Olly Stone brilla para Notts, Sibley de Surrey golpea un siglo: críquet del condado, día dos

Nottinghamshire's Olly Stone, whose fragile body has broken with heartbreaking regularity, blew away Leicestershire in their East Midlands derby. His bowling, fierce and with chopstick-sharp accuracy, torpedoed stumps and tortured batters. Figures of five-for-41 were his best for Notts, a first five-wicket haul since 2019. Earlier, Ben Green had finished with seven for 112 as Notts' innings ended on 490.

At Taunton, Somerset's innings subsided much as Yorkshire's had. Jack White collected four for 41 as Somerset lost their last seven wickets for just 73. The in-form Tom Abell reached 50 and Will Smeed, easing his way into red-ball cricket, was left unbeaten on a careful 36. Thomas Rew, brother of James, was out for a duck on Championship debut, before rain wiped out much of the day after lunch.

With an England opener slot potentially up for grabs, Durham's Emilio Gay didn't fluff his lines, 75 not out at quite the lick at Lord's. Ben McKinney, also mentioned in dispatches, delivered a more sedate 46. Earlier, Ryan Higgins collected his first century for nearly two years, and Zafar Gohar added 56 as Middlesex passed 400. Ben Raine was the pick of the Durham bowlers with five for 58.

But if Brendon McCullum decides to change tack, he need glance only over to the Oval, where the stolid and steady Dom Sibley finished unbeaten on 116 for Surrey, his second hundred in successive games. Rory Burns and Ryan Patel collected more rapid half-centuries, and Sussex's Henry Crocombe, who hit Burns on the hand before dismissing him, zipped through an impressive spell.

Luis Reece played an innings to remember at Canterbury, thrashing five sixes to get Derbyshire closer to Kent's first innings score of 352 than looked likely. He and Shoaib Bashir (12) added 56 for the last wicket as the visitors reached 304, much to Kent's frustration. Rain stopped play, but not before Rory Haydon had spoilt Zak Crawley's afternoon, trapping him lbw for 15.

Ricardo Vasconcelos' second century of the season was an entertaining one, hauling Northamptonshire in front of Worcestershire at New Road. Saif Zaib, whose outstanding form last year won him several awards, danced to a quick 75.

At Southampton, there was a first Championship double century for Kiran Carlson, and a career-best 143 for Zain ul Hassan, before Glamorgan declared and the rain rolled in to stall Hampshire's reply.

That's it for now, hurray for Olly Stone, great to see him storming in, and Ben Raine, Ben Green and the centurions round the grounds. We'll be back tomorrow, good night!

Division One

Southampton: Hampshire 58-0 v Glamorgan 536-7dec

Leicester: Leicestershire 220-8 v Nottinghamshire 490

Taunton: Somerset 274 v Yorkshire 162 and 13-0

The Oval: Surrey 292-2 v Sussex 358-9dec

Division Two

Canterbury: Kent 352 and 38-2 v Derbyshire 304

Lord's: Middlesex 430 v Durham 135-1

Northampton: Northants 366-5 v Worcestershire 306

And rain at Canterbury too, where Rory Haydon just had time to pluck out Zak Crawley and Ben Dawkins, Kent 38-2.

Time for me to write up now, but BTL remains open.

Actually they've called it a day at Lord's too, the rain good news for London gardens. Durham 135-1.

Emilio Gay, a name that has dropped into England conversation this summer, has 75 at nearly a run a ball at Lord's. Another name to mull over, Ben McKinney, is unbeaten on 46. Durham 135-1; Middx toil on.

Will Smeed, stranded on 36 in Somerset's 274, spoke to the reporters' network after play at Taunton:

“I'm loving the challenge of playing red ball cricket and it's great being part of a winning team. It's completely different to white ball cricket, but I'm enjoying batting without scoreboard pressure and looking forward to contributing a really meaningful score.

“I think it's a good cricket wicket – if you bowl well, you can make it hard for the batsmen, but there is also a lot of value for your shots out there. We need to create pressure from both ends and not allow them to get too far ahead.â€

A hundred in successive matches for big Dom, whose stolid presence at the crease has been Surrey's gain since he returned from Edgbaston. Now 115 not out in Surrey's 289-2. Patel caught off Carson for 67, Ollie Pope now tilting at windmills.

Switched to the Grace Road stream. Olly Stone thunders a couple of bouncers past Scriven, who then pulls him for four just past the scoreboard. Tries again and gets hit firmly somewhere in the midrift. Stone vigorously polishes the ball and polishes again.

They call it a day in the south west. Sunshine and showers due tomorrow, so hopefully you get some play DP.

Four slips rise as one as Olly Stone plucks out Ben Green's off stump to make that five wickets for 23, bowling like fire and leaving Leicestershire's first innings in ruins at 117 for seven.

Kent finally get rid of Luis Reece, caught behind for 84, a third wicket for Matt Milnes. What a crucial innings that was for Derbyshire who were in a a bit of a hole before he started hitting out. He and Shoaib Bashir added 56 for the last wicket. The deficit just 48.

Division One

Southampton: Hampshire 19-0 v Glamorgan 536-7dec rain stopped play

Leicester: Leicestershire 109-4 v Nottinghamshire 490

Taunton: Somerset 274 v Yorkshire 162 and 13-0 rain stopped play

The Oval: Surrey 245-1 v Sussex 358-9dec

Division Two

Canterbury: Kent 352 v Derbyshire 304

Lord's: Middlesex 430 v Durham 77-1

Northampton: Northants 280-4 v Worcestershire 306

A fabulous hundred for Ricardo Vasconcelos and 73 not out from last year's batter of the season Saif Zaib, has suited Nothants very well. They've just gone in for tea, 280 for four, only 26 behind Worcestershire.

And at Lord's, this is a Ryan Higgins day, out for 131, he now has the first wicket of Durham's innings – Alex Lees for 12.

They're taking tea round the grounds, scores to follow.

Some big hitting by Luis Reece is bring that Kent total within sight.

My son has just walked in with news of the Celebrity Traitors line-up, sadly no cricketers make the cut. Chris Woakes would be a fabulous traitor, no-one would suspect him.

At Grace Road, Olly Stone, another who seems to have slipped down the England pecking order, has two wickets, Leicester are four down for just 101. A long hard climb lies ahead.

At Canterbury, Luis Reece brings up his fifty with two huge why-not sixes in three balls off Jas Singh. Derbyshire 260-9.

Just spotted that they're off for rain in Southampton too, with Hampshire 19-0.

And another, a fourth for Dudgeon, Rory Haydon lasted just two balls. Kent form a happy huddle.

The ball after cracking a Style Council four, Ben Aitchison chips a catch to Sam Northeast for 26. Derbys 257-8

Time to change the stream. Youtube is not keen on me watching Kent, would rather I did a “Kettlebell workoutâ€, but tune in just in time to see Luis Reece thrashing Keith Dudgeon for four. Nice little partnership here between Reece and Ben Aitchison of 36 for the 8th wicket. Derbyshire 239-7, trail by 113.

Clark finds some bounce on a somnolent afternoon and cracks Patel on the helmet as he fancies a hook. I think he's ok, but the physio runs on for a concussion check.Surrey 202-1, Sibley an 181-ball 81 not out.

And Middlesex are all out for a not- to-be-sniffed-at 430. The last wicket was TRJ, a first first-class wicket for injury sub Luke Robinson – well done! This was him, bubbling with excitement last night.

“To be handed this opportunity by Cambo (coach Ryan Campbell) shows he has faith in me. It's a dream come true, I've worked so hard for this moment and to be here is amazing.

“There weren't that many nerves really, just excitement – this is such a good place to play cricket and I was just excited to get going.

“When Leesy (captain Alex Lees) said I was coming on to bowl, I couldn't wait to get the ball in hand and give my all for the badge – that's what I'll do every time I pull this shirt on.â€

John Simpson has just dropped Ryan Patel on 11, gets a consoling bottom pat from James Coles at first slip. Wasn't particularly tricky, just fell out of the gloves. Clark the bowler.

At Lord's, but its been a long old slog for Durham. Middx 422-8, Gohar bowled for 56, Higgins for 131. Callum Parkinson has slogged through 31 overs, Kemar Roach sub Luke Robinson has bowled 12.

Everything in the Kentish garden continues to be rosy – Derbyshire have lost two more wickets since lunch and at 187-6 still trail by 165. Three wickets for Dudgeon.

Olly Stone has removed Rishi Patel at Grace Road, both openers gone now for 57. Leicestershire 2025 would have pushed on, I'm a bit more worried about Leicestershire 2026.

This is interesting from Raf on England's Women's World Cup squad. She's not overly impressed with Charlotte Edwards' decision to stick with the status quo.

And Hampshire begin the long chase down of 536. This already feels like a 5pm handshakes on Monday affair.

Crocombe with the breakthrough at The Oval! Burns fancies driving him away but instead drags on for 77, yanks his bat in frustration. Surrey 148-1.

After a brisk start, Leicestershire have lost the talented Jake Weatherald for 14. Dillon Pennington the wicket taker. Bet there are some tasty cakes for sale from the Friends of Grace Road stall, really enjoyed my trip there in the first round.

Just time for Yorkshire to reach 13-0 before the rain starts falling. The forecast looks pretty damp for the rest of the day.

Things are getting underway after lunch around the grounds. I had a humous sandwich and planted some beans, the dog chased a couple of squirrels who like to tease by running along the fence. And the first wicket goes to Hampshire, Cooke for 13, though Glamorgan do have 500…

Two in two for Matthew Revis at Taunton, leaves Smeed stranded on 36 and the Somerset innings finished in time for Friday fish and chips. Time for a sandwich here, back soon.

Division One

Southampton: Hampshire v Glamorgan 500-5

Leicester: Leicestershire 9-0 v Nottinghamshire 490

Taunton: Somerset 274 v Yorkshire 162

The Oval: Surrey 120-0 v Sussex 358-9dec

Division Two

Canterbury: Kent 352 v Derbyshire 132-4

Lord's: Middlesex 372-6 v Durham

Northampton: Northants 138-2 v Worcestershire 306

Don't you love to see Dom Bess's scallywag dirty knees? He's just removed Lewis Gregory before lunch. Somerset 274-8.

Excellent work by Ben Green, who has almost single handedly restrained Notts. His best bowling figures too. Notts lost 6 for 95 this morning, Joe Clarke out in the 90s for the third time this season – his average must be insanely good, I'll dig it out in a minute.

Not much happening at The Oval, so flick back to Taunton, where Will Smeed is still in, 34 not out – five short of his highest f-c score. Great news that Brian the cat has slunk back to the ground. Somerset are really trudging through the morning, but have inched the lead over Yorkshire up past 100. Somerset 268-7.

A pause at The Oval where Burns has been hit on the hand, throws his glove down in pain. But with some magic spray he continues, Surrey 107-0.

A quick dally around Division Two:

A first century for two years for Ryan Higgins, keeping the good ship Middlesex afloat at Lord's. Durham toil on, wicketless this morning. Middx 357-6.

Kent have winkled out three Derbyshire batters, two to Keith Dudgeon. Harry Came, Caleb Jewell and Matt Montgomery all back in the pavilion for not much. Wayne Madsen and MArtin Andersson with the rebuild. Derbys 117-3, trail by 235.

And Ricardo Vasconcelos has an unbeaten 65 in Northant's reply to Worcestershire's 306. Northants 123-2.

Have been keeping an eye on Ollie Robinson on the stream from The Oval, but Sibley and Burns are ploughing on, largely unbothered, and that's the hundred partnership, courtesy of a sweep from Burns and a misfield. And there's Burns' fifty. Surrey 105-0, trail by 253.

Yorkshire now pick up the important wicket of Craig Overton, spoiler of bowling figures. Somerset have lost four for 28 this morning and lead Yorkshrie by just 69.

Gorgeous shot from Rory Burns, two-step down the pitch then an on drive off Hudson-Prentice for four. Surrey 70-0.

Gets there with a squared-up edge and looks very pleased.Raises his bat to all corners and gets a big hug from Colin Ingram. Carlson has lost a couple of partners this morning, Zain ul Hassan, run out for 143, and Ben Kellaway for a six ball duck. Glamorgan 436-3.

It was two years ago today that Worcestershire left-arm spinner Josh Baker died, aged just 20.

“It was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met,†said the club at the time. “His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved member of our team.â€

His parents set up a charity in his name, the JB33 Foundation.

A quick raise of the bat, no fuss, work to do. Smeed has got going at last, with a couple of boundaries. Somerset 222-5.

At The Oval, Burns and Sibley have taken Surrey to 40-0.

At Taunton, Will Smeed 2.0, the endlessly patient Will Smeed, is still on 0, on his home Championship debut. Tom Abell approaches 50.

A wicket at Grace Road, where Notts are pounding Leicestershire round the ground. Jack Haynes a fourth wicket for Ben Green. Joe Clarke is approaching his hundred. Notts 426-5.

A pretty good looking crowd at Taunton, some huddling against a brick wall for warmth. Joe Root at first slip polishes the ball, Will Smeed, slow starting again, still on nought. Jack White on the money.

Oh dear, Thomas Rew's Championship debut ends in a duck, caught at third slip, a fourth wicket for White. He walks so slowly away, you worry his soles have slunk into the soil. Somerset 201-5.

Am just pouring my muesli when I hear Anthony Gibson sigh at Josh Thomas's demise, in the first over of the day from Taunton. Switch on the stream where Vic Marks too is sighing. Somerset 201-4 lead by 39.

Yorkshire's team may feel rather bruised if YJB's press conference last night was anything to go by.

“To lose seven wickets as we did was unacceptable.

“It's not the first time this season that we have lost wickets in clusters and, frankly, it's not good enough. The standards we set for ourselves, we have come up far short of so far this year.

“That's an honest reflection of the first three games and one day.â€

Mark Wood, who has been recovering from the injury to his left knee picked up during the Perth Ashes Test, told the BBC that he hoped to be back on a cricket field later this summer.

“I need to take it slow,†he said. “Realistically I've got maybe one more chance at doing this right. If I rush it back, then it's not good, that could be it.

“I'm still trying to get back to bowling, hopefully later on in the summer.â€

“You've got to keep your eye on the prize, which is ultimately for me trying to get to playing for England, that's my focus.

“It's mega frustrating. It's been a long time, over a year since I had the initial surgery. To build it back up for seven months to play one game, and then be out again takes its toll.

“With the age I'm at, I don't want to miss games. You want to be involved. I was bowling quickly and well before this injury started and I haven't been able to get back to that level.â€

“A big shiny empty box of ideas†– Barney brutally picks apart Baz 3.0.

Andy Bull went to Lord's yesterday. Here is a thoughful read on Middlesex's decline.

Surrey stepped up security at the Oval following the knife attack at Golders Green as off-field decisions took the headlines on day one of round five of the County Championship.

In a statement, the club said: “Surrey are in communication with the Met police and will adjust our own security measures in line with the increased threat level. We want to ensure that all staff, spectators and players feel safe and secure.â€

On the pitch, which last week was a gentle duvet, Sussex were reduced to 92 for seven, thanks largely to Jordan Clark (five for 68). But the tail wagged, and wagged some more, as Fynn Hudson-Prentice thrashed 53 before Jack Carson and Ollie Robinson hit boundary-laden hundreds.

Robinson, the visiting captain, reached three figures with a swipe for six and then declared. Surrey, who were without Gus Atkinson, rested by England, walked off in great frustration. Jamie Smith kept wicket after Ben Foakes was ruled out of the match, having injured himself bowling during the final afternoon against Essex.

The Kent captain, Daniel Bell-Drummond, collected a Rolls-Royce of a century at Canterbury, after Derbyshire chose to field. Zak Crawley stroked a boundary-filled 44. Kent, who lie bottom of Division Two, had earlier this week taken the unusual decision to switch comments off the club's social media accounts as a “duty of careâ€.

It was a gripping day at Taunton, where an enthusiastic crowd were treated to 45 minutes of Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root pistoning Somerset's attack. But after lunch Lewis Gregory zipped out Root, and Craig Overton, who had dropped Bairstow at slip, induced an inside edge. Suddenly, Yorkshire lost seven for 38 and were all out for 162. Then Josh Thomas, 21, made a bravura first Championship century, taking Somerset into the lead with a six.

Ben Stokes, recovering from a broken cheekbone, was spotted in the Durham nets at Lord's. Over on the main square, Sam Robson (87) and Ryan Higgins (57) guided Middlesex towards 300. At the County Ground, Gareth Roderick hit 164 not out – Worcestershire's first century of the season – to put pressure on Northamptonshire.

A careful maiden Championship century for Saca graduate Zain ul Hassan, and 158 for Kiran Carlson, left Glamorgan in a dominant position against Hampshire at Southampton. At Grace Road, Nottinghamshire flourished after being put in by Leicestershire – Ben Slater's 178 backed up by Ben Duckett's third successive half century.

Division One

Southampton: Hampshire v Glamorgan 353-1

Leicester: Leicestershire v Nottinghamshire 405-4

Taunton: Somerset 201-3 v Yorkshire 162

The Oval: Surrey 19-0 v Sussex 358-9dec

Division Two

Canterbury: Kent 352 v Derbyshire 24-0

Lord's: Middlesex 272-6 v Durham

Northampton: Northants 40-0 v Worcestershire 306

Hello! A merry May Saturday all round, may you be as productive as the blue tit currently busying in the climbing rose at the back of my garden. Seven games underway, two particularly intriguing ones at The Oval and Taunton.

We'll be here chewing things over there, and everywhere else, from 11am – pull up a stool and join us.