LV= INSURANCE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 13 Day 3: All the Match Scores, Reports and Scorecards September 1st 2021

LV= INSURANCE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 13 Day 3: All the Match Scores, Reports and Scorecards September 1^st  2021

Live Scores and Stats LV= County Championship Round 13

 

 

Wednesday September 1^st   Day 3 – Thursday September 2^nd 2021

 

Durham vs Surrey, Group 2 Emirates Riverside, 11:00AM

Cancelled due to Covid 19 outbreak

 

Glamorgan vs Essex, Group 2 Sophia Gardens, 11:00AM

 

Glamorgan 134/10 (44.5 ov) & 112/10 (33.5 ov)

Essex 320/10 (101.2 ov)

Result - Essex won by an innings & 74 runs

Essex wrapped up a comprehensive LV= Insurance County Championship victory over Glamorgan in Cardiff as they bowled the Welsh side out for just 112 to win by an innings and 74 runs.
It was a crushing success for Essex as the day three action at Sophia Gardens lasted just 32 minutes with Glamorgan losing their last four wickets in quickfire fashion.
The home side’s first-innings total of 134 was easily overhauled by Essex’s 320 and Glamorgan were even worse with the bat second time around.
Essex bowler Sam Cook finished with figures of five for 37 while Jamie Porter contributed three for 35.
Chris Cooke and Andrew Salter were the two Glamorgan overnight batsman facing a stiff uphill challenge to even make Essex bat again with their team 71 for six.
But Essex made an immediate breakthrough in just the second over of the day when Salter – who could consider himself unlucky – was bowled by Porter.
Salter – the hero of Glamorgan’s Royal London Cup final win over Durham – attempted to guide a short ball to the leg side but could only succeed in diverting it on to his own stumps.
New man Timm van der Gugten edged one ball to the third-man boundary for four but he then nicked another short delivery – this time from Cook – behind.
Essex wicketkeeper Adam Wheater took a simple catch.
It meant Glamorgan had already lost two wickets with just seven runs added on the third morning.
Knowing his team now faced a totally hopeless cause, Glamorgan bowler Lukas Carey came out swinging with the bat.
He smashed Cook for six and then four in consecutive deliveries and continued to take the attack to the Essex bowlers before smashing Cook to mid-on where Josh Rymell took the catch.
Carey made 29 from 17 balls with five fours and a six.
Glamorgan’s last man Michael Hogan arrived at the crease and lasted just one ball as he was clean bowled by Cook for a golden duck.
It left Glamorgan club captain Cooke high and dry at the other end and unbeaten on 47 with him unable to do anything about his team’s plight.
Essex, who are the reigning county and Bob Willis Trophy champions, got revenge on Glamorgan who beat them in their Royal London Cup semi-final.
It was also a strong start to their County Championship Division Two campaign but the exact opposite for Glamorgan who followed their Royal London win with a disappointing display.  

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath said: “We had a very, very good first two days but there is always a partnership along the line. We got it wrapped up quickly and it’s a great start to the first block of four games for us. We’ll get ready for Gloucestershire now on Sunday but this is a good way to go into that game. You can see by this performance how much it means to the players. We are disappointed not to be challenging in the first division group but we want to finish as high as we can. The focus is on winning the last four games and we have done the first part of that. Nick Browne’s 100 was worth its weight in gold on a used pitch. It was the difference between the teams.”  

Glamorgan head coach Matthew Maynard said: “I think the preparation we had with so many players isolating before the game had a bit of an effect but not quite as much as that. It was a new ball wicket and Essex took advantage of that. It looks like an absolute hammering to lose by an innings, but it’s small margins. It’s a disappointing way to start but Essex have been County Championship winners and they won’t be happy to not be playing in the first division. There is no doubt there was a little bit of rust there, but it gives us time to practice before Durham. We had players playing in this game who only came out of isolation in time for the first day. Essex exploited the conditions the better and took their chances. We have to look at this as a one off and not get too down on ourselves.”  

Somerset vs Nottinghamshire, Group 1 The Cooper Associates County Ground, 11:00AM

Somerset 107/10 (38.5 ov) & 181/10 (66.3 ov)

Nottinghamshire 448/10 (142.1 ov)

Result - Notts won by an innings and  160 runs

Dane Paterson claimed three wickets in an over as Nottinghamshire wrapped up a resounding LV=County Championship Division One win over Somerset at Taunton. 

The South African seamer sent back Tom Banton, Roelof van der Merwe and Lewis Goldsworthy with the first, second and fifth balls of the 49^th over to send the hosts crashing towards 181 all out in their second innings. 

Paterson finished with figures of four for 46 in a victory by an innings and 160 runs, completed in the final session of the third day. 

Earlier, Somerset’s last three first innings wickets had fallen for 20 runs, two of them to Brett Hutton. Luke Fletcher had the best figures with four for 21 from 11 overs. 

Nottinghamshire took 23 points to their opponents’ two to overtake them in the Division One table. 

The highest score by a Somerset player in the match was 36 and they will need a massive improvement to reignite their bid for a first ever title against Yorkshire at Scarborough next week. 

Another cold, overcast day at the Cooper Associates County Ground began with the home side 87 for seven and trailing by 361. 

The tail offered scant resistance, Jack Leach and Marchant de Lange falling to Hutton, while Paterson had Josh Davey caught behind. 

Top order batting has been a problem for Somerset all season. For the second time in the match, Notts’ seamers gave the home bowlers a lesson in repeatedly hitting the right areas of the pitch. 

Steve Davies edged a good length ball from Fletcher to be caught behind with the total on ten. Tom Abell and Tom Lammonby took the score to 35 at lunch before an afternoon session of more limp resistance. 

Abell nicked a defensive shot off Paterson through to wicketkeeper Tom Moores and when the experienced James Hildreth lost his off stump to Fletcher playing no shot the scoreboard read 44 for three. 

Lammonby has reached 34 when edging to first slip off Hutton and it was 85 for four when Paterson began his memorable over. 

First he pinned Tom Banton lbw and with the next delivery had van der Merwe taken low at mid-wicket by Sam Northeast. Goldsworthy, who had battled away for 55 balls, then had his stumps scattered, sparking jubilation among the Notts fielders. 

By tea, taken at 98 for seven, their job was almost done. Leach hit 5 fours in a defiant 35 before being stumped giving fellow left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White the charge. 

It was the first Somerset wicket to fall to spin. Three belligerent sixes by de Lange delayed the inevitable before he too fell to Patterson-White and Fletcher fittingly ended the match by bowling Jack Brooks. 

Fletcher had match figures of seven for 50 and Paterson seven for 88, reward for consistently challenging the batsmen, a quality Somerset’s attack lacked when allowing the visitors to run up 448 in helpful bowling conditions. 

Notts skipper Steven Mullaney said: "It's the first time I have won a four-day game here and I have been playing for quite a while, so we are delighted. It was a bowl first pitch and I think Somerset will be disappointed with the lengths they bowled, but credit to our batsmen for getting stuck in.

"To score 448 on that pitch in overcast conditions was an outstanding effort. We were relentless with the ball after that and even when we weren't taking wickets, we were not going for runs.

"If we keep playing like that, we will put sides under pressure in our remaining games. We still have three very good teams to play, but we will focus on ourselves. I have said in numerous interviews that I believe in the squad and the support staff and that we are building something special."

 

After Somerset's heaviest ever Championship defeat by Notts, director of cricket Andy Hurry pulled no punches. "We were in game on the first day, but Liam Patterson-White's century took it away from us and since then we have been totally outplayed," he said.

"We came into the game with high expectations, but respect to Notts for how they went about things and we can certainly learn a few lessons from that. There were no redeeming features in our performance. We expect better individually and collectively from Somerset players.

"But there is a lot of cricket to be played and we are still chasing two trophies. We have to dust ourselves down, reflect on the last three days, and come back strong against Yorkshire in our next game."

 

 

Leicestershire vs Kent, Group 3 Upton Steel County Ground, 11:00AM

Leicestershire 109/10 (44.1 ov) & 253/10 (51.2 ov)

Kent232/10 (70 ov) & 262/10 (61 ov)

Result - Kent won by 132 runs

Kent registered a first LV=Insurance County Championship win of the  season as Leicestershire were beaten by 132 runs inside three days at the Uptonsteel County Ground but only after an extraordinary afternoon that saw the home side avert humiliation with a defiant rearguard action.

After 45-year-old Darren Stevens had completed a superb unbeaten century against his former county, pace bowler Matt Milnes finished with a career-best six for 53, but that told only half the story of a bizarre two sessions of play.

Needing to score an unlikely 386 to win on a pitch aiding spin and in swing-friendly overhead conditions, Leicestershire slumped to 20 for six at lunch.

But an aggressive Ben Mike hit 70 off 52 balls to set off a vigorous wag of the tail that saw Ed Barnes match him with an unbeaten 70 and Will Davis make a career-best 42 as the last four wickets added a scarcely credible 233.

Stevens lit up the early part of the day, transforming his 55 overnight into an unbeaten 107 off just 28 deliveries before Leicestershire were able to winkle out his final partner.

The veteran lofted Mike swept Callum Parkinson for four sixes over the short boundary on the popular side and as he celebrated his 37th career first-class century, Leicestershire  needed no reminding that he should have been out on the second evening on 40 when he hit Barnes in the air to midwicket but neither of two converging fielders made the catch.
Stevens scored 107 of the 120 runs added for Kent’s last five wickets before Colin Ackermann bowled James Logan to claim the one outstanding overnight. Stevens hit 13 fours and six sixes, facing just 70 balls.

What was always a daunting target then soon looked impossible for Leicestershire.

Milnes made his first breakthrough in his third over as Hassan Azad was trapped in front and he could not have imagined he would have a five-for under his belt 21 balls later.

He had Ackerman caught at second slip off a yorker-length ball, bowled Louis Kimber, celebrated a fourth success as Harry Swindells misread the line and a fifth when Lewis Hill was caught behind down the leg side, sending Leicestershire to lunch at 20 for six from 12.1 overs, Stevens picking up the other wicket with an inswinger to Sam Evans.

But Mike began the afternoon by driving, hooking and pulling three fours in an over to see Milnes removed from the attack and continued apace as he and Parkinson added 77 in 10.3 overs before the introduction of Logan’s spin saw the latter caught behind.

Mike ultimately sliced Logan to wide long off and though the result never looked in any doubt Barnes delayed it with an impressive second first-class fifty, adding 33 with Chris Wright, who was unlucky to be given out caught behind from a ball that appeared to come off his helmet as he went to hook Milnes, and 92 with Davis before the latter slashed at one from Nathan Gilchrist and Kent could finally celebrate.

Kent’s Matt Milnes, who took a career-best six for 53, said: “It was almost a feeling of relief to get the win in the end.  Darren’s hundred gave us the lead and for us then to come out and take early wickets as we  did put them on the back foot and pretty much killed the game.

“But credit to their lads, they batted pretty well. Barnes played well and Ben Mike very well but from our point of view we have a bit to learn from that last hour if we want to go to the next level.

“We were creating chances but they seemed to not go to hand. They are allowed to have partnerships and we had enough runs on the board for it never to really be an issue but we maybe need to learn when to go hard and when to sit in a little bit, although nobody bowled badly.

“But what can you say about Stevo? I would say he surprises me every time but he doesn’t any more. I’ve been playing with him for three years and he just keeps doing it. He is just a freak and when and if he retires I don’t think anyone can replace him.”

 

Leicestershire first-team coach Tom Smith said: “It has been an extraordinary three days from being on top with Kent 117 for six at tea on day one to losing by 130 runs and you ask where did it all go wrong.

“And at 20-6 at lunch the game was in a pretty perilous state but credit to the lads for showing some real fight and courage to play the way they did this afternoon. It showed the ability they have and it was great to see Ben Mike going out there and showing what he can do and it is up to those guys to take confidence from today into the next three games.

“Darren Stevens showed the value of experience, at 45 years of age, scored a hundred and then takes the new ball, and Ben and the guys must learn to take these experiences forward. If they can do that as well as Stevo, they will be doing very well.

“The pitch played well over the three days, it played exactly how we wanted to play but credit to Kent they played some good cricket.”

Gloucestershire vs Northamptonshire, Group 2 Bristol County Ground, 11:00AM

 

Gloucestershire 191/10 (90.5 ov)

Northamptonshire 327/10 & *92/7 (30 ov)

Stumps - Day 3 - Northants lead by 228 runs

Ryan Higgins led a Gloucestershire charge on third afternoon at Bristol as the home side came storming back into the match as Northamptonshire closed 92 for seven leading by 228.

Higgins took three for 26 and Tom Price two for 22 as the Glosters kept themselves alive in a game they looked well out of.

56 from Graeme van Buuren and superb resistance from Gloucestershire’s tail had earlier held up Northants to save the follow-on before they were eventually bowled out for 191.

The rear-guard, which saw No. 10 Matt Taylor make 24 from 97 balls and Jared Warner 10 from a 82 deliveries, almost delivered a batting point but it certainly wrested back the initiative.

The bowlers seized upon the momentum to leave Northants’ second innings in tatters.

Price led the charge, striking in the fourth over as Emilio Gay played into his stumps trying to defend. Price added Rob Keogh palpably lbw to a full ball that nipped back.

Higgins trapped Luke Procter lbw from round the wicket – with a suspicion that the left-hander got outside the line of off stump. His later spell removed Harry Gouldstone, so impressive in the first innings, make only seven before playing around a straight delivery and losing his middle stump.

Adam Rossington was also bowled but this to a lovely delivery that swung away to hit off stump. He made only 18 and there will be no captain to the rescue this time for the visitors.

Ricardo Vasconcelos was also bowled. He moved in the pleasant way of his to 26 but played loosely outside off stump to one from Matt Taylor that seamed in. And Saif Zaib made 14 before he was squared up by Warner and edged behind.

It was slippery stuff in the gloaming and followed some extraordinary resistance from the Gloucestershire tail.

Resuming 90 for six replying to 327, the home side were in danger of conceding a huge lead.

Zafar Gohar quickly fell to Procter for seven but the resistance began with an eighth-wicket stand of 45 between Price, who lasted 54 balls for his 16 and van Buuren.

The No. 6 resumed on 19 and edged Procter through the slips for the day’s opening boundary before clipping him through midwicket and cutting Jack White through point.

His second fifty of the summer came in 121 balls and helped give Gloucestershire a sniff of a remarkable turnaround.

Hampshire vs Yorkshire, Group 1 Ageas Bowl, 11:00AM

 

Yorkshire 246 and 312-6 declared

lead Hampshire 163 and  26-2 by 367 runs

 

Yorkshire put themselves firmly in  a strong position to wrap up an emphatic victory against an under-manned Hampshire after another LV = County Championship day of dominance at the Ageas Bowl.

Starting the day on 37-1 - a lead of 114 runs - the visitors batted their dispirited opponents out of the game after declaring on 312-6 - setting a mammoth target of 392 for an unlikely victory. 

Then Tykes then reduced the hosts to 26-2 before the close after Ben Coad had dismissed Ian Holland for three thanks to a one-handed diving slip catch by Harry Brook before Tom Alsop fell in the penultimate over of the day to Dom Bess to leave Hampshire 367 runs behind and needing to bat 96 overs to save the match.
Ground specialist Gary Ballance chalked up his sixth score of 100 or more at the venue and his first century of the season. 

The left-hander belted seven leg-side sixes on his way to an unbeaten 101 - taking his overall First Class total in Southampton  to 1150 in 15 innings.

After losing attack leader Kyle Abbott late on day two with a foot injury, Hampshire were further rocked by the absence of fellow pace spearhead Brad Wheal before play got underway.

Wheal, who has enjoyed a break-out season,  didn't take the field due to an unidentified problem.
Although Ian Holland and Keith Barker were left to carry the load of the seam bowling and the spin of Mason Crane and Liam Dawson took up the rest of the slack, Yorkshire batsmen Tom Kohler-Cadmore and George Hill resisted any early temptation to cut loose with just 67 runs added before lunch in an uneventful session that saw no wickets fall.

It was a trend that continued until an hour after lunch when Hill edged Holland behind for 55 bringing Ballance to the crease with obvious orders from the dressing room to up the ante.
The former England batsman took no time in tucking in against a tired attack, hitting five sixes off Dawson on his way to his half-century.
Kohler-Cadmore also broke the shackles, hitting 18 off four Crane deliveries before finding the hands of Dawson at deep extra cover to be dismissed for a fine 89.

Ballance continued to tee off after tea, smashing two sixes off the part-time seam of James Vince after the Hampshire skipper had Harry Brook caught for 12 by Nick Gubbins.

Jordan Thompson, promoted up the order, put on a quickfire 59 with Ballance, before holing out for an entertaining 33 and Bess departed for a duck before Steve Patterson called his players in.

Hampshire coach Adi Birrell - "We were light on numbers on the bowling front and they got away from us. But we take positives from the way other teams have batted against us in the fourth innings this season.

"We have an uphill battle, but one we can survive tomorrow.

"We look back this season and when Gloucester came here and batted for a day and their last pair batted for 20 overs and then Surrey were three down with a day to bat and ended up eight down.

"Hashim Amla blocked the whole day so we need to do a bit of Hashim Amla batting. We did a bit of maths and we worked out that if everyone faces 72 balls we will bat out the day. so we are hopeful. The pitch is flatter and it does get slower as the game goes on and sides have been able to bat it out and we are hopeful we can do that tomorrow."

 

Yorkshire's Gary Ballance - "It is a nice place to bat but I think I can give a lot of credit to the guys batting above me. Hilly and Tom did all the hard work and put us in a great position. I came in and slogged a few and luckily a few came out of the middle and it was nice to get to a hundred in the end.

"We are not concerned about the prospect of the pitch flattening out, we saw that this evening there were a few balls that just bounced a bit more than usual so we know there is a bit in the pitch.

"But it is going to be hard work, we are going to have to put in a good shift and be consistent with our line and lengths.It helps we have a quality spinner in Bessy who can do a job at one end. 

"It makes a difference getting two of their top three and the end there was pretty big for us." 

Lancashire vs Warwickshire, Group 1 Emirates Old Trafford, 11:00AM

Lancashire 341/10 (118.3 ov)

Warwickshire 371/10 & *52/1 (19 ov)

Stumps - Day 3 - Warwickshire lead by 82 runs

Lancashire’s Josh Bohannon scored a brilliant 170 to steer his side towards a share of the points with Warwickshire as this opening Division One clash prepared to enter its final day heading towards an inevitable stalemate.

The 24-year-old batted from the start of play until just before 5pm in compiling his second century of what is becoming a memorable 2021 for the Boltonian whose season average now stands at 66.27 – numbers that are inevitably prompting talk of an England call up of some kind this winter.

Bohannon’s efforts saw the Red Rose bowled out for 341 after resuming day three on 100 for one meaning they trailed the visitors by just 30 runs with Warwickshire grateful for Liam Norwell’s six for 57 as they faced a tricky period of 19 overs before closing on 52 for one with a lead of 82 runs.

The day had begun well for Warwickshire when Luke Wells was brilliantly bowled by Norwell for 45, ending a second wicket partnership of 109 with Bohannon.

Wells’ wicket brought skipper Dane Vilas to the crease and the South African proved a perfect foil for Bohannon, hitting five fours and a six on his way to a breezy 67, before he was caught at second slip by Rob Yates off Norwell.

That proved to be it in terms of meaningful scores for Lancashire with only Liam Livingstone reaching double figures of the remaining batters all of whom failed to deal with Norwell and the accurate spin of Danny Briggs.

First Rob Jones was trapped in front by Norwell without scoring before Livingstone’s cameo lasted just 14 balls during which he struck three boundaries and left a straight one from the same bowler.

Not long after George Lavelle became Craig Miles’ only victim when he was lbw for four with Danny Lamb bowled by a Briggs beauty for eight.

Tom Bailey, Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson all did their best to support Bohannon who was four short of his highest first class score when he charged down the wicket to Briggs and was stumped with the former England spinner finishing with three for 78.

A fired up Mahmood continued his fine form from the first innings in clean bowling Yates for one before Dom Sibley and Chris Benjamin settled any nerves as the clock ticked down.

Josh Bohannon, Lancashire, said: "It was a great day and very enjoyable.

"The pitch is what we thought it would be on day one and it's hard work for the seamers but it's starting to spin which puts Matt Parkinson in a good position and brings Liam Livingstone into the game as well.

"We would have liked one or two more wickets tonight but there is no reason why we can't get five or six wickets in a session. Everyone is in good spirits and we're looking forward to tomorrow.

"It is always enjoyable when you kick on and get a score but the most pleasing thing was how much hard work I've put into getting that sort of knock in the last few weeks.

"It was disappointing not to carry on and get the team at least to Warwickshire's score if not past them but it was still very enjoyable.

"I would still like more hundreds and I think I've got a lot more to come. There have been times when I've got in and given it away but I feel like I've matured as a player this season. I'm in a great place personally and it's nice when you get in, make one count and go big. 

"We always talk about not just getting a hundred but making it a big one and that is what I pride myself on - the hard work starts after you get the hundred and the only way you are going to get noticed is by making big scores.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play for England - it's a massive ambition of mine but it's not something I'm thinking about or worrying about. I'm just in a great place and I'm enjoying cricket so hopefully the results carry on and the cricket will do its thing.

"I've started to enjoy cricket a lot more than when I first started to play - when you first start there is a lot of self doubt involved and you have to do it a little bit to realise you're good enough to belong in the team.

"I certainly feel I've become a better player and a more consistent player in the team.

"This is as good as I've felt personally on and off the field -  the mental stuff is what is getting me the success at the moment."

 

Liam Norwell, Warwickshire, said: "After a tough morning session we bounced back well after lunch and we managed to get a lead so it's not a bad day for us.

"They were a little bit more aggressive against the second new ball so it played into our favour and it did a little bit more than the first new ball so luckily it worked out for us.

"It's nice to get wickets but I did my job for the team today and I'm just happy I could help the lads. 

"After two or three years of quite bad injuries I have to be happy that I've been consistently on the park. 

"It's just nice to get a string of games together and my body is getting used to grind of county cricket now.

""The first session is key - they're going to come all guns blazing at us and we've got to bat well. We have to come out and play with good intent but not be reckless." 

 

Middlesex vs Derbyshire, Group 3 Lord's, 11:00AM

 

Middlesex 282 & 256

Derbyshire 205 & 42-1

Derbyshire need  292 more  runs to win with nine wickets standing

 

A last-wicket stand of 58 between Toby Roland-Jones and Tim Murtagh leaves Derbyshire needing the fifth-highest run chase in their history ahead of day four at Lord’s.

The two pacemen missed eclipsing Middlesex’s 10^th-wicket record against Derbyshire of 66 set three years ago, but their effort carried the hosts to 256 all out, a lead of 333, Alex Thomson taking three for 71.

Murtagh then removed Luis Reece as somehow Derbyshire limped to 42-1 in an absorbing last session truncated by bad light, still needing 292  for victory.

Earlier, Ethan Bamber took Derbyshire’s last first-innings wicket to record a career-best five for 41.

Bamber needed just five balls to register his landmark, having Sam Conners caught at mid-wicket.

Middlesex, leading by 77 made the worst possible start as Mark Stoneman, on debut and on a pair, shouldered arms to the first ball of the innings from Conners and lost his off-stump.

It was the cue for a frenetic second innings effort from the hosts, who constantly seemed in too much of a hurry to build on their advantage.

Stephen Eskinazi’s boundary-sprinkled cameo ended with an ugly shot caught at point and first innings centurion Robbie White fenced at a wide one to be caught behind for nought.

Sam Robson was the exception, leaving well outside off-stump and driving bad balls to the boundary on both sides of the wicket.

This mix of judgement and aggression took him to 50 in 55 balls with nine fours as he shared a half-century stand with Max Holden for the fourth wicket.

But on 52, Robson suffered a rush of blood, charging off-spinner Thomson who bowled him through the gate.

Holden and Martin Andersson each threatened to establish dominance only to fall for 44 and 41 respectively, the latter the second of two wickets in seven balls for Anuj Dal as the Seaxes slumped to 198-9.

But Murtagh and Roland-Jones (33 not out) wrestled back control with a mix of good running and aggression.

Inspired by his 31, Murtagh then removed Luis Reece for a duck via an edge through to John Simpson and 46 balls passed before a run was scored as Billy Godelman and Tom Wood clung on amid numerous appeals like wounded boxers in need of the bell.

Relief came with Middlesex forced to bowl spin before a second interruption for bad light brought play to a close 11 overs early.

Middlesex all-rounder Toby Roland-Jones said: "Murts (Tim Murtagh) and Ethan (Bamber) did what they have been doing all season in that last session with a lot of close calls and beating the edge.

"You can't always judge things on the wickets that go your way, but we have set the tone for the rest of the innings and the chances created bode well for tomorrow.

"Ethan has been outstanding all summer and the most pleasing thing with young guys is when you can track the progress and he is a great example of that.

"It is amazing what application Murts can show with a bat if he doesn't want to bowl for an extra 10 overs, but we understood there was the chance of a bit of extra time out there to manipulate the ball around and see where we could get to. We felt we wrestled back a bit of momentum and hopefully they are important runs.

"It's great to be back out there. Things are not going to click instantly and you can't expect too much of yourself, but I'll be as excited as ever tomorrow to be part of the attack trying to contribute to a win."

 

Derbyshire seamer Anuj Dal who took 2-22 said: "I certainly hope we can win it tomorrow.

"It was disappointing their last wicket partnership tailed on for a little bit longer than we were hoping for. We were thinking 260-270 would give us a good shout to get a win. It didn't quite happen and we're chasing nearer 340, but the boys are feeling positive for tomorrow.

"It's not ideal conditions for batting on any ground when the lights are on and it plays on the batters' minds in the way it wouldn't on a bright sunny day, but the guys played well and it was good to see them get through the tough period.

"The wicket is getting better and better, so it should be a good day for us tomorrow.

"The season has been all over the place for me with injury and other times things don't go your way with internal pressures and things, so it's just nice to be able to contribute again."

Worcestershire vs Sussex, Group 3 New Road, 11:00AM

Dan Ibrahim gave another demonstration of his outstanding promise with an unbeaten half century for Sussex on day three of the LV=Insurance County Championship encounter with Worcestershire at New Road.

Ibrahim celebrated his call-up into the England Under-19 squad for the forthcoming ODIs against the West Indies by making 56 not out to steer Sussex into a strong position.

He had become the youngest ever player to score a half century in the County Championship against Yorkshire at Emirates Headingley in June at 16 years and 299 days.

Today he followed up his first innings 48 and 2-9 in nine overs in Worcestershire’s first innings with another accomplished knock.

His efforts, coupled with a second half century of the game from Ali Orr, enabled Sussex to reach 199-6 in their second innings – an overall lead of 250 – despite three wickets apiece for Joe Leach and Josh Baker.

Worcestershire resumed on 186-7 and the last three wickets fell for 27 runs in the space of 9.3 overs to earn Sussex a first innings lead of 51.

Paceman Henry Crocombe dismissed Leach, 18, and Baker, 5, with successive deliveries – lbw and caught behind – while Fynn Hudson-Prentice held onto a return catch from Dillon Pennington 6.

The clatter of early morning wickets continued during a devastating opening burst from Leach which reduced Sussex to 3-3.

Sussex captain Tom Haines, 2, tried to work a delivery to leg and was caught off a leading edge by Tom Fell at first slip.

New batsman Harrison Ward, 0, went leg before to his first delivery from Leach and James Coles, 1, departed in the same manner.

The fourth wicket pair of Orr and Ollie Carter flourished after lunch and the former completed his second half century of the game from 96 balls with seven fours and a six.

They added 84 before spinner Baker broke the stand with an excellent return catch – one handed away to his right – to dismiss Carter, 20.

Baker then picked up the key wicket of Orr, 57, who checked his shot and presented the spinner with a far more straightforward caught and bowled at 98-5.

But a second substantial partnership of the innings was put together by Ibrahim and Hudson-Prentice.

Their stand was worth 87 in 28 overs before Hudson-Prentice, 46, gave Baker the charge and was stumped by Ben Cox.

Ibrahim had time to complete his fifty off 120 balls with six fours before bad light ended proceedings at 5.30pm.

Sussex batsman Dan Ibrahim, who scored a fifty on the day he was selected for England Under-19s, said: “I’m very pleased to get selected for the Under-19s. I’ve done a lot of hard work over the years and it is nice for it to pay off.

“It is a good feeling and it was then nice to get a half century today.

“But I think Ali (Orr) and Ollie (Carter) took a lot of sting out of the game, they soaked up the pressure really well and allowed me and Fynn (Hudson-Prentice) to bat how we wanted to bat.

“We just played our own game and had a good little partnership.

“I think we’ve got a good chance. We are the team on top and have got to come out tomorrow and play how we play and hopefully bowl them out tomorrow.

“We’ve got a good attack and will definitely be up for it.”

 

Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker, who picked up three wickets, said: “I think that is my most satisfying performance in red ball cricket.

“I didn’t go for many runs and I picked up a few wickets so it was really good.

“I’m trying to vary my pace and trying to change it up so the batsmen can’t really get hold of me.

“We spoke on Sunday about being really positive and trying to win the group so whatever score, we will try and chase down.

“The average age of the Sussex side is 19 and it’s really good for county cricket and cricket in general that young players are being given the opportunity.

“Archie Lenham, James Coles and Jack Carson look really threatening so it will be difficult tomorrow so hopefully our batters can do the job.”

 

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