Specsavers Championship, Monday, April 24, 2017

News from the grounds, supporter views and our unrivalled live county scores service

3rd & 7 37yd

INDIVIDUAL 50: ML Pettini 50* (106)
Leicestershire 238/5 (70.2 ov, lead by 232 - 2nd inns) v Glamorgan

by ESPNcricinfo Live 4/24/2017 11:04:34 AM
@Will I think last season he 'only' got two against them, unless he got another in RLODC or t20

by Dave Robjohns 4/24/2017 11:04:27 AM
@John I agree with that. I want to see Hameed in the England team but not if he can't find his feet by the end of June. Stoneman deserves a chance, but I want Jennings in the team as well (at 4?)

by Ludwig Skraff 4/24/2017 11:04:24 AM
200 more

by Kartikeya Juneja new 4/24/2017 11:04:11 AM
- Live Update
Vithushan Ehantharajah at Hampshire v Yorkshire

That's twin hundreds in the match for Gary Ballance. It's the second time he's achieved the feat – the first time being in 2013 against Surrey – and it looks like, given what Yorkshire have to come, that seeing off the first 10 overs of the new ball will be enough. It's just so very easy out there, now. Trying to work out in Peter Handscomb was dropped on 33 – he slapped one from Sean Ervine seemingly straight to Jimmy Adams at point. We're far enough up and away to have struggled to see the ball. Any hints, please send them through...

by Vithushan Ehantharajah 4/24/2017 11:04:08 AM
Ballance and Livingstone for me

by OptaMassey 4/24/2017 11:03:58 AM
How many more before Yorkshire declare?

by Lawrence Payne 4/24/2017 11:02:55 AM
On current form, who should be getting a call from the England Selectors and which England players should be worried. For me Stoneman has had a good start to the season and Hamead has not.

by John 4/24/2017 11:02:39 AM
Stevie Eskinasi is another player and Sam Robson doing himself no harm to open if Hameed and Jennings arent doing the business.

by Yaacov 4/24/2017 11:01:55 AM
@DaveRobjohns did Keaton Jennings do it to Somerset?

by Will 4/24/2017 11:01:42 AM
When was the last time someone hit three tons in a season against the same opposition?

by Dave Robjohns 4/24/2017 11:01:06 AM
Plus as a Kent fan I'd find it impossible to get behind some sort of conglomerate South East franchise.

by Matt Richardson 4/24/2017 11:00:56 AM
There are a pleasant amount of options for the England middle order sticking their head above the parapets.

by NemoUKS 4/24/2017 11:00:45 AM
Ok Gary, you've got enough points for my fantasy team now, so can you pls just let the ball hit the stumps. Thanks.

by Dave Robjohns 4/24/2017 11:00:26 AM
Three hundreds for Ballance in five innings. I just hope the England selectors aren't paying attention. Hands off, he's ours!

by Ludwig Skraff 4/24/2017 11:00:16 AM
The main issue with the current structure seems to be how long and drawn out the competition is. I don't see why we can't maintain all counties but just compress the format into, say, a 4 week block? This is the only real barrier to attracting the top overseas talent. Seems like a no-brainer to me - and doubtless the ECB would find a way to ruin a city based tournament anyway.

by Matt Richardson 4/24/2017 10:59:47 AM
@PaulWilson Agreed! #TeamParry50

by Beth Watson 4/24/2017 10:59:32 AM
That's my T20 chat quota done ;)

by Paul Wilson 4/24/2017 10:58:54 AM
That's a great wicket for both sides chances of winning I can't help but think... going to end up with a very well balanced chase potentially.

by NemoUKS 4/24/2017 10:58:48 AM
Big Bash doesn't compare as each state generally only has one major city. And the IPL... is the IPL

by Paul Wilson 4/24/2017 10:58:20 AM
In better news, McLaren gone!

by NemoUKS 4/24/2017 10:58:18 AM
- Live Update
George Dobell at Warwickshire (222-5) v Surrey

Ian Bell has gone for a very fine 99. Lunging forward to what may have been an arm ball from Gareth Batty – easily the pick of the bowlers this morning – he gave a little outside edge to the keeper. He looks disgusted with himself and the wait for that century – he has not scored one since April 2016 – goes on. He should take some consolation from the fact he has given his side a chance of saving – or even winning this match. He needs his middle-order to contribute now.

by George.Dobell 4/24/2017 10:58:11 AM
WICKET: Lancashire 456/8 (158.5 ov, lead by 287 - 2nd inns) v Somerset
R McLaren c Elgar b Gregory 45 (123) Partnership: 77 (27.4 ov)
L Gregory 30.5-6-73-4 SD Parry 43* (94)

by ESPNcricinfo Live 4/24/2017 10:58:04 AM
I don't know, you go away for a day and Yorkshire collapse twice. Fortunately Ballance seems to have restored normal business today.

by Ludwig Skraff 4/24/2017 10:57:56 AM
I can probably cover the arguments in favour, which are basically "it's not for you, you're not supposed to like it". It's meant to be attractive to new fans, children especially, rather than the often fairly boozy atmosphere at the current T20 blast. It's also built for television coverage. On paper, I don't actually think it's a terrible idea, I just don't trust the ECB to organise and schedule it...

by NemoUKS 4/24/2017 10:57:54 AM
@PaulWilson Sounds perfectly sensible, without destroying the wonderful county structure we have

by Beth Watson 4/24/2017 10:57:43 AM
@BethWatson Everyone is seeing the $$$ in their eyes. I see it simly (and I would think profitably): 2 divisions, promotion/relegation, and 4 overseas slots per team (maybe only for top division teams)

by Paul Wilson 4/24/2017 10:56:59 AM
Here's hoping that Surrey can push for the win.

by John 4/24/2017 10:56:43 AM
wow the nineties seem a real struggle this season

by Lawrence Payne 4/24/2017 10:56:22 AM
@PT1079 Are you a county cricket follower PT? I've not heard many arguments from fans in favour so would be interested to know your view

by Beth Watson 4/24/2017 10:56:20 AM
@BethWatson 3 years is a long time...i really can't see how they can fill grounds with all these new fans that currently have little or no interest in cricket whilst simultaneously alienating the existing hardcore...despite the millions of reserves they've accumulated...TV and Sponsors won't be interested in empty grounds

by Russell Chapman 4/24/2017 10:56:16 AM
Oh Ian

by Will 4/24/2017 10:56:10 AM
WICKET: Warwickshire 222/5 (72.1 ov, lead by 117 - 2nd inns) v Surrey
IR Bell c †Foakes b Batty 99 (162) Partnership: 75 (19.3 ov)
GJ Batty 15.1-2-28-1 TR Ambrose 31* (64)

by ESPNcricinfo Live 4/24/2017 10:55:39 AM
On the 'positive' side, I did think the Kia Super League was really quite good. Took my non-cricket watching fiance and she had a good day out. I don't like the new ideas much, but if they carry through I won't be taking my ball home and refusing to watch.

by NemoUKS 4/24/2017 10:55:35 AM
Hmmm. Clearly I'm not a sensible cricket fan. I'm looking forward to the new T20 structure. Should have happened years ago - we've been beaten to it by the IPL and Big Bash

by PT1079 4/24/2017 10:55:26 AM
@NemoUKS And for the counties not involved, do you want some compensation or do you want to go to the wall?

by Beth Watson 4/24/2017 10:55:24 AM
As much as I admire and approve of the resistance from Kent, Essex and Surrey, it seems a little bit like voting for the wind to change direction. Minds are made up.

by Kieran Layer 4/24/2017 10:55:19 AM
@Paul Wilson Not worth recovering the whoel argument, but at this stage there are no 'options' on the table - it's regional T20 from 2020 Y/N as the vote

by NemoUKS 4/24/2017 10:54:22 AM
@nickcricket See off the new ball then think about it

by Paul Wilson 4/24/2017 10:54:21 AM
@PaulWilson Think any sensible cricket fan agrees with you Paul

by Beth Watson 4/24/2017 10:54:18 AM
@JoeTompkins Thanks Joe, missed that :)

by Beth Watson 4/24/2017 10:53:46 AM
City based tournament (which confusingly will have a county or two in it) will not work in the UK

by Paul Wilson 4/24/2017 10:53:37 AM
I still think a 2 division T20 tournament with all the counties is the best bet

by Paul Wilson 4/24/2017 10:53:13 AM
@BethWatson Essex are confirmed as voting against

by Joe Tompkins 4/24/2017 10:53:11 AM
Yorkshire have scored at 5.5 in the last 10 overs will no risk so what target could the leave?

by nickcricket 4/24/2017 10:52:56 AM