Unique Price Offers Joy for Fans

Unique Price Offers Joy for Fans

The weather once again had an impact on the third round of County Championship fixtures as the summer resolutely refuses to put in much of an appearance, but despite this there were some real highlights –especially from some stars of the future, as the competition continues to develop some excellent young cricketers.

At Taunton, Lancashire chose to field first and soon had Somerset in trouble, before a fifth-wicket partnership of 244 between skipper Tom Abell (151, his highest score) and highly rated teenager James Rew (a career-best 117) saw off all that was thrown at them. That proved the key element in the home side’s total of 441, meanwhile Jimmy Anderson picked up the 54th five-wicket haul of his career. Lancashire wasted no time in their reply, scoring at about five runs per over throughout their innings. Captain Keaton Jennings led the way, making 189 before he had to retire hurt, as his side hit back with a total of 554. Meanwhile, Rew continued his fine match, this time excelling behind the stumps where he took six catches, becoming the first keeper since Jonny Bairstow in 2014 to score a century and claim six victims in an innings. Many feel it won’t be too long before Rew follows him into the England side. On the final day, Somerset were able to proceed to 256 for six as the match ended in a draw, with Kasey Aldridge finishing on 58 not out, his maiden fifty.

Northamptonshire were crushed by Hampshire at the County Ground in little more than two days after they chose to field first. The visitors took early control thanks to 186 from James Vince and 125 by Nick Gubbins that put their side well on the way to 482 for eight declared. James Fuller then ripped through the home side’s line-up, finishing with his best Championship figures of six for 37 as Northants collapsed to 149 all out. It got even worse for the hosts when they were asked to follow on, and they were skittled out for 63 to plunge to defeat by an innings and 270 runs – their worst innings defeat since 2003, their worst against Hampshire and their tenth worst of all time. It was Hampshire’s biggest-ever innings victory, beating their previous record of an innings and 213 runs against the same opponents, back in 1935. They moved to the top of the table, the only side to have won two matches already.

At Lord’s, Middlesex asked Nottinghamshire to bat first but were treated to a batting masterclass from Ben Duckett, who made 177, but lacked much support as his side was eventually all out for 364. The hosts replied with 274, and Stuart Broad picked up four wickets having been working on a new delivery that he hopes will cause Australia’s left-handers trouble this summer. The away side made 158 for six in their second innings to set a target of 249 in 40 overs. In the gathering gloom, Middlesex raced to victory with four wickets and one over to spare.

With just 74 overs played on the first two days at Canterbury and none on the final day, a draw was inevitable once Essex batted into the third day to make 451 for five declared, Nick Browne (159) and Tom Westley (148) adding 265 for the second wicket. New Kent signing Wes Agar had the satisfaction of picking up the early wicket of Alastair Cook. In reply, Zak Crawley hit a rapid 170 in just 183 balls, finally finding some welcome form this season, as his side replied with 342 for seven.

In the Second Division, attention focused on Worcester where Gloucestershire decided to bat first. At 8 for four, it looked to be a disastrous decision and things were no better when Tom Price strode to the crease at 45 for seven. He launched a blistering counter-attack, racing to a maiden century in just 93 balls, before eventually falling for 109, last man out with the total on 231. Price wasn’t finished there, either, and soon had a hat-trick, removing Azhar Ali, Jack Haynes and Brett D’Oliveira, all caught behind. It was the 17th time in all first-class cricket that someone had scored a century and taken a hat-trick in the same match, a feat not achieved in the UK since James Franklin did so in 2009 and the first time in history it had been completed on the same day.

But it wasn’t all about Price, Ajeet Dale finished with career-best figures of six for 41 as Worcestershire fell away to 157 all out. The loss of the second day to the weather put the pressure on to reach a result, but having declared on 226 for four, Gloucestershire were able to set a target of 301. Sadly, just 24 overs were possible on the final day as the hosts struggled to 51 for four and the game ended in a draw.

With fewer than 60 overs played on the middle two days at Cardiff, Durham’s chance to make the most of their strong position was compromised. Batting first, they declared on 471 for nine after Brydon Carse had top-scored a career-best 91. Marnus Labuschagne, who has been working hard on his bowling, picked up four for 81 and England will do well not to ignore the threat it poses this summer. Kiran Carlson made 119, adding 110 for the ninth wicket with Timm van der Gugten (54) to take Glamorgan up to 305 in reply. The follow-on was enforced and the hosts stumbled to 104 for six to eke out a draw against the league leaders.

Finally, at Hove, Sussex batted first against Yorkshire, with Tom Alsop making 95 in their total of 361; Ben Coad took five for 54. In reply, Yorkshire unveiled new signing Saud Shakil, but the prolific Pakistani international made just 3 as his side somehow hit back with 298, despite none of their players reaching fifty, while Jack Carson took a career-best five for 79. The balance shifted in the second innings when Sussex crumbled to 139 all out (seven batsmen trapped in front), leaving Yorkshire to chase just 201. By the end of the third day, they were on the verge of victory, having reached 138 for three, but they had an anxious wait on the weather on the final day, which failed to turn in their favour as the match ended in a frustrating draw.