What's new

The County Season 2021 Thread

Saj

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Runs
96,141
The County season starts tomorrow in England.

Packed calendar, with 4 Day, 1-Day, The Hundred and the T20 Blast all to play for.
 
The 18 first-class counties will be split into three groups of six, a change from the eight-side Division One and 10-team Division Two in place when the County Championship was last played in 2019.

Each county will then play 10 four-day games in the group stage - five home and five away - with the final round in mid-July.

The competition takes a break for The Hundred and One-Day Cup until 30 August, when the top two teams in each group will go through to a second group stage called Division One, carrying over the points from the matches played against each other.

Division One's six teams play a further four matches against those they have not already met, with the side that finishes top of Division One crowned 2021 County Championship winners.

The top two teams in Division One will contest the five-day Bob Willis Trophy final at Lord's, starting on 27 September.

The remaining 12 teams that do not go into Division One will move into Divisions Two and Three, in which teams will play another four matches.

County Championship groups
Group 1: Essex, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Durham.

Group 2: Somerset, Hampshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Middlesex, Leicestershire.

Group 3: Kent, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Glamorgan, Sussex.

England players on show
With England not returning to Test match action until 2 June, the back-to-back nature of the first nine rounds of the County Championship will work in several players' favour.

A number of names will be plying their trade in the Indian Premier League, but the red-ball specialists will have their chance to reacclimatise after a winter touring the sub-continent.

England captain Joe Root is expected to line up for the first time in a first-class fixture against his younger brother Billy as Yorkshire take on Glamorgan.

Root will definitely play in Yorkshire's opening two fixtures, according to coach Andrew Gale, and is also expected to feature in a few more before the first Test against New Zealand.

While the England and Wales Cricket Board has yet to confirm the full availability of those on central contracts, also back in the county ranks will be openers Zak Crawley at Kent and Dom Sibley at Warwickshire.

Rory Burns will also be keen to make an impression, not just as Surrey captain but also to put himself back in the frame after he was dropped during the series in India. Ollie Pope will also be itching for some valuable time at the crease.

Dan Lawrence, not currently on a central contract, has a chance to build on the promise he showed in both Sri Lanka and India, as he returns to Essex's middle order.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad will no doubt both feature for Lancashire and Nottinghamshire respectively in the early rounds, but expect their workloads to be closely monitored.

There's also the chance for spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess to settle back into county action after contrasting winters. Leach will return for another summer with Somerset, while Bess has made a permanent move north to try to secure more game time with Yorkshire.

Counties can now field two overseas players in the County Championship instead of one, following the ending of Kolpak registrations after the UK's exit from the European Union.

So who are the international stars to look out for in 2021?

Cameron Bancroft (Durham)

The Australia opener returns for a second spell in the north east following a successful stint in 2019.

Bancroft, 28, scored 726 runs at an average of 45.37 in nine County Championship games two years ago.

He will link up with Durham, under new captain Scott Borthwick, when his commitments with Western Australia end next month.

Kraigg Brathwaite (Gloucestershire)

The West Indies Test captain arrives in Bristol in fine form having scored 126 and 85 against Sri Lanka last week.

The 28-year-old has plenty of experience in England, having previously had spells at Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan.

Brathwaite is available for the first eight rounds, but self-isolation protocols on his return from the West Indies mean he is unlikely to be available for Gloucestershire's opening game against Surrey.

Marcus Harris (Leicestershire)

Having moved above Bancroft in the pecking order for one of Australia's opening spots, Harris comes to Leicestershire with high expectations.

It's a first spell in county cricket for the left-hander who has played 10 Test matches for his country - the most recent coming against India in January.

Harris, 28, will link up with the Foxes once Victoria's involvement in the Sheffield Shield finishes.

Hashim Amla (Surrey)

The former South Africa batsman, who was signed by Surrey on a two-year Kolpak deal for 2020 and 2021, will now slot into the top order as an overseas player.

Amla's stats are up there with the finest the game has seen - 55 centuries in Test and ODI cricket, over 17,000 runs in both formats and a top Test score of 311 not out.

Surrey will hope to see more of Amla than last year in the first-class game, when Covid-19 travel restrictions meant he was limited to just one Bob Willis Trophy appearance.

Alzarri Joseph (Worcestershire)

The Antiguan paceman is set to play six County Championship games for the Pears starting in round two after a stint of self-isolation.

Worcestershire will need the 24-year-old to hit the ground running as they visit the domestic kings of the past few seasons, Essex, in round one.

Joseph has taken 38 wickets in 16 Tests for West Indies, is a useful lower-order batsman, and made Indian Premier League history in 2019 when he took 6-12 on his Mumbai Indians debut - the best bowling figures in the competition's 14-year history.
 
Opening fixtures - Thursday, 8 April

Group 1

Essex v Worcestershire

Nottinghamshire v Durham

Warwickshire v Derbyshire


Group 2

Gloucestershire v Surrey

Leicestershire v Hampshire

Middlesex v Somerset


Group 3

Northamptonshire v Kent

Sussex v Lancashire

Yorkshire v Glamorgan
 
Any Pakistan player in talks with counties @saj? Would love Abdullah Shafiq or Saud Shakeel to get a county gig
 
Unbelievable that ECB starts the County Championship in April.

Time for medium paced dibbly dobblers to fill their boots, spinners reduced to spectators and batsmen not learning how to play a long innings.
 
I would love to see a Pakistani batsman play in the county championship this year.
 
I would love to see a Pakistani batsman play in the county championship this year.

Nothing in the pipeline for the County Championship as yet.

Haider Ali maybe in the T20 Blast.
 
Last edited:
A reminder that Mohammad Abbas will be playing for Hampshire as an overseas signing for the first two months of the 2021 County Championship season.
 
This morning’s moment of unity – as per release we’ve sent out last night - will occur at 10.55am across the venues hosting LV= Insurance County Championship matches.

This follows consultation with the PCA, player representatives from the women’s and men’s game and First-Class Counties. The players and counties will mark the moment as they deem appropriate.

Additionally, the umpires will be wearing black armbands during the opening round of matches to remember former Kent batsman and much-loved match referee Graham Cowdrey, who died in November last year. Social distancing protocols meant they were unable to attend Graham’s funeral and they have wanted to show their respect for him.
 
I see quetta born Hassan Azad is playing for Leicestershire. He has a good 1st class record aswell.

He also played for Pakistan u15 before his family moved to England.
 
Last edited:
Sports support Covid certification (testing and vaccination) review as a credible option to enable full venues from 21 June onwards

We welcome the Government’s commitment to securing a return of spectators to sporting events and the support all political parties and the devolved administrations have shown to returning sport at all levels throughout the pandemic.

This week’s announcement by the Prime Minister that the Government’s roadmap for easing the lockdown restrictions remains on course is very welcome news.

Sporting events can continue to plan for the return of small numbers of spectators from 17 May. At this stage of the process all spectators will need to follow social distancing requirements and attendance will be capped at a maximum of 25% of larger venue’s capacity. However this will still be insufficient to end sport’s Covid financial crisis.

Looking ahead to June 21, we support the Government’s ambition to secure the full return of fans, without restrictions if possible. Of necessity, this will depend upon the Government agreeing that it is safe to lessen or drop social distancing requirements.

How this can be achieved is being examined by the Events Research Programme (ERP) which is looking at a range of options, including the extent to which social distancing can be relaxed. This work is supported by all of the major sporting bodies.

All of our sports are committed to working closely with the ERP to explore all of the options that will allow us to swiftly return to full capacities. We also understand that further guidance will be issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority.

It is important that we have certainty as soon as possible on the form this guidance will take so we can plan efficiently and effectively with many big sporting events scheduled for late June and onwards.

The return of fans will give a huge boost to millions who enjoy a day out at a sporting event with their friends and families and be of great benefit to the economy. It is right that every possible action is considered to secure this outcome as soon as possible, but only for as long as an unrestricted return is considered unsafe to fans, matchday staff and the wider public.

This includes investigating how a Covid certification arrangement could reduce and then safely remove the requirement for social distancing.

There are many issues to be addressed including how the technology would work and its ease of use at major events, for both the attendees and the organisers.

All of our sports can see the benefit that a Covid certification process offers in getting more fans safely back to their sport as quickly as possible. We know that our stadia can only be fully filled with an assurance process.

This process must ensure that everyone can access stadia and must include arrangements that would verify a negative Covid test or an anti-body test alongside vaccination certification.

The final approach must not be discriminatory, should protect privacy, and have clear exit criteria.

We also reiterate that certification should not be a requirement for any form of participation in grassroots sport around the country.

Based on these principles, we support the review of the use of covid certification for major events. Any final decision on their application should follow an assessment of the evidence gathered in the forthcoming ERP trials.

We look forward to working with Government and all interested parties, including our stakeholders and fans, to deliver the great sporting summer the whole nation craves.

The AELTC, Wimbledon

English Football League (EFL)

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

Football Association (The FA)

Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)

Premier League (PL)

Rugby Football League (RFL)

Rugby Football Union (RFU)

Scottish Professional Football League

Silverstone Circuit
 
Surprisingly we got play in all 9 matches in the County Championship today, I'd have thought the probability of calling off one or two matches would have been high in early April.

Scores at stumps for all the CC matches today as follows.

Group 1:

Essex 207/3 (Westley 84*) vs Worcestershire at Chelmsford

Durham 241/7 (Lees 58, Ball 2/39) vs Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge

Derbyshire 189 (Critchley 64, Norwell 5/32) vs Warwickshire 13/1 at Edgbaston

Group 2:

Middlesex 293/8 (Robson 165, Gregory 4/54) vs Somerset at Lord's

Hampshire 431/4 (Vince 168*, Wright 2/79) vs Leicestershire at Leicester

Surrey 220/9 (Amla 56, Shaw 4/48) vs Gloucestershire at Bristol

Group 3:

Glamorgan 310/8 (van der Gugton 80*, Coad 3/79) vs Yorkshire at Headingley

Sussex 291/9 (Haines 155, Bailey 3/41) vs Lancashire at Old Trafford

Kent 309/7 (Robinson 84, Buck 3/57) vs Northamptonshire at Northampton
 
The pitches for early April have been remarkably good. The one at Old Trafford for the match against Sussex should even help the spinners.
 
Are these games being played behind closed doors? one of my favourite past times is cycling down to the out grounds in Uxbridge and watching Middlesex play most of the time free of charge. Roll on the summer!
 
Good day for Lancs so far, Dane Vilas's love affair with the County Championship continues with another accomplished century. Still can't get my head around a batting day at Manchester in April.

Lancs 257/5 - trail Sussex by 44
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55349;&#56803;&#55349;&#56825;&#55349;&#56814;&#55349;&#56838; &#55349;&#56814;&#55349;&#56815;&#55349;&#56814;&#55349;&#56827;&#55349;&#56817;&#55349;&#56828;&#55349;&#56827;&#55349;&#56818;&#55349;&#56817; &#55349;&#56819;&#55349;&#56828;&#55349;&#56831; &#55349;&#56833;&#55349;&#56821;&#55349;&#56818; &#55349;&#56817;&#55349;&#56814;&#55349;&#56838;<br><br>It is looking brighter at Headingley but the outfield just hasn’t had the chance to clear up enough <br><br>The umpires have decided there will be no more play today &#55357;&#56866; <a href="https://t.co/7Zj491N4zt">pic.twitter.com/7Zj491N4zt</a></p>— Glamorgan Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@GlamCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/GlamCricket/status/1380894702094934017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Scores at stumps on Day 3 as follows.

Group 1:

Essex 490/9 dec (Westley 213, Barnard 3/67) vs Worcestershire 350/6 (Libby 141*, Cook 4/77) at Chelmsford - Worcs trail by 140 runs

Durham 330 (Raine 59*, Fletcher 3/83) & 332/4 (Bedingham 180*, Hutton 2/33) vs Nottinghamshire 267 (Moores 96*, Salisbury 4/74) at Trent Bridge - Durham lead by 395 runs

Derbyshire 189 (Critchley 64, Norwell 5/32) & 71/5 (Critchley 23*, Hannon-Dalby 5/29) vs Warwickshire 221 (Lamb 54, Critchley 2/22) at Edgbaston - Derbyshire lead by 39 runs

Group 2:

Middlesex 313 (Robson 165, Gregory 5/68) & 143 (Eskinazi 53, Davey 3/16) vs Somerset 172 (de Lange 51, Murtagh 4/46) & 112/3 (Abell 62*, Roland-Jones 2/31) at Lord's - Somerset need 173 runs to win

Hampshire 612/5 dec (Vince 231, Wright 2/111) vs Leicestershire 202 (Swindells 59, Abbott 3/27) & 279/8 f/o (Hill 65, Crane 3/101) at Leicester - Leicestershire trail by 131 runs

Surrey 220 (Amla 56, Shaw 4/48) & 232/5 (Foakes 81*, Taylor 2/64) vs Gloucestershire 326 (Dent 78, Topley 5/66) at Bristol - Surrey lead by 126 runs

Group 3:

Kent 455 (Stevens 116*, Buck 3/84) vs Northamptonshire 301/5 (Vasconcelos 154, Stevens 2/59) at Northampton - Northants trail by 154 runs

Glamorgan 330 (van der Gugton 85*, Coad 4/94) & 161/4 (Billy Root 77*, Coad 3/18) vs Yorkshire 193 (Lyth 52, Taylor 2/16) at Headingley - Glamorgan lead by 298 runs

Sussex 301 (Haines 155, Bailey 4/48) & 38/0 (Thomason 23*) vs Lancashire 407 (Vilas 189, Hunt 3/47) at Old Trafford - Sussex trail by 68 runs
 
Leicestershire have expressed their “very strong views” to match referee Stuart Cummings after Hassan Azad was erroneously given out stumped in their County Championship clash against Hampshire.

Hampshire were well on top in the game when the incident occurred, having racked up a mammoth first-innings total and bowled Leicestershire out for 202 to allow themselves to enforce the follow-on. However, the hosts applied themselves more effectively in the second innings, with Azad grafting his way to 18 off 77 balls.

His knock was ended after he was given out stumped by Lewis McManus off the bowling of Liam Dawson. However, closer inspection of the moment in question showed that Leicestershire had significant reason to feel aggrieved, with McManus taking the ball in his right hand before removing the bails with his left.
 
Hampshire the only side to have secured an early win thus far.

Somerset are a hit or two away from winning their match at Lord's against Middlesex.

The Gloucestershire - Surrey match also appears interesting with Gloucs chasing 228 to win.

The other matches look to be heading for draws at this stage.
 
Gloucestershire 149/2 in pursuit of 228. It could be a very good win against Surrey at the start of the season.
 
As a mark of respect, all nine LV= County Championship matches will pause between 2:50-4:10 on Saturday 17 April, to coincide with the funeral of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

We are also asking all recreational cricket clubs across England and Wales to pause play between 3pm and 4pm next Saturday in order to pay their respects alongside observing the one minute silence at 3pm.
 
Rain delay in Bristol with Gloucestershire needing another 43 runs to win. They'll be getting a bit nervous in the home dressing room.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who did it better? &#55358;&#56596;<a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneWarne</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mattyparky96?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mattyparky96</a> &#55357;&#56399;<br><br>&#55356;&#57145; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedRoseTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedRoseTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/HwLQgwM9De">pic.twitter.com/HwLQgwM9De</a></p>— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/lancscricket/status/1383130753396051968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who did it better? ��<a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneWarne</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mattyparky96?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mattyparky96</a> ��<br><br>�� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedRoseTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedRoseTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/HwLQgwM9De">pic.twitter.com/HwLQgwM9De</a></p>— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/lancscricket/status/1383130753396051968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Beauty. Won't be long before Parkinson gets called up to the Test squad.
 
Matt Critchley is an all-rounder to follow closely. He's had a mixed career for Derbyshire thus far: averaging 31 with the bat and 41 with the ball. However, he almost scored two hundreds in the last game against Worcestershire and took 8 wickets. Landing his leg-breaks very well from what I've seen.

Watched a bit of the stream from the Derbyshire - Durham match earlier today, and apart from the shock of sunshine in the north-east and a flat pitch, it seems Durham are slowly rebuilding that club after a few difficult years in the wilderness of Division 2.

Love the new county structure with three separate groups to start with and progressing to divisional cricket only at the end; the beauty is that it again gives each of the 18 counties a chance to win the County Championship. The threat of relegation being removed will also mean that clubs won't produce bad pitches, as underscored by the number of runs being scored in April thus far.
 
Last edited:
David Bedingham with a massive double hundred for Durham.

Has 8 FC hundreds and 10 fifties at an average of 45. One for South Africa to keep an eye on given their batting frailties in Tests.
 
Mohammad Abbas is in amongst the wickets again, has four wickets already including the in-form James Bracey.

There was a lot of chatter about Tom Lammonby but he's already recorded three ducks this season.
 
Matt Parkinson with a 5-wicket haul today at Canterbury against Kent. He's really progressing nicely and should definitely be given a trial by England this summer ahead of the tour to Australia.
 
Good games in progress at Headingley, Brighton, and Taunton.

Yorkshire 206 & 4/0 vs Northamptonshire 234

Lancashire 176/6 vs Sussex 328

Somerset 120/4 vs Middlesex 357
 
The match at Headingley is nicely poised with Northants needing 220 to win against Yorkshire, will be a tense chase.
 
Northants 72/3 chasing 220.

Ricardo Vasconcelos will be key to the chase, he's had a wonderful start to the season.
 
So Vihari opens his county stint with 23 ball duck but came well in 2nd match.. He's batting at No. 3 for them by the way.. Also had bad outing in 3rd match..
 
Yorkshire won a nailbiter by 1 run this evening, bowling out Northamptonshire for 218.

A very good game going into the last hour at Bristol at the moment, Gloucestershire are 307/4 chasing 348 against Leicestershire. There are about 8 overs remaining.

The weather and the pitches have combined to ensure a brilliant start to the county season thus far.
 
If Gloucestershire chase this target of 348 successfully, it'll be the second-highest successful fourth-innings chase in their history.

327/4 now, 21 to win. Almost there. They needed almost 120 off the final 20 overs.

The Leicestershire captain will be regretting the tactics in the second innings now after having had a lead of 146. They threw away their wickets in the first session this morning to set Gloucestershire a target below 350 in 80 overs.
 
Sky will broadcast the Middlesex - Gloucestershire fixture from Lord's this weekend to fill their schedule after the IPL was postponed. The regular commentary team is expected to feature.
 
Last edited:
Somerset have signed New Zealand's Devon Conway

The batsman has 18 first-class hundreds to his name and averages 59.12 with a strike-rate of 151.11 in T20Is

He will be available for at least nine T20 Blast group-stage matches and two County Championship fixtures
 
22 year old Saif Zaib with 135 for Northants v Sussex.

This is his highest score in first-class cricket.
 
6 wickets for the impressive Amar Singh Virdi for Surrey versus Leicestershire.

Not too far away from an England call-up this lad.
 
Hampshire Hawks are delighted to announce the signing of Australian batsman, D’Arcy Short.

The destructive opener has signed a deal for this year’s Vitality Blast, putting pen-to-paper on a T20 contract for the duration of the Hawks’ 2021 campaign.

A hard-hitting left-hander and effective left-arm wrist spinner, Short is one of the world’s best white-ball cricketers, having made 31 international appearances for Australia whilst also possessing extensive experience in many of the world’s leading T20 competitions.

The 30-year-old has an exceptional T20 record, with 3,991 runs at an average of 35.31 to his name in 123 innings and 48 wickets at 30 apiece across both international and domestic fixtures.

Short has been integral to Hobart Hurricanes success in his home nation’s Big Bash League and he’s also impressed during stints for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and St Lucia Stars in the Caribbean Premier League.

The Western Australian star also has experience of playing in the Vitality Blast having enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Durham in 2019, a period during which he struck 483 runs at an average of 43.90 from just 12 innings, the fourth highest run-tally of any batsman that campaign.

Giles White, Hampshire Director of Cricket, said: “We are delighted to secure the signing of D’Arcy for this summer’s Vitality Blast competition. He is a high-class performer who has consistently shown his ability to score a high volume of runs at the top of the order, both for Australia and in a number of the world’s best T20 competitions. Alongside his skill with the bat, he also gives us another spin bowling option with the ball so we’re excited about what he brings to the side and are looking forward to having him with us.”

D’Arcy Short said: “I am so excited to join a Club with as much history as Hampshire Hawks. I can’t wait to get to The Ageas Bowl and hopefully we can have a strong season and win our first title since 2012.”
 
Derbyshire paceman Billy Stanlake has been ruled out for the season after one game in English county cricket.

The 26-year-old Australia limited-over international suffered a back injury on his debut against Essex at Chelmsford.

The 6ft 7ins Stanlake, who had signed for the season and was playing only his ninth game of first-class cricket, took 2-91 in his one innings.

Scans following the game revealed a stress fracture and he will return to Australia to start his convalescence.

"We're hugely disappointed that we won't get to see more of Billy this year," said Derbyshire head of cricket Dave Houghton.

"He's been a model professional during his time with us and we wish him all the best in his recovery.

"Our search for a replacement has already begun and we are hopeful of bringing in another bowler in the not-too-distant future who can contribute in all formats this summer."

Stanlake will do his rehabilitation in the hands of the medical staff with his Australian state side, his native Queensland.
 
The 45-year-old Darren Stevens acknowledges the crowd after scoring 190 off 149 balls for Kent - 150 of his runs came in boundaries

E16wqCWXEAALGml
 
Earlier today, a 166 run 9th wicket partnership between Darren Stevens & Miguel Cummins for Kent versus Glamorgan. The breakdown of the partnership was as follows:

Stevens 160 runs
Cummins 1 run
Extras 5
 
Darren Stevens, 45-year-old county cricketer, smashes 190 before dismissing Marnus Labuschagne

What a story. Move over Misbah.

In a 166-run stand with Miguel Cummins, the West Indies fast bowler scored only one run as Stevens hogged the strike in a partnership that eclipsed even Ben Stokes's effort with Jack Leach at Headingly in the 2019 Ashes.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-22/darren-stevens-cricket-marnus-labuschagne-ashes/100158016

Evergreen county cricketer Darren Stevens has shown age is just a number, dominating play against a Glamorgan side featuring Australian representatives Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser.

Key points:
Darren Stevens hit 15 sixes in his 149-ball, 190-run innings
Stevens was named Wisden's cricketer of the year in April

The Barmy Army, England's cricket supporters club, said he should be in contention for the Ashes
On a cold and windy day at St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, the 45-year-old launched an incredible counterattack for Kent, hitting 190 runs after his side slumped to five for 80, belting them to a score of 294 before being dismissed by Labuschagne's part-time leg-spin.

Coming in at number seven, Stevens started his innings carefully before going on to club 15 sixes and 15 fours in his 149-ball knock.

In a 166-run stand with Miguel Cummins, the West Indies fast bowler scored only one run as Stevens hogged the strike in a partnership that eclipsed even Ben Stokes's effort with Jack Leach at Headingly in the 2019 Ashes.


"We were in a tough situation," he told Kent Cricket's website after the day's play.

"All I was worried about was trying to hit a boundary the first three balls [of each over] and then get off strike."

"I thought they did it poorly, to be fair. I thought they could have brought the man in. We got into a bit of a routine."

The innings saw Stevens break the record for the most sixes in a first-class innings by a player aged 40 or over, according to cricket statistician Andrew Samson.

Stevens was also credited with the highest first-class partnership in which one batsman scored more than 90 per cent of the runs.

Still destructive with the ball too
After his side was eventually all out for 307, the wily veteran then returned with the ball late in the afternoon to dismiss Labuschagne lbw, for the second time this season.


It marks a season to forget so far for Australia's Test number three, who has scored only 44 runs in his five county innings so far.

Stevens also got the better of former Australian Test batsman Travis Head in Kent's match against Sussex earlier this month, bowling him out for 20 as he picked up three wickets for 64 off 22 economical overs.

In his 25th season of county cricket, Stevens's medium pacers have so far brought him 19 wickets at an average of 20.2 runs a wicket.

It is the sort of consistency that saw him win Wisden's illustrious Cricketer of the Year award in April, making him the oldest player since 1933 to do so.

After struggling with the bat since a century in early April, Stevens thinks his swashbuckling 190 will now prompt some of his younger teammates to take more notice of him.

"There were a couple of words flying around like 'freak' — it's nice," he said.

"There's a few young faces, newcomers to the side that have not seen me play as well and there were a few rumours flying around about how I do play.

"They were just really pleased to actually see it and I'm pleased to perform and get us in a great position."

Barmy Army backs Stevens for Ashes
England's cricket supporters club, the Barmy Army, has even pushed for Stevens's selection for the Ashes at the end of the year, tweeting "get him on the plane" next to an Australian flag.


Despite never playing for England's Test side, Stevens did tour Australia as part of a National Academy squad in 2002 and does still have cricketing contacts in Australia.

"I get a lot of messages from people all around the world," Stevens told British website inews.co.uk in April.

"I played a bit of cricket in Australia and a lot of Australians in their early 40s and late 30s who are thinking about retiring get in touch and say, 'If it wasn't for you I would be hanging them up, but if you can do it we all can.'

"It's too easy to discard a sportsman as soon as they get to a certain age but if your body is still up to it then why not carry on? I think we 100 per cent need to rethink that mindset."

Posted 7 hours ago
 
Group 2, Southampton, May 19 - 22 2021, County Championship
HANTS 233 & forfeit
LEICS (0.5 ov, target 150)84 & 0/0
Day 4 - Leics need 150 runs.

Group 1, Nottingham, May 20 - 23 2021, County Championship
NOTTS (71 ov) 301/4
WORCS
Day 3 - Worcs chose to field. CRR: 4.23

Group 1, Chelmsford, May 20 - 23 2021, County Championship
WARKS 166
ESSEX (51 ov)145/6
Day 3 - Essex trail by 21 runs. CRR: 2.84

Group 1, Derby, May 20 - 23 2021, County Championship
DERBS (71 ov)201/6
DURH
Day 3 - Durham chose to field. CRR: 2.83

Group 3, Northampton, May 20 - 23 2021, County Championship
LANCS (28.1 ov)75/1
NHNTS
Day 3 - Northants chose to field. CRR: 2.66

Group 3, Canterbury, May 20 - 23 2021, County Championship
KEN 307
GLAM (19.4 ov)55/2
Day 3 - Glamorgan trail by 252 runs. CRR: 2.79

Group 2, Bristol, May 20 - 23 2021, County Championship
SOM (80 ov)217/7
GLOUCS
Day 3 - Gloucs chose to field. CRR: 2.71

Group 2, London, May 20 - 23 2021, County Championship
SURR (4 ov) 190 & 12/0
MIDDX 160
Day 3 - Surrey lead by 38 runs. CRR: 2.28
 
Hampshire: 12 Points, Leicestershire: 11 Points
Result: Match Drawn
Hampshire elected to forfeit, Leicestershire target 150 runs
 
These are terrifying stats and exactly why England struggle so often overseas in places like Australia and India. There's not a single seamer here averaging 85mph !

County seamers.jpg
 
Hampshire Hawks are delighted to announce the signing of New Zealand all-rounder, Colin de Grandhomme.

The Blackcap international has signed a deal for this year’s Vitality Blast, putting pen-to-paper on a T20 contract for the 2021 campaign which will see him join up with James Vince's squad following his World Test Championship commitments with New Zealand.

A hard-hitting middle-order batsman and accurate right-arm seamer, de Grandhomme is one of the world’s best all-format all-rounders having made 102 international appearances in all three forms of the game for New Zealand since his debut in 2012.

De Grandhomme has been an important part of New Zealand’s success in recent years, becoming an integral part of the ODI side that reached the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final and a prominent feature of a strong IT20 squad which has recorded four consecutive series wins against West Indies, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively.

The right-armer has also made key contributions to New Zealand’s Test success, most recently helping them seal a place in the ICC World Test Championship Final set to be played at The Ageas Bowl this June.

Alongside his international experience, de Grandhomme has a strong domestic record, particularly in T20 cricket, having featured for a number of franchises in some of the most prominent short-form competitions in the world. With 3353 runs at an average of 24.29 and 66 wickets to his name in 201 matches - he also boasts an excellent strike-rate of 161.20, the fifth highest batting strike-rate in T20 history – he will bring further experience and skill to James Vince’s side.

Giles White, Hampshire Director of Cricket, said: “We were looking to add firepower to the middle-order and Colin fits that role perfectly. He’s a consistent performer, brings a lot of experience and has the ability to clear the ropers. His strike-rate is exceptional and, alongside his skill with the ball, we feel he is an excellent fit.”

Colin de Grandhomme said: “I have always enjoyed playing county cricket and I’m really looking forward to joining up with Hampshire Hawks for this year’s Vitality Blast. The Club has a very talented group of players and I am hopeful that I can contribute with some good performances throughout the T20 campaign this summer.”
 
Scores at close of play today:

Group 1, Chester-le-Street, May 27 - 30 2021, County Championship

ESSEX 182
DURH (33 ov) 58/6

Day 1 - Durham trail by 124 runs. CRR: 1.75

Group 1, Birmingham, May 27 - 30 2021, County Championship

WARKS (96 ov) 250/6
NOTTS

Day 1 - Notts chose to field. CRR: 2.60

Group 1, Worcester, May 27 - 30 2021, County Championship

WORCS (95.1 ov) 336/7
DERBS

Day 1 - Worcs chose to bat. CRR: 3.53

Group 3, Manchester, May 27 - 30 2021, County Championship

YORKS 159
LANCS (31 ov) 95/1

Day 1 - Lancashire trail by 64 runs. CRR: 3.06

Group 3, Brighton, May 27 - 30 2021, County Championship

SUSS 175
NHNTS (36 ov) 91/4

Day 1 - Northants trail by 84 runs. CRR: 2.52

Group 2, London, May 27 - 30 2021, County Championship

SURR (96 ov) 285/5
GLOUC

Day 1 - Surrey chose to bat. CRR: 2.96

Group 2, Leicester, May 27 - 30 2021, County Championship

MIDDX (96 ov) 260/7
LEICS

Day 1 - Middlesex chose to bat. CRR: 2.70
 
Lancashire left it late to win the Roses match against Yorkshire at Old Trafford, as Yorks held on till the last hour. Saqib Mahmood bowled well taking 5-47 on the last day.
 
Went yesterday to old Trafford for the third day of the roses match, Saqib mahmood no doubt is a England test bowler in the making, his skill set and has real pace, pity didn't go today.
 
Went yesterday to old Trafford for the third day of the roses match, Saqib mahmood no doubt is a England test bowler in the making, his skill set and has real pace, pity didn't go today.

Since many British Pakistanis have dual nationalities, can Pakistan poach Saqib?
 
A player we haven't mentioned yet - Jack Carson, the spinner from Craigavon, Northern Ireland.

11 FC matches and 37 wickets at an average of 25 is impressive given English wickets especially in early season don't take much turn except for grounds like Taunton.
 
SURREY CCC ALL-ROUNDER SEAN ABBOTT WILL RETURN TO AUSTRALIA AFTER BADLY DAMAGING HIS HAMSTRING DURING LAST WEEK’S LV= INSURANCE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP WITH GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

Abbott, who was making his debut for the Club, took 2/5 in the second innings and made 40 with the bat during the game. He didn’t come out to field on the final day, after suffering the injury on the afternoon of Day three.

Originally due to stay until the conclusion of the Vitality Blast Group Stage on July 16th, Abbott will now return home immediately to rehabilitate the injury.

Surrey CCC Director of Cricket, Alec Stewart, said: “Sean’s injury is incredibly unfortunate as he made a great impression during his first game and had already become a popular member of the dressing room.”

Abbott’s departure leaves South African batsman Hashim Amla as the only overseas player currently in the Surrey squad. ECB regulations permit two to play at any one time.
 
Reece Topley has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a side strain and will likely miss the entirety of this years Vitality Blast campaign.
 
With Abbott and Topley out of Surrey's team they must be scrambling to find a replacement. Who is available? Is Riley Meredith free before the windies tour? Dale Steyn????
 
Lovely moment for a young player:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Outstanding moment for Danial Ibrahim &#55357;&#56399; <br><br>Aged just 16 years and 299 days, he's made his maiden 50 in his <a href="https://twitter.com/SussexCCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SussexCCC</a> debut &#55357;&#56882; <br><br>Watch him live: <a href="https://t.co/MMaYF6CyMl">https://t.co/MMaYF6CyMl</a> <a href="https://t.co/KMmDHUMbtA">pic.twitter.com/KMmDHUMbtA</a></p>— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/CountyChamp/status/1400764850737909760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

His dad played first-class cricket in Pakistan.
 
T20 Blast 2021 fixtures:

June

09, Kent v Hampshire, Canterbury
09, Lancashire v Derbyshire, Emirates Old Trafford
09, Worcestershire v Nottinghamshire, New Road
09, Somerset v Essex, The Cooper Associates County Ground
10, Yorkshire v Birmingham Bears, Emerald Headingley
10, Lancashire v Leicestershire, Emirates Old Trafford
10, Middlesex v Surrey, Lord’s
10, Glamorgan v Gloucestershire, Sophia Gardens
11, Gloucestershire v Sussex, Bristol County Ground
11, Kent v Middlesex, Canterbury
11, Durham v Yorkshire, Emirates Riverside
11, Essex v Hampshire, The Cloudfm County Ground
11, Somerset v Surrey, The Cooper Associates County Ground
11, Northamptonshire v Worcestershire, The County Ground Northampton
11, Nottinghamshire v Birmingham Bears, Trent Bridge
11, Leicestershire v Derbyshire, Uptonsteel County Ground
12, Sussex v Hampshire, The 1st Central County Ground
13, Kent v Gloucestershire, Canterbury
13, Worcestershire v Lancashire, New Road
13, Glamorgan v Essex, Sophia Gardens
13, Northamptonshire v Nottinghamshire, The County Ground Northampton
13, Derbyshire v Birmingham Bears, The Incora County Ground
13, Leicestershire v Durham, Uptonsteel County Ground
14, Surrey v Glamorgan, Kia Oval,
15, Yorkshire v Leicestershire, Emerald Headingley
15, Durham v Nottinghamshire, Emirates Riverside
15, Middlesex v Hampshire, TBC
15, Essex v Sussex, The Cloudfm County Ground
15, Somerset v Kent, The Cooper Associates County Ground
15, Northamptonshire v Birmingham Bears, The County Ground Northampton
15, Derbyshire v Lancashire, The Incora County Ground
16, Worcestershire v Yorkshire, New Road
16, Glamorgan v Kent, Sophia Gardens
16, Leicestershire v Birmingham Bears, Uptonsteel County Ground
17, Durham v Lancashire, Emirates Riverside
17, Surrey v Sussex, Kia Oval
17, Middlesex v Gloucestershire, TBC
17, Derbyshire v Northamptonshire, The Incora County Ground
18, Birmingham Bears v Lancashire, Edgbaston
18, Yorkshire v Durham, Emerald Headingley
18, Surrey v Hampshire, Kia Oval
18, Worcestershire v Northamptonshire, New Road
18, Glamorgan v Middlesex, Sophia Gardens
18, Sussex v Somerset, The 1st Central County Ground
18, Essex v Gloucestershire, The Cloudfm County Ground
18, Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire, Trent Bridge
19, Somerset v Glamorgan, The Cooper Associates County Ground
20, Gloucestershire v Hampshire, Bristol County Ground
20, Kent v Essex, Canterbury
20, Yorkshire v Derbyshire, Emerald Headingley
20, Durham v Birmingham Bears, Emirates Riverside
20, Lancashire v Nottinghamshire, Emirates Old Trafford
20, Northamptonshire v Leicestershire, The County Ground Northampton
21, Surrey v Essex, Kia Oval
22, Gloucestershire v Kent, Bristol County Ground
22, Sussex v Glamorgan, The 1st Central County Ground
22, Derbyshire v Leicestershire, The Incora County Ground
22, Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire, Trent Bridge
23, Yorkshire v Worcestershire, Emerald Headingley
23, Durham v Northamptonshire, Emirates Riverside
23, Surrey v Somerset, Kia Oval
24, Birmingham Bears v Derbyshire, Edgbaston
24, Middlesex v Essex, Lord’s
24, Gloucestershire v Glamorgan, Bristol County Ground
25, Surrey v Middlesex, Kia Oval
25, Worcestershire v Durham, New Road
25, Sussex v Gloucestershire, The 1st Central County Ground
25, Essex v Kent, The Cloudfm County Ground
25, Somerset v Hampshire, The Cooper Associates County Ground
25, Northamptonshire v Lancashire, The County Ground Northampton
25, Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire, The Incora County Ground
25, Leicestershire v Yorkshire, Uptonsteel County Ground
26, Birmingham Bears v Durham, Edgbaston
26, Yorkshire v Northamptonshire, Emerald Headingley
26, Nottinghamshire v Lancashire, Trent Bridge
27, Worcestershire v Leicestershire, New Road
27, Middlesex v Glamorgan, TBC
27, Sussex v Surrey, The 1st Central County Ground
28, Hampshire v Middlesex, Ageas Bowl
28, Kent v Somerset, Canterbury
29, Glamorgan v Surrey, Sophia Gardens
29, Sussex Kent, The 1st Central County Ground
29, Essex v Somerset, The Cloudfm County Ground
29, Leicestershire v Northamptonshire, Uptonsteel County Ground
30, Hampshire v Surrey, Ageas Bowl
30, Birmingham Bears v Yorkshire, Edgbaston
30, Northamptonshire v Durham, The County Ground Northampton

July

01, Gloucestershire v Somerset, Bristol County Ground
01, Lancashire v Worcestershire, Emirates Old Trafford
01, Middlesex v Sussex, Lord’s
01, Essex v Glamorgan, The Cloudfm County Ground
01, Nottinghamshire v Leicestershire, Trent Bridge
02, Hampshire v Gloucestershire, Ageas Bowl,
02, Kent v Surrey, Canterbury
02, Birmingham Bears v Nottinghamshire, Edgbaston
02, Yorkshire v Lancashire, Emerald Headingley
02, Durham v Leicestershire, Emirates Riverside
02, Glamorgan v Sussex, Sophia Gardens
02, Somerset v Middlesex, The Cooper Associates County Ground
02, Derbyshire v Worcestershire, The Incora County Ground
09, Hampshire v Somerset, Ageas Bowl
09, Gloucestershire v Middlesex, Cheltenham
09, Lancashire v Northamptonshire, Emirates Old Trafford
09, Durham v Derbyshire, Emirates Riverside
09, Surrey v Kent, Kia Oval,
09, Worcestershire v Birmingham Bears, New Road
09, Sussex v Essex, The 1st Central County Ground
09, Nottinghamshire b Yorkshire, Trent Bridge
16, Hampshire v Essex, Ageas Bowl
16, Hampshire v Sussex, Ageas Bowl
16, Gloucestershire v Surrey, Cheltenham
16, Birmingham Bears v Worcestershire, Edgbaston
16, Lancashire v Durham, Emirates Old Trafford
16, Middlesex v Kent, Lord’s
16, Glamorgan v Somerset, Sophia Gardens
16, Northamptonshire v Derbyshire, The County Ground Northampton
16, Leicestershire v Nottinghamshire, Uptonsteel County Ground
17, Lancashire v Yorkshire, Emirates Old Trafford
18, Hampshire v Glamorgan, Ageas Bowl
18, Kent v Sussex, Canterbury
18, Derbyshire v Yorkshire, Chesterfield
18, Birmingham Bears v Northamptonshire, Edgbaston
18, Essex v Middlesex, The Cloudfm County Ground
18, Somerset v Gloucestershire, The Cooper Associates County Ground
18, Nottinghamshire v Durham, Trent Bridge
18, Leicestershire v Worcestershire, Uptonsteel County Ground

August

24, QF
25, QF
26, QF
27, QF
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">✍️ &#55349;&#56327;&#55349;&#56350;'&#55349;&#56364; &#55349;&#56321;&#55349;&#56320;&#55349;&#56322;&#55349;&#56330; ✍️<br><br>We're delighted to announce that &#55356;&#56819;&#55356;&#56831; paceman Adam Milne will be a Kent Spitfire for a fourth time in the second half of this year's <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalityBlast?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VitalityBlast</a> &#55357;&#56485;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MilneIsBack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MilneIsBack</a> &#55356;&#57295; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperKent?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuperKent</a></p>— Kent Spitfires (@KentCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/KentCricket/status/1402226401307201539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Essex have announced Peter Siddle will miss the rest of the county season after returning home to Australia for 'personal reasons'.

The former Australia seamer has taken 20 wickets in six LV= Insurance County Championship matches at an average of 24.4 this year and was recently awarded his county cap.

"I'm sad to be leaving Chelmsford early as I love playing for Essex," said the 36-year-old Siddle, who took 221 wickets in 67 Tests at 30.66 for Australia between October 2008 and September 2019.

"I've built some really strong bonds with the guys, so it's upsetting that I have to go home, but hopefully in the future I can come back and play some more cricket for this great club.

"I know I'm getting to the back end of my career, but I've still got some playing time left.

"We'll see what happens in the coming months and in the build-up to the 2022 season, but fingers crossed there's still a little bit more cricket to be played for Essex."
 
Surrey announce the signing of New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson.

He will be available for selection against Middlesex in the Vitality Blast match at The Kia Oval on 25th June and will remain with the squad until the final group game.
 
Back
Top