Key events
County caps for Dillon Pennington, Jack Haynes and Liam Patterson-White at Trent Bridge this morning. And it is still raining in Nottingham.
Hello Em Jackson!
“Whilst I’m sure you’re getting a thousand cricket loving monkey at a thousand typewriters sending in their missives, I believe the following would bring the best of cricketing times:
”Three divisions of six – play Home and Away (from Day 1 of season – no breaks for internationals/Hundred).
”As summer comes on stream, T20 Blast starts (groups of 4, H & A – top two to QF/SF/F for Blast Trophy & same for a Blast Shield for the groups 3rds and 4ths).
”50 Over Cup is an FAC style comp with 18 FC sides, plus SCO/WAL/IRL & 11 best minor counties (for 32 in total) and goes 32/16/8/4/2.
Hundred can happen in the summer wherever it needs to be, but the Blast keeps on rolling.”
Come back from the overgrown garden to find Surrey have lost another wicket in what looks like a final-round sigh, Matt Fisher and Rahul Chandar notwithstanding. A 51st wicket of the season for Kyle Abbott, Albert gone for five. Surrey 93 for six.
A 29-wicket morning. Time for some lunch, back shortly.
An update from Luke before he tests the Lord’s lunch.
“Middlesex’s match preview stated that the County Championship format “staggeringly remains uncertain”, so at least minds have been put at rest with confirmation that the current format remains for next season.
“Luke Hollman (42 not out) and Leus du Plooy (51 not out) have batted excellently after Middlesex lost two early wickets and they head in for lunch at 131-2 from 27 overs. They have put on 97 for the third wicket and Du Plooy in particular has been striking the ball handsomely.
“Have Gloucestershire applied as much pressure as they would like with the ball? Marchant de Lange was expensive, bowling fast and disappearing to the boundary equally quickly, going for 32 off five overs. There is a decent crowd in at Lord’s, plenty of people keen to snatch one last hit of proper cricket before winter, and Middlesex will be content with their morning’s work.”
Lunchtime scores
Chelmsford: Essex v Somerset 111-1
Southampton: Hampshire v Surrey 79-5
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire 70-1
New Road: Worcestershire 91-6 v Sussex
Headingley: Yorkshire v Durham 63-3
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 114-6 v Lancashire
Canterbury: Kent v Derbyshire 108-1
Lord’s: Middlesex 131-2 v Gloucestershire
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Leicestershire 122-4
Leicestershire are having a nasty half hour before lunch, now 121 for four, two for Scrimshaw. Everyone prepares for sandwiches.
A beautiful ball from Washington Sundar leaves Ollie Sykes trailing back to the pavilion for 16. Surrey 76 for five and Notts might secure the title by er…. sooner than we thought.
A hacked-off PCA have also released data supporting their position. A survey done pre-season produced the figures below, percentages that have risen since 2024.
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67% of players are concerned about their mental wellbeing due to the current schedule
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72% believe the current schedule is not conducive to high performance
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77% believe too much domestic cricket is currently played
PCA: “Structure not fit for purpose”
The PCA have issued a statement following the first-class counties decision to retain the 14-match Championship. The PCA’s player’s committee, chair Olly Hannon-Dalby and Chief Exec Daryl Mitchell, worked alongside the county chairs during the consultation period.
PCA Chair, Olly Hannon-Dalby, said:
“The players voice on the schedule has been steadfast for a number of years and provided a clear directive for the game to join together to improve standards for all.
Over the past two years, we have seen increasing levels of genuine concern for player health and wellbeing and as an Association we represented this in the strongest possible way. Ultimately the required minimum number of 12 county Chairs did not see player welfare as a priority.
“The players voice must be heard and while we recognise scheduling concerns go well beyond county cricket with a cluttered international calendar and similar issues in other sports, we cannot relent in our ambition to create minimum standards to allow for a safer schedule.”
PCA Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Mitchell, said:
“Throughout the process players have been agile and willing to compromise, initially supporting a 12-game season and then a 13-game option so it is incredibly disappointing the game could not come together to improve county cricket, despite the best intentions of the players.
“Unfortunately, the decision-makers have failed to ensure our premiere red-ball competition remains a standout in world cricket by evolving, not just to meet the needs of modern professionals, but to provide a product that captures the imagination for all.
“Players appreciate the small tweak to the Vitality Blast schedule, however, we are yet to see a fixture list. At the very least, we expect to see a significant reduction in back-to-back fixtures.
“With the continuation of a 14-game Championship season, an indicative schedule for 2026 we have seen suggests there will be two games in nine days following The Hundred, this cannot be acceptable. We now need to ensure the best possible schedule can be created in a structure that remains not fit for purpose.”
Hoppsy with another missive from Headingley:
“With Yorkshire holding a six-point lead over Durham, there was a fear that they would aim to produce the flattest surface imaginable to ensure the draw that would retain their First Division status and potentially send Durham down in their place. It is too early to judge, but Yorkshire already have three wickets, two to Finlay Bean at third slip (Alex Lees and Emilio Gay) within three balls and followed up with Ben McKinney, a keeper’s catch for Jonny Bairstow, to leave them 51 for 3.
“In April, I fondly though that Durham’s batting strength made them title contenders if their seam bowling stocks held up, but they didn’t, and this morning the batting has malfunctioned at the worst possible time.
“There is evidence that creating a draw surface has at least crossed Yorkshire’s mind. Richie Robinson prepared two pitches, the greener one has been overlooked in favour of a hybrid pitch only previously used for The Hundred. Some hybrids prove to be notoriously flat, but it is September, so we will see.
“Yorkshire’s players will be driven to provide a win in Dickie Bird’s memory. Sometimes young players stand in memory of old men because it is their duty, but they were all close to Dickie, as a bouquet of flowers and his famous white cap lying on his dressing-room balcony chair before start of play testifies.”
Sob.
Confirmation from the ECB that the CC structure remains the same for 2026
The ECB have confirmed that the proposal to play a remodelled 13-match, three-group County Championship didn’t get the required two-thirds majority of votes from the first-class counties. So the current structure of 14 games, two divisions, two up, two down, remains.
The decision follows a county-led review into the structure of the men’s county competitions, in consultation with the PCA, which proposed changes to the Championship, men’s Blast and men’s Metrobank ODC.
The counties did agree , via a vote in July, to alter the format of the Vitality Blast to 12 group-stage matches, with counties moving into three groups of six. This reduces both the number of games and the amount of travel.
The competition will also be played in a block before The Hundred, with 2026 Men’s Finals Day confirmed for Saturday 18 July at Edgbaston.
The Metro Bank One-Day Cup structure also remains the same, if CC reduction proposal had passed, the number of ODC group-stage games would have been increased to ten
Luke has his beady eye on Middlesex’s progress at Lord’s.
“Middlesex are out of the promotion race after a couple of rain-affected draws in recent weeks. But the battle for placings and pride remains on, and Gloucestershire have leapfrogged Middlesex into fourth place in Division 2 after beating Northants in Bristol.
“Out in the middle, under pleasant September sunshine, the Middlesex No 3 Josh de Caires appeared utterly bemused to be given out caught behind for 10 off Singh Dale, soon after striking one particularly glorious boundary through extra cover off Taylor. Replays were inconclusive but suggested he may have a strong case that any noise was not bat on ball.
“Luke Hollman (27 not out) and Leus du Plooy (28 not out) have staved off an early collapse, though, compiling a perky 50 partnership to steer the hosts to 92 for two off 17 overs. Singh Dale bowled well: six overs, two wickets, 25 runs.”
Eh, this wasn’t the plan Surrey…44 for four, as a static Ben Foakes is bowled by James Fuller. Hampshire start to clamber the slippery relegation ladder.
Rain at Trent Bridge
But Notts won’t mind too much – a glance at the scorecards show Surrey are not strutting at the Rosebowl, 43 for 3. Warwickshire 39 for one.
A maiden fifty for Josh Thomas
Twenty year old Josh Thomas (England U19) reaches a rapid fifty in his first Championship game – a new face in Somerset’s revolving-door opening partnership. Somerset 74 for one against Essex.
With an hour gone, let’s trip around the grounds, wickets everywhere. In Div 2:
Lancashire’s B-team bowlers (Balderson, Blatherwick, Bailey) are suddenly potent against promoted Glamorgan: 56 for three.
A rapid 55 from Nye Donald has ended courtesy of Cohen, Derbyshire 70-1 at Canterbuy.
Middx 78-2 at Lord’s, while Budinger bashed a boundary-laden 44 against Northants, Leicestershire 82-1.
While Ryan Patel gives second slip some catching practise at the Rosebowl, Surrey 24-2; Warwickshire are being worked over by Mohammad Abbas – who already lost Al Davies lbw to Brett Hutton for 0. Warwickshire 23-1.
Ali Martin looks up from his Australian immigration forms “England discard Ollie Robinson on a hot streak at New Road”. Too true – Worcestershire, whose Championship season has at least be spruced up by the weekend’s victory in the ODC, slide to 40 for four. Robinson four for 23.
A huge sigh of relief from Scott Currie who was the guilty party at slip a few overs ago, as Abbot nails Sibley in front of his stumps. Surrey 19-1.
And a big friendly hello to Luke McLaughlin, who has escaped the Guardian desk for Lord’s.
“Middlesex got off to a handy start after choosing to bat, 29-0 off five overs, before Sam Robson clipped a poor stroke off his legs straight to mid-wicket: success for Ajeet Singh Dale and Robson gone for 14. There was naturally a minute’s silence for Dickie Bird before play, and now there is heavy metallic clanging emanating from the Allen Stand next to the pavilion, which is being redeveloped in typically fine style by the MCC. Singh Dale is getting a fair bit of movement bowling from the Nursery End while Matt Taylor is bowling a decent pace from the Pavilion End.
“Latest score: Middlesex 33-1 off seven overs.”
Even the eternally-cheerful Kevan James is not too happy with the Hampshire’s batting this season – a couple of the younger players really struggling to press on. Looks lovely at the Rosebowl mind you, autumnal sunshine and shirtsleeves as Wheal wheels in. Surrey 19-0.
David Hopps is at Headingley, where Dickie Bird’s death will leave a huge hole:
“It’s hard to exaggerate how fond, and in many ways protective, Yorkshire cricket was of Dickie Bird. The county has marked his passing this morning with a minute’s applause (a full minute – that must be worth 10 minutes anywhere else in the country!) and the players are wearing black armbands.
I downed a couple of reflective beers in his memory last night and decided halfway through the second one that the reason I was so fond of him was that his innocence helped reacquaint me with my inner child. Perhaps others felt the same way.
At the bottom of the lifts at Headingley, going up to the media centre, I realised that was one of the last places I had met him.
The conversation went something like this:
“How are you lad, how are you? How are you?”
“Very good Dickie.”
“Are you still working?”
“A bit. I’ve just written your Obit for the Guardian.”
“Will I like it?”
“Well, you’ll be dead won’t you? So you’ll never know.”
“I’ll have to trust you then lad. Ha ha ha.”
(Accosting unwary passing strangers)
“I’ll never see it. I’ll have to trust him won’t I? I’ll have to trust him, won’t I?”
There must be more fond anecdotes about Dickie than just about any cricket personality who has ever lived .”
At the Rose Bowl, Surrey won the toss and plumped to bat. They are without Ollie Pope, Gus Atkinson and Dan Worrall, as well as Australia-bound Will Jacks and the ill Jordan Clark. But they do have Indian legspinner Rahul Chahar. Liam Dawson plays for Hampshire – who get off to a rough start by dropping Dom Sibley at second slip before he’s scored a run.
A round of applause echoes around the stands at Headingley in memory of Dickie. The sun is out, Durham won the toss and are having a bat. The umpire calls play.
England pack the heavy artillery for Australia
And a left-field choice in Will Jacks. Ali with the lowdown.
14-match Championship to continue
With one breath left in the season, clarity at last. The counties have voted to reject the proposed changes to the Championship structure, so the 14-match, two tier competition remains until (I was told) 2031 at the earliest.
Those in favour of reform needed 12 counties to vote for the new structure, a number they failed to gather when the votes came in.
Dickie Bird 1933-2025
Some sad news yesterday, with the announcement of the death of Dickie Bird. A man without side whose dedication to the game was both tender and moving. RIP Dickie in your white coat in the sky.
Vic and Hoppsy did him proud:
Division Two table
1 Leicestershire 218 Champions
2 Glamorgan 189 promoted
3 Derbyshire 164
4 Gloucestershire 163
5 Middlesex 159
6 Lancashire 153
7 Northamptonshire 140
8 Kent 113
Division One table
1 Nottinghamshire 203
2 Surrey 189
3 Somerset 179
4 Warwickshire 168
5 Sussex 150
6 Essex 150
7 Yorkshire 146
8 Hampshire 142
9 Durham 140
10 Worcestershire 100 relegated
Fixtures
Chelmsford: Essex v Somerset
Southampton: Hampshire v Surrey
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire
New Road: Worcestershire v Sussex
Headingley: Yorkshire v Durham
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Lancashire
Canterbury: Kent v Derbyshire
Lord’s: Middlesex v Gloucestershire
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Leicestershire
Preamble
Good morning from a bright autumnal day in the north, the dog’s belly wet from the heavy dew, sunflowers straining for one last show. Somehow, we’re here again, the final round of the County Championship.
And, as luck might have it, there is (nearly) all to play for. After last week’s umbrella gnawer at The Oval, Notts go into the final round with a 14-point lead, needing a maximum of ten points to knock second-placed Surrey off their perch. Surrey need a win and for Notts to crumble under pressure.
At the other end of the table, relegation candidates Yorkshire and Durham fight it out at Headingley. Ten points will keep Yorkshire north of the drop, while Hampshire, Sussex and Essex also sit nervously with their calculators.
We already know that Leicestershire are champions and rise to Division One alongside Glamorgan, and that Worcestershire play their last match in the top tier.
Play starts at 10.30am round the grounds, do join us for one last hurrah.
