Importance Score: 12 / 100 🟠
County Cricket Day Four: Live Updates
Welcome to day four of county cricket action, featuring key Division One and Division Two matches. Today’s focus is on Essex versus Surrey at Chelmsford and Middlesex against Lancashire at Lord’s. We’ll bring you the latest scores, wickets, and match situations as they unfold across the grounds.
Preamble: A Sunny Start at Lord’s
Good morning from a bright and sunny Lord’s, where anticipation is high for a potentially thrilling day of county cricket. As described by BBC’s Scott Read, we’re set for a “knicker gripper” of a contest. Yesterday’s coverage was expertly handled, although unfortunately, Tom Banton fell short of a quadruple century. I’m off to get coffee – settle in and prepare for the final day’s play.
Latest Updates
Ecclestone on England Captaincy
An insightful interview has emerged with Sophie Ecclestone, discussing Alex Hartley and the England captaincy. Ecclestone suggests, “I’m not sure now is the right time” for a change, among other topics.
Early Wicket at Lord’s
A wicket falls on the very first ball of the day! Admittedly, I missed it in real-time, but replays indicate Brookes was caught pushing forward tentatively. Tom Bailey celebrated the dismissal of the nightwatchman, leaving Middlesex at 288-7.
Fan Presence at Lord’s
A decent number of spectators have arrived at Lord’s, taking advantage of the sunny conditions in the lower grandstand. Despite the sunshine, a slight chill remains, with fans observed warming their hands between deliveries. Holden is currently batting cautiously, approaching 150.
State of Play: Thrilling Finishes Expected
Despite four matches concluding early yesterday with wins for Kent, Hampshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire, several contests are still finely balanced. Lord’s is evenly poised following Max Holden’s century, while Surrey facing a follow-on at Chelmsford was unexpected. Elsewhere, Worcestershire appear likely to lose, and draws seem probable at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge.
Paul Edwards’ Commentary Praised
It’s a pleasure to be seated alongside Paul Edwards for this opening game of the season. He is in excellent form, as highlighted by this tweet:
The bard of Birkdale @edwardscricket is worth the subscription to the Cricketer alone. His match reports at Lord’s this week are wonderful.
“But MCC is changing. The club is positively bear-hugging diversity, and the range of merchandise on sale in the shop behind the pavilion…”
— Lancashire County Cricket Members Group (@LancsCCMG) April 7, 2025
Sunday’s County Cricket Round-up
Brian Charles Lara’s first-class record of 501 not out remains secure as Somerset’s Tom Banton did not surpass it. Banton, resuming at 344, aggressively attacked the Worcestershire bowling on day three, eventually being dismissed for 371.
Banton’s impressive innings comes after he admitted to periods of disillusionment with cricket. He is now firmly on England’s radar for both red and white-ball cricket. Half-centuries from Adam Hose and Brett D’Oliveira delayed Worcestershire’s likely defeat, but they are still facing a significant deficit of 236 runs.
Ben Foakes was left unbeaten on 92 for Surrey against a strong Essex bowling attack at Chelmsford. Despite being forced to follow on, Foakes’s resilient batting provides Surrey with a chance to draw the match if they can withstand the final day.
Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth caused Hampshire some concern with a century in the second innings achieved without a boundary in his first 123 balls. However, a target of 148 proved insufficient, and Hampshire secured a five-wicket victory in Southampton.
Sussex’s Ollie Robinson displayed signs of returning to form with the ball against Warwickshire. However, it was the young off-spinner Jack Carson who made the key breakthroughs at Edgbaston, taking four wickets and establishing a 200-run lead for Sussex going into the final day.
Durham and Nottinghamshire continue their close contest at Trent Bridge, with Nottinghamshire holding an 87-run lead. In Division Two, Northamptonshire suffered a heavy defeat at Wantage Road, dismissed for just 114 as Kent won by 145 runs. Similarly, Leicestershire defeated Glamorgan by 10 wickets, while Lancashire and Middlesex are engaged in a tight match at Lord’s.
Derbyshire celebrated a season-opening victory, defeating Gloucestershire by nine wickets. Coach Mickey Arthur praised his team’s dedication during pre-season training, stating their hard work has paid off. Tom Banton, in Taunton, would likely concur.
County Cricket Scores
Division One
- Chelmsford: Essex 582-6 dec v Surrey 365 & 9-0 – Surrey trail by 208 runs
- Southampton: Result: Hampshire 249 & 148-5 beat Yorkshire 121 & 275 – Hampshire win by 5 wickets
- Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 579-9 v Durham 378 & 114-3 – Durham trail by 87 runs
- Taunton: Somerset 670-7 dec v Worcestershire 154 & 280-5 – Worcestershire trail by 236 runs
- Edgbaston: Warwickshire 454 v Sussex 528 & 126-3 – Sussex lead by 200 runs
Division Two
- The County Ground: Result: Derbyshire 391 & 93-1 beat Gloucestershire 222 & 259 – Derbyshire win by 9 wickets
- Sophia Gardens: Result: Glamorgan 229 & 248 lost to Leicestershire 427 & 53-0 – Leicestershire win by 10 wickets
- Lord’s: Middlesex 260 & 286-6 v Lancashire 359 – Middlesex lead by 189 runs
- Wantage Road: Result: Northamptonshire 143 & 114 lost to Kent 231 & 171 – Kent win by 145 runs