Key occasions
SirAlastair joins these unlacing their boots up the pavilion, yesterday’s goals, todays dregs. Essex racing away from Kent – 66 for one, Wes Agar the wicket taker.
“Good Morning Tanya, good morning all . . . .”
Hello Em Jackson! (watching in NE Eng after residing in SW Eng )
“Durham showing how it’s done away from home at this level vs a challenging opponent (and who Glos drew against remember), meanwhile across the Bridge and up the M5, Glos decided to take two Middlesex-amol’s . . . . side-effects of which can include, unlike certain medicines, lack of runs, apparent home-sickness and the need for extended dressing-room rest.”
Simon Burnton
The press field at Lord’s is a cocooned ecosphere that sits up to now above the remainder of the seats that what ambiance we get is broadcast to us from a microphone positioned elsewhere. What we’re primarily getting at the moment is the sound of the microphone being buffeted by wind, in order that’s clearly a factor. Ben Duckett is rattling on at virtually a run a ball however Haseeb Hameed is discovering life slightly tougher and as I kind Ethan Bamber beats the sting once more – Middlesex have 4 slips in, however by some means they haven’t had something to do but.
Simon Burnton
Greetings from Lord’s. Middlesex have received the toss and will begin their try and haul themselves off the underside of the nascent desk by making an attempt to defend one extraordinarily quick boundary, hindered by the absence of Tom Helm – Martin Andersson makes his first look of the season – however helped by it being up the slope. Notts in the meantime herald Matt Montgomery for Tom Moores. The forecast for the subsequent few days is just not precisely encouraging however it appears to be like like play will begin in wonderful sunshine, and with the house of cricket trying completely pristine.
Ali Martin
Gloucestershire’s high order has crumbled, Marcus Harris, little question buzzing about being named in Australia’s Ashes squad, has simply obtained a moist fish across the chops as he performs round one from Joe Leach and is trapped lbw for a 25-ball one. It’s eight for 4 and the Pears have positively ripened.
Ali Martin
Like David Rudder in Permission To Mash Up The Place (area of interest calypso reference, admittedly), Worcestershire are on a roll at New Road, Joe Leach following Ben Gibbon’s monkey enterprise as he tempts Miles Hammond into an expansive drive and a 3rd catch flies to the cordon. Second glorious puch by Jake Libby however after final week’s washout, this isn’t nice from Gloucestershire, who’re 5 for 3.
Ali Martin
Make that two in two … Ben Gibbon, sturdy left-armer, one time building employee, has winkled out James Bracey in additional orthodox vogue, discovering a contact of bounce and the shoulder of the bat to ship a second catch into the slips. Miles Hammond survives the hat-trick ball and the guests are one for 2 after two overs.
Ali Martin
Underway right here at New Road, the place Gloucestershire have received the toss and opted to have a bat. Am advised by native sage John Curtis we had a mini flood a few weeks in the past, however it was “clean water” and not the nasty stuff that may happen right here. Joe Leach is probing away with the cherry ripe Dukes ball, and I’ve simply heard one member want one other a “Happy New Year” … all the time questioned in regards to the statute of limitations on this. Could simply be the premise for an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Suppose it’s nonetheless legitimate for a brand new season. And as I kind that, Chris Dent has fallen to Ben Gibbon. Went to depart, then had a late stab on the ball, which flew into the cordon safely. Gloucestershire none for one.
Apologies to Simon and Ali, whose musings have lain dormant in my inbox. To observe, simply think about them in actual time…
Ahem, make that Gloucestershire 8-4. Leach 2-8, Gibbon 2-1.
A little bit of a batters’ paradise around the grounds – except for New Road the place Ali has put a Guardian curse on them (Gloucs 8-3).
In Division Two, Lees and Jones giving Labuschagne an early style of Bazball at The Riverside – Durham 28-0; whereas Sussex’s Orr and Haines watch, and increase them -41-0 in opposition to backside of the desk Yorkshire.
In Division One, Alastair Cook is main the Essex cost in opposition to Kent – 31-0; Notts’ Hameed and Duckett doing the identical at Lord’s, 32-0; Hampshire (21-1) and Somerset (22-1) are barely extra circumspect.
Jimmy within the wickets at Taunton. Have a pit in my abdomen for Somerset’s batting. Somerset 6-1.
Good morning Andrew!
@tjaldred morning! Looking ahead to the Kent v Essex recreation. Hoping Kent can bounce again after being completely outclassed by the Bears. Wonder if Agar can be any good. Kent’s abroad seamers have been a blended bag lately.
— Andrew Harrison (@andyhamamatsu) April 20, 2023
He begins okay – with a maiden. Must admit to trying him up – 26, brother of Ashton, performed two ODIs for Australia, six foot two, quick medium.
A quiet first 5 minutes! Ben Gibbon has simply taken two in two balls within the first over at New Road. Gloucs 0-2.
Ali Martin
Greetings from New Road, the place I’ve snuck in unannounced to both Tanya or the workplace after waking as much as wonderful sunshine within the West Midlands. There’s a pleasant buzz on the floor, this being Worcestershire’s first residence fixture of the summer time and Gloucestershire the semi-local guests. Out within the center we’ve got the same old flea circus warm-up, with numerous mitts, rubber stumps and coaches desperately making an attempt to nick the ball to the slips after taking part in careers spent making an attempt to do the precise reverse.
A phrase from the county recreation’s largest fan:
A delve into Wisden 2023
The 5 cricketers of the yr are: Tom Blundell, Ben Foakes, Harmanpreet Kaur, Daryl Mitchell and Matthew Potts.
A terrific learn from Gary Naylor on final week’s motion:
Congratulations to Rehan Ahmed – and Leicesteshire! Long might they play fortunately collectively.
Division Two desk
1 Leicestershire (performed 2) 34
2 Durham (performed 2) 27
3 Worcestershire (performed 2) 27
4 Sussex (performed 1) 21
5 Derbyshire (performed 2) 14
6 Gloucestershire (performed 2) 13
7 Glamorgan (performed 1) 12
8 Yorkshire (performed 2) 12
Division One desk
1 Warwicks (performed 2) 35
2 Surrey (performed 2) 32
3 Essex (performed 2) 28
4 Hampshire (performed 2) 23
5 Notts (performed 2) 23
6 Northants (performed 2) 22
7 Kent (performed 2) 20
8 Lancashire (performed 2) 17
9 Somerset (performed 2) 12
10 Middlesex (performed 2) 6
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
Canterbury: Kent v Essex
Lord’s: Middlesex v Nottinghamshire
The County Ground: Northamptonshire v Hampshire
Taunton: Somerset v Lancashire
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Durham
Hove: Sussex v Yorkshire
New Road: Worcestershire v Gloucestershire
Good morning! It’s spherical three, already! I noticed a duckling on my canine stroll, the hawthorn is intoxicatingly candy and Leicestershire are on the high of the Division Two desk.
Seven video games in play this week, with Surrey, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Derby placing their boots on the aspect desk. Loads to speak about this week, together with the launch of Wisden, however first – at the moment’s video games.
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