County Championship Round 1 - Day 4

So the first round of matches reach their conclusions and of the seven, six produced results. Some were predictable but others needed inspiring bowling performances to decide the winner. Here are the full results and first Championship tables of the summer, (despite it still definitely being spring, or even winter; whoever heard of snow on the first week of the cricket season?)

Day 4

Surrey v Sussex - Surrey win by 86 runs
Sur - 264 & 273
Sus - 196 & 255

Sussex couldn't manage to overhaul the target set for them by Surrey despite 108 by Wells. Three wickets apiece for Lewis and Meaker helped the home side to a victory by 86 runs on their return to the first division, plus 21 points to Sussex's 3.

Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire - Nottinghamshire win by 92 runs
Not - 118 & 403
Wor - 130 & 299

Nottinghamshire wrapped up a first win of the season inside an hour of the opening session. The hosts needed four more wickets and Fletcher started the day as he finished the last by removing Choudhry. Then a partnership of 33 almost brought Worcestershire back into the game with less than 100 required. The end, though, came swiftly; Adams took two more wickets and Fletcher had Richardson lbw to finish the innings. Both of those bowlers ended with four wickets to their names and helped Nottinghamshire collect 19 points to Worcestershire's 3.

Somerset v Middlesex - Somerset win by 6 wickets
Mid - 246 & 175
Som - 350 & 73-4

Six wickets from George Dockrell turned a game that looked to be heading to a certain draw to Somerset's favour. Middlesex lost their last seven wickets for just 40 runs leaving the hosts just 72 to win. Somerset though didn't make light work of it, losing four wickets before Hildreth (37*) and Buttler (16*) finished the job. The win sends Somerset straight to the top of the table with 22 points, while Middlesex have to settle for just 3.


Derbyshire v Northamptonshire - Derbyshire won by 202 runs
Der - 286 & 314-3d
Nor - 264 & 134

Wainwright was the star with the ball for Derbyshire as he took 6 wickets to help the home side dismiss Northamptonshire on the final day. When the visitors' second innings began the game was in the balance but with three of the top four batsmen only registering single figure scores it looked like both teams would have to settle for a draw. Newton (58) and Wakely (30) took the score to 103 but then carnage broke out, and, as the tension mounted, Northamptonshire couldn't hold their nerve. The last seven wickets fell for 31 runs and Derbyshire had snatched a surprise victory with less than an hour left of play. That gave them 20 points while Northamptonshire picked up 5.


Yorkshire v Kent - Match drawn
Kent - 537-9d
Yor - 364 & 146-4 (f/o)
A century opening partnership meant that Yorkshire were never in trouble, despite four wickets falling for just 30 runs. Kent enforced the follow on after a good morning's work that saw them knock over the Yorkshire tail and leave the home side still 173 behind. Root (76) and Sayers (43) batted carefully though to ensure Kent wouldn't snatch a victory late on the final day, and the captains shook hands at five o'clock. Kent take 10 points to Yorkshire's 9.

Tables

Division 1

	Team	Played	Points
1	Somerset	1	22
2	Surrey	1	21
3	Nottinghamshire	1	19
4	Middlesex	1	3
5	Sussex	1	3
6	Worcestershire	1	3
7	Durham	0	0
8	Lancashire	0	0
9	Warwickshire	0	0

Division 2

	Team	Played	Points
1	Essex	1	23
2	Derbyshire	1	20
3	Leicestershire	1	15
4	Kent	1	10
5	Yorkshire	1	9
6	Northamptonshire	1	5
7	Gloucestershire	1	3
8	Glamorgan	1	2
9	Hampshire	0	0

The second round of matches begins next Thursday (12th).

Pre-season friendlies
Day 3

Durham v Durham MCCU - Durham win by 373 runs
Dur - 315-4 & 193-7d
Dur MCCU - 117 & 18 (Stokes 4o-2m-3r-4w)

Warwickshire v Cardiff MCCU - Match drawn
Car - 119 & 91-7
War - 349 (Porterfield 76)

Hampshire v Loughborough MCCU - Hampshire won by 274 runs
Ham - 445-7 & 111-2d
Lou - 166 & 116

Cambridge MCCU v Lancashire - Match drawn
Lan - 348-7 & 134-1d
Cam - 123 & 143-1

County Championship Round 1 - Day 3

It has been a surprising third day with resilient batting and dogged bowling and two matches completed. Games have twisted and turned and already the season is getting very exciting. We begin with those games that have reached their conclusion.

Day 3

Essex v Gloucestershire - Essex win by an innings and 38 runs.
Ess - 364
Glo - 180 &  146

Essex were the first team to complete a win of the 2012 County Championship season as Gloucestershire were bowled out for just 146 following on. Early wickets cost the visitors and they were never going to recover. Napier finished with 5 for 58 as his side picked up 23 points against Gloucestershire's 3.


Leicestershire v Glamorgan - Leicestershire win by 52 runs
Lei - 249 & 110
Gla - 124 & 183

Leicestershire were pushed hard by Glamorgan despite seeming to have the game in the bag early in the final innings. The visitors were all but finished at 46-5 but Allenby (22), Wallace (47) and Wagg (33) provided some resistance to take the game well into the afternoon session. Nothing though was going to stop the form bowler, and clear man of the match, Joseph who bagged another 6 wickets taking his total in the match to 12. Leicestershire take 20 points while Glamorgan get just 3.


Surrey v Sussex
Sur - 264 & 273
Sus - 196 & 240-8

Lower order resistance has given Sussex hope of an unlikely victory at the Oval. Set 342 to win they were in deep trouble at 133-5 and 173-7, but double figure scores from almost every batsman and a gritty 96 not out, from 307 balls, by young player, Luke Wells, has set the game up for an enthralling final day. Surrey still hold the upper hand but Sussex have already shown that they will not lie down and if they begin well in the morning there could be a fascinating conclusion.


Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Not - 118 & 403
Wor - 130 & 258-6

A century from Worcestershire captain Mitchell as part of a stand of 174 with Ali (94) has given the visitors a chance of an amazing victory at Trent Bridge. In the first session Nottinghamshire added to their lead, eventually leaving their opponents 392 to win. This task was made even harder when Solanki was caught with the score on 61-2. Then began an astonishing partnership that took Worcestershire into the better position.
     However in the closing overs of the day Nottinghamshire struck back. Firstly two wickets fell for six runs, then Fletcher took the crucial wicket of Mitchell, who's stump was knocked out of the ground. Finally with his very next ball he bowled Scott to leave Worcestershire on 253-6. At the close they still need another 134 to win.

Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
Der - 286 & 213-0
Nor - 264

A painfully slow but stunning opening partnership has given Derbyshire a chance of beating Northamptonshire. Earlier the visitors were bowled out for a 22 run deficit but they could do nothing with the ball to restrict Guptill (131*) and Borrington (66*). The lead overnight is 235 and Derbyshire will want to score quicker in the morning to give themselves time to bowl their opponents out.


Yorkshire v Kent
Kent - 537-9d
Yor - 316-6

This match is surely heading for a draw unless the captains feel like cooking something up early in the season. Bairstow hit a steady 107 to prevent Kent from taking a strangle hold on the game. Indeed the visitor's bowling attack appears to be a little weak as they toiled away for few rewards. Kent's lead is still 221 but it will take a different day entirely and many more wickets for that to mean anything.


Somerset v Middlesex
Mid - 246 & 38-1
Som - 350

Compton fell one short of a century as Somerset gained a first innings lead of 104, Middlesex made it through to an early close for the loss of just one wicket. Earlier they'd done well to take the home side's last four wickets for only 17 runs and as long as they bat sensibly tomorrow they should avoid defeat.



Pre-season friendlies
Day 2

Durham v Durham MCCU
Dur - 315-4 & 193-7
Dur MCCU - 117

Warwickshire v Cardiff MCCU
Car - 119 (Clarke 3 for 7)
War - 261-6

Hampshire v Loughborough MCCU
Ham - 445-7 & 11-1
Lou - 166 (Wood 41 for 5)

Cambridge MCCU v Lancashire
Lan - 348-7 & 134-1
Cam - 123 (Mahmood 38 for 4)

County Cricket Season - Day 2

It was another day for the bowlers as several matches moved towards the final innings. Is this early start to the season making conditions harder for batsmen or have the bowlers just got into their rhythm quicker?
     It is good to hear that floodlights are coming more into play to negate the bad light and help keep the teams on.
     Today we start at Grace Road where the match is already well into the fourth innings.

Day 2

Leicestershire v Glamorgan
Lei - 249 & 110
Gla - 124 & 21-1

Glamorgan began the day as they ended the last, with wickets tumbling. When the captain, Wallace, was bowled the scored was an unbelievable 34-7. Somehow Wagg and Croft steadied things and helped their side past the follow-on target, however they were still all out for only 124. Joseph finished with excellent figures of 6 for 47.
     Leicestershire's lead was 125 and that has proved crucial as Glamorgan also got busy with the ball. Desperately trying to force their way back into the game they took wickets regularly and only du Toit (40) was able to withstand them as the hosts were dismissed for 110, a lead of 235, that Glamorgan have over two days to reach. Bad light interrupted play but there was yet another wicket; Rees was bowled by Joseph to leave the visitors on 21-1.


Essex v Gloucestershire
Ess - 364
Glo - 180 & 55-5

Essex's bowlers pulled together to bowl Gloucestershire out for 180. Masters, Cambers and Mills all took three wickets to give their team a big lead after the first innings of 184. Housego top scored with 39 for the visitors but it wasn't enough to avoid the follow on, so, shortly after tea, they were batting again. Essex were soon back among the wickets and the close couldn't come quickly enough for the Gloucestershire. By stumps five wickets had fallen and Essex are not far from an innings victory.

Yorkshire v Kent
Kent - 537-9d
Yor - 32-0

Sadly bad light did end play early after more good batting from Kent had put them in an imposing position. When their 8th wicket fell on 374 Yorkshire could not have expected to wait another 153 to get the next, but that was what happened. Davis (58) and Coles (103*) who scored his maiden first class century, took the visitors past 500, before the declaration.
     Yorkshire then survived nine overs before the umpires took them off with the score on 32-0.


Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Not - 118 & 355-7
Wor - 130

Nottinghamshire have built up a strong lead in a complete reverse of what happened on day one. Their best opening partnership in over two years took the home side to 94 and the other batsmen kept up the good scoring, with all bar Taylor reaching 40. Captain/wicket keeper Read scored 68 but Wessels was the player of the day with 104*, his first hundred for the club . Worcestershire put down a couple of chances and must now play brilliantly to turn this game around.


Somerset v Middlesex
Mid - 246
Som - 202-3

The Somerset run machine has revved into life once more. After they had dismissed Middlesex for 246 (Philander picking up 5 for 43) Trescothick, Suppiah, Compton and Kieswetter all flexed their muscles, although only the latter two have gone on to fifties. The game is a little behind the others following the rain yesterday but Somerset will be hoping to move into a position from which they can bowl Middlesex out again and win by an innings.


Surrey v Sussex
Sur - 264 & 250-8
Sus - 196

Wickets fell in clusters as Surrey moved ahead in this encounter that for a while was close. Earlier Sussex were bowled out four runs short of a batting bonus point with only Gatting (72*) showing much resistance. The hosts then slipped to 55-4 before Hamilton-Brown scored a quick 89 to boost the lead. Towards the close four wickets fell in succession, but Surrey moved on to 250 by the close.


Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
Der - 286
Nor - 241-7

Northamptonshire crawled up to 241 off 103 overs. Wakely and O'Brien both scored 62 (from 240 and 198 balls apiece) and Middlebrook is 40 not out with the game very finely balanced.



Pre-season friendlies
Day 1

Durham v Durham MCCU
Dur - 315-4 (Stokes 93)
Dur MCCU -

Warwickshire v Cardiff MCCU
Car - 119 (Clarke 3 for 7)
War - 82-3

Hampshire v Loughborough MCCU
Ham - 429-7 (Vince 128)
Lou -

Cambridge MCCU v Lancashire
Lan - 277-5 (Croft 80*)
Cam -

2012 season - Day 1

So the county season has finally begun, even though this is as early a start as I can remember, and what a day it was. Despite the huge number of runs amassed in the pre-season University friendlies it was the bowlers who took the credits in almost every game and certainly at Nottingham where we begin the round up.


Day 1

Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Worcestershire won the toss and decided to field.
Not - 118
Wor - 130

Trent Bridge we know can be a monster to bat on, especially early in the season, and despite the new expertise in the Nottinghamshire batting line up they were powerless to prevent a capitulation on the first morning. Only three batsmen made it to double figures (plus extras) and of all of them Paul Franks was the star ending unbeaten on 51. For Worcestershire the plaudits go to Richard Jones who took 6 for 32 to help decimate Nottinghamshire. Interestingly nine of the wickets were 'caught' perhaps suggesting some poor batting, but nothing can be taken away from Worcestershire for their superb effort.
     However, having put themselves in such a strong position they failed to assert their advantage. Good bowling from the home side evened the game up by also bowling out their opponents. This time six batsmen reached double figures but none of them managed to push on. The wickets were shared with Fletcher and Phillips both taking three.
     It's almost certain that there will be a result in this match.


Yorkshire v Kent
Kent won the toss and decided to bat.
Kent - 345-5

In a completely different day Kent were one of the few teams to excel in their batting. Strong first and second wicket partnerships put them in a strong position with three batsmen so far going past fifty. Key was unlucky, run out on 97. There were two wickets for Rashid but otherwise the Yorkshire bowling line up, who are looking to take their team back to the first division this year, struggled.
     The game is still young but Yorkshire and going to want a better second day to level things up in Headingly.


Leicestershire v Glamorgan
Glamorgan won the toss and decided to field.
Lei - 249
Gla - 25-5

More wickets fell at Grace Road especially at the top of the order. Having been put in to bat Leicestershire soon found themselves in all sorts of trouble at 1-3 with the top three batsmen all departing without scoring and the first two falling to the first two balls of the day! The middle order steadied the ship and in the end took the home side to a half respectable score. It was another all-rounder who topped the scoring, Henderson finishing on 57 not out. Waters was the man among the wickets with four to his name.
     However in the evening session Glamorgan has problems of their own as Leicestershire, through Hoggard (10-2), Joseph (15-2) and Malik (0-1), reduced them to 25-5 and looking at a tough second day.


Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire won the toss and decided to field.
Der - 286
Nor - 28-3

A similar game was played out at Derby where once again wickets fell early in the innings. Step up Dan Redfern (110), the first man to record a century in the 2012 season for Derbyshire, who, with some help from Whiteley (83), took the hosts past 200. Sadly another collapse of sorts undid some of the hard work and Derbyshire were all out before the close, as Brooks became the first bowler to pick up five wickets in an innings.
     Before they could celebrate a good day however, Northamptonshire were themselves reduced to 28-3 by the close, leaving the game nicely balanced going in to day two.


Essex v Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire won the toss and decided to field.
Ess - 364

At what is now know as the 'Ford County Ground' in Essex, Gloucestershire followed the trend and elected to field, and while they did take all ten Essex wickets the hosts have put themselves in a strong position. Off the back of his 94 last week Godleman (130) went one better this time knocking up the fist hundred of the season. He was the only man not to be caught as the other batsmen all got going but failed to push on, with Wheater (56) the only other man to make it past 50.


Surrey v Sussex
Sussex won the toss and decided to field.
Sur - 264
Sus - 105-5

Back to the first division and to the Oval where once again wickets tumbled. Maynard steadied the home side with an impressive innings of 86 not out. However with little other support he couldn't take Surrey to a dominant position as Amjad Khan picked up five wickets.
     There was still plenty of time left however and the game progressed further as Sussex moved past 100 but having lost five wickets. Dernbach took two with the others shared, leaving Surrey in the slightly better position at the close.


Somerset v Middlesex
Somerset won the toss and decided to field.
Mid - 118-4

In the only rain affected match of the day it's honours even at the close. Philander has taken 3 for 21 so far, while Denly is 64 not out.

Pre-season friendlies - Day 2

It has been another day when the county sides have dominated their University opponents, and there have been some impressive days with both bat and ball. Here's a run down of the action, beginning at Taunton.


Day 2

Somerset v Cardiff MCCU
Car - 342-7d (Elkin 138)
Som - 447-1

After Cardiff declared in the morning session Somerset set to work doing what they do best, scoring big, quickly. Suppiah fell for 41 but Compton (200) and Hildreth (180) have put on 326 for the second wicket, a warning to all other teams that their bowlers will need to bring their A game when they play at Taunton.


Cambridge MCCU v Essex
Ess - 506-6d & 113-3
Cam - 219 (Masters 6-52)

Masters dominated with the ball taking 6 wickets in his 19 overs as Cambridge reached 219. Essex elected to bat again and Godleman has so far been the mainstay of the innings on 68*. Essex's overnight lead stands at 400.

Middlesex v Durham MCCU
Mid - 368-9d & 141-2
Dur - 124 (Crook 4-16)

Four of Middlesex's five bowlers collected wickets but Crook's figures were the best as he took 4 at only 1.35 runs an over. Durham were skittled but Middlesex chose to go out to bat to give time to those batsmen who struggled in the first innings to score runs, and so far it has worked with Dexter recording 53 and Simpson currently 49 not out.

Oxford MCCU v Glamorgan
Gla - 346-7d & 105-1
Oxf - 123 (Waters 4-12)

Oxford didn't have an answer to Glamorgan's bowlers who all took at least one wicket. Waters, though, was the best with 4 from his 18 overs. Glamorgan also opted to bat again and have gone on to 105-1 with James, who only socred 10 in the first innings on 59*.


Surrey v Leeds/Bradford MCCU
Sur - 385-8d & 134-5
L/B - 205

Another good, all round, bowling display saw three of Surrey's bowlers take three wickets apiece, as Leeds/Bradford were all out for 205. Not so impressive was the number of extras: 45, including 10 no-balls and 9 wides! Surrey then struggled with the bat, ending the day on 134-5.


Day 1

Nottinghamshire v Loughborough MCCU
Nottinghamshire won the toss and decided to bat.
Not - 528
Lou - 4-0

Before Somerset's pair got going, Neil Edwards had racked up the highest score yet, but he fell agonisingly short of a double hundred when he was out LBW on 195. He was well assisted by Wessels who scored 172, however there were disappointments for some of the other batsmen, most notably James Taylor who was out first ball.



Sadly I will be away for a couple of days and won't be able to post the results of these matches until later in the week. I will however be back for the first day of the season on Thursday. I can't wait!

Pre-season friendlies - Day 1

It has been a day for the batters as the pre-season friendlies get under way, despite four of the five toss-winning captains choosing to field. Five 3-day, university matches have begun today and here is a quick run down of the scores and stats.


Cambridge MCCU v Essex
Essex won the toss and decided to bat.
Ess - 506-6d
Cam - 26-1

After a slow start that left the score on 14-0 after ten overs and 78-2 after 30 overs, Essex improved slightly but soon found themselves on 141-5. Then the game changed completely as first Smith (160), then Foster (114*) and Napier (100*) all passed the triple figure mark. Captain Foster then declared to give his bowlers a chance before the close, including the aging Willoughby on his first run out since joining from Somerset.


Middlesex v Durham MCCU
Durham MCCU won the toss and decided to field.
Mid - 368-9d
Dur - 25-2

Australian born Sam Robson was the star of the day, scoring 117, when several other top order batsmen failed. Simpson also opted to give his bowlers a run out and immediately got a reward when first Murtagh and then Roland-Jones picked up a wickets.


Oxford MCCU v Glamorgan
Oxford MCCU won the toss and decided to field.
Gla - 346-7d
Oxf - 6-0

Glamorgan found themselves in trouble at 132-5 but were rescued by a great captain's innings from Mark Wallace of 122 not out. He too chose to declare but failed to make a break through as Oxford inched their way to 6 off eight overs.


Somerset v Cardiff MCCU
Somerset won the toss and decided to field.
Car - 308-5

Somerset were the only county side not to bat today after they chose to field, but, after a good start, Cardiff enjoyed the best of the day. So far captain Zachary Elkin has carried his bat for 127, although at a steady pace having taken 292 balls. Somerset have used eight bowlers but only three have picked up wickets and it looks as though they may again be relying on their batsmen to get them points this season.


Surrey v Leeds/Bradford MCCU
Leeds/Bradford MCCU won the toss and decided to field.
Sur - 385-8d
L/B - 20-1

Following the pattern of the day Surrey's top order struggled but Rory Burns, hoping to play his first full season of county cricket, revived them with 101* batting at seven. He was backed by a strong 91 from Maynard who wasn't quite able to reach the three figures. On declaring Surrey took one wicket in the five overs before the close.

County signings

As there were no games today I thought I would run a piece on the signings that the teams have made during the close season.


Derbyshire
Signed - 1 (D. Wainwright (from Yorkshire))
Released/Retired - 3

Durham
Signed - 1 (M. Wood (Youth))
Rel/Ret - 3

Essex
Signed - 3 (most notable - C. Willoughby (f. Somerset))
Rel/Ret - 2

Glamorgan
Signed - 2 (most notable - S. Jones (f. Hampshire))
Rel/Ret - 3

Gloucestershire
Signed - 1 (D. Housego (f. Middlesex))
Rel/Ret - 3

Hampshire
Signed - 0
Rel/Ret - 9

Kent
Signed - 8 (most notable - C. Shrek (f. Nottinghamshire))
Rel/Ret - 4

Lancashire
Signed - 2 (most notable - N. Tahir (f. Warwickshire))
Rel/Ret - 2

Leicestershire
Signed - 2 (most notable - R. Joseph (f. Kent))
Rel/Ret - 4

Middlesex
Signed - 4 (most notable - J. Denly (f. Kent))
Rel/ Ret - 4

Northamptonshire
Signed - 3 (most notable - K. Coetzer (f. Durham))
Rel/Ret - 4

Nottinghamshire
Signed - 7 (most notable - J. Taylor (f. Leicestershire))
Rel/Ret - 4

Somerset
Signed - 0
Rel/Ret - 2

Surrey
Signed - 5 (most notable - M. Kartik (f. Somerset) and J. Rudolph (f. Yorkshire))
Rel/Ret - 3

Sussex
Signed - 1 (M. Machan (Youth))
Rel/Ret - 2

Warwickshire
Signed - 2 (most notable - C. Wright (f. Essex))
Rel/Ret - 3

Worcestershire
Signed - 2 (most notable - B. Scott (f. Middlesex)
Rel/Ret - 3

Yorkshire
Signed - 5 (all Youth, plus P. Jaques, now as a UK citizen instead of an overseas player)
Rel/Ret - 4


All that amounts to 49 players signed against 62 released or retired. This cannot be a surprise in the tough economic times. It is also worth noting that, of the 48 signed, 22 are youth players (who haven't had a full contract before).