Key events
Northants are all out, but the rain returns at Merchant Taylors’. Four for Higgins. Northants trail by 364 and will need the bad weather to linger for a little longer.
And at the County Ground, a third for Rehan Ahmed, and a miserable match for Wayne Madsen. Nine for Rehan along with his century.
Tea-time ish scores
Southampton: Hampshire 274-5 v Nottinghamshire 578-8dec
Taunton: Somerset 250 and 89-5 BEAT Durham 145 and 190 By FIVE WICKETS
Hove: Sussex 204 and 203-3 v Essex 504
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 184 v Worcestershire 333 and 208-8
Scarborough: Yorkshire 517-6dec v Surrey 162-2
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 189 and 45-2 v Leicestershire 398 and 236-9dec
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 327 v Kent 155 and 292-5
Cheltenham: Gloucestershire 381 and 0-0 v Lancashire 557
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 625-8 dec v Northamptonshire 261-8 rain delay
Another for Rehan Ahmed in the last over before tea. Harry Came plays a wretched poke to Fletch despair on comms. Derbys 45-2. Tea-time scores to follow.
At Scarborough, Yorkshire have winkled out both openers, in a game that is so far without incident, unlike some in previous years between these two sides at the seaside. Surrey 161-2, batting practice for Jacks and Patel.
Gloucestershire all out
They don’t make the follow-on target, the Lancs lead 176. And that’s six for 116 for Tom Hartley – not his best first-class figures, they came at Hyderabad, but his best for Lancs. A huge relief after sculling around in the seconds for quite a lot of this season. They’ve taken tea and Lancs surely will enforce the follow-on?
David Lloyd can’t resist pulling Ahmed and big Josh Hull reaches up and collects the apple. Derby 35-1.
Gloucestershire, nine down, are still 32 away from the follow-on. Five wickets for Hartley, two for Green.
With ten overs gone, time for Rehan Ahmed at The County Ground, shirt untucked, effervescent run-up, tosses ball from hand to hand. Derby 33-0.
Bangladesh are having a Kent-ish start to their T20 game against Pakistan – 25 for five. Kent, meanwhile, have a 94-run lead at The Gardens, thanks to a solid performance down the order. Evison has just been dismissed for 49, but Finch remains on 44.
Hello there Mike Daniels! “In the box today for the Legends tournament being held here and at Edgbaston.
“England v SA today so will be interesting to see who’s playing but I believe Eoin Morgan is captaining England.
“Meanwhile the Eng and Aus 60s are playing the 5th and deciding match of the Grey Ashes at Royal Ascot today, Eng 230-7 currently.”
1000 first-class runs for Saif Zaib!
The first Northants player since Ben Duckett in 2016- whereafter he was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year and picked for England’s overseas tours.
Saif Zaib is congratulated by his team-mates as he returns to the Merchant Taylors’ away gazebo after rain – the first Northants player to score 1,000 first-class runs since Ben Duckett in 2016 pic.twitter.com/LkKsBHbQGk
— James Coyne (@coynejames) July 24, 2025
Sussex sailing through the afternoon- unbeaten half centuries for Coles and Alsop, a partnership of 122; Rocchiccioli has three, Worcestershire 142-7, lead by 291.
Leicestershire declare 236-9 – Derbyshire need 446 to win
A juggling caught and bowled by Thomson dismisses Holland ten short of his century, and Handscomb calls them in. Derbyshire have four and a bit sessions to last.
So many gorgeous mature dark green trees overlooking the county ground – where Thomson continues to wheel in. And an outbreak of wickets at Cheltenham, where Charlesworth was finally out for a magnificent 160, and Hammond (36) and van Buuren (0) followed soon after. All three wickets to Hartley, who now has 4-91, rivallying Rehan Ahmed and Luis Reece for performance of the round. Glos 331-6, trail by 226.
Tilak Varma averages fifty in first-class cricket and duly collects another, this time for Hampshire, at Southampton, while at The County Ground, Luis Reece has folded up and put his pocket another five-fer – Green bowled after a momentum-building 45. The Leics lead 429.
Sussex are rebuilding from 33 for two -Tom Alsop approaching fifty. They need to elongate this innings like a stretch of playdoh – still trail Essex by 202.
A flamboyant shot by Chris Benjamin, on 46, doesn’t end well. Kent lose a fourth and lead by 13.
After a hard morning’s graft, Kent
At The County Ground, Ian Holland has reached a quick-fire 60 not out, on a stage of low scores. The Leicestershire lead is 372.
Rain stopped play at Edgbaston
Delayed the restart to be more precise, with Warwicks leading by 252 with seven wickets in hand.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Southampton: Hampshire 184-4 v Nottinghamshire 578-8dec
Taunton: Somerset 250 and 89-5 BEAT Durham 145 and 190 By FIVE WICKETS
Hove: Sussex 204 and 89-2 v Essex 504
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 184 v Worcestershire 333 and 103-3
Scarborough: Yorkshire 517-6dec v Surrey 33-0
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 189 v Leicestershire 398 and 136-7
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 327 v Kent 155 and 175-3
Cheltenham: Gloucestershire 259-3 v Lancashire 557
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 625-8 dec v Northamptonshire 210-6
England Lions to tour Australia
England Lions will tour Australia this winter alongside the main men’s squad. Their itinerary will include a three-day warm up game against England men at Lilac Hill in Percy (13-15 Nov), then four-day game sagainst Cricket Australia XI in Perth and Australia A in Brisbane at the same time as the first and second Tests in both cities.
Yet another fifty for batter of the season (?) Saif Zaib, Northants clinging on with fingernails, 192-5. And an astonishing catch on the boundary by a lurching Zak Chappell at Derby to dismiss Trevaskis – Leics 132-7.
A wicket maiden for Thompson, as Hill is caught on the bad stretching half forward. Leics 117-5 lead by 326.
At Cheltenham, Lancs – who have already conceded 15 extras as compared to Gloucestershire’s two – have rid themselves of Ollie Price for 31, caught off Hartley. Bancroft remains, 139 not out. Gloucs 255-3 trail by 302.
Hello Tim Maitland!
“Personally I’m livid at the mealy mouthed fake apology issued by Lancashire yesterday. To wit: “We saw nearly 9,000 supporters arrive at the ground very late despite encouraging early arrival, with all bags subject to searches on entry.
“There was plenty of evidence on the Test Match OBO from first-hand witnesses that spectators who showed up in plenty of time were unable to get in. It should have been challenged. It should still be challenged.”
“(Is the Big Website and Even Bigger Paper too holy to speak to the urchins doing the OBOs? ;p)“
Heh, heh! I love the thought of the grubby OBO urchins. (There’s a reason we don’t get a picture byline.) It is an excellent on-the-spot news resource, you’re right. And yes, god knows how Lancs made such a horlicks of yesterday. They have started clipping tiny plastic tags on all bags for a county match – would have been a logistical nightmare if they were doing that for the Test as well.
Yorkshire declare! Revis 110 not out
Now the game begins… can Yorkshire’s bowlers whittle something out of the Kookaburra? Excellent acceleration by Revis (13 fours, five sixes) and Dom Bess, unbeaten on 45 off 57 balls.
Roderick reaches fifty, before he nicks Webster behind, Worcs 83-1, a lead of 232. Webster having a good match.
Like liquid honey: a hundred first-class wickets for Mohammad Abbas at the Rose Bowl, but this time wearing a Nottinghamshire shirt. He has snaffled both openers, both for 52. Hampshire 123-2
Porter marches militarily back to his mark, the wicket of Daniel Hughes under his belt. Sussex 43-2, big white clouds building behind the flats at Hove.
Leicestershire 57-4 – a fourth for Luis Reece, Handscomb lbw lunging forwards. Ten in the match!
Fifties for the in-form Matthew Revis at Scarborough and Fletcha Middleton at Southampton.
And Luis Reece continues his work from day one, now adding Sol Budinger and man of the moment Rehan Ahmed to his tally. Nine in the match and counting.
A wicket (Phillips) for swoony Chris Green at lovely Cheltenham; a wicket for Sam Cook, back in his natural habitat, Haines for 1.
Fifty and out for Simon Harmer, Essex finish with a hearty lead of 300. Now then Sussex.
Within a glut of Leicestershire centuries, Rishi Patel falls cheaply for the second time in the match. Leicestershire 14-1.
There is play all round the grounds today, and in three of the four women’s Metro Bank one-day cup games. No declaration yet from Yorkshire or Essex – where Simon Harmer is smiting sixes.
Off we go! ( And is Sai Kishore really that much taller than the tall Dan Lawrence?)
🤩 We’re underway in Scarborough.
🚀 Jamie Overton finished his over from the Trafalgar Sq End, with Sai Kishore bowling from the Peasholm Park End.
📺 Catch all the action via the Yorkshire live stream.
🤎 | #SurreyCricket
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 24, 2025
2026 international fixtures
2026 England International Fixtures (plus the Women’s T20 World Cup)
England Women v New Zealand
Sunday 10 May: 1st Metro Bank ODI – Banks Homes Riverside, Durham, 11am
Wednesday 13 May: 2nd Metro Bank ODI – The County Ground, Northampton, 1pm
Saturday 16 May: 3rd Metro Bank ODI – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, 11am
Wednesday 20 May: 1st Vitality IT20 – The Central Co-op County Ground, Derby, 6:30pm
Saturday 23 May: 2nd Vitality IT20 – The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury, 2:30pm
Monday 25 May: 3rd Vitality IT20 – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove, tbc
England Women v India
Thursday 28 May: 1st Vitality IT20 – Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford, 6:30pm
Saturday 30 May: 2nd Vitality IT20 – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, tbc
Tuesday 2 June: 3rd Vitality IT20 – The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, 6:30pm
Friday 10 July: 1st Rothesay Test – Lord’s, London, 11am
England Women v Ireland
Tuesday 1 September: 1st Metro Bank ODI – The Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester, 1pm
Thursday 3 September: 2nd Metro Bank ODI – The Central Co-op County Ground, Derby, 1pm
Sunday 6 September: 3rd Metro Bank ODI – Visit Worcestershire New Road, Worcester, 11am
England Men v New Zealand
Thursday 4 June: 1st Rothesay Test – Lord’s, London, 11am
Wednesday 17 June: 2nd Rothesay Test – The Kia Oval, London, 11am
Thursday 25 June: 3rd Rothesay Test – Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 11am
England Men v India
Wednesday 1 July: 1st Vitality IT20 – Banks Homes Riverside, Durham, 6:30pm
Saturday 4 July: 2nd Vitality IT20 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, 2:30pm
Tuesday 7 July: 3rd Vitality IT20 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 6:30pm
Thursday 9 July: 4th Vitality IT20 – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, 6:30pm
Saturday 11 July: 5th Vitality IT20 – Utilita Bowl, Southampton, 6:30pm
Tuesday 14 July: 1st Metro Bank ODI – Edgbaston, Birmingham, 1pm
Thursday 16 July: 2nd Metro Bank ODI – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, 1pm
Sunday 19 July: 3rd Metro Bank ODI – Lord’s, London, 11am
England Men v Pakistan
Wednesday 19 August: 1st Rothesay Test – Headingley, Leeds, 11am
Thursday 27 August: 2nd Rothesay Test – Lord’s, London, 11am
Wednesday 9 September: 3rd Rothesay Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham, 11am
England Men v Sri Lanka
Tuesday 15 September: 1st Vitality IT20 – Utilita Bowl, Southampton, 6:30pm
Thursday 17 September: 2nd Vitality IT20 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, 6:30pm
Saturday 19 September: 3rd Vitality IT20 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, tbc
Tuesday 22 September: 1st Metro Bank ODI – Banks Homes Riverside, Durham, 12:30pm
Thursday 24 September: 2nd Metro Bank ODI – Headingley, Leeds, 12:30pm
Sunday 27 September: 3rd Metro Bank ODI – The Kia Oval, London, 10:30am
Bits and pieces: Katherine Sciver-Brunt could have put the cat amongst the pigeons at home; the future of the Asia Cup and Scyld Berry on 500 Tests.
And some news from earlier this week: Nathan Gilchrist is moving from Kent to Warwickshire at the end of the season, but Tawanda Muyeye has signed a deal until 2027.
Trouble at t’mill yesterday:
Thursday’s round-up
Somerset wrapped up their five-wicket win against Durham before tea on day two, though not without a wobble. The surface was the main talking point, with opinions varying depending on the colour of the tracksuit. The Somerset head coach, Jason Kerr, called it “an incredible surface” while Durham’s bowling coach, Graham Onions, was less complimentary about the “excessive turn”. Jack Leach pocketed a six-fer, for the second consecutive game, and Archie Vaughan four, as Durham were bowled out for 190 – leaving Somerset 86 to win. They scraped over the line, despite Callum Parkinson’s four wickets.
After a shimmering century on Tuesday, Rehan Ahmed fizzed out six Derbyshire batters for 51 in a dazzling display of leg-spin. Leicestershire lead by 209. Derbyshire’s Luis Reece had earlier collected six for 56 as Leicestershire’s tail collapsed.
Chris Green won the heart of Lancashire fans with a wham-bam 160, all long levers and princely smile. When he was eventually dismissed for the record score for a Lancashire No 8, his standing ovation ran into the one welcoming No 11, Jimmy Anderson. Tom Hartley then raced to his first first-class century, a clean-hitting knock, pipping Peter Martin to the highest score by a Lancashire No 10. Anderson then licked his lips and whistled out Cameron Bancroft cheaply, but that was Lancs’ only success as Ben Charlesworth hit an excellent century of his own in a match that looks destined for a high-scoring draw.
Ben Kellaway and Colin Ingram batted Glamorgan into an excellent position against Kent, who are making a better fist of their second innings.
With his parents in the crowd, Lyndon James rocked to a maiden double hundred as Nottinghamshire declared on 578 at Southampton; Warwickshire are on the rocks after first Ethan Brookes made a career-best 140 against his old club Worcestershire, and then Khurram Shazad fired six batters out for 42.
Rain ruined much of the day’s play at Scarborough, with just time for Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow to rattle to 72 before being caught off Surrey’s two-match Kookaburra-ball signing Sai Kishore.
England man in the wings Jordan Cox hot-footed to a brilliant century for Essex, putting on 184 with Matt Critchley (a fine 123), who both made the most of a temptingly short boundary on the pavilion side. Sussex toiled away, without the rested Ollie Robinson, until thunderstorms stopped play with the Essex lead 247.
Middlesex declared on 625 for eight, riches beyond dreams, thanks to hundreds for Kane Williamson (in his first red-ball innings for the club) and Leus du Plooy, and 151 for Max Holden. Northants hauled themselves to 121 for four at stumps.
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
Southampton: Hampshire 80-0 v Nottinghamshire 578-8dec
Taunton: Somerset 250 and 89-5 BEAT Durham 145 and 190 By FIVE WICKETS
Hove: Sussex 204 v Essex 475-9
Edgbaston: Warwickshire 184 v Worcestershire 333 and 31-0
Scarborough: Yorkshire 376-5 v Surrey
DIVISION TWO
Derby: Derbyshire 189 v Leicestershire 398
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 327 v Kent 155 and 106-1
Cheltenham: Gloucestershire 179-1 v Lancashire 557
Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 625-8 dec v Northamptonshire 126-4
Preamble
Good morning! Day three races around, with things already done and dusted at Taunton, though the recriminations continue.
Before a ball is bowled… As an ex Somerset player I find this appalling… at a time when County Cricket is under pressure for relevance as a breeding ground for International
Players and Somerset members have apparently voted for the status quo, the club produces this pitch.… pic.twitter.com/qAU0CJbPlf— BeefyBotham (@BeefyBotham) July 23, 2025
Elsewhere, Sussex, Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Northants will hope that the Kookaburra can save them. Play starts at 11am, do join us.
#Yorkshire #Surrey #Sussex #Essex #county #cricket #day #live #County #Championship
