Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureRoundup: Jones century in vain as Lancashire fall short against EssexIn a late afternoon and early evening of high-wire jitters in the Championship, three games tottered and flailed.At Blackpool, where all results were possible until the 10th wicket fell, Essex finally prised out Rob Jones with only 10 balls remaining, snatching victory by 46 runs. Jones, magnificent in his first century for a year, had kept Lancashire in the hunt for what would have been a record run chase until he was snaffled by Wednesday’s wrecker of dreams, Dan Lawrence, off Doug Bracewell for 111.He had been well supported by a restrained 41 from Phil Salt and half-centuries by Luke Wells and Josh Bohannon who, in a partnership of muscular hitting – one six from Bohannon cannoning into the hospitality tent – had kept the crowd on their toes.But the efficient Essex attack kept chipping away, with three wickets each for Bracewell and Matt Critchley – though a muted Simon Harmer finished with uncharacteristic figures of none for 103. When Jones, a fan of sea-swimming and bird-watching, was finally out, to leaping Essex delight, he was applauded off by all.At another outground, Merchant Taylors’, another thriller. With three needed for victory off the last ball of the match, Sam Robson could scramble only two to level the scores, finishing 126 not out and Middlesex’s only centurion of the year. Northants had set Middlesex 323 to chase after losing their last three wickets in the first 11 balls of the morning, but scoring proved tricky, the ball keeping low unpredictably. Robson was supported by 75 from John Simpson and a rollicking 34 from Toby Roland-Jones.Derbyshire’s captain, Leus du Plooy, having the summer of his life, chivvied 128 as his side attempted to chase down 380 at Hove. But with 54 needed from 41 balls, and Du Plooy 21 short of 1,000 runs, he was caught; and after a flurry of wickets, Derbyshire held tight for a draw. Sussex’s James Coles had been finally out for a career-best 180 – in a what has been a cracking round for 19 year olds.Elsewhere, a four-hour block-and-prod from Nick Gubbins, brilliantly supported by Liam Dawson, saved the day for Hampshire against Somerset; the game at the Oval drifted to a draw despite five wickets for Nottinghamshire’s Brett Hutton against Surrey.Updated at 21.16 BSTTanya’s report from today will be along shortly.Updated at 21.15 BSTGreat games, great fun. See you all back here next Wednesday. Good night!Close of play scoresDIVISION ONECanterbury: Warwickshire 549-7dec BEAT Kent 171 and 332 by an innings and 46 runsBlackpool: Essex 282 and 292-8 dec BEAT Lancashire 145 and 383 by 46 runs Merchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 277 and 322-6 DRAW with Northamptonshire 219 and 380Taunton: Somerset 500 DRAW with Hampshire 330 and 215-7The Oval Surrey 355 and 340 DRAW with Notts 399 and 118-1.DIVISION TWOThe Riverside: Durham 453 and 52-1 BEAT Gloucestershire 316 and 188 by nine wicketsSophia Gardens: Glamorgan 403-9dec DRAW with Leicestershire 451-6decHove: Sussex 402 and 384-9dec DRAW with Derbyshire 407 and 361-8 New Road: Worcestershire 242 and 142-2 DRAW with Yorkshire 407I’m now down to ten percent power and dropping and must write up for the paper – will leave you with Middlesex needing 17 and Derybshire 37.Back to du Hove, where du Plooy is OUT! A third wicket for Shipley. You’d have thought that might be it, but they plough on. 44 needed from six overs, four wickets left.Essex 20 points; Lancashire 3Jones gets a huge round of applause from the Essex players and the Blackpool faithful.Essex beat Lancashire by 46 runs!And with ten balls left, Rob Jones’s long innings comes to an end, caught by last night’s wrecker of dreams – DAn Lawrence.Williams plays out Harmer like he’s Joe Root – two overs left.A hundred for Sam Robson and Middlesex chasing this down!36 needed from 30 at Merchant Taylor’s. TRJ out and de Caires replaces him. Robson 111 not out.23 balls left at Blackpool…Somerset DRAW with HampshireWell blocked Nick Gubbins and Liam Dawson! Gubbins 50 off 241 balls, Dawson 68 off 141.Taunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire 330 and 215-7A hundred for Leus du Plooy!What a season for du Plooy. A third century, keeping Derbyshire in with a crazy chance: 75 needed to beat Sussex.Had to run to the ladies after crossing my legs for far too long (sorry) but seem to have missed just Rob Jones taking a single off the first ball of the over and leaving Williams to face the other five. Apparently a drink – and a telling off – was served up. Williams ducked into a ball from Bracewell and is now having a concussion check.A drop for the ages by Walter as Bailey smashes the ball into the stratosphere and Walter lets it fall through is fingers. But Harmer takes a much better one two balls later! Sprinting, diving, and holding on. LAncs 376-9.88th over: Lancs 373-8 (Jones 102, Bailey 7) Bailey takes a wild swipe at Cook and misses, before picking up a sensible single next ball. Right – Scott is back on comms so I’m going to have to leave this OBO-ing to think about writing up and find some power – apols! Lancashire need 57 from 48 balls.A hundred for Rob Jones!87th over: Lancs 370-8 (Jones 100, Bailey 6) Bailey keeps out a grubber from Porter, and Jones gets the single he needs for his hundred, warmly applauded by the Essex fielders and the spectators. Seagulls also swarm in celebration.Bailey lofts FOUR! Porter responds with a bouncer. Lancashire need 60 from 54 balls.Updated at 17.36 BST86th over: Lancs 364-8 (Jones 99, Bailey 1) A breathless hush by the sea as Jones takes a couple off a reinvigorated Cook. He and Westley chew the fat at the top of his mark. Bailey nicks the strike for Porter’s over. Lancashire need 66 from 60 balls.Updated at 17.31 BST85th over: Lancs 360-7 (Jones 96, Bailey 0) Porter from the South End, Blatherwick plays him back watchfully. Until suddenly he doesn’t any more. Lancashire send Bailey in, which presumably means they’ll have a go? Lancashire need 70 off 66 balls.WICKET! Blatherwick c and b Porter 1 (Lancashire 360-8) After carefully prodding away five balls, Blatherwick taps back an easy catch.Updated at 17.25 BSTI have slight power issues but I will try to OBO from Blackool for a while as requested BTLWICKET! A grateful round of applause greets Hartley, caught behind for 17 off Cook: Lancs 359-7. Enter Blatherwick.72 off 68 balls needed, but. Jones has his eye in now and tbh the new ball not looking super dangerous. Jones 96 not out…Surrey draw with NottsThe Oval Surrey 355 and 340 v Notts 399 and 118-1.Worcestershire draw with YorkshireNew Road: Worcs 242 and 142-2 v Yorkshire 407Rain does for a result at New Road. Libby walks off 61 not out.And the generator blows again at Blackpool as Jones slices Cook to the rope. Lancs 352-6.As Essex take the new ball – the old one thrown back to the boundary in disgust – Lancashire need 89 runs off the last 16, four wickets in hand. Easy. (hee hee hee)Harmer’s demeanor matches his bowling figures: 23 overs, 0-102. After Jones cracked back to back fours, he slumps across the pitch as he’s directed from fielding position to fielding position. Without trying too hard, this chase is still doable. New ball due in one over.Fifties for Jake Libby and Leus du PlooyThe good ship du Plooy sails on – Derby 181-4, need 199.Leeus du Plooy: run machine Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesLibby and Roderick keeping Worcestershire safe at New Road: Worcs 127-2, 38 behind Yorks.Can Harmer get a wicket before Essex take the new ball? [eight to go}Searching for wickets too at Taunton where Gubbins’s steadfast 37 off 190 balls is soon to be sold as wallpaper paste. Excellent adhesiveness also from Dawson -47 off 90 -too. But after an over of Andy Umeed – time for the new ball. HAmpshire 172-7.And the runs tick on at Blackpool, one ball from Critchley misses everything to run down to the rope, the next is thrashed for six by Jones. Lancs 315-6.Surprise move by ICC! Now let’s see them make some positive moves, or indeed any moves at all, on ways in which they can help cricket in a climate crisis – emergency fund for worst affected countries etc etc.It’s not too long ago that senior figures were deriding the idea of equal prize money as economically absurd. Very pleasantly surprised to see this announcement today. https://t.co/s4LzCOmCqM— Raf Nicholson () July 13, 2023
de Grandhomme trudges off after swinging, not hard enough, and being well caught by Porter on the long leg boundary. Lancs 294-6.Updated at 16.20 BSTFifty for Rob JonesCracking effort from Jones, who in his spare time goes to Islay, swims in the sea, drinks whisky and watches birds. His first fifty since he made one a year ago against Kent.First ball, second over after tea, Salt top edges Critchley into the safe hands of Cook (S). Enter de Grandhomme, whose batting this year has been less Grand than Lancs hoped. Lancs 281-5.Updated at 16.10 BSTIf Lancashire pull this run chase off, it will be the highest fourth-innings run chase in their history (thank you Scott Read).Teatime scoresDIVISION ONECanterbury: Warwickshire 549-7dec BEAT Kent 171 and 332 by an innings and 46 runsBlackpool: Lancashire 145 and 274-4 v Essex 282 and 292-8 dec. Lancashire need 156 in 32 overs to winMerchant Taylors’ School: Middlesex 277 and 147-3 v Northamptonshire 219 and 380 Middlesex need 176 to winTaunton: Somerset 500 v Hampshire 330 and 135-7The Oval Surrey 355 and 340 v Notts 399 and 60-1 Notts need 237 to winDIVISION TWOThe Riverside: Durham 453 and 52-1 BEAT Gloucestershire 316 and 188 by nine wicketsSophia Gardens: Glamorgan 403-9dec v Leicestershire 228-2Hove: Sussex 402 and 384-9dec v Derbyshire 407 and 110-3 Derbyshire need 270 runs to winNew Road: Worcestershire 242 and 95-2 v Yorkshire 407The first “get on with it” of the day.Stopped raining at New Road: Out the 22 go. Yorks need eight wickets, Worcestershire to still be there in 36 overs’ time.Jones carefully plays the ball back on the brink of tea. Time for a brew and some calculations up in the Lancashire dressing-room.A cheeky roar from the Blackpool crowd as a bouncer from Bracewell passes over both Jones’s head and the keeper’s head for four. We reckon Essex will get 16 overs with the new ball later. Stuck for now with the soft old Kookaburra.Still rain at New Road – Yorkshire going to be done by the weather again. Derbyshire have just lost a third (77-30) two for Shipley, one for Karvelas. Madsen and Mr run-accumulator du Plooy at the crease.And sudden activity in the skies above Blackpool, as a helicopter temporarily scares the seagulls away. Lancs 258-4, haven’t put the foot right down yet.Excitement trickling away at The Oval: Notts 39-0 off 10 overs, needing 258 more if they were to push for victory.A masterclass of patience’s virtue from Nick Gubbins: 29 from 127 balls. Just another session and 30 minutes to go…. Hampshire 124-7For Rob Keogh fans everywhere.Middlesex, 128-3, need 195 with seven wickets in hand. Robson closing in on a half century. Out ground boundaries.Lots of dust out there in the middle in Blackpool, but nothing really happening for Harmer. A gettable total gets more gettable – just 186 needed. Jones and Salt’s fifty partnership comes and goes to a ripple of applause.Amazed to hear that DIG used to be shy. There’s hope for all of us in the diffident gang!Just in case it had passed anyone else by, Saqib Mahmood is out for the season with a recurrence of his lumbar stress fracture.