For the first time this year all the games will go into a fourth day, and, surprisingly, all the games have also reached at least the third innings, something which seemed unlikely this afternoon. How many of them will produce results is unclear and a lot will depend on the shifting weather. Here is the best of the action from today.
Day 3
Glamorgan v Hampshire
Gla - 103-9d & 256
Ham - 156 & 112-4
Wright scored 104 for Glamorgan to give them hope as they built a lead of 203 over Hampshire, although it would have been a lot more had Riazuddin (5 for 61) not run through the lower order.
Things looked even better for the home side when Wagg took two quick wickets, restricting Hampshire to 3-2. However, at the close, the visitors have fought back leaving the game finely poised going into the final day.
Nottinghamshire v Somerset
Not - 162 & 47-0
Som - 445-2
Somerset's batsmen once again put bowlers to the sword as they took big strides forward in this match. The one highlight for Nottinghamshire was Paul Franks' wicket, which was the 500th of his first class career.
The day, though, belonged to Somerset and specifically to Suppiah (124), Compton (204*) and Hildreth (102*). 216 runs were added for the second wicket and 217* for the third. Together they have put the visitors in a strong position going into the last day. Nottinghamshire's openers have survived to the close and the pitch certianly doesn't seem to be as difficult to bat on as it was on the first day.
Kent v Gloucestershire
Glo - 255 & 191-3
Ken - 150
More rain interrupted in Canterbury but Gloucestershire have the upper hand and will hope to put Kent under pressure on the final day as they search for a win.
It has been a good match for the Gidman brothers, and this today it was the turn of Alex, who is currently 60*, taking his side to a lead of 296 overnight. An early declaration is certain and Kent will have to survive most of the day to fend off defeat.
Lancashire v Warwickshire
Lan - 250 & 44-4
War - 329
Maddy (112) and Clarke (140) rescued Warwickshire from 81-7 with 224 for the 8th wicket, falling just 4 short of their record, made in 1925. The reigning champions looked set for a big first innings lead but the defecit was wiped out in the afternoon session. To make matters worse Lancashire have lost four wickets to leave them in a dangerous position overnight. They too will need players to stick in and score big if they are to turn this game back in their favour.
Yorkshire v Essex
Yor - 246 & 144-2
Ess - 199
A long last wicket partnership frustrated Yorkshire as they failed to really press their advantage over the visitors. Bopara starred with the bat for Essex, scoring 117 not out and put on 48 for the 10th wicket despite last man Mills only scoring 2. Sidebottom was easily the pick of the Yorkshire bowlers, taking 5 for 30.
The home side put on 106 for the first wicket of their second innings but with a lead of only 191 they will need quick runs in the morning if they are to put pressure on Essex in the afternoon.
Surrey v Worcestershire
Sur - 140 & 131-6
Wor - 119
Meaker took 6 for 39 to somehow give Surrey a first innings lead at the Oval. It certainly has been a low scoring game so far and the wickets continued to fall this evening as Richardson took his tally of the game so far to nine! Surrey's lead is only 152, although that would be the highest score by either side should Worcestershire get it, and they will need more than that, unless they can polish the Londoners off quickly in the morning.
Derbyshire v Leicestershire
Lei - 324 & 76-1
Der - 180
Derbyshire crawled along today as Leicestershire applied good pressure having scored 324 in their first innings. However lower order runs meant that the visitors weren't in as good a position as they would have hoped for at the beginning of the day.
Palladino, batting at number 10, was the highest scorer with 38, and he was the last man out as White picked up a five-for. Derbyshire then restricted the run rate in the evening, but are still in trouble, 220 runs behind. They will have to bat most of tomorrow to avoid defeat.
Middlesex v Durham
Mid - 188 & 21-1
Dur - 238
The chance of a result in this match is slim after all the rain. Middlesex will not have enough time tomorrow to reach a big enough lead to put pressure on Durham, although the visitors could yet triumph if they take quick wickets in the morning.
Earlier Durham squeezed past 200, with most of the batsmen reaching double figures, so they will take more bonus points, whichever way this game goes.
No comments:
Post a Comment