Key events
Atkinson makes the breakthrough, Hameed snaffled at second slip for nine. Mean Surrey machine.
“Good morning Tanya, how are you doing?” Hello Finbar Anslow. “Greetings from a thoroughly satisfied Somerset supporter; not only did we win the Blast but my wife sat through the highlights with me and made thoughtful questions such as “how many spectators have been killed or seriously injured by sixes?”
I think this! I can never see the ball when it is hit in the air and I’m supposed to be watching the game. I noticed last week they had a little net up at Grace Road near the cake queue to protect heads/slices of chocolate sponge, but it wasn’t very thorough.
“A question of my own, why are on earth are we letting Sean Dickson go?”
Wasn’t he great on Saturday? I think Somerset want someone who can contribute in red-ball cricket as well.
As Sibley drops Hameed on seven at first slip, low to his right, a reminder of Leicestershire’s success last week.
“Hi Tanya,” Good morning Tim Maitland! “How many Monday morning starts have there been this season, because this one’s caught me by surprise? A cynic might even suggest that the only person who would come up with such a scattered, hard-to-follow schedule for the County Championship, is someone hoping to help it fail.”
”Is it still two-up and two-down like last season? I laughingly tried to find out on the ECB website, but quickly realised that life is too short.”
I think we have two Monday starts and a Wednesday start in September, just to keep us on our toes. As for two-up,two-down, no-one knows! We await the vote from the county chairs very soon. I think there is a good chance that any change will come in for 2027, not 2026, but either way there are two up. If the counties plump for the “alternative” structure, no-one goes down.
Rain
Everywhere, except The Oval where I can report gorgeous sunshine and a working coffee machine. Surrey won the toss and are bowling, though without Jordan Clark (ill). HH already has a boundary to a generous round of autumnal applause.
Tables
Division One
1 Surrey 186
2 Notts 185
3 Somerset 163
4 Warwicks 159
5 Essex 140
6 Sussex 138
7 Yorkshire 135
8 Hampshire 132
9 Durham 126
10 Worcestershire 92
Division Two
1 Leicestershire 205 (promoted)
2 Glamorgan 180
3 Derbyshire 153
4 Middlesex 150
5 Gloucestershire 146
6 Lancashire 139
7 Northamptonshire 137
8 Kent 109
Some news. Hot prospect Ben Kellaway has signed a three-year deal at Glamorgan, while Paul Coughlin will leave Durham this autumn.
Fixtures
Division One
Riverside: Durham v Worcestershire
Taunton: Somerset v Hampshire
The Oval: Surrey v Nottinghamshire
Hove: Sussex v Yorkshire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Essex
Division Two
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Glamorgan
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Middlesex
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Kent
Preamble
Autumn is unpacking her suitcase as we roll into this penultimate round, sun shining on already rusting leaves, acorns everywhere, swallows almost gone. All eyes to The Oval where Surrey (first) play Nottinghamshire (second) in what could be the 2025 Championship decider. Surrey lead by just one point and with rain threatening the last two rounds, every bonus point is crucial.
Leicestershire confirmed promotion at a soggy Grace Road last week but want to go up as Champions, and they must have a good chance of clinching it against wooden spoonists Kent. There is a big match too at The County Ground, where promotion outsiders Derbyshire need to deliver Glamorgan a knockout blow to stop them joining Leicesteshire in Division One next year. They can find inspiration from last year’s match when Glamorgan lost by 10 wickets after tripping to to 32 for six in their first innings.
Do join us, play starts around the grounds at 10.30am. The coffee is brewing.
Comment ×