County roundup James Hildreth composed his first century since July 2019 to shovel Somerset into a promising position at The Oval. Hildreth, the acting captain, dug his way out of a rotten run of form on a pitch primed for spin and against a Surrey attack including Ravi Ashwin. Kent were forced to ring for reinforcements after 14 members of their first team had to isolate following a positive Covid case in last Friday’s Vitality Blast squad. The fast-assembled second-string team bowled superbly to dismiss Sussex for 181, with four wickets for Jas Singh. Batting proved harder and they sunk to 69 for five. The duel at Cheltenham finished to the satisfaction of both sides as Gloucestershire built and Hampshire whipped away. A first‑wicket partnership of 61 between Miles Hammond and George Scott was followed by James Bracey being bowled for a duck. More mini-partnerships came and went as Gloucester shoved a batting point in the bag. Pieter Malan styled out a glorious maiden century for Warwickshire at New Road. He and Dom Sibley (80) put on 220 before a tumble of wickets in the late afternoon, including a maiden Championship scalp for Worcestershire’s 17-year-old debutant spinner Josh Baker. At Sophia Gardens, rain drew events to a premature close after Northamptonshire had reached 128 for four under heavily curtained skies against Glamorgan. There were three wickets for Timm van der Gugten. In the Roses clash at Headingley, Keaton Jennings fashioned his second Roses century of the season as Lancashire enjoyed a dominant day. Put into bat by Yorkshire Jennings and Alex Davies put on 161 for the first wicket. Jordan Thompson took the two wickets to fall. Sam Robson’s unbeaten 138, his second century of the season, boosted Middlesex’s chances at Merchant Taylor’s School. Robson and Josh de Caires, Michael Atherton’s son, added 73 for the first wicket, and solid partnerships continued through the afternoon against Leicestershire. Tight bowling from Durham kept Nottinghamshire’s batsmen in check at the Riverside, with three wickets for Chris Rushworth, on his 35th birthday, and Ben Raine. Essex held on to their dreams of qualifying for Division One, after bowling Derbyshire out for 146. That’s it from me tonight - well played Pieter Malan, Sam Robson, Keaton Jennings, James Hildreth and second-string Kent (at least with the ball). I’ve just been Covid-pinged - terrible timing - so I won’t be at The Oval tomorrow, but back in the kitchen with the radio. Sending good vibes to you all before the match, I’ll be watching with the dog! Have a wonderful evening, Good night! Close of play scores Group One Derbyshire 146 v Essex 86-3 Durham v Nottinghamshire 312-9 Worcestershire v Warwickshire 245-4 Group Two Gloucestershire 214-6 v Hampshire Middlesex 280-3 v Leicestershire Surrey v Somerset 280-6 Group Three Glamorgan v Northants 128-4 Kent 69-5 v Sussex 181 Yorkshire v Lancashire 273-2 I’d better concentrate on the round-up , I’ll leave you with James Hildreth on 99... Play has been abandoned for the day at Cheltenham - rain. Gloucestershire 214-6. The wet stuff has also swept over New Road, where play has been suspended with Warwickshire 245-4. Lewis Goldsworthy falls two short of what would have been his maiden first-class fifty, the dream-buster: Jordan Clark. Hildreth remains stuck on 99. Somerset 257-4. Right, lets see what new Kent can do (Sussex 181 all out). Essex lose the first wicket of their reply (Alastair Cook for 5 boundary 30) 41-1 and Worcestershire debutant Josh Baker takes his first Championship wicket - Sam Hain for 11. Warwicks 245-4. Nervous 99s for James Hildreth... Sussex lose their ninth wicket as second-string Kent put in a swinging performance. And respect to whoever wrote 18 year old Jas Singh (4-51) a Wikipedia entry this morning. Covid-depleted Sussex 176-9. A hundred for Keaton Jennings! His second century this season against Yorkshire, those tasty tykes. Lancs 204-1. A useful reminder that Lancashire beat Yorkshire by an innings earlier this year at the Old Trafford Roses game. An email knocks on the door from Tim Sanders Hello Tanya ! I knew I recognised that picture of Brian Close and Garry Sobers. It headed this appreciation by Mike Selvey, who witnessed as a lad Brian Close’s captaincy and bravery in that 1966 series: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/16/brian-close-garry-sobers-catch-mike-selvey Thanks Tim! At Headingley, Keaton Jennings is nibbling on the coat tails of 100. Lancs 202-1. Hildreth and Goldsworthy have now put on 115 for the fourth wicket, a very chirpy day for Somerset. Play has been abandoned for the day at Cardiff - rain. Northants 128-4. Worcestershire fight back! Sibley caught behind off Finch -see below for a non-plussed reaction from Sibley - while Sodhi picks off Malan for 141.Warwicks 230-3 A drop at the Oval behind the stumps, where the Surrey spin triplets are not yet having the success the pitch was anticipating. Somerset 212-3, Hildreth 68 not out, his highest score of the Championship this year; Goldsworthy 34. Congratulations to Sam Robson for his second hundred of the season, seven years since his last Test. His average? A fair to middling 30.54. Middx 186-2. Raining at Cheltenham too, as it sways in from the west. Gloucestershire 214-6. Derbyshire’s afternoon continued much as their morning did - bowled out for 146. They are yet to win a Championship game this year. Three wickets for Snane Snater. du Plooy the top scorer with 43. Now, what can Essex do with the bat? In the other Group One game, Notts haven’t had it all their own way, James and Mullaney rebuilding again (185-5), while at New Road, Warwickshire have hit cruise control thanks to unbeaten 79 from Dom Sibey and 141 from Pieter Malan. Tea time (ish) scores Group 1 Derbyshire 146 all out v Essex Durham v Notts 185-5 Worcestershire v Warwickshire 220-1 Group 2 Gloucestershire 213-6 v Hampshire Middlesex 182-2 v Leicestershire Surrey v Somerset 197-3 Group 3 Yorkshire v Lancashire 176-1 Glamorgan v Northants 128-4 Rain stopped play Kent v Sussex 148-7 “How is it that Middlesex can be 148-1 after a Pantsville USA performance against Gloucestershire last week (test and T20)? Good luck to them, anyway,” writes Andrew Benton. “I hear Scotty saying “We givin’ it all she’s got, captain” as an accompaniment to Glos’s innings - I fear their luck is about to run out. A huge disappointment as they’ve had a great season so far and have kept battling out the wins to get themselves in second place and in contention for the top tier. Hope they don’t get pipped at the post.” I feel for them too. But they’re plugging away, Ollie Price and Jack Taylor have put on 34 for the seventh wicket, currently 207-6 at Cheltenham. Surrey are currently hampered by Jamie Overton’s temporary absence after being hit in the groin. Somerset 191-3, Hildreth 54; Goldsworthy 27 . No ton for Davies - lbw Thompson for 84. Next time Al. Lancashire 163-1. Even Middlesex don’t seem to be sure what has happened to Steve Eskinazi, who has retired injured on 23, with what looks like “a soft tissue injury”. Sam Robson currently 85 not out in Middlesex’s 148-1. Over at the Riverside, no-one has gone on to a big score. Notts are currently 155-4, with Joe Clarke the last man out for 48. He is due to face a direction hearing on Friday at Mold Crown Court for his charge of affray, after an incident in Powys in 2020. Keaton Jennings is playing catch up at Headingley, with Lancashire hugely on top after an unbeaten first innings stand of 150. Jennings 68, Davies 74. While at Canterbury, Carter and Coles have building coloured block on coloured block in a 37 run partnership - Sussex 118-4. “Geoff Hurst: the only man to retire from first-class cricket, and go on to get a hat-trick for England?” asks Andrew Watson. I’m going to say yes without even looking, that’s how brazen I am. It is now raining in Cardiff, with Northants 128-4 (three wickets for van der Gugten, Charlie Thurston 36 not out). Shafali Verma has just hit Katherine Brunt for five fours in a row. I’m sure Brunt is taking is well. A first Warwickshire century for Pieter Malan! Mason Crane! Off with Higgins bails, gone for 25. Gloucestershire 157-5. Fifty for Dom Sibley, 99 for Pieter Malan as Warwickshire dominate at New Road, 149-1.