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England v India, 2nd Investec Test, Day 4

July 20, 2014, 12:14 pm
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Live images from Lord's on day four of the second Investec Test between England and India.

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Trio of late wickets leave India in control

July 20, 2014, 12:14 pm
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By Callum Dent

India’s seamers struck three times in quick succession on day four to leave them in pole position to win the second Investec Test at Lord’s.

In pursuit of a victory target of 319, the hosts battled their way to 70 for one courtesy of a 58-run second-wicket partnership between Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance.

However, the dismissal of the latter triggered a dramatic collapse that saw England lose a trio of scalps for the addition of just two runs.

After Ballance edged the first ball of Mohammed Shami’s second spell behind, Ishant bowled Ian Bell and then had Cook held by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a devastating 20-ball spell.

Joe Root and Moeen Ali saw England through to 105 for four at stumps, requiring another 214 runs for victory on a pitch offering huge assistance to the bowlers.

That makes the tourists favourites to move 1-0 ahead in the five-match series tomorrow, but Peter Moores’ side will take inspiration from the way they fought in the Sri Lanka Test at Headingley earlier in the summer, when they were one delivery away from batting out the final day for a draw.

India paceman Ishant Sharma is mobbed by his team-mates after dismissing Alastair Cook to leave England wobbling on 72 for four at Lord's

England started well this morning and India required an exciting eighth-wicket partnership of 99 between Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made 68 and 52 respectively, to lift them to a second-innings 342. 

Murali Vijay, strong through the covers, and Dhoni looked to be giving India control during the first hour until Liam Plunkett again came to his team’s rescue.

Fresh from taking two wickets in as many deliveries late yesterday afternoon, the paceman ended Vijay and Dhoni's 79-run partnership by having the latter, who never looked comfortable and needed 17 balls to get off the mark today, caught in the slips by Bell. 

Moeen then struck with his fifth delivery when Stuart Binny played a reckless shot and Cook took a brilliant diving catch running backwards from mid-on.

The new ball proved to be Vijay’s downfall five runs short of a well-deserved century, the right-hander feeling outside off stump and feathering James Anderson behind to Matt Prior.

But just when England had aspirations of blowing away India’s lower order, they ran into a counter-attacking Jadeja and the stylish Bhuvneshwar.

Bhuvneshwar was given a life just before the lunch interval when he flashed at a Stuart Broad delivery and Root, at fourth slip, could not hold on.

Ravindra Jadeja produces another brutal shot during his maiden Test half-century off just 42 deliveries on the fourth afternoon

And Bhuvneshwar and Jadeja made them pay by taking the game to England in a potentially game-changing 11-over spell after the resumption that saw 67 vital runs scored.

During that time, the busy Jadeja produced some outrageous strokes, pulling and hooking as well as punishing anything full, before raising his bat for the first time in Tests from just 42 balls.

But his dismissal, caught by Cook after charging Ben Stokes, was the first of three for eight runs as England quickly wrapped up the tail in a frantic spell that also saw Bhuvneshwar move to his third fifty of the series.

The all-rounder was not finished there, however, trapping Sam Robson lbw with his first delivery of left-arm spin. 

But Cook and Ballance steadied the ship patiently until India took control by reducing England to 72 for four.

Root and Moeen, surviving a late lbw appeal from Jadeja, were then left with the responsibility of seeing their side through to the close without further loss.

Match scorecard  /  Live ball-by-ball commentary

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Evening Session   

6.31pm - STUMPS! Eng 105/4; Root 14, Ali 15 - Shikhar Dhawan comes on to bowl and has an lbw appeal turned down in the final over. But Root and Mooen survive and will come back tomorrow to try and knock off another 214 runs.

6.28pm - CHANCE! - Moeen tries to sweep and the ball flicks up and clips the back of his bat from his follow through, but Dhoni cannot cling on. 

6.21pm - Root rocks onto the back foot to punch Jadeja through midwicket for a couple of raise the England 100. 

6.13pm -  Jadeja has a massive lbw appeal turned down against Moeen. Replays showed it was a poor decision not to give it out. 

6pm -  Root and Moeen are hanging in there. There are supposed to be 10 overs left in the day, but a few are expected to be shaved off that total. 

5.43pm -  Joe Root and Moeen Ali, who drives through the covers for four to get up and running, are charged with the task of rebuilding England's innings. It's gone very dark here. 

5.34pm - WICKET! Cook c Dhoni b Sharma 22; Eng 72/4 - Ishant, operating from round the wicket, tempts Cook into pushing outside off stump and finds the edge through to Dhoni. England in trouble now. 

5.21pm - WICKET! Bell b Sharma 1; Eng 71/3 - India are in control now as Ian Bell fails to get forward and is bowled by Ishant Sharma. 

5.12pm - WICKET! Ballance c Dhoni b Shami 27; Eng 70/2 - Mohammed Shami replaces Jadeja at the Nursery End and strikes with his first delivery. Ballance prods outside off stump and edges behind to Dhoni.

4.49pm -  Jadeja swaps ends and gets a delivery to spit out of the rough outside the off stump, with the ball falling just short of leg slip after brushing Cook's glove. A single into the leg side takes the second-wicket stand to 50 off 99 deliveries. 

4.37pm - Vijay is getting a bit of uneven bounce from the Nursery End, with a delivery that hardly leaves the ground beating Mahendra Singh Dhoni and bringing two byes. The floodlights are on here. It's getting a little dark. Is the rain on its way?

4.28pm - A controlled edge from Ballance off Jadeja, now operating from the Pavilion End, takes England go past 50.

4.20pm - Murali Vijay, who took his maiden Test wicket in the first innings, is thrown the ball and sees a Ballance edge fly just past slip. 

4.10pm - Gary Ballance, continuing to be tested by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, takes advantage of a wide Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivery and cuts it for four. 

Afternoon Session    

3.40pm - TEA! Eng 18/1; Cook 5, Ballance 1 - Jadeja's spin is causing problems for England's two left-handers. What a session that was. The 25-year-old has dragged his side into a strong position.

3.32pm - WICKET! Robson lbw Jadeja 7; Eng 12/1 -  Jadeja is now influencing matters with the ball, trapping Robson lbw with his first delivery. This is not the start England wanted. 

3.27pm - Sam Robson confidently clips Shami through midwicket for four. Ishant Sharma then replaces Shami at the Pavilion End. 

3.15pm - Bhuvneshwar, now with the ball in hand, goes up for a huge caught-behind appeal against Cook, but the umpire is unmoved. Replays show there was no edge. There are 45 overs left today. 

2.57pm - WICKET AND END OF INNINGS! Bhuvneshwar c Bell b Stokes 52; Ind 342 all out - Bell makes no mistake this time, holding on to a Bhuvneshwar edge in the cordon off Stokes, who finishes with three wickets. England need 319 to win.   

2.50pm - FIFTY! Bhuvneshwar (65b 8x4 0x6) - Bhuvneshwar drives Stokes down the ground to reach a half-century. India's lead is 318. How many more can they add? 

2.44pm - WICKET! Shami c Prior b Moeen 0; Ind 338/9 - Moeen has Mohammed Shami caught behind to leave India on the brink. 

2.39pm - WICKET! Jadeja c Cook b Stokes 68; Ind 334/8 - Jadeja's superb knock comes to an end when he advances down the pitch and skies a Stokes bouncer to Cook. 

2.38pm - CHANCE! - Bhuvneshwar now gets a life as an attempted cut shot off Moeen Ali brushes his glove and is dropped by Matt Prior. 

2.32pm - CHANCE! - Ben Stokes, replacing Plunkett at the Nursery End, sees Ian Bell drop Jadeja at midwicket. This session is not going to plan for Alastair Cook's side. 

2.30pm - Bhuvneshwar is now punishing England. He guides back-to-back fours through the vacant gully region to move on to 44.  

2.20pm - Bhuvneshwar clips Stuart Broad through midwicket and the pair run four. He replicates the shot next ball for a couple. India's lead is approaching 300 now. 

2.07pm - Some unbelievable shots from Jadeja. He straight-drives Anderson over his head and then pulls another four. This could well be a game-changing innings. Bhuvneshwar also joins the party, with a boundary off the Lancastrian. India have taken 35 runs from the five overs since the resumption. 

2pm - FIFTY! Jadeja (42b 7x4 0x6) - Jadeja takes a single into the off side to raise his maiden five-day fifty as well as the half-century stand with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

1.57pm - James Anderson responds to Jadeja's assault by hitting the batsman on the helmet with a fierce bouncer. There is a slight delay while Jadeja changes his lid but keeps his grill. This is a great battle. 

1.50pm - Ravindra Jadeja is hurting England here, surpassing his previous-best Test score of 43 against Australia by driving Liam Plunkett over extra-cover. He is three short of a half-century.

Morning Session      

1pm - LUNCH! Ind 267/7; Jadeja 37, Bhuvneshwar 13 - Jadeja will not want the interval to arrive. He is extending India's lead, which now stands at 243, with an array of powerful strokes. 

12.53pm - Jadeja takes two boundaries from a Broad over that costs 10. Firstly, he lofts the bowler back over his head before beating the man on the midwicket boundary with a pull. 

12.49pm - CHANCE! - Bhuvneshwar Kumar flashes at Broad but Root, at fourth slip, cannot hold on. That was a big chance for England. 

12.47pm - Jadeja is continuing to attack, walking down the pitch before crashing Anderson through the covers. An lbw shout is then turned down. There is still something in the pitch for the bowlers. 

12.33pm - WICKET! Vijay c Prior b Anderson 95; Ind 235/7 - The new ball does the trick for England. Vijay feels outside off stump and feathers Anderson behind to Matt Prior. A superb innings from the opening batsman. 

12.30pm -  Jadeja is scoring freely. The left-hander shows no respect for the fresh cherry by swishing Anderson behind square before flicking Broad, returning to the attack, to the fine-leg rope.  

12.20pm - England take the new ball. This is an important passage of play. India lead by 201. 

12.13pm - Ravindra Jadeja clubs Moeen through midwicket for four before mis-timing a drive that loops over Plunkett at point. The over costs 12. The new ball is available after Plunkett's next set of six. 

12pm - WICKET! Binny c Cook b Moeen 0; Ind 203/6 - Moeen Ali is introduced into the attack and strikes with his fifth delivery. Stuart Binny tries to go over the top but only succeeds in skying the ball and Alastair Cook, running backwards from mid-on, makes up a lot of ground to take a brilliant diving catch. 

11.53am - WICKET! Dhoni c Bell b Plunkett 19; Ind 202/5 - Plunkett delivers again! Dhoni fishes outside off stump and edges the paceman to Ian Bell in the cordon. 

11.51am - Dhoni takes a couple into the leg side to lift India to 200. They are in control here. 

11.43am - Ben Stokes, on for Anderson at the Pavilion End, sees a full delivery to Vijay fly through the covers for another four. England need a breakthrough fast. 

11.31am -  The India fans are in full voice when Vijay produces an immaculate on-drive for four off Plunkett. In the next over, Anderson's lbw appeal against Dhoni is turned down due to the ball hitting bat first. 

11.27am -  Dhoni flicks Anderson off his hips to collect his first runs of the day from the 17th ball he faces this morning. Liam Plunkett replaces Broad at the Nursery End.  

11.21am -  Vijay finds the third-man rope yet again, edging Broad just wide of a diving Joe Root at third slip. 

11.18am - Dhoni, yet to get off the mark today, plays and misses at James Anderson, bowling in tandem with Broad.  

11.04am - Murali Vijay opens the face and guides Stuart Broad's first ball down to the third-man boundary to bring up the fifty partnership with Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Broad leaks 12 from his opening set of six.

Pre-Play News

10.55am - Former India legend Kapil Dev, a World Cup winner in 1983, rings the five-minute bell.  

10.50am -  Liam Plunkett followed up his maiden Test half-century with two wickets in as many balls late yesterday afternoon to drag England back into the contest. In his post-match interview last night, the 29-year-old spoke about how early wickets are key for his side this morning.

10.40am -  We are all set for another enthralling day of Test cricket here. There is no sign of any rain yet today, although it is a little overcast. The sun is expected to break through later on. 

10.30am -  Good morning and welcome to live coverage of day four of the second Investec Test between England and India at Lord's.   

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Farbrace believes in battling England

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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Paul Farbrace says England will "dig deep" against India at Lord's

By Callum Dent

Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace is hoping England can take inspiration from the battling qualities they showed against Sri Lanka at Headingley earlier this year when they return to Lord’s for the final day of the second Investec Test tomorrow.

Moeen Ali struck a maiden Test century as the hosts came two balls away from batting out the final day in Leeds last month and claiming a share of the spoils against Angelo Mathews’ side.

The left-hander and Joe Root resume England’s innings on 105 for four tomorrow, requiring another 214 runs to beat India and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Farbrace has called on his side to replicate that fighting spirit again, telling ecb.co.uk:“Mo is not out and got a hundred batting all day at Headingley.

“There was a lot of people that turned up at Headingley that day, and perhaps a lot of people that didn’t turn up, that gave us no chance at 7.10pm when we were still fighting for our lives to stay in that game.

“We have got to take a lot of impetus and a lot of belief from that. I’m sure Mo and Rooty will do. Rooty enjoys batting here, he gets runs here, so I think they will be both looking forward to tomorrow.

“There is no point turning up if you haven’t got that belief. There is no point playing these games if you don’t have the belief.

Moeen Ali hit a ton the last time England were up against it heading into a final day of a Test, against Sri Lanka at Headingley last month

“The belief will always be there, you have just got to keep fighting hard. Sometimes, you have to dig a little deeper than you would like to.”

Chasing a victory target of 319, England battled their way to 70 for one courtesy of a patient 58-run second-wicket stand between Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance.

India’s seamers then turned the game on its head by claiming three wickets for two runs in 20 deliveries.

From 72 for four, Root and Moeen then fought hard to the close with an unbroken stand of 33.   

Despite the dramatic collapse, Farbrace took heart from the fight shown from his batsmen on a pitch that is still offering a lot of assitance to the bowlers.

The ex-Sri Lanka coach said: “It’s been another interesting day of Test cricket. Test cricket is tough cricket.

“But I thought Rooty and Mo got stuck in and fought and battled really well there tonight.

“It’s not easy, but you would expect it. It’s been a really good cricket pitch.

Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace said: "(Ravindra) Jadeja perhaps got them a little bit further away from us than we would have liked."

“There is a little bit of natural variation now and a bit of spin as well. It’s going to be a tough battle tomorrow but that is what it is.

“Five days of Test cricket is always going to be tough. Full credit for the way we fought and battled. India have played their part. It’s been a really good four days so far.”

England made early inroads this morning, taking three wickets in quick succession after Murali Vijay and Mahendra Singh Dhoni negotiated the first 50 minutes of play.

But Ravindra Jadeja lifted India to a second-innings total of 342 by hitting a brutal 68, his maiden Test fifty, and sharing in a 99-run eighth-wicket stand with fellow half-centurion Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Farbrace added: “Fair play to India, I thought they played well today. Jadeja perhaps got them a little bit further away from us than we would have liked.

“When you always come into a morning like that you always want to take your wickets early.

“They played pretty well to be fair. At the end I thought we mopped them up nicely.”

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Surrey hold on after Sciver ton

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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Natalie Sciver hit a century as Surrey moved up to second in the Royal London Women's One-Day Cup Division One table with a seven-run win over Nottinghamshire.

Sciver was almost peerless as she struck a confident 154, in her side’s 242 for nine, but still Surrey had to hold on for victory as Notts threatened to pull of a remarkable chase at Reed’s School.

Jane Smit’s 77 was backed up by helpful contributions from Danni Wyatt and Sonia Odedra, who had earlier claimed 4-43.

Surrey held on though, with Sarah Clarke returning 4-47, as Notts finishing 235 for nine from their 50 overs.

The weather yesterday got the better of the other three top-flight matches, most significantly at PoloFarm Sports Club in Canterbury where leaders Kent were unable to get on against Berkshire.

Natalie Sciver hit a confident 154 as Surrey held on for a seven-run win over Nottinghamshire to move them up to second place

There was also no play at all for Yorkshire’s trip to Warwickshire, while Middlesex were denied at Southend after skittling last-placed Essex for 129 in 39.4 overs.

Sophia Dunkley and Izzy Westbury took three wickets apiece as Heather Graham’s 48 was the stand-out for Essex.

Middlesex were 28 for nine from eight overs in their reply before the players were forced off.

Devon missed the chance to close the gap on Division Two leaders Lancashire following a seven-wicket defeat to Ireland.

Laura Delany’s 5-30 helped restrict Devon to 150 for nine – Rosalie Fairburn contributing 65 – before Cecilia Joyce’s half-century helped Ireland move up to third in the table by reaching the target in 43.2 overs.

Evelyn Jones hit 90 as Staffordshire beat Wales by 54 runs.

In Division Three, Leicestershire beat Derbyshire by 60 runs while Northamptonshire overcame Oxfordshire by eight wickets.

Suffolk secured a five-wicket win over Cumbria in their top-of-the-table clash in the North & East section of Division Four while Norfolk beat Cambridgeshire by 64 runs.

Janet Godman’s unbeaten century was not enough for Wiltshire as they lost to Cornwall by eight wickets in the South & West section.

Leaders Shropshire won the other game in the section by five wickets against Buckinghamshire.

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Adams to assess Notts batsmen

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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Chris Adams has been appointed as a consultant batting coach for Nottinghamshire.

The former Surrey team director was a part of Sri Lanka’s backroom team during their historic first Test series success over England earlier this summer and has been tasked with assessing Notts' batting stocks at all levels.

“Chris is held in very high regard and we’re pleased that he has taken this opportunity to spend some time assessing our players, coaching and facilities,” Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell told the club’s website.

Chris Adams chats with legendary Sri Lanka left-hander Kumar Sangakkara during his stint with the Asian nation earlier this summer

“I felt that it was important to get someone in from the outside to look at what we are providing for young players and to make recommendations to help us to produce more home-grown talent.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him and for his achievements in the game and I hope that he can provide some insight.”

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Tavaré signs three-year Gloucestershire deal

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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Will Tavaré has signed a new three-year contract at Gloucestershire during a breakthrough first season.

The 24-year-old Bristolian, who is the nephew of former England batsman Chris Tavaré, has scored 760 championship runs in 11 games at an average of 44.71.

Tavaré has notched three centuries and three fifties with his top score of 139 coming against promotion-chasing Hampshire.

Will Tavaré has earned himself a three-year contract at his home-town club a fter a breakthrough first season at Bristol

Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said: “It is great news to have signed Will on a three-year contract.

“As a local cricketer he has come through a traditional route from school, club and university.  He has demonstrated a real maturity in his first year and some great skill at the top of the order.”

Tavaré is a product of Bristol club cricket and had signed a one-year contract with Gloucestershire at the start of the season after impressing in the second XI last term.

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England Women aim to empower

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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England women’s cricketers Heather Knight, Lydia Greenway and Tammy Beaumont met two female Bangladeshi cricketers and International Development Minister, Desmond Swayne, at Lord’s today to discuss issues around sport, women’s empowerment and early forced marriage, ahead of the Prime Minister’s Girl Summit 2014.

Bangladesh-based charity BRAC has flown in the two young female cricketers, Mitu Roy and Tania Akter, from their Adolescent Development Programme, to take part in the UK’s Girl Summit, which takes place tomorrow.

The summit aims to bring about action to end the practices of child, early and speak out against forced marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation (FGM) within a generation.

Swayne, who was welcomed to Lord’s by Giles Clarke, the ECB Chairman, said: “Sport can make a real difference to the lives of girls in developing countries.  It gives them a healthy, enjoyable past time, of course.

“Even more importantly it helps them to establish themselves in their community, raises their status and gives them control over their future.

“Too often girls around the world are robbed of a choice in life by being forced to marry early.  It also puts them at risk of missing an education and dying young in childbirth.

“The UK will host the first Girl Summit, aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end female genital mutilation and child marriage within a generation.”

England women's cricketers Lydia Greenway, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont show their support today ahead of the UK Girl's Summit

England women’s cricketer, Heather Knight, added: “Meeting Mitu and Tania today and discussing some of the challenges that they face on a daily basis has been really thought provoking.  It is shocking to hear that one in three girls in developing countries is married by the time they are 18, with some of those as young as eight.

“Charities like BRAC are doing wonderful work to try to address these issues, and I hope that the UK’s Girl Summit will generate the world wide support needed to inspire local and national efforts to end early forced marriage.” 

BRAC chairperson, Sir Fazle Ahbed, said: “BRAC ensures that Bangladeshi adolescents are fully equipped to face life and its challenges through its multiple and comprehensive interventions, including sport. Participating in sport empowers adolescents, especially girls. It builds their self-confidence, independence and the ability to take decisions that affect their lives."

Mitu and Tania are club leaders and cricket coaches from BRAC’s Adolescent Development Programme, which aims to help build confidence in adolescents. 

Mitu, 20, said: “Through playing cricket in BRAC clubs I have gained the trust of my family as well as the community.  Now they know that I can lead my team and solve my problems for myself.”

Tania, 21, added: “Playing sport has made me so confident that now I can talk freely about many other issues with many people and can encourage other girls to do the same.”

The event at Lord’s today follows a visit by members of the England women’s team to the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) in Dhaka during the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 competition in March.

At the ASF, the players got the opportunity to see how funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) has helped thousands of women and children who have been disfigured in acid attacks.

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Eagles welcome Ryder back

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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Essex Eagles will again be able to call on Jesse Ryder’s power at the top of the order as they look to confirm top spot in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group against Hampshire tomorrow evening.

Ryder was absent with a knee injury as the high-flying Eagles lost for just the second time this season, against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham yesterday.

The Eagles’ only other Blast defeat came away to Hampshire, who visit the Essex County Ground looking to try and book a home quarter-final.

The Eagles have already ensured that they will enjoy home comforts in the last eight, but head coach Paul Grayson is wary of any complacency ahead of the knockout stage.

Grayson hopes the defeat at Cheltenham will be a “wake-up call” for his side who have just one more group game, against Sussex Sharks on Friday, after tomorrow night’s high-stakes clash.

"We've got two tough games to come at home this week against Hampshire and then Sussex on Friday night and hopefully, we'll soon have a fully fit squad available for selection,” Grayson said.

“Jesse Ryder would have played at Cheltenham if it had been a quarter- or semi-final but his knee is a little bit sore and we decided not to risk him.

Jesse Ryder has made a significant impression on the NatWest T20 Blast this season and will be back from a knee injury against Hampshire

“I thought that it was a cracking game on Sunday and credit to Gloucestershire because they played very well.

"We were probably a bowler light to be honest but all credit to Gloucestershire because I thought they chased down the runs very well.

"The defeat has probably acted as a bit of a wake-up call really because there's been a few games recently where we've won easily and it might just give one or two players a kick up the backside a little bit. But overall, we have been outstanding in this competition so far and I'm more than pleased at the way things are going."

Grayson was able to draw some good news from the Gloucestershire defeat with Kishen Velani, who slotted in for Ryder up the order, smacking 34 from 23 balls.

Grayson added: "One positive to take form the game was the performance of Kishen Velani who showed he is a real talent and I think that we will be seeing plenty of him playing for Essex over the next few years.”

Hampshire booked their place in the quarter-finals for the sixth successive season following a six-run win over the Sharks last Friday night.

Michael Carberry hit a season-high 87 while top run-scorer Jimmy Adams made his third half-century of the competition, although that was almost not enough as Sussex opener Luke Wright plundered an unbeaten 116.

Left-arm spinner Danny Briggs did enough damage at the other end, however, with figures of 4-28 to deny Wright and his side.

Briggs is the third-highest wicket-taker in this season’s Blast with 20 at an average of 16.35. 

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LV=CC, July 21: As it happened

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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Recap today's five LV= County Championship matches with Division One high-fliers Yorkshire setting up a potentially winning position against Middlesex on day three at Scarborough.

By Matt Somerford & Rob Barnett

Follow ECB_Cricket on Twitter

6.42pm – Here’s a wrap of today’s exciting action:

Division One

Title-chasing Yorkshire, aided by a brave 126 not out from captain Andrew Gale, are 400 for five in their second innings, 421 ahead of Middlesex, after three days at Scarborough.

Sussex, who won the toss today, are 314 for seven thanks in part to eighties from Craig Cachopa and Luke Wright versus Warwickshire at Horsham.

Division Two

Derbyshire, who are 13 for one in their second innings following day two at the 3aaa County Ground, need another 60 to beat Glamorgan. Mark Footitt took a career-best 6-48 as the Welsh County were dismissed for 175.

Surrey recovered from 105 for five to close on 303 for six in reply to Kent’s 408 at Guildford. Sam Billings was unbeaten on 82 for the visitors this morning before Jason Roy responded with 84 and skipper Gary Wilson with 80 not out on the second day.

Leaders Worcestershire are 299 for seven following the first day against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. Daryl Mitchell is justifying his decision to bat first with an unbeaten 102.

6.32pm – Play is continuing only at Guilford where Wilson and Gareth Batty are sharing a fifty partnership.

6.21pm – Yorkshire end the day on an imposing 40 for five, Gale unbeaten on 126, with Middlesex trailing by 421.

Sussex reach the close on 314 for seven, having been pegged back from 294 for three.

6.13pm – Stumps and stumped! Derbyshire close on 13 for one, needing another 60 to defeat Glamorgan, and Leaning pays for leaving his ground against Dawid Malan. Leaning goes for 76, having added 182 with Gale.

Warwickshire’s riposte with the new ball continues as Chris Jordan cheaply plays on to Boyd Rankin.

6.01pm – Sussex’s Steffan Piolet is dismissed in bizarre fashion when he treads on his stumps, facing Woakes. Not many fielders realised what had happened at first.

5.50pm –Gale, who has just been struck on the elbow, raises a hundred shortly after Jack Leaning registers a fifty.

Derbyshire’s task of chasing 73 doesn’t look so straightforward when Hogan traps Billy Godleman in front for a duck at nought for one.

Kent’s Charlie Hartley likewise ousts Roy for 84, halting his stand with Wilson on 121.

Gloucestershire’s Craig Miles removes Shaaiq Choudhry for 21.

5.34pm – David Wainwright ends last-wicket resistance from Will Owen and Michael Hogan by bowling the former for a 22-ball 28 and dismissing Glamorgan for 175, meaning Derbyshire need 73 to win. Footitt returned a career-best 6-48 and Hogan was unbeaten on 22 from 20 deliveries.

Chris Woakes snares Cachopa for 84, breaking a stand of 174 with Wright that has set Sussex up for a big score.

5.10pm – Mark Footitt, who took 5-21 in his opening spell, returns to have James Harris caught behind for 16 and leave Glamorgan nine down.

Luke Wright and Craig Cachopa share a 150-run partnership for Sussex while Jason Roy and Gary Wilson put on a century stand for Surrey.

4.54pm - Glamorgan look like they will be beaten inside two days as Dean Cokser's off stump is sent spinning out of the ground by Tom Taylor, whose figures read 3-13. Derbyshire need two more wickets with Glamorgan's lead just 17 runs.

4.37pm - Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale reaches a half-century, from 99 balls, as his side's lead extends to 298 runs. Gale will most probably be looking to declare at some stage in this session, although he may delay it slightly longer than normal after Middlesex made that sensational chase against the White Rose earlier this season.

4.25pm - Tom Smith has a third wicket at Cheltenham as Ben Cox is caught by Will Tavaré at short-leg for 56. Worcestershire are 242 for five.

New man Joe Leach falls for a duck in the next over lbw to Craig Miles, who now also has three wickets in his first championship game of the season.

4.09pm – Jason Roy dominates a fifty partnership with Gary Wilson that arrives just before tea at Guildford, where Surrey are 159 for five in reply to Kent’s 408.

3.54pm – Sussex take tea on a healthy 230 for three with Luke Wright and Craig Cachopa unbeaten on fifties.

Glamorgan break in deep trouble at 89 for seven in their second innings, still 14 behind a rampant Derbyshire.

3.47pm – Yorkshire reach the interval on 247 for four in their second innings, 268 ahead of Middlesex, at Scarborough. Andrew Gale is 42 not out.

Worcestershire head for refreshments at 228 for four, Mitchell on 69 and Cox 54.

Glamorgan captain Mark Wallace is caught behind off Taylor for 25, reducing his side to 84 for seven.

3.40pm – With tea approaching, Derbyshire’s Tom Taylor has Jim Allenby held in the slips for 17.

3.27pm – Ben Cox advances to a smooth fifty, reached from 58 balls with eight fours and a six. He and Mitchell are moving towards a century partnership for the Division Two leaders.

3.01pm – Mitchell, who won the toss today, brings up a patient half-century.

2.51pm – Footitt is really pressing the accelerator now! He bowls Chris Cooke and has Ben Wright caught behind. Glamorgan are 42 for five in their second innings, 61 behind. The left-arm seamer has figures of 5-21.

Charlie Hartley ousts Vikram Solanki, leaving Surrey 86 for four.

2.39pm – Yorkshire now lead by more than 200 with seven wickets left.

Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell is holding firm at the top of the order.

2.12pm – Footitt makes it two wickets in as many overs, Murray Goodwin going caught behind for nought.

Barker has a second scalp since lunch, pinning Nash lbw for 58.

2.05pm – Tom Smith has Alexei Kervezee caught and bowled, making Worcestershire 130 for three.

Sussex’s Chris Nash raises a fifty and Derbyshire’s Mark Footitt snares Will Bragg.

1.57pm – Murtagh makes it two wickets in three personal overs, ousting Alex Lees for 67 via Dawid Malan’s low catch at second slip.

Surrey’s troubles grow as Callum Haggett cheaply traps Tillakaratne Dilshan in front.

Warwickshire’s Keith Barker bowls Ed Joyce for 16.

1.46pm – Two wickets to report early in the afternoon session.

Middlesex’s Ollie Rayner holds a stunning, one-handed slip catch above his head to give Tim Murtagh the scalp of Kane Williamson for 62, ending a stand of 132 with Alex Lees.

Gloucestershire’s Craig Miles traps Tom Fell in front for 24.

1.15pm - Here are the lunch scores:

Division One

Alex Lees and Kane Williamson batted through the third morning, adding 117 runs, at Scarborough to move Yorkshire into a handy position. Their unbroken century stand has moved the hosts to 146 for one - a lead of 167 against Middlesex.

Sussex are 99 for one against Warwickshire on the first day at Horsham with Chris Nash unbeaten on 46.

Division Two

A 73-run ninth-wicket stand between David Wainwright and Tony Palladino helped Derbyshire open a 103-run lead before being bowled out for 241 against Glamorgan at the 3aaa County Ground.

Surrey have not made a good start in response to Kent's 408 as they reach lunch on 31 for two after Darren Stevens removed openers Rory Burns and Zafar Ansari.

Worcestershire are 118 for one after the first session against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. Richard Oliver is the only wicket to fall, although not before he smashed 62 from 49 balls.

1.02pm - We're heading into lunch around the country now. A round-up of what has happened in the morning sessions will be up shortly. They are continuing on at Derby though with the hosts nine down.

12.39pm - David Wainwright and Tony Palladino have defied all that has gone on at the 3aaa County Ground so far to put on an unbroken 61-run stand for the ninth wicket. That is allowing Derbyshire to open up what could be a very important lead in the context of the game.

12.28pm - Lees brings up the century partnership with Williamson by plonking Ollie Rayner for six over long-on. This stand is threatening to take the game completely away from Middlesex.

Moments later Lees and Williamson both bring up half-centuries. On an unrelated note - and this is not a particularly good anecdote - but, I was in Scarborough after the game yesterday. Williamson and Adil Rashid were both out for dinner shortly after the close and they were swooped on by one of the giant-sized seagulls that patrol the seafront up there. Their reaction time to the attack was pretty slow to be honest. Williamson has had far less problems with the Middlesex attack this morning.

12.20pm - Warwickshire have their first wicket of the morning, but not before a solid 68-run opening stand between Luke Wells and Chris Nash. Wells is the man to depart as he edges behind to Tim Ambrose off Rikki Clarke for 35.

12.01pm - After Surrey finally end Claydon's fun Stuart Meaker removes the last two from consecutive balls and Kent have been dismissed for 408. There is therefore no century for Billings, who was stranded on 81, while Meaker returns 4-106.

11.45am - I'm not sure what Richard Oliver had for breakfast, but he needs to keep eating it. The Worcestershire opener races to 44 from 35 balls on the opening morning against Gloucestershire. Daryl Mitchell is still only on seven in a score of 52 for none.

11.44am - Maximum batting points for Kent. They get to 400 for seven in the 107th over - just in the nick of time. Sam Billings is 76 while Mitch Claydon is enjoying himself with 34 from 38 balls.

11.30am - The stand between Alex Lees and Kane Williamson has now reached 50 at Scarborough and Yorkshire's lead is building towards three figures.

11.02am - Michael Hogan strikes with the very first ball of the day at the 3aaa County Ground. Gareth Cross' stumps are rearranged and after 16 wickets fell yesterday it appears things might not change today.

10.45am - We've had some early news this morning with Gloucestershire right-hander Will Tavare signing a three-year deal. The 24-year-old is included in Gloucestershire's XI for the start of their match with leaders Worcestershire at Cheltenham.

The Pears have won the toss and will bat. Craig Miles makes his first appearance of the campaign for Gloucestershire.

10.30am - Welcome to today's blog of the LV= County Championship action. It's moving day in Scarborough while we've got a couple of games beginning in Horsham and Cheltenham.

Division One

Yorkshire will bid to improve a 50-run lead when they resume their second innings at 29 for one against Middlesex at North Marine Road in Scarborough. Ryan Sidebottom's seven wickets yesterday gave the hosts control.

Sussex begin their clash against title-hopefuls Warwickshire at Horsham.

Division Two

After 16 wickets fell on the opening day, Derbyshire's tail will hope to provide enough resistance to increase their four-run lead into something more significant against Glamorgan. The home side are 142 for six at the 3aaa County Ground.

Kent begin this morning on 351 for seven after they enjoyed a good opening day against Surrey at Guildford.

Gloucestershire are fresh from a shock NatWest T20 Blast win over South Group leaders Essex and today they lock horns with another table-topper, in the four-day game, with Worcestershire visiting Cheltenham.

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England v India, 2nd Investec Test, Day 5

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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Live images from Lord's on day five of the second Investec Test between England and India.

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Captain Cook demands improvements

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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By Callum Dent

Skipper Alastair Cook admits England need to improve quickly after suffering a 95-run defeat at the hands of India in the second Investec Test at Lord’s.

In pursuit of a victory target of 319 on the final day, the hosts started brightly with half-centurion Joe Root and Moeen Ali taking the score to 173 for four with a fifth-wicket partnership of 101.

But the latter’s dismissal, one of seven second-innings wickets for paceman Ishant Sharma, triggered a collapse that saw England lose their last six batsmen for 50 runs.

Behind in the five-match series and without a win in their last 10 Tests, Cook knows England need to shape up.

The opening batsman told ecb.co.uk:“Obviously when you're building a partnership and trying to get up to 300 you need a bloke to get a big hundred and some support.

“We were building towards it but that would have been a tough chase on that wicket. The damage was done earlier on in the game. It's a tough place at the moment.

England skipper Alastair Cook said: "It's a time to really dust ourselves off, look at it and be brutally honest and we've got to come back out."

“The bottom line is we've been out bowled and out batted by India in our home conditions, that's probably where we are as a side.

“It's a time to really dust ourselves off, look at it and be brutally honest and we've got to come back out.

“The beauty of playing a five Test-match series is you've got the chance to bounce back.”

Moeen and Root looked to be leading England into a strong position at lunch with their intelligent batting.

The hostile Ishant had other ideas, though, striking with the final ball of the morning session to remove Moeen before ripping through the lower order after the resumption to complete figures of 7-74.

The left-hander’s departure proved to be the turning point of the match, according to Cook. 

He said: “Yeah, the first two hours of the day, well one hour and 59 minutes - it was a fantastic partnership by Mo and Rooty.

Cook felt Moeen Ali's dismissal, caught at short-leg off paceman Ishant Sharma the ball before lunch, was the turning point in the match

“We felt we had given ourselves a chance. Obviously the last ball before lunch probably took the sting out of us and was tough.

“We then had a bit of a counter attack but it fell away pretty quickly.”

The victory for India was only their sixth in England. They suffered a 4-0 hammering the last time they played in this format on these shores, but Cook believes they are a different proposition this time around.

Cook, whose side head to the Ageas Bowl for the third Test on Sunday 1-0 down in the rubber, added: “We're in a battle now.

"This India side are going to be tough to beat because I think they've toughened up a lot since we last played them in 2011.

“It's going to be a hell of a challenge to turn it around and win some games.”

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Ishant inspires India to victory

July 21, 2014, 12:49 pm
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By Callum Dent

Ishant Sharma produced a stunning spell of bowling en route to superb figures of 7-74 as India beat England by 95 runs in the second Investec Test at Lord’s to claim their first format victory overseas for three years.

Resuming on 105 for four in pursuit of 319 to win, the hosts were boosted by a 101-run fifth-wicket stand between half-centurion Joe Root and Moeen Ali.

However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to throw the ball to Ishant for a short burst before the lunch interval proved inspirational as he dismissed Moeen with the final delivery of the morning session.

The paceman, operating from the Pavilion End, continued his short-ball tactics after the resumption to devastating affect, taking a remarkable four wickets for nine runs in just 21 deliveries.

Matt Prior, Ben Stokes and Root were all architects of their own downfalls, pulling Ishant to one of three fielders patrolling the leg-side boundary, before Stuart Broad tickled a short ball to Dhoni.

India paceman Ishant Sharma is mobbed by his team-mates after dismissing England batsman Joe Root for 66 at Lord's

From 173 for four, England were dismissed for 223 when Ravindra Jadeja’s direct-hit ran out James Anderson to hand India just their sixth Test triumph on these shores.

In the opening hour of the day, in which England added 35 runs, they suffered only one scare when Root, on the back foot, pushed outside off stump at an Ishant delivery and saw an edge fall just short of Shikhar Dhawan at first slip.

During that time Moeen immaculately drove Ishant, charging in at pace, through the covers for three to take his stand with Root to 50.

It was slow going at times, Root punching Bhuvneshwar Kumar through the covers for his side’s first boundary in 15 overs while Moeen was stuck on 30 for 27 deliveries.

However, despite all of England’s hard work, Ishant hurried India to victory with a quintet of wickets in 33 balls either side of the lunch interval.

After Root moved to fifty by driving and cutting the paceman for three fours in the previous over, Ishant responded by delivering a vicious bouncer that Moeen could only fend off to Cheteshwar Pujara at short-leg.

Ravindra Jadeja wheels away in delight after his run-out of James Anderson handed India a 95-run victory in the second Investec Test

In the two overs after the resumption, India’s short bowling was punished as Prior and Root racked up 20 runs.

But that did not last long as Prior, Stokes and Root were all sucked into a perfectly-executed trap from Dhoni et al.

Operating with three men on the boundary, Ishant saw Prior and Root both hook to deep square-leg either side of Stokes top-edging to midwicket to depart for a pair.

Ishant, who did not take a wicket in the first innings, became the first India bowler to snare seven victims in a Test in England when Broad feathered behind to Dhoni. 

And India’s victory was complete when Anderson was run out by Jadeja after the left-hander, attempting a quick single, was sent back by Liam Plunkett. 

Match scorecard   /  Live ball-by-ball commentary

Live images /  Follow ECB_cricket on Twitter

Post-Match Reaction

England skipper Alastair Cook said: “It’s definitely an issue of confidence and getting over that finishing line. We haven’t won for a long time. That’s where we’re at. The lads are hurting in the dressing room.

“Yes the older guys aren’t playing as well as their record suggests. It’s not happening for those guys at the moment –- they’ve got to work really hard, the same as I have, I’ve got to start scoring runs as well.

“It gets harder and harder the more we don’t win. Until that bloke taps me on the shoulder and says I’m not good enough I’m desperate to try and turn this around for England. If I’m not good enough at the end of the summer then so be it. I’m really trying my heart out to do this.”

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said: “What was important is we had 300 runs (to protect). The first session showed us we had to be at our best because a big partnership got going. We had to keep going and keep pushing hard.

“That over before lunch I think Ishant (Sharma) didn’t really want to bowl short. We had to give the confidence to keep bowling short and attacking the batsmen. I think it was a fantastic bowling - he bowled a long spell.”

Man-of-the-match Ishant Sharma, who completed his sixth Test five-for, said: “I think the credit should not just go to me but to the captain because he is the only one to tell me that you are tall enough so you have to bowl a bouncer and you have to use your height. That’s what I did.”

Afternoon Session    

2.47pm - WICKET! Anderson run out (Jadeja) 2; Eng 223 all out - INDIA WIN BY 95 RUNS! - James Anderson attempts a quick single but is sent back by Liam Plunkett and Ravindra Jadeja's direct-hit hands India victory, their first overseas in three years. The tourists lead the series 1-0.

2.31pm - WICKET! Broad c Dhoni b Ishant 8; Eng 216/9 - Broad is the next to go as he tickles a short Ishant ball behind to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The paceman has seven wickets. 

2.11pm - WICKET! Root c Binny b Ishant 66; Eng 201/8 - Unbelievable! Root follows Prior and Stokes in pulling Ishant and losing his wicket, Stuart Binny taking the catch inside the rope. 

2.08pm - WICKET! Stokes c Pujara b Ishant 0; Eng 201/7 - Ishant completes a five-wicket haul courtesy of another England player contributing to their own downfall. This time Stokes skies a pull into the air and Cheteshwar Pujara takes the catch. The left-hander departs for a pair. 

1.59pm - WICKET! Prior c Vijay b Ishant 12; Eng 198/6 - The pull proves to be Prior's downfall. With three men back on the boundary, the right-hander picks out Murali Vijay to hand Ishant another victim. 

1.50pm - Matt Prior starts positively, punching Ishant Sharma through the covers for England's third boundary in seven balls after the resumption. He then pulls the same bowler in front of square for another four. 

1.45pm - Joe Root splits the two fielders occupying the boundary at fine and square-leg with a pulled four off Mohammed Shami, who sees his next delivery race to the midwicket boundary.

Morning Session     

1pm - WICKET & LUNCH! Moeen c Pujara b Ishant 39; Eng 173/5 - Dhoni's short-ball plan works as Moeen falls to the final delivery of the morning session. The left-hander is caught by Cheteshwar Pujara at short-leg off a fierce Ishant bouncer. Root, who took a couple of blows just before the interval, remains 52 not out. That wicket overshadows what was a decent session for the hosts. But, with the new ball due in four overs, there is plenty of work still ahead of them this afternoon.

12.55pm - CENTURY PARTNERSHIP! - Moeen lifts Jadeja over mid-on for two to take his stand with Root into three figures. 

12.48pm - FIFTY! Root (122b 5x4 0x6) - Chants of 'Roooooot' echo around the home of cricket as the right-hander hits three boundaries, two driven and one cut, off Ishant's first over back into the attack. 

12.43pm - Root calls for the physio after taking a blow on the hand from a Bhuvneshwar ball that shot off a length. 

12.32pm -  Moeen guides Bhuvneshwar through the vacant gully region to collect four more and bring up England's 150. 

12.24pm -  Root ends a drought of 15 overs without a boundary by punching Bhuvneshwar off the back foot to the cover rope. Moeen, on 30, profits from a Jadeja misfield to collect his first run for 27 balls. It's slow going at the moment. 

12.17pm - Shami keeps things tight during his opening three-over spell, delivering two maidens and conceding only three runs. Jadeja is back at the Nursery End. The new ball is due in 15 overs. 

12pm -  Root, taking one hand off the bat, pushes Mohammed Shami, on at the Nursery End, past a diving Virat Kohli at wide mid-off for three. England have added 35 in the first hour this morning. 

11.40am - England's cause is helped when Dhawan's wide delivery down the leg side flies past Mahendra Singh Dhoni for four byes. There have been 50 byes in this match to equal the record at Lord's set in 1893. Bhuvneshwar Kumar replaces Ishant. 

11.37am - Ishant, charging in at pace from the Pavilion End, is clipped through midwicket by Root for three. 

11.28am - Moeen replicates his earlier drive off Ishant and collects three, moving his stand with Root to 50. England have started solidly. 

11.18am - Root, on the back foot, pushes hard at Ishant outside off stump and an edge just falls short of Shikhar Dhawan at first slip. 

11.12pm - Moeen edges Ishant along the ground through the slips for another boundary.

11.05am - Joe Root plays out the opening over, bowled by Ravindra Jadeja, for a maiden. Moeen Ali then drives Ishant Sharma through the covers for four. 

Pre-Play News

10.55am - Former India batting all-rounder Sourav Ganguly rings the five-minute bell. 

10.50am - In a post-match interview last night, Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace called on England to replicate the fighting spirit they showed against Sri Lanka at Headingley last month. 

10.40am -  Another enthralling day of Test cricket is upon us. This could be huge for the outcome of the five-match series. It’s very muggy at HQ and the sun is expected to break out later on.

10.30am -  Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the fifth and final day of the second Investec Test between England and India at Lord's.    

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LV=CC, July 22: As it happened

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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A review of today's LV= County Championship action, including Yorkshire’s stunning last-session win against Middlesex to go top of Division One and Derbyshire defeating Glamorgan.

By Rob Barnett & Matt Somerford

Follow ECB_Cricket on Twitter

6.55pm - Here is a wrap of the action today:

Division One

Yorkshire moved to the top of the table with a 220-run win over Middlesex at Scarborough. The White Rose county needed six wickets in the evening session to do it, with leg-spinner Adil Rashid taking four of them.

Jonathan Trott is unbeaten on 62 as Warwickshire closed on 163 for three as they set after Sussex's first-innings 413 at Horsham.

Division Two

Derbyshire claimed back-to-back championship wins for the first time this season as they saw off Glamorgan by six wickets at the 3aaa County Ground.

Leaders Worcestershire appear on course for another win after asking Gloucestershire to follow on, 239 runs behind, and then reducing them to 10 for one at stumps.

Kent are 229 for six and leading by 239 runs against fellow promotion-chasers Surrey at Guildford. Stuart Meaker has 4-67 for the Brown Caps.

6.23pm - Gloucestershire skipper Michael Klinger has fallen early after his side were asked to follow on. He has edged Morris to wicketkeeper Ben Cox for five.

6.19pm - It's stumps at Horsham with Warwickshire 163 for three. Trott is unbeaten on 62 with his side replying to Sussex's first-innings 413.

5.52pm - Gloucestershire have been bowled out for 156. They will almost certainly be asked to follow on by Worcestershire with a deficit of 239 runs. It could have been worse for the hosts as their last two wickets put on 88 with Tom Smith unbeaten on 41 to be their top-scorer from nine.

 

5.39pm - The partnership between Trott and Varun Chopra is worth 122 runs as Warwickshire make solid progress at Horsham. They're 155 for two.

5.24pm - Kent lose another wicket, but it is not Meaker who does the damage this time. It is the unlikely figure of skipper Gary Wilson - who has given up the gloves this session with a sore hand. It is an inspired move as it turns out because he's just run out Sam Northeast.

5.10pm - Meaker has four from four. And it is Key who falls for 59 as Vikram Solanki snaps up the catch. Kent's lead is 183 runs, but Meaker is threatening to drag Surrey back into this game.

5.06pm - RESULT! Yorkshire (253 & 400/5d) have beaten Middlesex (232 & 201) by 220 runs at Scarborough. Yorkshire are top of the league! They have ripped out six Middlesex wickets in just over an hour of the final session to claim victory. Fittingly it is Rashid who completes the job as Tim Murtagh is caught by Lyth. Rashid took four of the six wickets to fall after tea.

Yorkshire's title dreams were undone by a costly defeat to Durham at Scarborough last season, could this be the defining game again this season but for different reasons?

5.03pm - No sooner than Nash reached 50, but the former West Indies left-hander is out. Stuart Meaker, who has all three wickets in the innings so far, has him caught by Rory Burns for 51. The stand was worth 95 and Kent are 164 for three.

5pm - Rob Key and Brendan Nash have both ticked over to their half-centuries at Guildford and Kent are 169 runs ahead.

There is also a fifty for Jonathan Trott for Warwickshire at Horsham.

4.57pm - I can't keep up with what is going on at Scarborough as Yorkshire move a wicket away from victory. Rashid grabs another, with Tom Helm caught at second slip by Kane Willamson. The Kiwi then holds on again in the next over, from Jack Brooks, to get rid of half-centurion Simpson.

4.43pm - It is all happening at North Marine Road. Rashid is denied a third wicket after tea as Toby Roland-Jones is put down with the ball pinging around the bat.

4.31pm - Rashid strikes again. Ollie Rayner is caught by Adam Lyth at first slip and Yorkshire need four wickets to go top of Division One.

4.23pm - It gets worse for Gloucestershire. Charlie Morris has traps Adam Rouse in front shortly after tea and the hosts are 68 for eight. Worcestershire's first-innings 395 is a dot on the horizon at the moment.

4.11pm - Yorkshire have got an early one. Eoin Morgan is caught behind to leg-spinner Adil Rashid. The Middlesex tail folded quickly in the first innings. The bottom half have to last a session tonight.

4.07pm - They're back out at Scarborough with Yorkshire requiring six wickets in the final session to claim victory. Standing in their way is John Simpson who has just passed 50 for the second time in the game.

3.54pm – Kent take tea on a healthy 125 for two in their second innings, 135 ahead of Surrey, with Key on 39 and Brendan Nash 32.

3.46pm – It’s tea at Scarborough where Middlesex are 155 for four with John Simpson on 49 and Eoin Morgan 23. Can Yorkshire take the six more wickets they need today to go top of Division One?

Gloucestershire slip to 62 for seven as Joe Leach accounts for Ian Cockbain and Shaaiq Choudhry has Benny Howell stumped.

5.15pm – Gloucestershire have recovered somewhat from 15 for four but Jack Shantry ousts Will Gidman to make them 53 for five in reply to Worcestershire’s 395.

2.56pm – Jonathan Trott is at the crease for Warwickshire, attempting to overcome his side’s two early setbacks alongside Varun Chopra.

2.34pm – Stuart Meaker snares Daniel Bell-Drummond caught behind for 25, breaking an opening stand of 55 with skipper Rob Key.

2.06pm – Steven Patterson turns the screw for Yorkshire, ousting Chris Rogers for 44 and Paul Stirling in consecutive deliveries. Middlesex, batting for a draw on the last day at Scarborough, are 92 for four.

Gloucestershire slump to 15 for four, Mitchell McClenaghan bowling Will Tavare in the over before Alex Gidman likewise falls to Charlie Morris and, from the next ball, Hamish Marshall is run out for nought.

1.47pm – We're back after lunch and Ben Brown goes lbw for 48 to Boyd Rankin, who two balls later bowls Lewis Hatchett to leave Sussex 413 all out.

1.11pm – Here’s the LV= County Championship latest:

Division One

Middlesex are 89 for two after Yorkshire declared overnight at Scarborough, setting their opponents an unlikely 422 to win on the last day.

Sussex are 407 for eight on day two versus Warwickshire at Horsham, with Ben Brown unbeaten on 48.

Division Two

Derbyshire fairly comfortably chased 73 to beat Glamorganby six wickets on the third day at the 3aaa County Ground.

Surrey, aided by a last-wicket stand of 82 between half-centurion Stuart Meaker and Matt Dunn, were dismissed for 398, a first-innings deficit of 10, by Kent on day three at Guildford.

Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell carried his bat for a supreme 167 as his side posted 395. Gloucestershire are 11 for one in reply on day two.

1.03pm – It’s now lunch in all the games. We’ll soon round up the scores.

12.53pm – Adam Riley pins Meaker lbw for 53 to dismiss Surrey for 398 with two balls left in which to go for maximum batting points. That heralds lunch at Guildford.

McClenaghan cheaply has Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger caught behind.

12.32pm – Worcestershire are all out for 395 with Will Gidman trapping Charlie Morris in front for nought. Mitchell magnificently carries his bat with 167.

Jeetan Patel has Tredwell caught behind for 33, breaking a stand of 71.

12.17pm – Mitchell goes to a magnificent 150 while Chris Rogers and Dawid Malan guide Middlesex to 62 for one as they seek to save the game at Scarborough.

Meaker and Dunn share a fifty partnership for Surrey’s last wicket.

12.10pm – RESULT! Derbyshire (241 & 73/4) beat Glamorgan (138 & 175) by six wickets at the 3aaa County Ground. The hosts lost three scalps today in knocking off 73 for their third championship win of the season, moving them up three places to fifth in Division Two for the time being at least including ahead of the Welsh County.

12.02pm – Gloucestershire break a frustrating ninth-wicket stand of 61 as Tom Smith has Mitchell McClenaghan stumped for 18, making the New Zealander his fourth scalp of the innings. Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell is unbeaten on 141 in a score of 369 for nine.

11.53am – Ben Slater is caught behind off Dean Cosker for 20, but Derbyshire require just another 15 for victory.

Late-order partnerships earn Sussex and Surrey an extra batting point each as Ben Brown and James Tredwell take the former to 351 for seven while Stuart Meaker and Matt Dunn usher the latter to 350 for nine.

11.33am – Yorkshire's Jack Brooks gets an early breakthrough as Adam Lyth holds on low at second slip to oust Nick Gubbins.

Derbyshire, chasing 73 to beat Glamorgan, lose captain Wayne Madsen to Michael Hogan for 19. However, they need just 35 more for victory.

11.17am – Stevens bags a wicket in each of his first two overs, snaring Surrey skipper Gary Wilson for 84 in the same fashion as Batty.

11.11am – Darren Stevens soon strikes with the new ball, having Gareth Batty caught behind for 26 and therefore ending an 80-run stand with Gary Wilson.

Gloucestershire’s Craig Miles, in his first appearance of the season having recovered from a back injury, makes Jack Shantry his fifth victim of the innings, for 21.

11am – As the action starts, we bring you news that Somerset seamer Steve Kirby has been forced to retire at the age of 36 due to a shoulder injury.

10.50am – The 422 that Yorkshire have set Middlesex for victory is 50 less than Chris Rogers’ side incredibly chased against the White Rose at Lord’s in April. Can lightning strike twice in a season?

10.40am – Good morning and welcome to our LV= County Championship blog. There are five games ongoing in various stages. Here’s how they stand:

Division One

Title-chasing Yorkshire, aided by a brave 126 not out from captain Andrew Gale, declared overnight on 400 for five in their second innings, 421 ahead of Middlesex, going into day four at Scarborough.

Sussex, who won the toss yesterday, are 314 for seven thanks in part to eighties from Craig Cachopa and Luke Wright versus Warwickshire at Horsham.

Division Two

Derbyshire, who are 13 for one in their second innings following day two at the 3aaa County Ground, need another 60 to beat Glamorgan. Mark Footitt took a career-best 6-48 as the Welsh County were dismissed for 175.

Surrey recovered from 105 for five to close on 303 for six in reply to Kent’s 408 at Guildford. Sam Billings was unbeaten on 82 for the visitors yesterday morning before Jason Roy responded with 84 and skipper Gary Wilson with 80 not out on the second day.

Leaders Worcestershire are 299 for seven following the first day against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. Daryl Mitchell is justifying his decision to bat first with an unbeaten 102.

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Hampshire alive for home quarter-final

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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Watch highlights of Hampshire's chase

Explosive half-centuries from Michael Carberry and Matt Coles kept Hampshire’s hopes of a home NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final alive as they beat top-of-the-table Essex Eagles by five wickets.

Coles was promoted up the order and responded by clouting the quickest fifty of the season, from 18 balls, as Essex’s 167 for nine was reeled in with 15 balls to spare.

The Eagles have now lost their past two games – having lost just one of their opening 11 matches - and will be keen to return to winning ways in their final group game against Sussex Sharks on Friday night. That will be their final game before hosting a quarter-final.

Hampshire, who moved into second place in the South Group, are now left relying on Surrey to lose their final two matches to be sure of a home tie in the last eight.

Matt Coles smacks the quickest half-century of this season's NatWest T20 Blast - from 18 balls - to fire Hampshire to a comfortable win

Essex had initially looked like they could defend a slighty disappointing target when Graham Napier trapped Hampshire skipper James Vince lbw with the first ball of the away side’s chase.

But fellow opener Carberry smashed 57 from 28 deliveries to leave his side well positioned.

Even his brilliant effort was eclipsed by Coles, who took full toll of the short boundaries at the Essex County Ground, to blast 54 from 22 balls before he was eventually dismissed by David Masters with just seven required.

Carberry's effort contained seven fours and four sixes, the last of which was huge drive against Masters that carried him to his half-century from 25 balls before Ravi Bopara ended his innings when bowling the left-hander in his first over.

Although Napier returned to trap Glenn Maxwell lbw with a perfect yorker for 25, before the total had moved into three figures, his dismissal only served to herald the arrival of Coles who he unleashed strokes of awesome power that brought him five sixes among eight fours.

Essex also got off to a poor start when Jesse Ryder was bowled for a duck by Will Smith, who went on to undermine the Essex innings as he varied his flight and pace intelligently.

The off-spinner proved so difficult to put away that he picked up his three wickets at a cost of only 17 and among his victims was Ryan ten Doeschate, who struck three sixes in his 36 made from 20 balls before he holed out on the long-on boundary.

Ravi Bopara gets away a sweep during an Essex Eagles innings where wickets fell too regularly to allow late heavy hitting

Opener Mark Pettini also struck three sixes when making 44 from 35 balls before he was stumped by Adam Wheater as left-arm spinner Liam Dawson tempted him down the pitch.

Tom Westley was the only other notable contributor with the bat for Essex with 31 from 13 balls but the home side failed to provide any momentum, their last five overs producing just 36 runs and the loss of four wickets.

Essex all-rounder Bopara said: "We needed a total of 200 on that pitch and once we fell well short, it was always going to be difficult to contain them.

"We need our top-five batsmen there for 17 overs but that never happened tonight; of course it's disappointing to lose although we know we have a home tie in the quarter-finals.

"We need the momentum of victories and that makes it important we win our final match before going into the quarter-finals a week later."

Hampshire skipper James Vince said: "We went into this game knowing we had to win to stand a chance of a home tie in the quarter-finals and the lads responded magnificently.

“On such a small ground, we took a bit of a gamble playing three spinners but they all rose to the occasion, particularly Will Smith who was magnificent. And then Michael Carberry and Matt Coles saw to it that their efforts were not wasted."

See how Essex fared in their innings

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Buttler named in Ageas Bowl Test party

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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England selectors today announced a 13-man squad for the 3rd Investec Test against India commencing Sunday 27 July at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

Jos Buttler is the only player in the squad uncapped at Test level. The 23 year old wicketkeeper batsman has played 33 ODIs and 36 T20s for England in his three year international career.

India currently leads the five match series 1-0 after a 95 run victory at Lord’s and a draw at Trent Bridge.

Jos Buttler will keep wicket for England in the Ageas Bowl Test after Matt Prior's decision to miss the rest of the series in order to find fitness

National Selector, James Whitaker, said: “The result of the second Investec Test at Lord’s was very disappointing. One or two of our players had encouraging performances however it is vital that the squad learns quickly and arrives in Southampton this week refreshed and ready to perform well in what will no doubt be another tough Test match.

“Congratulations to Jos Buttler who comes into the squad following some very exciting limited overs performances for England and a good record with Lancashire this season and fully deserves this opportunity.  Matt Prior has contributed a huge amount to the England side over the years and should be proud of his record throughout his 79 Tests. He has decided to take time out of the game to work on his fitness and we will continue to follow his progress over the coming months. “

England squad

Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt)

Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)

Ian Bell (Warwickshire)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Jos Buttler (Lancashire)

Chris Jordan (Sussex)

Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire)

Sam Robson (Middlesex)

Joe Root (Yorkshire)

Ben Stokes (Durham)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

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Read wants home comforts

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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Notts Outlaws wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Read is determined to have booked a home NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final by the end of the week.

The Outlaws are not yet assured a last-eight place – ahead of their final two group games away to Northants Steelbacks and Yorkshire Vikings this week – but Read has set his sights even higher.

Victory in both games will ensure Notts are at home in the quarter-finals for the fifth successive season, with a trip to Wantage Road first up tomorrow night.

“Our next two games will be tough against Northants who are reigning champions and Yorkshire at Headingley on Friday,” Read told the club’s official website.

“However, we are confident of picking up positive results as the whole side is playing some good cricket at the moment.

“The support we have here is fantastic. That’s why we will be doing everything we can to ensure we are back here for a quarter-final.”

Chris Read wants a home NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final despite Nottinghamshire's poor recent record at Trent Bridge in the knockout stage

The Outlaws do not have a good record at home in the last eight, however, losing their previous three knockout Twenty20 games at Trent Bridge.

They have won five of their seven home games this season and seamer Luke Fletcher admits turning around that record is driving the team.

“We know our record in knockout T20 isn’t great here, but we want to put that right and get to final’s day,” he added.

Their first hurdle to overcome is a Steelbacks side who will be bidding to keep their faltering title defence alive in front of their home fans.

Northants must win their last two games to stand any chance of progressing out of the group and hope other results go their way.

A poor net run-rate is also working against the Steelbacks, who can only catch fourth-placed Yorkshire.

Head coach David Ripley has named an unchanged 13-man squad from the team that suffered a 31-run defeat to Worcestershire Rapids last time out.

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Staffordshire clear at the top

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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By Matt Somerford

Staffordshire maintained their healthy lead in the Unicorns Championship Eastern Division with a six-wicket win over last-placed Buckinghamshire at Burnham.

Alex Thomson was the star with bat and ball as the 20-year-old’s off-spin claimed 4-15, to help bowl Bucks out for 162, before he dug his side out of early trouble with a patient century.

Thomson struck 120, after Staffordshire fell to 25 for three, and with Michael Hill combined in a 167-run stand for the fifth wicket that was the bulk of their 319 for eight declared – a lead of 157 runs.

Kadeer Ali’s 5-43 then restricted Bucks to 251 before his unbeaten 59 at the top of the order steered Staffordshire to their third win in four games this season.

Kadeer Ali wrapped up Staffordshire's win at Buckinghamshire with an unbeaten 59 to keep them clear at the top of the Eastern Division

That ensured they ended the latest round of fixtures 14 points clear of nearest rivals Cumberland, who were 10-wicket winners away to Norfolk.

The hosts were twice bowled out cheaply, for 133 and 192, with Scott Lees taking 6-49 in the first innings.

In between half-centuries from skipper Gary Pratt, Jon Miles and Liam Parkinson helped Cumberland to 325 for nine declared and when it came to their second innings they needed just a single run, which Neil Longhurst duly picked up from the first ball.

Third-placed Suffolk beat Northumberland by 146 runs at Jesmond on the back of Michael Comber’s second-innings 194.

The 24-year-old right-hander had come in at three for three, after the top three all made ducks, to eventually set a victory target of 421.

Thomas Huggins ripped out 7-74 as Northumberland’s chase relied too heavily on a century from number eight Micky Allan.

Lincolnshire slipped down to fourth following a thrilling one-wicket defeat to Hertfordshire at Cleethorpes.

Tim Graham and BA Waring were the Hertfordshire heroes as their unbroken 76-run last-wicket stand got the visitors home for their first win of the campaign.

Herefordshire enjoyed a 163-run win over Berkshire, who were unable to recover after being bowled out for 117 in their first innings.

It was a similar story at Bedford Modern Scholl where Bedfordshire slumped to a seven-wicket loss to Cambridgeshire after they were skittled for 94 in the first innings.

Joe Dawborn was the destroyer with 6-12 and while Cambs were only able to take a 46-run first-innings lead, that was decisive in a low-scoring contest, in which seven of the home side’s players made ducks.

Former England Under-19s paceman Ben Sanderson claimed a 14-wicket match haul to inspire Shropshire to victory over Cornwall

The top-of-the-table clash between Wiltshire and Devon in the Western Division ended as a draw at Devizes.

Wiltshire were 214 for four chasing a victory target of 329 when stumps were drawn and the stalemate allowed third-placed Cheshire to close the gap after their six-wicket win over Wales Minor Counties.

Cheshire had trailed by 35 runs after the first innings but, after rattling out the visitors for 137 second time around, opener Calum Rowe’s unbeaten 83 guided them to victory at 175 for three.

Ben Sanderson took seven wickets in each innings as Shropshire beat Cornwall by six wickets at St Austell.

The 25-year-old right-armer, who was a former England Under-19s international, snared 7-57 and 7-51 in a devastating display.

Oxfordshire were narrowly denied a first win of the season as Dorset's last-wicket pair Sam Thomson and James Hayman survived the final 22 balls of the match to claim a draw at Bournemouth.

It was a nervous end for Dorset after they had been in control earlier in the match after opening pair Mansoor Khan (102) and Michael Porter (96) put on 206 in their first innings

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Williamson banned from bowling

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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New Zealand and Yorkshire’s Kane Williamson has been suspended from bowling due to an illegal action, the International Cricket Council has announced.

Williamson, a part-time off-spinner, was reported after New Zealand's Test against West Indies in Trinidad last month, in which he took one scalp while bowling 15.2 overs as the Windies won by 10 wickets.

Kane Williamson bowls for Yorkshire Vikings in Friday's NatWest T20 Blast fixture against Birmingham Bears

The suspension applies to international and domestic cricket, so he will not be able to bowl for Yorkshire for the time being at least.

Williamson’s action was analysed at the Cardiff Metropolitan University, resulting in his suspension.

"The analysis revealed that most of his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations," an ICC statement said.

Although Williamson's primary role with New Zealand and Yorkshire is as a number three batsman, the 23-year-old said he was committed to refining his action in order to be able to contribute to the bowling again in the future.

"I note the findings of Dr Craig Ranson and his team at Cardiff Met and will concentrate on changing whatever's necessary to return to the bowling crease," Williamson told New Zealand Cricket's website.

"Clearly, the onus is on me to satisfy assessors as to the legality of my action, and I'm aware I have some hard work in front of me to achieve that goal.

"It's never nice, going through this sort of process but it will be worth it if I can manage to bowl again at international level."

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson added: "Kane's disappointed, clearly - anyone in his situation would feel the same way.

"He now has a challenge on his hands if he's to bowl again at the top level, but we're very hopeful he can manage it."

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Kent step into promotion picture

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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Darren Stevens took his season’s first-class wicket tally to a career-high 43 as his 5-68 spearheaded an 89-run Kent victory against Surrey at Guildford to propel them into the LV= County Championship Division Two promotion race.

Surrey, set 303 to win in 76 overs after Kent had been bowled out in their second innings for 292, with Sam Billings hitting an unbeaten 57, crumbled to 213 all out as Stevens and his fellow seamers Mitch Claydon and Calum Haggett impressed. Claydon took 3-62 and Haggett 2-48.

An excellent, pacy pitch at Woodbridge Road has made for highly-entertaining cricket across all four days of this match, and Surrey’s top-order batsmen were scoring at a rate of around five runs per over even though they kept losing wickets throughout a hot, sunny afternoon.

The end came when Stevens had Tim Linley caught at first slip for four, with 22.1 overs still remaining, and Kent’s 24-point win – their fourth of the season – pushes them 23 points behind second-placed Surrey, and with two games still in hand.

Kent have also played a game fewer than both Hampshire and Essex, who occupy third and fourth positions, and so this result has really given them a good chance of getting into one of the two second division promotion spots. 

Day four began with Kent only 239 runs ahead at 229 for six, but Billings and Haggett extended their seventh-wicket partnership – which was 51 overnight – to 85 to frustrate Surrey’s efforts to finish off the second innings quickly.

Haggett, who had done well with both bat and ball on his first championship appearance of the season, had made 44 off 87 balls, with six fours, when he touched a vicious lifter from Stuart Meaker to Rory Burns, who was still deputising behind the stumps for Gary Wilson, with the Surrey captain fielding instead to protect a bruised hand.

Billings, who also made an unbeaten 82 in Kent’s first innings, played some more high-class strokes to ensure the lead topped 300 before Surrey had winkled out tailenders Claydon, Charlie Hartley and Adam Riley.

Meaker had Claydon caught at first slip for six with another thunderbolt, and after a short rest he returned to finish things off by finding Riley’s edge and seeing Vikram Solanki snaffle the catch at second slip.

In between, Linley saw Hartley poke him tamely to backward point, but the bowling star for Surrey was undoubtedly fast bowler Meaker, whose second innings 7-90 gave him a match haul of 11-196.

Surrey lost both openers in the 35 minutes they had to bat before lunch, with Claydon producing a brute of a ball to have Burns caught at the wicket for 11 and Zafar Ansari inside-edging Haggett to Billings on eight.

Solanki went soon after lunch, caught at first slip off Haggett for 13 to leave Surrey 49 for three, and Kent kept chipping away during the middle session even though runs were coming rapidly on a fast-scoring ground and lightning outfield.

Steven Davies reached 25 from 21 balls, with five fours, before Claydon had him fending to Riley at second slip and the same bowler struck a big blow for his team by trapping Jason Roy lbw for 13 with one that kept low.

Tillakaratne Dilshan kept attacking, going to 68 from just 64 balls, before he drove once too often at Stevens and edged to second slip.

Stevens also removed Wilson before tea, taken for 27 at backward point by Sam Northeast as he cut one that was a little too close to him.

In the final session it was all about Stevens, with the 38-year-old all-rounder sending back Meaker, Gareth Batty and then Linley – all edging to either Billings or the slips – to wrap up the game.

Stevens, who finished with match figures of 9-178 and bowled more than 50 overs in the game, said: "My first six overs went for 40 runs, when Rob Key gave me the new ball, to be honest I didn't quite have my mind on the job.

"So it was good to come back, when the ball was slightly older, and try to get into a bit of rhythm and to have a bit more protection with a number of fielders on the boundary.

"Dilshan was coming hard at us by then, and so to get him during my second spell really put us on top and, after that, it was just a case of working hard and working our way through their batting.

"It was a tough match and a very good game, on a pitch with some life in it, and my body is killing me at the moment. I need a cold beer and a hot bath."

Surrey skipper Wilson said: "We just have to try our best now to win our last three Championship matches and see where that leaves us.

"It was the right decision to bowl first on day one, but we didn't bowl as well as we should have done on that opening day.

"Having said that, we were happy enough to be chasing 303 in the conditions, but we couldn't get partnerships going and that's disappointing. Stuart Meaker, in particular, didn't deserve to be on the losing side."

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Pears surge clear at the top

July 23, 2014, 4:57 pm
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Jack Shantry claimed four second-innings victims as Worcestershire took another step towards the LV= County Championship Division Two title, beating Gloucestershire by eight wickets inside three days at Cheltenham.

But the victory celebrations were delayed by a Gloucestershire record last-wicket stand of 137 between Liam Norwell, who hit 78, and Craig Miles. Norwell’s score was the highest ever in first-class cricket by a Gloucestershire number 11.

Both tailenders put the earlier batsmen to shame with career-best scores, Norwell facing 102 balls and hitting 12 fours and a six, while Miles hit 10 fours in his unbeaten 62.

Their stand occupied 33.1 overs and left Worcestershire needing 51 to win, which they knocked off in less than eight overs for the loss of openers Daryl Mitchell and Richard Oliver.

Earlier, left-arm seamer Shantry had taken his championship wicket tally for the season to an impressive 40, returning 4-52 from 21 overs as the hosts were reduced to 152 for nine before the last pair’s heroics.

There were two wickets for Mitchell McClenaghan, whose pace was a feature of the match, and three for Charlie Morris before Worcestershire wrapped up a win that strengthened their already firm grip on top spot in Division Two by moving 43 points clear.

They took 23 points from a largely one-sided game, while Gloucestershire settled for three, having been comprehensively outplayed.

The hosts began day three on 10 for one, needing a further 229 runs to make their opponents bat again. For the second time in the match McClenaghan’s opening spell proved key as he quickly removed nightwatchman Tom Smith and Will Tavare to make it 30 for three.

The New Zealand left-arm seamer extracted life and bounce from the wicket, but was used in short spells, later striking Ian Cockbain two blows on the helmet.

At one point McClenaghan bowled to Alex Gidman with five slips, and two other close catchers on the off-side in a backward point and short third-man.

Shantry got in on the act, bowling Alex Gidman for 37 with the total on 79 and having Hamish Marshall caught behind off a thin edge for 15. It was 103 for five at lunch and Worcestershire moved in for the kill.

Second ball after the interval Will Gidman tamely lifted a catch to square-leg off Morris and it was 133 for seven when Shantry trapped Cockbain lbw for 15.

Three runs later Benny Howell was bowled by Shantry shouldering arms, having made 24. Adam Rouse became the third batsman to depart for 15 when caught at second slip by Mitchell off Joe Leach with the total on 152.

McClenaghan bombarded Norwell with a succession of short balls, but the Gloucestershire man emerged unscathed to triple his previous best first-class score of 26. His half-century came off 67 balls, with eight fours and a six.

Miles was equally untroubled in following his partner to 50 off 86 deliveries, with eight fours and, although tea was delayed, the pair made it through to the interval, leaving the field to a standing ovation with their side 22 runs ahead at 261 for nine.

Norwell was finally bowled by Morris, much to Worcestershire’s relief. After a couple of reverses, they clinched victory at shortly before 6pm.

Norwell said: “I can’t quite believe what I’ve done. Craig kept me going and we took it a step at a time, first trying to stop Worcestershire winning too easily and then looking to make them bat again.

“It means a lot to make Gloucestershire history. McClennaghan didn’t seem to like me much, but it was good banter and he got me up for a battle.”

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes was refusing to get carried away despite his side inching closer to the Division Two crown.

"We are still not taking anything for granted and need to take our remaining games one at a time, focusing fully one each," he said.

"Our seamers take a lot of credit for this win. Saeed Ajmal was great for us, but they set up a lot of opportunities for him and have come to the fore now he has gone."

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