County Championship 2016 - Division One

First topic message reminder :

Discussion thread.

Winners?
Relegation?
Most runs?
Most wickets?
Breakthrough player?

Guildford's man, Barker, takes the wicket of Will Smith

100 for Dawson
Hampshire 298-3.

Somerset 236 all out.

Hants get to stumps on 304/4 at Edgbaston. A shame for them and Jimbo that centurion Dawson fell late on, again to my man 'Ronnie' Barker. Nonetheless, still a very good day for the visitors. Important, Jimbo, that you build on it and reach at least 400.

Century for Wheater, and Hants closing in on 5th batting point.  They'll be very happy with the way this match is going so far.

Guys

448-5 now. Wheater up to 164. Great start by us but Dawson did say in his interview that the wicket is pretty flat. However might spin later on in the game which would be good with Dawson + Crane in the side

Oi Jimbo, Hants getting the better of Warks is bang out of order and not part of the relegation script!

Hants/Warks rained off for this morning.  Hants assured of a minimum of a draw plus plenty bonus points.

Yorks had Surrey in big trouble at 121 - 5 before rained halted play with Surrey on 164 -5.

Meanwhile, Middlesex establishing a dominant position against Somerset following a big 9th wicket partnership between Fuller and Harris.

Crane picks up 2 quick wickets to give us another bowling point. Match ends in a predictable draw after losing the whole of yesterday due to rain.

Jimbo - yeah, good work there by your lad Crane. You never know, that point could make all the difference.

Sad news about Michael Carberry, in a sad year for cricket related illnesses. Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

Just catching up with news of Carberry.  That is very worrying - he's already had more than his share of misfortune with his health.  I'm sure all here on the cricket boards here will be wishing him a full recovery.

Terrible news. I've been fortunate enough to meet Carbs a couple
of times at the Rose Bowl and he was such a nice guy.
Hope he can overcome the illness.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Just catching up with news of Carberry.  That is very worrying - he's already had more than his share of misfortune with his health.  I'm sure all here on the cricket boards here will be wishing him a full recovery.

Exactly.

At the foot of the table both Notts and Surrey have started their matches (against Somerset and Hants respectively) with unbeaten century opening partnerships.

Meanwhile, higher up the table it's a tight match between Lancs and Durham, with Durham 187 - 6 in reply to 204.  Jimmy Anderson playing for Lancs.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:At the foot of the table both Notts and Surrey have started their matches (against Somerset and Hants respectively) with unbeaten century opening partnerships.

Meanwhile, higher up the table it's a tight match between Lancs and Durham, with Durham 187 - 6 in reply to 204.  Jimmy Anderson playing for Lancs.

Although only for the first 2 days I understand.

Well done to Trescothick who today equalled Gimblett's Somerset record (49) for first class centuries.  That match (Notts v Somerset) fairly evenly poised, though if Somerset bat well tomorrow they have the possibility of putting Notts under pressure.

Could be a good finish in the Lancs v Durham match, with Durham aiming for target of 247

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Could be a good finish in the Lancs v Durham match, with Durham aiming for target of 247

A good finish indeed. Durham need another 52 with 3 wickets left. Stokes at the crease on 13.

Good 2 wicket victory for Durham yesterday.


Meanwhile, Notts have collapsed badly in their second innings against Somerset - all out for 135, leaving Somerset just 100 to win. Quite a turnaround from when Notts were 196 - 0 in their first innings.

A 10 wicket win for Somerset over Notts. Looks increasingly likely that it'll be two of Notts, Hants and Surrey for the drop.

Although he got some tap today, I think Imran Tahir could be a good signing and help Notts to safety. He's never really proved himself at Test level but has been mighty effective over the years in the English county game. I see he got 7 wickets in Somerset's first innings.

Div 1 is wide open.  Any of the top 6 has a reasonable chance of winning the title.

Benkenstein leaves Hampshire. Was inevitable really, we've gradually got
worse and worse. The defeat to Surrey inexcusable

Quick trip round the shires.

Yorks struggling a bit on 135/5 v Warks. Another couple for Ronnie.

Hants batting soundly on 140/0 v Lancs. Half tons so far for Adams and Smith. Hants desperately need a win to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

Somerset could still end up in one of the relegation places and today so far hasn't helped as they were skittled for 184 v Durham.

Middlesex v Surrey on the dedicated thread.

Hampshire now 212-1. 35 extras already

Yorkshire 199-8 against Warks. Should be a close one, 2 very good teams.

Very solid start by Hants at 276 - 1 off 96 overs.  They'll have to press on a bit even to get four batting points, but have every chance of building a really large score.  Surrey have secured four batting points and could get a fifth, with 16 runs needed and two wickets in hand.

Somerset v Durham looks fairly even  (Durham 30 runs behind with 3 wickets in hand).  With 17 wickets falling on the first day a positive result is highly likely.

A typical Yorkshire last wicket partnership of 48* has hauled them into a better position than looked likely against Warks, 252 - 9.

Little chance imo of Hants getting four batting points. They won't mind that though if they can get a big enough total to force a victory, perhaps by an innings. I reckon they'll be looking to bat until maybe shortly after tea on day two. Plenty of bowling for young Crane after that.

Hants have to settle for 3 batting points, while Surrey gain 5.  For Hants Will Smith has so far batted for 337 balls for 117.

Meanwhile Somerset/Durham match rattling on apace with 6 wickets falling already in first session.  Make that 8 wickets (with still over half an hour til lunch).

Tight finish in prospect in Somerset/Durham which is likely to finish within an hour's play on day 3.  Durham need 46 with 5 wickets left.

Yorks v Warks quite likely to finish on day 3 as well.  Yorks 156 ahead with just five second innings wickets left. Looks like quite a low scoring match.

On the other hand much higher scoring near foot of Div 1 with positive results looking unlikely before late on day 4, if at all.  Hants been rather grinding along against Lancs - batted 165 overs to get 548 - 6dec. Lancs 70 - 1 off 25 overs. Hants will need a bit of scoreboard pressure or deterioration in pitch to get a result. 

Middlesex 249 - 5 off 79 overs against Surrey in reply to 415.

Wins for Somerset and Yorks.  So Yorks are now very handily placed, especially if Middlesex were to lose or draw.

Lancs battling well against Hants - most likely a somewhat tedious draw.

Surrey have upper hand against Middlesex but all results still possible.

Thanks, Corporal.

I listened to Churchy on the ear piece a lot of the time today at Lord's. Often nothing to do with the match but I enjoyed some of his chats with Charlie Dagnall (he's grown on me). Churchy can be quite funny when self mocking. Thought you, in particular, might like this one.

Having mentioned that his meal yesterday evening was a cheese and pickle baguette, Churchy added : ''Oh, and a packet of crisps ... [pause] salt and vinegar ... [pause] I always have a packet of crisps on a Friday ... [slightly longer pause] rock and roll.''  

Edit: this post was meant to be on the latest Surrey match thread but it can equally inappropriately stay here.

Disappointing result for Hants.
Can't really fault the effort, especially to take 7 wickets
today.
Only I have is that we could have scored our runs quicker, giving
us more time to bowl them out twice.
Good from Dawson with the ball.

Important round of Div 1 matches starting today:

Lancs v Yorks
Middlesex  v Durham
Notts v Hants
Warks v Surrey

Durham have just copied Surrey's tactics and lost four wickets for no run. 78 - 4.
Hants, recovering, on 83 -2 with Les Dawson on 46*
Surrey and Lancs making slow steady starts, batting.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Important round of Div 1 matches starting today:

Lancs v Yorks
Middlesex  v Durham
Notts v Hants
Warks v Surrey

Durham have just copied Surrey's tactics and lost four wickets for no run. 78 - 4.
Hants, recovering, on 83 -2 with Les Dawson on 46*
Surrey and Lancs making slow steady starts, batting.

Corporal - I was starting to have a heart attack when I read that until I realised you meant Surrey did that last week and not today!

Feel that was a good toss for Hants to win - they didn't want to be facing Imran Tahir in the 4th innings. Mind you, still a long way for Les Dawson, Crazy Legs Crane and the rest of Jimbo's gang to go.

guildfordbat wrote:

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:
Durham have just copied Surrey's tactics and lost four wickets for no run. 78 - 4.

Corporal - I was starting to have a heart attack when I read that until I realised you meant Surrey did that last week and not today!

Feel that was a good toss for Hants to win - they didn't want to be facing Imran Tahir in the 4th innings. Mind you, still a long way for Les Dawson, Crazy Legs Crane and the rest of Jimbo's gang to go.

Woops, sorry, Guildford.  Though I was wondering whether to type on the Surrey match: "Patel coming on for a couple of overs before lunch, cue wicket, or in Surrey's case queue wickets"  And, as I type this first one falls!

Yorks just scraped a third bowling point but now being frustrated by a last wicket Lancs' stand of 63*.  Score of 450 - 9 at almost lunch on second day will make it difficult for Yorks to get more than a draw from this match.

Meanwhile a fine century stand between the two Nicks (Gubbins and Compton) is close to taking Middlesex into lead against Durham still with 9 wickets in hand.

Notts struggling badly against Hants. 115 - 6 in reply to Hants' 319.  This match could offer a lifeline for Hants, (especially if Surrey were to lose to Warks).

Middlesex taking a big first innings lead over Durham. Already leading by 204, with four wickets in hand.  If Middlesex do win this one, that would make them clear favourites to win Div 1.

Yorks digging in against Lancs, but the best they can hope for is a draw. They trail by 358 with 8 wickets in hand.

Hants well placed to press for victory against Notts, and Warks v Surrey is even. Both these matches looking likely to produce a positive result

Toblerone Jones putting Durham attack to the sword.  Middlesex first innings lead over 300. 81 runs off last 10 overs.

Alsop passes 50 and Adams moves into the 90s. In a good position
this game, which is a must win to stand any chance of survival.

Middlesex declare on 536. Roland Jones 66 off 47 balls.

Hi Jimbo - a way to go but looks like Hants may well be able to declare some time after tea today setting Notts 400+ to win.

Hi Corp, confident for tonight?

Hants in a good position and have upped the run rate in the last 30 mins or so. Hopefully we give them a tricky couple of hours to bat tonight.

I suppose Surrey will be happy should we get the win here? Keeping you above Notts

Haven't really got my head together re Premier League yet, Jimbo. No doubt the hard reality will strike soon enough tonight!

I'm sure Surrey would prefer a Hants win to a Notts win. Possibly we would perhaps rather see a draw.
Adams out for 99

Yorkshire limp past the follow on mark just before tea - but with Durham crumbling Middlesex will be pulling clear at the top of the table.

LondonTiger wrote:Yorkshire limp past the follow on mark just before tea - but with Durham crumbling Middlesex will be pulling clear at the top of the table.

LT - I don't suppose it is the done thing in Roses matches for the captains to agree a declaration target?

Middlesex crush Durham to go clear at the top. 5 wickets for Rayner.

Meanwhile Lancs have a lead of 200 going into the final day, with all 10 wickets in hand. Draw is odds on as I can't see Lancs offering Yorks a gettable target.

Notts, two wickets down, have to bat all tomorrow if they are to get a draw.  A win for Hants could offer their hitherto flagging Div 1 survival campaign a lifeline.

Surrey had a good day against Warks - all results still possible, although Warks would need to bat very well to win.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Yorkshire limp past the follow on mark just before tea - but with Durham crumbling Middlesex will be pulling clear at the top of the table.

LT - I don't suppose it is the done thing in Roses matches for the captains to agree a declaration target?

Cannot see an agreed target being reached - Lancs will want to set Yorkshire a target that will require at least 6 runs per over from their eastern neignbours.

Notts making inroads into their huge targe of 480+ to beat Hants. 232 - 3 and they need another 236 in 45 overs with 7 wickets in hand. 

Warks, at six wickets down, aren't attempting to reach their target against Surrey.

Yorks are 99 - 0  but will need to score at over 6 an over for another 40 or so overs to win that one. Not impossible, but unlikely.

2 quick wickets from Wheal. 5 to go

At tea Yorkshire, with all 10 wickets left, need 219 from a minimum of 30 overs. Not going to happen.

Notts have four wickets left and Warks have three wickets in hand - both those games tense.  Can't see Notts continuing with their chase.  Warks of course bat deep so they could yet hang on.

I suppose Yorks could go for the win - presumably they could shut up shop if they lose a few wickets?