County cricket day one: Somerset v Essex, Yorkshire v Glamorgan and more – live | County Championship

A few more touching tributes to Josh Baker:

By Jos Buttler in India with the IPL: “Incredibly sad news, thoughts and prayers with all of Josh’s family, friends and everyone at Worcs.”

While England Women’s coach John Lewis spoke of her sadness and that of Alex Gidman, assistant women’s coach, who was Worcestershire’s head coach and oversaw Baker’s development into a first-team cricketer.
“It’s really shocking. I spoke to Alex and he was pretty upset about it,” Lewis said.
“He gave Josh his first contract at Worcestershire so he was quite involved with that part of cricket. Cricket it’s an incredibly small world and it’s really sad.”

It’s still raining at Lord’s; rain at Headingley where Billy Root was out just before lunch for 51, Dan Moriarty’s sixth wicket of the season.

a hundred years ago the 1924 season was a day ago – Harry Makepeace held Lancashire together against Derbyshire. Thank you Ken.

It looks right, it is right. Williams strikes ten minutes past noon. Joey Evison joins Joe Denley. Kent in something of a hole at 83-5.

Mascot Competition Result from Ken, who was dutifully watching instead of queuing for a serving of veggie chili: “Lanky won, long neck.”

Lunch results

lunch around as Old Trafford prepares for a talismanic competition.

Third for Balderson (3-35), as the sky darkens further in the OT. Cheers from the Lancs dressing room as Leaning expertly rearranges his stumps.

climbing walls, fire engine, remote control cars, mayhem with an ice cream van out in OT. inside, Kent they had a minor technical foul: Crowley – carried off after three successive boundaries by Balderson, had a flat-footed strike against Will Williams. Drummond then gives George Bell some second-phishing practice. Kent 72-3.

The clouds – and George Balderson – get their reward as Ben Compton is taken by Matty Hurst at low, for 13. Kent 48-1.

And there’s no room for Steve Smith in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad:

This is a fascinating interview by Taha wwith the Championship’s leading wicket-taker, Cameron Steele.

Michael Pretorius joins the party on the green at Taunton, Essex now 52-4. Westley is still hanging in there.

An hour passed – Essex in the greatest trouble,45-3, with Captain Tom Westley who maintained the ship. Kent 35-0 in OT, while Fynn Hudson-Prentice just took out David Lloyd in the Derby. Wicket for Ollie Robinson, Derby 50-2. Billy Root and Sam Northeast recover from the early loss of Eddie Byrom. Glamorgan 42-1. Brother Joe Root and Harry Brooke play for Yorkshire.

No play before lunch at Lord’s.

Brave single from Crowley, who ends up sprawled on the ground at the non-striker’s end after misjudging the arm of Tom Bailey. If Bailey had hit it would have been almost something.

Great enthusiasm under lights displayed by the children released from the classroom today at Old Trafford. It’s not every Friday morning that you get to see an England opener knocking boundaries. Testing there, Kent 27-0.

Essex falls most unexpectedly. Now 35-3, two to Coverton – Jordan Cox is the last out after a dream drive for four.

Raining at Lord’s right now.

And good morning Tim Maitland! “Hi Tanya, hell may have officially frozen over. Yorkshire pick two spinners at Headingley! Apparently they are playing the same track it was used against Derbyshire last week.”

Great Place – Daniel Moriarty and Dom Bess, the spinning twins. We should see them in action today if the weather holds, Glamorgan they won the toss and have the bat. Currently 9-0.

Gadgets

A minute’s silence around the pitch. At Old Trafford, Lancashire won the toss and Zach Crawley and Ben Compton faced Tom Bailey under cloud cover. At Taunton, Essex pulled away against Somerset – or at least they did, Elgar now lbw for five. Essex 14-1.

around the country players wear black armbands in memory of Josh Baker and flags are flown at half-staff. In New Road, they have opened the Severn Suite for anyone who wants to stop by for a moment of remembrance or sign a book of condolence.

The weather here in Manchester is looking a bit bad – clouds weighed down by the wet stuff. But it’s not coming down – yet. Elsewhere, the Met Office promises: “Rather cloudy for many with heavy rain. Rain is likely to be thundery, especially in southern Scotland and northern and eastern England. Nice and warm, although windy in the far north. Bright spells in the far south of England too.

From Gloucestershire earlier this week it was announced that 23-year-old Ben Wells was retiring from cricket after being diagnosed with a heart condition. Excerpt from his letter here:

“I am very grateful for everything cricket has given me in my life, from the friends I have made, the places I have been able to visit and the many memories I have made along the way. Cricket has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. From playing in the garden as a child with my brother, during every recess at school, going to Bath Cricket Club summer camps, playing in all age groups, Exeter University and throughout my time in Gloucestershire, playing cricket has always been my dream and i drive everything i ever did. I could never have imagined that this was the path cricket would take me. I have loved every moment and am so grateful that I had the chance to live a part of this dream, even if it was only for a few years.

“It’s been a journey full of ups and downs, from being out of contract at 18, to being offered a chance with Gloucestershire at 21, dealing with a number of serious injuries and ending my career with my first and only professional hundred on a torn hamstring in this, which is now my last innings; but I will always look back on it all with fond memories.”

Devon Thomas banned for five years

Hello and welcome to day one of the fifth round of the 2024 Championship. Just five games this round – top of the table Essex visit Somerset and Lancashire entertain Kent; while in the Second Division Sussex travel to Derby, Leicestershire at Lord’s in a top-of-the-table clash, and Glamorgan at Headingley.

But overshadowing all this, yesterday’s news of the death of talented 20-year-old Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker. Baker came through the ranks at New Road, a young all-rounder with great potential who last year bagged the victories to secure Worcestershire’s promotion to the First Division.

Worcestershire said in a statement: “His vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm endeared him to everyone he met. His warmth, kindness and professionalism were remarkable, making him a real credit to his family and a beloved member of our team.”