Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureThey’ve just reached stumps at Cheltenham. Worcestershire close on 316-for 8 and lead Gloucestershire by 421 runs. They’ll come back tomorrow for the final day but that is it for us for this round.There’s a break for the entirety of August now but Tanya will be back at the helm in September to take you through the final rounds of the season. Thanks for your company, take care and goodbye!They are still playing at Cheltenham where Jake Libby has just gone to an extremely well crafted century in lovely late evening sun.Roundup: Notts put Kent in danger, Northants dig in at LancsNottinghamshire ripped through Kent at Trent Bridge to leave the south-east side languishing in the bottom two places in Division One with just three matches to wriggle themselves free. Five wickets for Dane Paterson and four for Championship leading wicket-taker Brett Hutton did the damage. Hutton took his wicket tally to 52 as Jack Leaning’s side were decimated for 85 in their second innings, losing in the end by 321 runs.The wicket at Derbyshire resembled the pancake-flat A6 road that skirts around the County Ground. After Glamorgan made their highest ever score in Derby earlier in the game, Derbyshire’s opening pair of Luis Reece and Harry Came secured the draw and, in doing so, broke the record for the highest ever first wicket stand in the club’s history. Reece finished unbeaten on 201 and Came on 141 – career-best scores for both men.Northants batted over 100 overs in their second innings to deny Lancashire at Old Trafford. Luke Procter and James Sales dug in obdurately for over 25 overs to eventually force Keaton Jennings into offering a weary hand at 5.30pm.Worcestershire will look to force a result against Gloucestershire as they head into the final day at Cheltenham. A lead of over 400 runs by the close leaving their captain Brett D’Oliveira to ponder when to pull the pin and declare on the final day.For Yorkshire, the first important announcement came from the umpires at Scarborough shortly after 1pm. The men in white coats had inspected the puddle strewn outfield at North Marine Road and deemed it unplayable; the match with Durham was called a draw with two full days washed out.An hour later the second, more ominous and far-reaching announcement was made by the Independent Cricket Discipline Commission. With 48 points docked they dropped from sixth place with 98 points to bottom with 50, effectively ending any hope of promotion to the First Division.Updated at 20.11 BSTJust popping back to note that Northants are still hanging on – they are 171-5 with Lancs still hunting for five wickets. Derbyshire are still racking them up against Glamorgan too – they are 345-0 and Luis Reece and Harry Came have just broken the clubs ALL TIME record for a first-wicket partnership!Tea-time ish scores:Division OneManchester: Northamptonshire 342 and 154-4 v Lancashire 544-7 dec. Northants trail by 48 with six wickets remainingDivision TwoDerby: Glamorgan 521-8dec v Derbyshire 318 and 297-0. Derbyshire lead by 94 runs with ten wickets remainingCheltenham College: Gloucestershire 301 v Worcestershire 406 and 96-3 Worcestershire lead by 197 runs with 7 wickets remainingDerbyshire ticking along nicely epically against Glamorgan, Came and Reece still there, they are 285-0 and lead by 82 runs.Lancs still in the hunt at Old Trafford – they need six more Northants wickets to force victory.At Cheltenham, Paul van Meekeren has bagged a brace of wickets for Gloucs and Worcs are 60-3 with a lead of 165, they still have a day left to play tomorrow of course. I’m going to start thinking about the write up for tomorrow’s paper – it’s an earlier deadline on Friday. I’ll pop back as and when but keep an eye on things for me in the meantime!RESULT: Nottinghamshire bowl out Kent for just 85 to win by 321 runs!Dane Paterson the star of the show with 5-41 off just ten overs and the irrepressible Brett Hutton taking 4-44.Well batted Harry Came! Derbyshire piling them on at the Incora.𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩, 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮! 💯🔥Came brings up his second first-class century in 233 balls, with 12 fours!DER: 245-0; Reece (134*), leading by 42. Watch LIVE ⤵— Derbyshire CCC () July 28, 2023
As Stuart Broad has his dander well and truly UP at the Oval his Notts teammates aren’t doing so badly at Trent Bridge either – they’ve got Kent right where they want them at 59-5 make that 64-6!Yorkshire CCC statement in response:The Board of Yorkshire County Cricket Club said:
We accept the sanctions against Yorkshire County Cricket Club imposed by the Cricket Discipline Commission.
Following representations by the Board at last month’s hearing, the CDC and ECB have today acknowledged the vast amount of work done by YCCC to overcome the cultural issues that existed within the Club, which allowed racist and discriminatory behaviour to go unchallenged. We are accountable for these issues, and we accepted four amended charges as part of a continued commitment to ensure we are able to move forward.
We are disappointed to receive the points deductions which affects players and staff at the Club, who were not responsible for the situation. They have worked tirelessly on and off the field to rebuild Yorkshire into an inclusive and welcoming Club that reflects the communities it serves. Greater clarity over our situation will allow us all now to look ahead.
There remains much to do, but we have made significant investments to put in place best practice processes and procedures, as well as driving equity, diversity and inclusion through a new framework and taking important steps to improve the matchday experience to encourage greater inclusivity and tackle discrimination. This is in addition to the real progress we have seen on our Performance Pathway, ensuring young cricketers from all backgrounds can take part regardless of their economic circumstances.
We look forward to continued dialogue with the ECB to ensure the financial penalty does not hinder our ongoing commitment to build on the strong foundations that have been laid. We remain focused on efforts to secure YCCC’s sustainability, ensuring the stability required to create a brighter future for all associated with Yorkshire Cricket.”
Here’s the official ECB reaction:ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould said:
These were serious charges relating to racism over a prolonged period. There can be no place for racism in our game, and the penalties announced by the Cricket Discipline Commission mark the end of a thorough disciplinary process. No one should have to experience what Azeem Rafiq went through in cricket, and we once again thank him for his courage in speaking out.
Since this hearing took place, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket has published its report which demonstrates just how much there still is for our game to do in order to stamp out discrimination and become the inclusive sport we all want to be. We must work together as a game to learn from the events that led to this case, and to respond thoroughly to that report.
We recognise that Yorkshire County Cricket Club has made significant progress since Azeem came forward, first under Lord Patel’s leadership and since then under its current management, and is committed to becoming an inclusive club. They have set the club on a path to a much brighter and more inclusive future, and we will continue to support the new leadership at Yorkshire to build on the progress made so far.”
BREAKING NEWS: Yorkshire County Cricket Club fined £400,000 and docked 48 points in this year’s championship (that effectively ends any hopes of promotion, obviously)The Independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) has published its report just now.
The CDC Panel has today reprimanded and fined Yorkshire County Cricket Clubs a total of £400,000 and issued an immediate 48-point deduction in the 2023 County Championship, as well as a four-point deduction from the 2023 T20 Blast.
£300,000 of the fine is to be suspended for a period of two years.You can view the full report hereThe CDC has reprimanded and fined Yorkshire £400,000 plus immediate 48-point deduction in the 2023 County Championship ... plus a four-point deduction from the 2023 T20 Blast (a comp since completed ... they didn't reach the quarters 🤷‍♂️)— Ali Martin () July 28, 2023Updated at 16.42 BSTFantastic stuff from Luis Reece – two hundreds in the game! Derbyshire have shown real fight in this match.𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙔 (𝘼𝙂𝘼𝙄𝙉!) 💯💯🔥Reece reaches his second century of the match in 177 balls, including 11 fours! DER: 164-0; Came (57*), trailing by 39. Watch LIVE ⤵— Derbyshire CCC () July 28, 2023
News: Jordan Cox moves from Kent to EssexIt was rumoured and has now been confirmed, the Dan Lawrence shaped hole at Essex will be plugged by Cox for the next three years.The official press release has this from Cox:
It’s a real honour to sign for Essex, the county where I went to school and where I first developed as a cricketer.
The team is full of talent, they are going places, and I can only see the group getting better over the coming seasons. I’m excited to join them and contribute to what I hope will be a successful future.”
and Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, added:
I am delighted that we have been able to secure the signing of Jordan, who is a young, hungry cricketer looking to impress in all formats.
He will add real depth and quality to our batting line-up, as well as strengthening our wicket-keeping ranks too, and we are all very much looking forward to working with him.”
The players re-emerge after lunch. Just spotted this bit of good honest criggit:It’s been called in Scarborough – MATCH DRAWN. A very wet outfield meant no play has been possible on days 3 and 4 at an aptly named Marine Road. Durham take 8 points and Yorkshire 7.Lunchtime Scores:Division OneManchester: Northamptonshire 342 and 53-2 v Lancashire 544-7 dec. Northants trail by 149 with eight wickets remainingTrent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 350 and 372-6 v Kent 316 and 17-3. Kent require 390 runs with seven wickets remainingDivision TwoDerby: Glamorgan 521-8dec v Derbyshire 318 and 185-0. Derbyshire trail by 18 runs with ten wickets remainingScarborough: Yorkshire 340 v Durham 106-1 – MATCH DRAWN – No play on days 3 and 4Cheltenham College: Gloucestershire 295-9 v Worcestershire 406. Gloucs trail by 113 runs with one wicket remaining.Updated at 13.18 BSTThe clock ticks around to 1pm, time for a bite to eat. Lunchtime scores incoming.There will be an inspection in Scarborough at 1pm… it’s fine up there now but the rain yesterday has left the outfield sopping. It all feels a little futile.Elsewhere, Brett Hutton gets another scalp on his tally as he clean bowls Kent’s Toby Albert to give Notts their first wicket. And another! As I type Ben Geddes has been caught off Dane Paterson, Kent in strife at 8-2!We interrupt this broadcast county blog to bring you a stonker of a catch from Joe Root at the Oval.Lancs snaffle another!Northants now two down, not a good start to their second innings by the Wantage Roaders.Notts declare! Steven Mullaney carts a few boundaries but then sees his middle stump emphatically ripped out of the ground by Arafat Bhuiyan! Mullaney signals the declaration as he walks off – Kent need to score 407 runs to win, or more prosaically, bat out the day for a draw.Lancashire have their first, this is stone dead for my money. Northants trail by 178 and there are a minimum of 79 overs to bat in the day. They’ve got nine wickets in the hutch but are very much up against it under leaden Manchester skies.Joe Clarke out for a bruising 73 from 40 deliveries. Perishing as he lived, caught near the fence at deep mid-wicket. Tom Moores has gone for 9 now too but Notts are batting on. Steven Mullaney unmoved on the balcony as his side’s lead ticks up to 361.Hundred for Ollie Price! Secured with a blistering square cut for four off the bowling of Joe Leach. A second first-class century for him but Gloucs still trail Worcs by 161 runs with 4 wickets remaining.Updated at 11.57 BSTWell batted Harry Came and Luis Reece, they’ve clocked up their second hundred partnership of the match. Derbyshire currently 114-0 at Derby, trailing by 83 runs.Joe Clarke has put on the afterburners at a luminous green Trent Bridge. He’s currently on 65 off 32 and has just played a sumptuous swivel pull for four. These graphics are quite something aren’t they?Lancashire have just blasted 46 runs in three overs against… and they declare! Game on at Old Trafford. The home side lead by 202 runs. Over to you, Northants.Derbyshire’s openers Harry Came and Luis Reece are keeping them in the game against Glamorgan. They put on 165 runs together in the first innings and are going well once more on 87-0. The home side are 116 runs adrift at the Incora with 10 wickets remaining.It is only day two down in Cheltenham -Worcestershire made 406 and Gloucestershire are 212-4 so bubbling up nicely there with the weather set fair.There will be a 12pm inspection at Scarborough… but I wonder if the two captains will shake hands on this one.Will Nottinghamshire (350 & 176-1) dangle a carrot for Kent (316) ? They have a lead of 210 but are a bowler down with Luke Fletcher thought to be unable to bowl with a niggly ankle injury. We’ll surely see a declaration at some stage though.We await news from Scarborough as to whether we’ll get any action between Yorkshire and Durham. Yesterday was kiboshed by rain and a wet outfield completely.Some exciting scenarios bubbling up across the few games still going. When will Lancs pull the pin and decide to have a crack at Northants? They lead by 156 already and will fancy their chances of getting stuck into the bottom of the table side.Have we seen this grab from yesterday? Shades of Strauss against the Aussies in 2005!As ever, do chat away BTL and get in touch on email and twitter with any thoughts. Well, not any.Scores (and results) on the doors:Southampton: Essex 169 and 86-4 BEAT Hampshire 120 and 131 by six wickets.Manchester: Northamptonshire 342 v Lancashire 498-7Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 350 and 176-1 v Kent 316Taunton: Surrey 368 and 29-0 BEAT Somerset 170 and 226 by 10 wicketsEdgbaston: Middlesex 199 and 97-2 BEAT Warwickshire 60 & 232 by eight wicketsDivision TwoDerby: Glamorgan 521-8dec v Derbyshire 318 and 78-0Scarborough: Yorkshire 340 v Durham 106-1 No play today – rainCheltenham College: Gloucestershire 212-4 v Worcestershire 406 (end of day 2)Updated at 13.06 BSTPreambleHello and welcome to the final knockings of round twelve of the County Championship, Jim here with you today as Tanya has a well deserved break.Before we dig into the last few matches taking place today, let’s have a look at how things went yesterday – here’s Tanya’s masterful round up.I’m off for a coffee and perhaps even a fried egg sandwich, try and stop me. Back soon for some more preamble towards 11am.Tanya Aldred’s county roundupSurrey extended their lead at the top of the Championship table, despite another half-century from Somerset’s James Rew and some bish-bosh from Craig Overton.There were four wickets for Jordan Clark, who munched into Somerset’s top order, and from there all Somerset could do was plug away and hope for rain. Rew passed a thousand runs, the first to click up four figures in Division One, to happy applause from the Taunton faithful, and Craig Overton thrashed five sixes in his unbeaten 70, one picked out of the car park by brother Jamie. After a breathless last-wicket stand of 77, Rory Burns and Dom Sibley quickly knocked off the 29 runs needed to pocket a handy lead going into the August break. With just four rounds left until the end of the season, Surrey’s lead over second-placed Essex is 17 points.Essex kept themselves in contention after winning a small but nervy run-chase at the Ageas Bowl where a result pitch fell foul of the hosts. Jamie Porter grabbed 10 wickets in a match for the first time since 2018, as Hampshire lost four for nine runs just after elevenses. Set 83 to win, Essex wobbled but they didn’t fall down, as the fearsome Kyle Abbot steamed in, pocketing three for 23.At Edgbaston, Middlesex pulled off an unexpected win against Warwickshire, pulling themselves out of the Division One relegation zone in the process. Warwickshire’s day started badly and got rapidly worse as they lost their remaining six second-innings wickets for 35 runs. Ethan Bamber notched up nine for the match. A brisk unbeaten 52 from Mark Stoneman then hurried Middlesex to victory with little stress.Elsewhere, 19-year-old Joe Phillips and 22-year-old Ollie Price made half-centuries as Gloucestershire bubbled along at Cheltenham in reply to Worcestershire’s 406; Derbyshire collapsed and were forced to follow on against Glamorgan; Luke Wells, Josh Bohannon and Phil Salt all made centuries for Lancashire at a soggy Old Trafford against Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire gave themselves the sneeze of a chance of victory against Kent. Rain ruined any chance of play at Scarborough.