Key events
Jacks doesn’t last long. Only the three balls before being done by a spinning jaffa from Patterson-White. So it’s two in an over for LPW and maybe, just maybe, there’s a twist in this Trent Bridge tale?
Ryan Patel is gone. He’s chipped it to Hameed at short mid-wicket off Patterson-White, much in the same fashion that Dom Sibley fell to Farhan Ahmed last night.
Only Will Jacks, Ben Foakes, Sai Sudharsan, Jordan Clark and Cameron Steel to get through lads …
Good news – play resumes at Somerset. Well, it’s not good news if you’re a Durham fan I guess. George Drissell has just smacked the ball into the back of silly point fielder Andy Umeed. Ouch. Don’t rub it.
My Sam Cook shout has caused some consternation BTL. Go on then, who is everybody’s favourite (current) county bowler?
Chris Rushworth is the first to get some love …
Rory Burns is in good nick, isn’t he? His previous two innings have brought scores of 227 and 161 before this one and he’s breezed onto 29 not out this morning thanks to a succession of sweeps against the Nottinghamshire spinners. While the draw is the big favourite, Surrey might just have hopes of clambering up to a defendable total today. They lead by 172.
Worcestershire are all out for 321 having lost their final two wickets cheaply this morning. Everyone’s favourite county bowler Sam Cook finishes with 4-23. Essex need 184 runs to win.
In Division Two, Middlesex, Leicestershire and Derbyshire all have the bats in hand and therefore, to an extent, are in control of their own destinies.
The international pair of Ajinkya Rahane and Peter Handscomb should be key for the Foxes as they look to defy Glamorgan’s bowlers. The former has passed a half-century and the latter is close to his own. The big-hitting Rehan Ahmed and Louis Kimber, due in next, need some protection given the 139-run deficit as it stands.
They’re off for rain at Taunton. As SonOfTheDesert BTL says: “Drizzle upon Drissell.” The forecast offers a bit of hope for later, though. Not sure they’ll spend too much time off the field.
It’s all-out attack for Somerset this morning against the two (yes, TWO) Durham nightwatchmen who went in last night after a late flurry of wickets. Craig Overton is bowling with a silly point, short leg and leg gully in. Durham are 25-3 off 18 overs. 420 is their nominal target.
Desperately sad news from elsewhere in the world of sport this morning. Sol Bamba epitomised what sport is all about.
This catch by Dom Bess yesterday has been pointed out to me in the comments. Lovely stuff.
All games in fact have started on time, despite the weather not quite being as good today as it was yesterday.
It’s spin from the start for Notts at Trent Bridge, as Surrey look to build a lead. Will Jacks was in the wickets yesterday. There’s been some overnight rain in Nottingham, but that’s not stopped Haseeb Hameed turning to Farhan Ahmed and Liam Patterson White.
Things at Lord’s are starting in a moment, too, of course and you can follow along with James Wallace.
Looking at the Div One table, if Somerset win and Surrey fail to win, things may (finally) look rather interesting at both ends. A high-scoring draw for Notts would be good news in their battle against relegation – and frankly, awful news for Lancashire. Surrey will still have a decent buffer at the summit even if they fail to win at Trent Bridge, but Somerset may gather belief that a late title at the title is feasible.
I’m going to grab a coffee and fire up the streams.
Scores on the doors
Here’s how things look at the start of day four:
DIVISION ONE
Taunton: Somerset 492 and 263-5d v Durham 336 and 15-3
Chelmsford: Essex 404 v Worcestershire 266 and 303-8
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 405 v Surrey 525 and 13-1
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 550d v Leicestershire 251 and 144-3
Headingley: Yorkshire 601-6d v Middlesex 441-5
Hove: Sussex 607-8d v Derbyshire 290 and 141-2
Preamble
Good morning all and welcome to day four of this county cricket blog. The Championship is reaching its business end and we could well have some exciting finishes on our hands in the six remaining live fixtures.
A reminder that Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire was abandoned due to an unsafe pitch, then on Saturday Warwickshire completed an innings victory over Kent and Hampshire did the same at Lancashire. All eyes today will be on Somerset and if they close out the win against Durham and whether Surrey can force any kind of result at Trent Bridge. Division Two perhaps looks less interesting, but a few quick wickets and we may get a result or two, especially in the Glamorgan v Leicestershire contest.
Stay tuned for the 11am BST start and feel free to drop me an email or comment Below The Line to join in the usual county cricket chat. Should be a good day.