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| County cricket – live! | County cricket – live! |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 2.25pm BST14:25 | |
| Will Macpherson reports | |
| We’re back out after lunch and Jimmy Adams has been snared, caught behind off James Harris for 37. That brings a third James, Vince, in for a hit, which I’m very pleased about. He’s started a bit scratchy, which is unlike him. In other news, England’s official ODI and T20 captain Eoin Morgan is here, fresh off the plane from Hyderabad. I’m saying 5.10 for the handshake here, by the way. | |
| 1.07pm BST13:07 | 1.07pm BST13:07 |
| Will Macpherson’s lunchtime report | Will Macpherson’s lunchtime report |
| More of the same up until lunch at the Ageas (four days of this and I still don’t know what I should be calling this place). Jimmy Adams and Carbs have been steady against Finn – who hasn’t got the rewards a decent performance has deserved in this match – and big Ollie Rayner, who’s wiling away at the Hilton Hotel end not looking at all threatening. Hampshire’s Danny Briggs is playing for the seconds over on the adjacent Nursery Ground. | More of the same up until lunch at the Ageas (four days of this and I still don’t know what I should be calling this place). Jimmy Adams and Carbs have been steady against Finn – who hasn’t got the rewards a decent performance has deserved in this match – and big Ollie Rayner, who’s wiling away at the Hilton Hotel end not looking at all threatening. Hampshire’s Danny Briggs is playing for the seconds over on the adjacent Nursery Ground. |
| Last in a very fine set of media lunches coming up, they’ve looked after us well down here. It’s 70-1, so I’m prepared to start taking sweepstake offers about what time hands will be shaken and a draw declared. | Last in a very fine set of media lunches coming up, they’ve looked after us well down here. It’s 70-1, so I’m prepared to start taking sweepstake offers about what time hands will be shaken and a draw declared. |
| 1.02pm BST13:02 | 1.02pm BST13:02 |
| Richard Rae’s lunchtime report from Grace Road | Richard Rae’s lunchtime report from Grace Road |
| Lunch at Grace Road, as well as being among the best of the county circuit, is today of the early variety, as a shower has closed in on the ground. And very grateful Leicestershire will be for that, because after picking up a couple of wickets to give themselves a faint hope of bowling Lancashire out sufficuently cheaply to give themselves a reasonable target to chase, they spent the next 13 overs being biffed around by Ashwell Prince and in particular, Alex Davies, a 20-year-old wicket-keeper/batsmen from Darwen who does not lack confidence. The pair have so far added 74 runs for Lancashire’s fifth wicket, as a consequence of which they have extended the visitors lead to 265, with six wickets, and more pertinently now, 72 overs remaining. It was not so much seeing Davies skipping down the wicket to smack Charlie Shreck straight back over his head which made one smile, however, as the insouciance with which he smiled and patted opposite number Niall O’Brien on the shoulder when the Leicestershire wicketkeeper marched up to “have a word”, before waving him nonchalantly back to his position behind the stumps. | Lunch at Grace Road, as well as being among the best of the county circuit, is today of the early variety, as a shower has closed in on the ground. And very grateful Leicestershire will be for that, because after picking up a couple of wickets to give themselves a faint hope of bowling Lancashire out sufficuently cheaply to give themselves a reasonable target to chase, they spent the next 13 overs being biffed around by Ashwell Prince and in particular, Alex Davies, a 20-year-old wicket-keeper/batsmen from Darwen who does not lack confidence. The pair have so far added 74 runs for Lancashire’s fifth wicket, as a consequence of which they have extended the visitors lead to 265, with six wickets, and more pertinently now, 72 overs remaining. It was not so much seeing Davies skipping down the wicket to smack Charlie Shreck straight back over his head which made one smile, however, as the insouciance with which he smiled and patted opposite number Niall O’Brien on the shoulder when the Leicestershire wicketkeeper marched up to “have a word”, before waving him nonchalantly back to his position behind the stumps. |
| 12.40pm BST12:40 | 12.40pm BST12:40 |
| Will Macpherson writes from the Rose Bowl | Will Macpherson writes from the Rose Bowl |
| There’s nowt happening at the Rose Bowl. Well, Neil Dexter had Liam Dawson caught behind and Hampshire have brought their 50 up with an awesome Michael Carberry pull. But not much, seeing as we need a filthy collapse or a flurry of runs for an interesting game. | There’s nowt happening at the Rose Bowl. Well, Neil Dexter had Liam Dawson caught behind and Hampshire have brought their 50 up with an awesome Michael Carberry pull. But not much, seeing as we need a filthy collapse or a flurry of runs for an interesting game. |
| 11.50am BST11:50 | 11.50am BST11:50 |
| Richard Rae reports from Leicestershire v Lancashire | Richard Rae reports from Leicestershire v Lancashire |
| Forty minutes or so into the final day’s play here at Grace Road, and Lancashire are building steadily, rather than spectacularly, towards a declaration. Which begs the question, just how brave are skipper Steven Croft and head coach Ashley Giles prepared to be in pursuit of a win? Because make no mistake, on a wicket that has given the seamers plenty of assistance throughout, this is a real opportunity for the league leaders. Yet the feeling is they might just look to bat through the morning and see where they are at lunch, and only after lunch start throwing the bat. | Forty minutes or so into the final day’s play here at Grace Road, and Lancashire are building steadily, rather than spectacularly, towards a declaration. Which begs the question, just how brave are skipper Steven Croft and head coach Ashley Giles prepared to be in pursuit of a win? Because make no mistake, on a wicket that has given the seamers plenty of assistance throughout, this is a real opportunity for the league leaders. Yet the feeling is they might just look to bat through the morning and see where they are at lunch, and only after lunch start throwing the bat. |
| If so, it seems a dangerously negative approach - dangerous, because it might not leave them enough time to bowl Leicestershire out again. They have just lost a wicket, that of Alviro Petersen, palpably leg before wicket to Ben Raine, but at 72-3 they lead by 191, with 86 overs remaining in the day (less two for the change of innings). There are some in these environs who would maintain that is already enough. Anyone care to suggest when Lancashire should pull out - and guess when they actually will. Oh, hang on - Croft has just gone, leg before to McKay for 1. Also plumb. Maybe they’re going to be bowled out. In fact, ignore everything I’ve just written. | If so, it seems a dangerously negative approach - dangerous, because it might not leave them enough time to bowl Leicestershire out again. They have just lost a wicket, that of Alviro Petersen, palpably leg before wicket to Ben Raine, but at 72-3 they lead by 191, with 86 overs remaining in the day (less two for the change of innings). There are some in these environs who would maintain that is already enough. Anyone care to suggest when Lancashire should pull out - and guess when they actually will. Oh, hang on - Croft has just gone, leg before to McKay for 1. Also plumb. Maybe they’re going to be bowled out. In fact, ignore everything I’ve just written. |
| 11.50am BST11:50 | 11.50am BST11:50 |
| Will Macpherson reports | Will Macpherson reports |
| Forty-five uneventful minutes played at the Ageas, with a couple of appeals all we have to show action-wise. 23 runs added without loss. Finn and TRJ bowled nicely and Harris is now on, after a pretty ordinary (to borrow Warnie parlance, seeing as I’m at the Ageas) performance in the first innings. Finn called for a second cable knit when he came off, which tells you how warm it is. This is going to be a draw. To be honest, if Hampshire are going to bat all day, I at least want scrumptious stylist James Vince to do the batting but a couple of wickets need to fall before he’s in. That cover drive… | Forty-five uneventful minutes played at the Ageas, with a couple of appeals all we have to show action-wise. 23 runs added without loss. Finn and TRJ bowled nicely and Harris is now on, after a pretty ordinary (to borrow Warnie parlance, seeing as I’m at the Ageas) performance in the first innings. Finn called for a second cable knit when he came off, which tells you how warm it is. This is going to be a draw. To be honest, if Hampshire are going to bat all day, I at least want scrumptious stylist James Vince to do the batting but a couple of wickets need to fall before he’s in. That cover drive… |
| 10.57am BST10:57 | 10.57am BST10:57 |
| Will Macpherson sets up the day | Will Macpherson sets up the day |
| Good morning all. And then there were two – last night, thanks to a shoddy Nottinghamshire batting performance at Trent Bridge, we bid the indefatigable Lizzy adieu, meaning it’ll just be myself (at the Ageas Bowl) and Richard Rae at Leicestershire v Lancashire manning the finest county blog in the land today. | Good morning all. And then there were two – last night, thanks to a shoddy Nottinghamshire batting performance at Trent Bridge, we bid the indefatigable Lizzy adieu, meaning it’ll just be myself (at the Ageas Bowl) and Richard Rae at Leicestershire v Lancashire manning the finest county blog in the land today. |
| There are four other games going on, of course. Durham are battling after following on at Edgbaston, Essex and Glamorgan are doing battle in Cardiff, Matt Coles and Calum Haggett have taken Kent past Gloucestershire, and Northants and Surrey are playing our a soggy old affair at Wantage Road. Only 28 overs bowled in two days there – precipitation seems to be following Alex Wakely’s men at the moment. The last three games listed there are enjoying their third day today, while for Richard and I, it’s the last. | There are four other games going on, of course. Durham are battling after following on at Edgbaston, Essex and Glamorgan are doing battle in Cardiff, Matt Coles and Calum Haggett have taken Kent past Gloucestershire, and Northants and Surrey are playing our a soggy old affair at Wantage Road. Only 28 overs bowled in two days there – precipitation seems to be following Alex Wakely’s men at the moment. The last three games listed there are enjoying their third day today, while for Richard and I, it’s the last. |
| So how are these two poised? Well, Nick Compton and Toby R-J just about put paid to hopes of a result here at the Ageas, where Hampshire start the day 55 ahead and with ten wickets in hand. A few Hampshire folk are a bit peeved because Fidel Edwards has a shoulder injury which means he’ll play no further part, and apparently it’s not new. Jackson Bird is approaching a return, and it can’t come soon enough. He was diving around in the field as twelfthie yesterday. At Leicester, Lancashire are looking to build towards a declaration before skittling the hosts out. Wouldn’t be the first time they’d lost in such a fashion on their torrid run. | So how are these two poised? Well, Nick Compton and Toby R-J just about put paid to hopes of a result here at the Ageas, where Hampshire start the day 55 ahead and with ten wickets in hand. A few Hampshire folk are a bit peeved because Fidel Edwards has a shoulder injury which means he’ll play no further part, and apparently it’s not new. Jackson Bird is approaching a return, and it can’t come soon enough. He was diving around in the field as twelfthie yesterday. At Leicester, Lancashire are looking to build towards a declaration before skittling the hosts out. Wouldn’t be the first time they’d lost in such a fashion on their torrid run. |
| The weather is, of course, the caveat. God knows what it’s got in store. Pray it stays fair… | The weather is, of course, the caveat. God knows what it’s got in store. Pray it stays fair… |
| 10.57am BST10:57 | 10.57am BST10:57 |
| Morning all, | Morning all, |
| Today we have Will Macpherson at Hampshire v Middlesex and Richard Rae at Leicestershire v Lancashire. | Today we have Will Macpherson at Hampshire v Middlesex and Richard Rae at Leicestershire v Lancashire. |
| Here are the reports from yesterday: | Here are the reports from yesterday: |
| Hampshire v Middlesex | Hampshire v Middlesex |
| Nick Compton frustrates Hampshire and makes England pointNick Compton insisted that his England career is not over after his 23rd first-class century combined with some lusty late hitting from Toby Roland-Jones frustrated Hampshire and all but guaranteed that hands will be shaken on a draw declared on Wednesday. When Hampshire reduced the visitors to 152 for five and even 287 for nine, the idea of the home side being only 55 ahead with a stalemate so likely at the close seemed far-fetched. | Nick Compton frustrates Hampshire and makes England pointNick Compton insisted that his England career is not over after his 23rd first-class century combined with some lusty late hitting from Toby Roland-Jones frustrated Hampshire and all but guaranteed that hands will be shaken on a draw declared on Wednesday. When Hampshire reduced the visitors to 152 for five and even 287 for nine, the idea of the home side being only 55 ahead with a stalemate so likely at the close seemed far-fetched. |
| Leicestershire v Lancashire | Leicestershire v Lancashire |
| Lancashire and Steven Croft have edge over LeicestershireOnly 24 overs were possible at Grace Road but they were enough to produce more exciting cricket than will be seen at some grounds over a full day’s play. More than 100 runs were scored and six wickets taken and, on a pitch that continues to offer the seamers every encouragement, Lancashire could only be happy to close leading by more than 150 with eight second-innings wickets and one day remaining. | Lancashire and Steven Croft have edge over LeicestershireOnly 24 overs were possible at Grace Road but they were enough to produce more exciting cricket than will be seen at some grounds over a full day’s play. More than 100 runs were scored and six wickets taken and, on a pitch that continues to offer the seamers every encouragement, Lancashire could only be happy to close leading by more than 150 with eight second-innings wickets and one day remaining. |
| Nottinghamshire v Somerset | Nottinghamshire v Somerset |
| Somerset race to dramatic 133-run victory The bad weather predicted to hit Nottingham did not materialise, allowing for a wicket-laden and hugely entertaining day of cricket – albeit a disastrous one for the home side – as Somerset picked up their first win of 2015 in dramatic fashion. Nottinghamshire crumbled to 114 all out and, although their victory target of 248 was always going to be difficult in testing conditions, this was a surrender. | Somerset race to dramatic 133-run victory The bad weather predicted to hit Nottingham did not materialise, allowing for a wicket-laden and hugely entertaining day of cricket – albeit a disastrous one for the home side – as Somerset picked up their first win of 2015 in dramatic fashion. Nottinghamshire crumbled to 114 all out and, although their victory target of 248 was always going to be difficult in testing conditions, this was a surrender. |
| Enjoy the cricket. | Enjoy the cricket. |