Sibley’s century gives Surrey edge over Essex: county cricket, day three – as it happened

Sabastian Sawe may have crossed the marathon finishing line in under two hours, but things were more sedate a couple of miles away at the Oval where Dom Sibley escorted Surrey towards parity and beyond. He spent nearly 20 minutes on 99 before reaching his first hundred of the year, though shortly afterwards was the unlucky recipient of a Sam Cook cracker. Dan Lawrence leapt to an entertaining 125. Surrey finished with a lead of 63 and Essex saw off the final nine overs of the day. Surrey had promised free entry to any marathon runners but there was no sign of medals. Worcestershire duly bulldozed Kent, an innings-and-two-run flattening at New Road. Kent needed 231 to avoid an innings defeat and were soon in the soup at 38 for three, Tom Taylor (5 for 56) the destroyer. Zak Crawley dug in, but was eventually out, driving, for 31. Chris Benjamin (77) and Keith Dudgeon (41) could not quite force Worcestershire to bat again. Kent are yet to pick up a batting point, and have lost Ben Compton with a dislocated finger. Joe Root purred into action at Headingley, in his first runout of the year. However, it was a surprise when he nibbled at Henry Crocombe and was out for 96. Sam Whiteman collected his maiden century for Yorkshire, who inched to a lead of nine. Sussex then lost two evening wickets. Haseeb Hameed (115) and Ben Duckett (93) propped up Nottinghamshire as they followed-on against Warwickshire. Duckett’s dashing 93 was his second half-century of the game. Matthew Potts reeled through Lancashire’s top order, leaving them 72 for six, but two Durham old boys, Michael Jones (72) and Paul Coughlin (100) manned the lifeboats. Durham need 336 to win. Winless Gloucestershire can sleep on the chance of breaking their drought after forcing Derbyshire to follow-on at The Racecourse Ground. On a featherbed at Cardiff, it was Leicestershire’s turn for batting practice, with only four wickets falling all day. The Oval ground staff are busy watering with long yellow hoses so it must be time to finish writing and head home. Thanks for your company and huge congratulations to any marathoners. Bye! DIVISION ONE Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 440 v Leicestershire 500-5 Trent Bridge: Notts 279 and 310-4 v Warwickshire 459 The Oval: Surrey 472 v Essex 409 and 19-0 Headingley: Yorkshire 511 v Sussex 502 and 31-2 DIVISION TWO The County Ground: Derbyshire 281 and 117-3 v Gloucestershire 498 Riverside: Durham 295 v Lancashire 370 and 260-9dec Durham need 336 to win New Road: Worcestershire 447 BEAT Kent 196 and 249 by an innings and two runs. Lancashire’s lead over Durham is edging towards extremely large thanks to Durham old boys Michael Jones (70) and Paul Coughlin (82 not out) . Lancs 229-7, lead by 304. Time for me to write up now, but BTL remains open as ever. Crosses the threshold with Duckett fast on his heels. A first century of the season for HH after a Wisden Cricketer of the Year-worthy season in 2025. Notts 257-1. Sussex have kept plugging away at Headingley and reduced Yorkshire to 485 for eight. Van Beek (25) and Richardson (23) are the current pair to be frustrating the bowlers. Here at The Oval, Abbot rolling-pins Critchley to mid-off. Surrey are nine down and with a lead of 41. The last hour could be the most tasty of the day. West to Sophia Gardens, where the two promoted teams are enjoying some extended batting practice. Stevie Eskinazi has just been out for 50 to Andy Gorvin, but Jonny Tattersall (58) is still there and Leicestershire, 441-5 have a lead over Glamorgan of one run. A second fifty of the match for Duckett, fast catching up HH who is nurdling ever closer to three figures…Notts 215-1, lead by 35. A big win for Worcestershire and an equalled record for Gareth Roderick who took nine catches in the match – a record for a Worcestershire keeper. New Road: Worcestershire 447 BEAT Kent 196 and 249 by an innings and two runs. Kent might just make Worcestershire bat again, nine wickets down but just two runs behind. Chris Benjamin 77 not out, five wickets for Tom Taylor. And Surrey quickly lose an eighth wicket, the other established batter, Jordan Clark, for 43. Some muttering about the ball pitching outside leg. Critchley’s second wicket. Harmer’s first wicket, Tom Lawes, whose bat was making lovely shapes, caught and bowled for 36. Surrey lead by 25, seven wickets down. This is interesting on how much work Ollie Pope has done since coming back from the Ashes. On the new CounterPress Surrey site, The Rey. DIVISION ONE Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 440 v Leicestershire 412-4 Trent Bridge: Notts 279 and 190-1 v Warwickshire 459 The Oval: Surrey 415-6 v Essex 409 Headingley: Yorkshire 452-8 v Sussex 502 DIVISION TWO The County Ground: Derbyshire 281 and 9-0 v Gloucestershire 498 Riverside: Durham 295 v Lancashire 370 and 370 and 192-6 New Road: Worcestershire 447 v Kent 196 and 222-9 Teatime at The Oval, with Tom Lawes, who escaped a stumping chance on 11, and Jordan Clark rollicking along. Surrey now have a lead of six runs. Scores to follow. Quite against expectations, Derbyshire are following-on against Gloucestershire Three wickets each for Tasmian Gabe Bell and Graeme van Buuren; Wayne Madsen (65) the only Derby man to pass 35. Derbys 218 all out, and 5-0 in their second attempt. No marathon runners appear to have yet taken advantage of Surrey’s hospitality. At Trent Bridge, Notts are having a better time of it following-on. HH has 83 and Ben Duckett 28, and they have nearly made up the deficit on Warwickshire. Notts 172-1. I’m just going to do a quick circuit and see i I can find any marathon runners lurking in The Oval. Well bowled Henry Crocombe! Root leaned in to what looked like it was going to be a 100-getting cover drive, but there was some extra bounce and instead he nibbles behind. Two balls into Crocombe’s spell – cracking bowling change by Ollie Robinson. Oooof, Lawrence cruches the ball back at Thain and hits him on the wrist in his follow through – possibly a dropped catch? Stings him again next ball, but Thain finally gets his man as Lawrence picks out Sam Cook on the rope. Walter, I think, runs over to pat Lawrence on the back as he wanders away for 125. Surrey 367-6 trail Essex by 42. Joe Root has purred into the 90s at Headingley, and is currently leaning on his bat with crossed legs at the non-striker’s end watching Tom Clark bustle in to George Hill. Yorks 374-5. Kent and Lancs are still going – just. Kent 160-7, Lancs 95-6. Yorkshire have lost a wicket, but it’s not Root. Revis is a second wicket for Coles, caught at stomach level at first slip. Root (79) waves for new gloves – all part of the new-season workout. Dan Lawrence bashes Shane Snater for four, pinpoint straight back past his boots as Surrey crack along – but, from nowhere, Ben Foakes is bowled by Matt Critchley from one that crept through. Surrey 341-5, trail Essex by 68. George Bell and Michael Jones are putting together a rescue act for Lancs in the north east, almost doubling the score after they came together. Lancs 72-6, the lead 147. Steps over the bearpit of the nineties to scamper two and reach his second century of the season. Such flair too. He gets a huge round of applause, and takes off his maroon helmet and acknowledges the crowd. He’s such a great player to watch, I still remember him the thrill (and danger) of him peppering the boundary at Blackpool for Essex three years ago. Kent are down to the tail. Olly Hannon-Dalby has removed DBD (30), and Tom Taylor (4-29) Joey Evison (23). Six wickets down, they need 132 to make Worcestershire bat again. The Oval announcer counts out a second batting point for Surrey, as Ben Foakes oils his wrists and flicks Noah Thain away for four. Root has 66, which is briefly pleasing. Yorkshire 317-6. Surrey have started to put their foot down after lunch, Lawrence is approaching three figures. Essex politely ask if the ball might be out of shape – but are duly dismissed. DIVISION ONE Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 440 v Leicestershire 315-2 Trent Bridge: Notts 279 and 58-0 v Warwickshire 459 The Oval: Surrey 271-4 v Essex 409 Headingley: Yorkshire 300-4 v Sussex 502 DIVISION TWO The County Ground: Derbyshire 206-5 v Gloucestershire 498 Riverside: Durham 295 v Lancashire 370 and 53-5 New Road: Worcestershire 447 v Kent 196 and 103-4 Lunch (pie and mash) at The Oval, and around the grounds, scores to follow. At CLS, Marcus Harris is as usual Lancashire’s top-scorer, but unfortunately he only made 12. Lancs 52-5. Potts 3-14. Lancashire’s lead is just 128. I’ve learnt from Bruce Talbot, sitting next to me, that Sussex aren’t allowed to sign any loan player as part of their financial pact with the ECB. With Dom Goodman and Sean Hunt injured, and not back for this block of matches, and Tom Price also possibly injured up at Headingley, this leaves them somewhat bowler short. Some life at The Oval, where Dan Lawrence has just pounded Sean Snater for six. Root purrs into the season, with fifty in his first innings. Yorks 289-4. Crawley, however, is out. A flamboyant drive his downfall, for a hard-fought 31. Kent 82-4. After being stranded on 99 for a good 15 minutes, Sibley sprints a single to his first hundred of the year – from 281 balls.It’s the 27th f-c century of his career and will taste sweet after scores of 25, 27, 4 and 32 . He gets a generous round of applause from the crowd and a cuddle from Dan Lawrence. Ah, I hope he enjoyed that applause as he’s now out, off a brutish ball from Cook, that climbs up and brushes the bat, for 101. YJB comes and goes, props forward to James Coles and is bowled through the gate. Middle stump flat. He turns on his heel and picks up a bail and chucks it away in disgust. A second Yorkshire centurion at Headingley, but not for long, caught behind off Henry Crocombe for 101. YJB bristles out to join Joe Root, who has already eased his way to 36, with five fours. Haseeb Hameed hasn’t had a fruitful start to the season, but he’s 11 not out in Notts’ second innings – 22-0. Fellow out-of-England-favour opener Dom Sibley has moved onto 99 at The Oval... Zak Crawley may carry his bat at this rate – a third wicket for Tom Taylor, Muyeye lbw for four. Kent 38-3 “May I just say that it’s nice to see Glos playing properly,” writes Andrew Benton. “Its been a tough past three weeks! The new additions are clearly now starting to settle in.” This is their best match, for sure. Will Williams now has two wickets to go with yesterday’s 98. Martin Andersson (17) and Wayne Madsen (65) the Derbyshire men out this morning. Derbyshire 173 for five, 325 behind Glos. Lancashire too are having a tricky start to their second innings – 16 for two up at CLS. Balderson and Jennings the men out, Harris trudges out in familiar role. Replacement Minto took one of the wickets. Crawley is still in at New Road, but Northeast is out – a second wicket for Tom Taylor. Kent 34-2 and in deep trouble. Cook and Porter to winkle out an immovable object (84) and his sidekick (56). The crowd are slowly settling into their Oval seats. Surrey 226-3. Kent are batting again and Zak Crawley has whizzed along to 14, although he’s just lost his opening partner, Ben Compton’s injury replacement, Ben Dawkins. Kent 20-1. A second wicket for Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Finlay Bean for a cracking 105.And now what Headingley has been waiting for – Joe Root. Enough to get Ollie Robinson licking his lips. Yorkshire 200-2, 302 behind Sussex. Thanks to Tim Maitland who has an eye on the Headingley stream. “Lengthy stoppage after the first ball of the day at Headingley, after Tom Price injured an ankle fielding on the boundary.” Lawrence tucks into Simon Harmer, muscling him to the rope to reach fifty off 74 balls. I read a moving interview with Chris Smith, brother of Robin, by Nick Hoult yeseterday. One for your elevenses if you are a subscriber, otherwise here is a short extract. “For the last period of 17 years I tried to straighten him [Robin] out. In my office there is a photo of him raising his bat having scored a century at Old Trafford with Ian Healy standing behind him in the 1989 Ashes Test [Robin scored 143, the next highest England score was 39 by Neil Foster]. He often asked me: ‘Why do you have that photo in your office and it is the only one?’ “I said: ‘I have it on my wall because I want the photo to remind me every day of what you were like at the height of your career and I will try every day to get you back there.’” The players are out at The Oval, milky blue skies and short shadows. Essex have opened with Simon Harmer and Noah Thain, hoping to chip out one of these two before they take the new ball. Glamorgan’s Mason Crane on being stumped for 99. “It was cool to be in the position [of coming close to a century]. Obviously, gutted not to get over the line but I would’ve taken that at the start. It was tough to know what to do [when nine wickets down], I was wary the game wasn’t really moving but Hads [Ryan Hadley] did his bit. “The start of our innings looked hard to bat, you never know what hybrid pitches are like, a bit unpredictable. Hopefully something happens and it starts to spin but at the moment looks good to bat.” The Oval mowers are chugging to and fro (to and fro) and music from the Sunday church service held above my head is pumping away. Dom Sibley will resume shortly on 74, Dan Lawrence a little more frisky on 38. Surrey trail by 217. Just present your medal at the gate. If you’re not lining the streets, you can follow the day here. And best of luck to previous CCLive! writer Will Macpherson who is running today! An absorbing day at the Oval, where the sun smiled on Dom Sibley, who stabilised the Surrey motorcade with an unbeaten 74 after Essex had reduced them to 29 for two. Ollie Pope also worked hard for his 69, a third consecutive score of over 50, largely disciplining himself against tight bowling. But just after tea Tom Westley brought Jamie Porter back into the attack and Pope popped him back an easy catch. He sloped off like a man made of jam. Earlier, Dan Lawrence was the surprise assassin, polishing off the Essex ininings with three for 18 against his old club. Elsewhere, it was a tale of what might have been. Mason Crane became the third Glamorgan player, and one of eight players in the round, to be removed in the nineties, after being left only with the company of the last man, Ryan Hadley. Crane crawled towards three figures until on 99 he swung at Ajaz Patel and was stumped, slumping over his bat like a fed-up gentil knight. Leicestershire’s openers then enjoyed the generous Cardiff pitch, Jake Weatherald going five better than Crane, retiring hurt on 104. Gloucestershire’s Will Williams was run out for 98 at Derby despite a hurdy-gurdy dive, scampering for a second. He and Henry Brookes (89) had frustrated Derbyshire with a ninth-wicket stand of 191. Shoaib Bashir wheeled through 31 overs and finished with three for 116. At New Road, Brett D’Oliveira gave catching practice to second slip as Worcestershire tormented Kent, kicking the turf in frustration as he walked off for 90. Matt Milnes, hero of Kent’s first innings, finished with four but 81 Worcs had a lead of 245 at stumps. With just two overs of the day to go at Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire’s Joe Clarke paddled Michael Booth (three for 59) to deep square leg to perish for 94, which precipitated a flurry of wickets and left Warwickshire on top. Ben Duckett (62) had earlier been lured to his doom by the part-time spin of Rob Yates. Earlier Josh Tongue’s figures had taken a pounding. Runs galore at Headingley, where John Simpson went on to 136, before holing out to Joe Root, and Sussex passed 500. Yorkshire’s Finlay Bean reached his own hundred as the shadows lengthened. Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson ruined any hopes Ben McKinney might have had of an eye-catching innings, sending his off stump tumbling towards the slip cordon after eight balls. Anderson also removed Alex Lees cheaply, but Durham’s tail, shepherded by Matthew Potts (66), ensured the first-innings deficit was only 75. The new cricket substitute rule continued to raise eyebrows as Lancashire were refused their choice of replacement for the second time, on the basis that Tom Hartley was too experienced to replace Arav Shetty. Lancs had to plump for George Bell instead. Share DIVISION ONE Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 440 v Leicestershire 215-1 Trent Bridge: Notts 264-8 v Warwickshire 459 The Oval: Surrey 192-3 v Essex 409 Headingley: Yorkshire 192-1 v Sussex 502 DIVISION TWO The County Ground: Derbyshire 144-3 v Gloucestershire 498 Riverside: Durham 295 v Lancashire 370 New Road: Worcestershire 441-9 v Kent 196 Good morning and happy London marathon day! The sun is out but it’s still brisk – perfect running weather. For those with an eye on the county championship, we move into day three, which could be a nasty one for Kent. Elsewhere, run-fests may evolve. Play starts at 11am, do join us!