Tanya Aldred at the Ageas Bowl 

County cricket final day: Middlesex relegated as Kent survive and Surrey celebrate

Kent maintained their Division One status after a dramatic final day of the season which saw Middlesex relegated instead
  
  

Surrey’s players celebrate despite defeat at Hampshire.
Surrey’s players celebrate despite defeat at Hampshire. Photograph: Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Tanya Aldred's roundup

Surrey finished their victorious season by falling in a heap, beaten by Hampshire in less than half an hour’s play. Mohammad Abbas shimmied in from the hotel end and had Jordan Clark caught at slip in the first over, and it was downhill from there, with the diligent Sai Sudharsan the last wicket, trying to hit for victory. His was a 49th wicket of the season for Liam Dawson, who was later announced as the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s male player of the year.

Surrey lost having secured the Championship title, just as they did at Old Trafford last year, but there were happy celebrations after the game when the squad, wearing special celebratory caps ordered by Alec Stewart, were presented with the trophy by the ECB chair, Richard Thompson. Hampshire finished third for the second time in a row, winning, like Surrey, eight games.

The relegation scrap went down to the last ticks of the season clock, with Middlesex fighting for an unlikely win that would save them from the trap door. Nottinghamshire’s seemingly calm chase of 207 in 58 overs threatened to come off the rails as the unlikely figure of Sam Robson (who had earlier hit a rapid century to set Notts a target) and Josh De Caires looked like they might spin Middlesex to victory. In the end it was No 10 Jake Ball, in his last match with Notts, who hit the winning runs and condemned Middlesex to Division Two.

At Canterbury, a mini Lancashire collapse had left Kent with the chance of forcing a win but Josh Bohannon (68) and Tom Bailey (78) ensured there would be handshakes after tea. That left Kent nervously watching events at Trent Bridge.

Elsewhere, a fabulous 123 from Shan Masood helped Yorkshire chase 360 against Worcestershire and lifted them off the bottom of the table. At the Riverside, Durham thumped Leicestershire by an innings, in the style that has characterised their bombastic summer. Matt Parkinson, departing for Kent, grabbed three wickets, as did Vishwa Fernando. A happy band lifted the Division Two trophy in front of their fans, “We’re a big club,” said the captain, Scott Borthwick, “and we deserve to be in Division One.”

Good night!

Congratulations to Champions Surrey, to Durham, to Worcestershire and, put the smelling salts down now, to Kent! Commiserations Middlesex, and Northants, who both fought like only they wish they could have fought earlier in the season, at the last.

Thanks to all of you who read CCLive!, to those who comment BTL and those who linger. We’ll (probably) be back in April – until then don’t forget to plant your daffodils and watch out for pink-footed geese. Good night!

Updated

Final Division Two Table

1 Durham P14 W7 L1 D6 233 pts

2 Worcestershire P14 W5 L3 D6 167

********************************

3 Sussex P14 W3 L1 D10 150

4 Leicestershire P14 W3 L4 D7 142

5 Glamorgan P14 W1 L1 D12 139

6 Derbyshire P14 W0 L4 D10 113

7 Yorkshire P14 W3 L2 D9 109

8 Gloucestershire P 14 W0 L6 D8 97

Final Division One table

1 Surrey P14 W 8 L2 D4 216

2 Essex P14 W7 L3 D4 196

3 Hampshire P14 W8 L4 D2 192

4 Warwickshire P14 W6 L4 D2 179

5 Lancashire P14 W3 L1 D10 161

6 Nottinghamshire P14 W4 L4 D6 151

7 Somerset P14 W3 L4 D7 148

8 Kent P14 W2 L7 D5 111

***********************************

9 Middlesex P14 W3 L9 D2 104

10 Northamptonshire P14 W2 L8 D4 96

Final scores

Southampton: Hampshire 219 and 172 BEAT Surrey 207 and 132 by 52 runs

Canterbury: Kent 494 DRAW with Lancashire 327 and 390-8dec

County Ground: Northamptonshire 369 BEAT Essex 211 and 119 by an innings and 39 runs

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 384 and 210-8 BEAT Middlesex 366 and 224-6dec by two wickets

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 273 DRAW with Somerset 215 and 90-2

DIVISION TWO

Chester-le-Street: Durham 457-8dec BEAT Leicestershire 143 and 173 by an innings and 141

Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 301-5dec and 135-6 DRAW with Derbyshire 450-8dec and 234-2dec

Hove: Sussex 202 and 505-7dec BEAT Gloucestershire 195 and 173 by 339 runs

Headingley: Yorkshire 262-6dec and 363-4 BEAT with Worcestershire 389 and 232-2 dec by six wickets

Nottinghamshire beat Middlesex by two wickets and Middlesex are relegated

A valiant effort by Middlesex, keeping the season going to the very last squeak, but they must drop through the trapdoor to Division Two.

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 384 and 210-8 BEAT Middlesex 366 and 224-6dec by two wickets

Updated

Four overs left, three to win, two wickets in hand.

Eight down, three needed, the sun dropping, at Macclesfield.

Eight down – but just five needed.

Still seven down at Stoke – and just 17 needed. Looking promising for Kent.

Seven down (33 neeeded) at Stafford. (Robson 3-31)

I’m now at Wolverhampton, and Middlesex are still six down – 50 needed. What price Stafford? Now I really better write up. But one final plug, for poor old Hampton Wick CC, who are raising money after a fire destroyed their pavilion. This is their crowdfunder.

Notts six down. Two for …Robson.

Kent draw with Lancashire

Canterbury: Kent 494 DRAW with Lancashire 327 and 390-8dec

Now they must wait.

Oooof – Notts five down, 55 needed. It’s not on. Is it?

Durham accept the Division Two trophy

Crunched and spat out every opposition! Can’t wait to see how they do in 2024.

Notts have lost a third, but they only need another 74.

Kent, presumably being updated in real time from the boundary, have wheedled out one of Lancs’ (wagging) tail – Bailey for 78. Bohannon still there on 63.

And they may shake hands soon at Sophia Gardens and Headingley – where Masood has just picked up his first century at Headingley of the season. No time like etc etc

Liam Dawson - PCA men's player of the year

An excellent choice. Now, will England pick him?

Updated

Tea-time scores

Southampton: Hampshire 219 and 172 BEAT Surrey 207 and 132 by 52 runs

Canterbury: Kent 494 v Lancashire 327 and 344-7 Lancashire lead Kent by 177 runs

County Ground: Northamptonshire 369 BEAT Essex 211 and 119 by an innings and 39 runs

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 384 and 91-1 v Middlesex 366 and 224-6dec Notts need 116 to win

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 273 DRAW with Somerset 215 and 90-2

DIVISION TWO

Chester-le-Street: Durham 457-8dec BEAT Leicestershire 143 and 173 by an innings and 141

Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 301-5dec and 74-3 v Derbyshire 450-8dec and 234-2dec Glamorgan need 310 to win

Hove: Sussex 202 and 505-7dec BEAT Gloucestershire 195 and 173 by 339 runs

Headingley: Yorkshire 262-6dec and 175-2 v Worcestershire 389 and 232-2 dec Yorks need 185 to win

I think, like England, we all forgot Ben Foakes.

CCLive! team of the year

Alex Lees

Rishi Patel

Josh Bohannon

Tom Westley (c)

James Rew

Ollie Robinson (wk)

Liam Dawson

Simon Harmer

Ben Raine

Jamie Porter

Gus Atkinson/ Brydon Carse (as our, as Alec Stewart puts it, “point of difference”)

Updated

Looking ominous for Middlesex, because although they’ve got rid of Hameed (for 24), Notts only need another 143. Relying on a Notts-up here. Lancs still seven down, the lead now 148 so Kent very much hoping Middx continue to be brave but toothless.

“Good afternoon from Berlin,” writes Frederick Simon. “ I am dreading the end of the championship season. It will leave a big void. The good news is I am set to be county championship fantasy league winner of German. I wonder what my prize will be? Three hearty British cheers is what my grandmother used to offer.

”So many great players to choose from. But surely one has to go for the most county; peak county if you will, where international (or even national) fame scores negatively. If you know, you know:

Fin Bean
Alex Lees
Nick Gubbins (not because he is the best number 3, but because he is the most county)
Kiran Carlson
Ollie Robinson (wk)
Ryan Higgins
Liam Dawson
Ben Raine
Mohammed Abbas
OHD

”Big shouts out to Simon Harmer, Timm VDG, Hutton, Bamber, Joe Leach, Lawes, Jordan Clarke.

"And if Sam Cooke and Jordan Thompson had been for all season, they would definitely have made the squad.

”Enjoy the off season! I won’t! See you in spring!”

Thank you for that – which reminds me I need to collate our CCLive! team of the season.

Durham beat Leicestershire by an innings and 141 runs!

Chester-le-Street: Durham 457-8dec BEAT Leicestershire 143 and 173 by an innings and 141

An innings victory for the Division Two Champs, their seventh of a magnificent season. And, although soundly defeated today, 2023 was vast improvement on the recent past for Leicestershire, who flirted with promotion, and will finish fourth or fifth.

Three wickets for Parkinson M at the end of his (rejuvinating) loan spell in the north-east, and a 60th for Ben Raine. And for Leicestershire, a maiden first-class fifty for Will Davis.

The train wifi can’t cope with the streams, can anyone read the body language at Trent Bridge?

Notts rattling along at six an over here. I’m afraid, Middlesex, that you must prepare for Headingley and Grace Road. So long as Middx don’t take any wickets, Kent will be happy to keep Lancs (281-7) out there.

The Stuart Broad End

Nicely done by Notts – though it doesn’t seem to matter which end the ball is coming from Middlesex, Notts are tucking in: 37-0 off five.

TRJ followed that over of plenty with a maiden. Notts still 26-0.

Lancs are still seven down, with the lead now three figures. Tom Bailey and Bohannon capable of being a real pain for Kent.

Rumours have it that Sussex were trying (unsuccesfully) to tempt TRJ, but he’s on Middlesex do-or-die duties here. Unfortunately, HH has just greedily tucked into his first over, taking three boundaries. Notts 26-0.

And in a last-ditch attempt to save themselves, Middlesex have declared – leaving Notts 207 to win. Three cheers for Sam Robson, 105, and find of the season de Caires, a run-a-ball 49, but I don’t fancy Middlesex’s chances.

“Hello Tanya,” hello Christopher Sharp! “I am a Kent supporter and have been for 50 years. My grandfather Richard Lowe played for Kent in 1926 and he did the hat-trick for Cambridge University against Oxford. I do the scoring for my club Staplehurst and I hope Kent stay up and possible win.”

Christopher, it all looks very possible – what with Lancs only leading by 91 runs and now seven down. Bohannon still there, 19 not out, but he’s only got Bailey, Blatherwick and Morley for company. Though Kent’s batting is more than capable of messing this up at the last.

Made the train, now reliant on CrossCountryWifi. A couple of emails have dropped:

“Updated my Gloucestershire diary today,” writes Matt Winter. “Simply said, ‘bugger’. “

I’m going to run for a train in the lunch break – hopefully back on line at Southampton Airport Parkway!

Lunchtime scores

Southampton: Hampshire 219 and 172 BEAT Surrey 207 and 132 by 52 runs

Canterbury: Kent 494 v Lancashire 327 and 226-5 Lancashire lead Kent by 59 runs

County Ground: Northamptonshire 369 BEAT Essex 211 and 119 by an innings and 39 runs

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 384 v Middlesex 366 and 177-5 Middx lead Notts by 159

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 273 DRAW with Somerset 215 and 90-2

DIVISION TWO

Chester-le-Street: Durham 457-8dec v Leicestershire 143 and 100-8

Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 301-5dec and 8-0 v Derbyshire 450-8dec and 234-2dec Glamorgan need 376 to win

Hove: Sussex 202 and 505-7dec BEAT Gloucestershire 195 and 173 by 339 runs

Headingley: Yorkshire 262-6dec and 26-1 v Worcestershire 389 and 232-2 dec Worcs need 334 to win

Sussex beat Gloucestershire by 339 runs!

And while I was looking the other way, a thrashing for Gloucestershire in what has been a miserable season with not a single win, and a what-might-have-been one for Sussex. Three wickets for Currie and Hunt.

Hove: Sussex 202 and 505-7dec BEAT Gloucestershire 195 and 173 by 339 runs

Let’s take a look at the Middlesex-Kent axis.

Middlesex currently suffering from end of term nerves: 136-5, lead Notts by 117, which surely isn’t enough. Robson still there though, on a run-a-ball 71. They, remember, need a win.

Lancashire have just lost three quick wickets -for five runs – including Wells for 117, and lead Kent by 37. Kent are fine with a draw, unless Middlesex win.

Down on the sunny outfield, Surrey are celebrating with the shiny golden trophy, the pennant and their families. Dan Worrall wants a photo with his daughter and partner, Tom Lawes with his parents. A very dapper and low key Richard Thompson, chairman of the ECB and formerly of Surrey, in white trousers and polished chelsea boots, hands over the cup. Surrey are wearing special souvenir caps, baseball style, with XXII (Championship wins) on the back, which arrived this morning, ordered by Alec Stewart.

Updated

Hampshire beat Surrey by 52 runs!

Sudharsan tries to sweep, and gives Liam Dawson his 49th wicket of the season. And that is that, the Champions thrashed in their last outing! I’m going to go and watch the presentation of the trophy on out field.

Poor Sudharsan, diligently watching from the other end, Roach tries a cover drive and edges to Vince again, prowling at second slip. Surrey 126-9.

In the relegation battle, Middlesex need to win and Kent not, for Middlesex to avoid the drop. This was Tom Helm last night:

“We are going to have to go at them. We are going to have to set them a score to have a chance to bowl them out and stay in the division.

“I can’t put a number on it - that’s a bit above my pay grade. It’s going to be a really exciting day, there’s a huge amount to play for.”

A giant strides off the pitch, after being well and truly stumped after a daft dance down to Liam Dawson. Surrey likely to end this season as they ended the last, being handed a right thrashing. Surrey 125-8, need another 60.

I’m going to miss watching Mohammad Abbas slink into bowl, the sun on his back. He has Clark caught by Vince low at second slip in the first over of the day.

I know the BBC have done one, but let’s attempt a CCLive! team of the season. If you either email me, or drop your team BTL, I’ll collate them together after lunch and come up with an XI. Just off to get coffee – both machines at the hotel were broken (the horror!).

Scores on the doors

Southampton: Hampshire 219 and 172 v Surrey 207 and 112-6 Surrey need 73 to win

Canterbury: Kent 494 v Lancashire 327 and 126-0

County Ground: Northamptonshire 369 BEAT Essex 211 and 119 by an innings and 39 runs

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 384 v Middlesex 366 and 10-0

Edgbaston: Warwickshire 273 v Somerset 215 and 90-2

DIVISION TWO

Chester-le-Street: Durham 457-8dec v Leicestershire 143 and 13-0 CLOSE

Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 301-5dec v Derbyshire 450-8dec and 68-0

Hove: Sussex 202 and 505-7dec v Gloucestershire 195 and 113-5 Gloucs need 400 to win

Headingley: Yorkshire 262-6dec v Worcestershire 389 and 18-2

Preamble

Good morning from a sunkissed Rose Bowl for this, the final day of the season. Out on the pitch, the Champions are in a huge huddle in their royal blue; Hampshire are kicking a ball and bowling in their grey, the shorts and wooly hat combo returns.

Around the woods this morning, the bracken is turning, the blackberries are shrunken – time for us to turn towards the coming autumn. Just one thing to decide today, and that’s the future of Middlesex and Kent in 2024. Play starts at 10.30am, see you here!

Updated

 

Leave a Comment

Required fields are marked *

*

CAPTCHA

*