also not considered for selection, were involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player in a London nightclub while celebrating England’s victory in the first Test at Lord’s. Durham coach, Ryan Campbell, said that any decision on whether Stokes featured in Durham’s game against Northants on Friday was up to the player and the England and Wales Cricket Board “but I’ll definitely find him a spot”.
Stokes bowled in the middle before play and later had a bat in the nets, while on the field Durham ran rings around Derbyshire, who were forced to follow on after being dismissed for 118, with five wickets for Kasey Aldridge. They were 99 for four at stumps, Matthew Potts the sole incisor, and still 160 behind.
At Hove, James Coles waltzed to a glorious 224 not out, a maiden double century full of delicious strokes, including 11 sixes. He and Jaydev Unadkat added 103 for the last wicket, much to Glamorgan’s frustration. Sussex lost a man during the day as Henry Crocombe was called up by England as cover for Ollie Robinson, who was due a knee scan after complaining of soreness. Crocombe’s replacement was Dom Goodman.
The Blackpool tower covered its eyes as Lancashire were dismissed for 87 by Kent. Keith Dudgeon grabbed six for 21, while Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud, on his Kent debut, threatened from Stanley Park’s north end, finishing with three for 32. Kent then made merry, with an unbeaten century from Chris Benjamin, spraying sixes over the wall, and a studious 83 from Harry Finch.
Somerset finished a satisfying day at Trent Bridge with a 190 run lead and toe towards the tape. There were four wickets for Lewis Gregory and three for Jack Leach as Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 193. Earlier, Fergus O’Neill finished with a career-best six for 72 as Somerset’s last three wicket added only 16.
Leicestershire grabbed Essex’s last five wickets for 58 runs but still ended up following on at Grace Road. Jordan Cox was finally out for 204, then Leicestershire were 187 all out, Charlie Bennett and Simon Harmer taking three apiece and only Nick Kelly (78) resisting. Sheridon Gumbs, 22 and on debut, batted patiently opening the batting as Leicestershire closed on 51 without loss second time around.
While floats from the Northampton carnival danced past Wantage Road, James Bracey (72) and Graeme van Buuren (75 not out) rescued Gloucestershire from the doldrums of 56 for four, with a partnership of 148. Earlier, New Zealand’s Krisitian Clarke finished with six for 109 on Gloucestershire debut as Northamptonshire strolled to 465.
Yorkshire had the upper hand at Scarborough, collecting maximum batting points before reducing Warwickshire to 225 for seven; Toby Roland-Jones (four for 41) led the Middlesex attack as they bowled Worcestershire out for 265, a first-innings deficit of 74.
Preamble
Good morning! A cloudy start to day three, at least at Preston station, with just the right overhead conditions to please a suddenly rampant Kent. It doesn’t bode well for Lancashire’s batters who have a nasty incline ahead – 411 behind, and counting. Saturday was a bad day at the office for Leicestershire, Glamorgan and Derbyshire too, all following on against Essex, Sussex and Durham respectively.
Somerset have the upper hand over Notts, and Yorkshire over Warwickshire, with things still in the balance at Wantage Road and New Road.
Play is due to start at 11am round the grounds, do join us in your Sunday best.
