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20-Jun-2010

ScorecardDerbyshire allrounder Garry Park took three wickets as the visitors claimed an unlikely nine-run Friends Provident t20 win over Northamptonshire. Nicky Boje took 3 for 20 and Zimbabwe international Elton Chigumbura claimed 1 for 8 in four overs as Derbyshire posted what looked a mediocre 109 for nine with Lee Goddard top-scoring with 22. Despite a pedestrian 37 off 46 balls by Alex Wakely, Northants fell 10 runs short of their modest target with Steffan Jones and Tim Groenewald taking two wickets each.Derbyshire won the toss and chose to bat first, but they lost Wes Durston (three) in the second over when he was trapped lbw by former Sri Lanka seamer Chaminda Vaas. South Africa international Loots Bosman made the same score before departing after scooping Jack Brooks to Chigumbura at mid-off.Steelbacks skipper Andrew Hall then bowled Chesney Hughes for 12 to leave the Falcons teetering on 23 for 3. Chigumbura, who was making his home debut, then caught and bowled Derbyshire captain Robin Peterson (14) before Boje trapped John Sadler (five) leg before.The visitors continued to toil, with Jonathan Clare’s six over long-on in the 14th over their first boundary in seven overs before he went for 14 when he smashed Boje to Hall at extra cover.
Boje then claimed his third wicket by pinning Park (20) lbw before Hall sent Jones’s offstump cartwheeling, without troubling the scorers.Groenewald made four before launching Hall to Rob White at deep midwicket, with Derbyshire only getting past a hundred in their final over.Chasing 110, Northants lost White (four) in the third over when he sliced Groenewald to Sadler, who took and easy catch at third man, as their chase got off to a sluggish start. Vaas – opening the batting – then hammered 18 off a Groenewald over to get them back on track on his way to 28 before he blasted Peterson to Groenewald at deep midwicket.Boje went for four by knocking Jones to Clare at extra cover before he claimed his second wicket by forcing Chigumbura to edge to wicketkeeper Goddard for two. It was slow going for the hosts afterwards and they lost Wakely when he hammered Park to Clare at deep extra cover.Bosman took David Willey (three) in the same position off Park and the same bowler made wicketkeeper David Murphy edge to Goddard before Groenewald bowled James Middlebrook (one) in the final over.

West Indies’ top-three batters controlled the chase of 142, easily securing the win despite the margin showing them earning victory with one ball left

Madushka Balasuriya28-Jun-2024The West Indian top three of Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle ensured a triumphant end to a challenging tour of Sri Lanka, as they anchored a six-wicket win in the third and final T20I in Hambantota to complete a come-from-behind 2-1 series win.Campbelle remained unbeaten at the end on a 30-ball 41 as West Indies chased down a target of 142 with just one ball to spare. The margin of victory however belies the control the visitors exuded in the chase.Taylor and Mathews put on a 60-run opening stand in just 48 deliveries, after which Matthews paired up with Campbelle for a 44-ball 51-run stand. When Matthews fell, trapped leg before attempting to swipe one from Kawya Kavindi across the line, the West Indies were on 111 for 2.With the requirement at roughly run-a-ball, Campbelle navigated the remainder of the chase expertly. The late wickets of Chedean Nation and Aaliyah Alleyne in the 18th and 19th overs conjured some late drama – both dismissed trying to hit out – but some smart running in the final over when just six runs were required ensured there were no further blips.Earlier, having put Sri Lanka in to bat, West Indies got off to the ideal start dismissing Vishmi Gunaratne off just the second ball of the innings, the aggressive 18-year-old top-edging an attempted pull of Chinelle Henry.Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama however responded well to the early setback with a partnership of 55 off 54, before Samarawickrama chipped one back to Afy Fletcher. This was followed by a 25-ball stand of 34 between Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari, but then Athapaththu would also fall, caught excellently in the deep by Shamilia Connell – making up for her drop of the same batter a short while earlier.Athapaththu’s wicket in the 14th over and Dilhari’s (26 off 22) in the 16th – caught brilliantly by a leaping Henry at mid-off – fell at inopportune moments for the hosts, just as they might have been looking to accelerate.Some late blows from Ama Kanchana and Nilakshi de Silva pushed the total to 141, but Player of the Series Matthews and co eventually made light work of what could have been a tricky chase.

Jack Carson unstoppable in final session as visitors run risk of being reduced to a Pulp

Alan Gardner21-Apr-2023Yorkshire 216 for 7 (Bean 49, Carson 3-34) trail Sussex 361 (Alsop 95, Carter 64, Coad 5-54) by 145 runsIn the commentary box during the afternoon session on day two of this match in Hove, discussion turned to popular music. Matthew Revis, an unused member of the Yorkshire squad taking a turn on the livestream, was asked about his preferences, and he put forward Pulp as his favourite band – an appropriate choice, you might think, given their Sheffield roots.Then again Revis, who grew up nearer to Bradford, may not set much store by where Jarvis Cocker and the gang come from, given he confessed to only really liking “one or two of their songs”. Few would argue, though, that “Common People” and “Disco 2000” – both released in the decade before 21-year-old Revis was born – aren’t a couple of proper bangers, and it might be heartening for some to hear that things held dear by previous generations still have the capacity to captivate the youth of today.Can you see where this is going yet?Others will perhaps argue that Championship cricket sells itself pretty well in the circumstances and by the end of the day it was Sussex who were channelling Britpop exuberance as late wickets put them well on top. For much of Friday, the words of another Sheffield troubadour, Alex Turner, seemed to sum up the occasion: “Now it’s getting dark, and the sky looks sticky, more like black treacle than tar.” Drizzle rather than treacle cut more than an hour out of the morning session and ominous-looking clouds continued to scud through for much of the afternoon.In fact, various weather apps and websites declared that it was actually still raining as the players took the field shortly after midday, but any passing squalls thereafter skirted the ground and, with the floodlights blazing into the evening, 82.3 overs of play were possible.Despite the distractions, Sussex produced another fine ensemble effort, though a patchy forecast for the weekend could yet prevent them from throwing shapes. Ottis Gibson braved the elements to watch from behind the bowler’s arm at the Sea End as Yorkshire made a solid start to their reply, reaching 52 for 0 and 136 for 2 – but with Jack Carson taking three wickets, to go with lower-order runs and a spectacular catch, they finished the day seven-down and facing a scrap to avoid starting the season with a second defeat in three.If anyone in Sussex’s young squad can provide the rock’n’roll stylings it is arguably Ollie Robinson, who was making his first outing of the season after being rested on ECB instruction in the opening round. Robinson declared confidently during pre-season that England would “stick one on” Australia during the Ashes later this summer, and looked primed to be the frontman here as the hosts attempted to capitalise on the nibbly conditions after posting a useful first-innings score of 361.He should have had a wicket in his first over, when Finlay Bean tickled an edge straight into the midriff of Ali Orr at leg slip – only for the chance to go down. Bean survived in similar fashion in Robinson’s next, though Orr could be forgiven for only getting a hand to the ball as he threw himself to his right. Robinson has learned to channel his frustrations but the younger version may have wanted to respond by hurling a TV set out of a hotel window.In his second spell, Robinson suffered the indignity of being taken for three successive fours by Dawid Malan, and figures of 9-2-41-0 suggested he was still some way from being at concert pitch. But there was still time during a lengthy evening session for Robinson to return and nip one through the defences of George Hill, bringing a little strut to proceedings – and Sussex’s mood became more buoyant still as Henry Crocombe added another late wicket thanks to Dom Bess’ impetuous hook, before a low-bouncing delivery from Carson accounted for Shai Hope.The initial breakthrough had been provided by Nathan McAndrew, who trapped Adam Lyth in front with the opener looking to leave; Saud Shakeel, the Pakistan batter making his debut, also fell without playing a shot shortly after tea as Crocombe brought a fine delivery back to hit the top of off. Bean, who could have been caught for a third time by Orr when flapping at a Crocombe bouncer on 31, was eventually dismissed one shy of his fifty when Carson found his outside edge and the offspinner had a second when Malan chopped on.Sussex might have built a more impregnable position for themselves but for a lower-order collapse of 4 for 25 against the second new ball. Ben Coad made up for an indifferent showing first time around but striking with his first delivery, ending a valuable sixth-wicket stand between Oli Carter and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, and he knocked over two more in quick succession to improve Yorkshire’s mood.Matthew Fisher was certainly less than gruntled at being repeatedly coshed through the covers by McAndrew, but he had the final word when inducing a tickle through to the keeper. Coad then had Carter taken at second slip for a nuggety, three-hour 64, before removing Robinson via another catch in the cordon later in the same over. However, Carson and Crocombe clawed back some ground with a sensibly compiled 57-run stand that was eventually ended by Coad – whose figures of 7.3-3-16-4 on day two earned him the tenth five-for of his first-class career.

“The last two games, we probably haven’t competed as much as we would have liked”

Matt Roller08-Feb-2022Heather Knight has admitted that England were “mentally fatigued” and struggled for motivation in the final two ODIs against Australia with the Ashes’ fate already decided.England were bowled out for 129 and 163 in the second and third ODIs, losing with 88 and 82 balls to spare respectively. They were heavily beaten in the only T20I that was played in full – though posted a competitive 169 for 4 – and were narrowly beaten in the first ODI, with a dramatic, drawn Test match sandwiched in between.Australia retained the Ashes with their victory in the first ODI and England have struggled to strike a balance between playing their best XI and managing their squad with an eye on next month’s World Cup in New Zealand. Kate Cross (wrist) and Katherine Brunt (side) missed the third game, with Emma Lamb brought in for an ODI debut.Related

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“The last two games, we probably haven’t competed as much as we would have liked,” Knight said. “We’ve been a little bit fatigued and not quite us as a side, to be honest.”It’s been a really good series, particularly the start of the Test match and a few really tight games where we went toe-to-toe with Australia but couldn’t quite win those big moments and be ruthless in finishing off games. We put ourselves in opportunities to win matches but weren’t quite able to get it over the line.”[It was an] unbelievable Test match to be involved in – absolutely brilliant. I was proud of the girls how they went about it, but I think mentally it probably took a little bit out of us. It’s the same for both teams and Australia were able to turn it around for those ODIs.”But yeah, I do think the last two games we’ve probably been a bit mentally fatigued – [we’ve had] a couple of injuries kicking around and a few people we’ve had to test a little bit with our eyes on the World Cup. That’s played a part too.”England’s opening World Cup fixture is also against Australia – in Hamilton on March 5 – and their winless run against them in ODIs now extends to six games after consecutive 3-0 defeats in the 50-over leg of Ashes series.Knight insisted that her team had “not become a bad side” and that the opportunity to regain physical and mental freshness before the start of that tournament meant the Ashes result would have little bearing on the World Cup opener.”I don’t think the last two games matter too much,” she said. “Mentally, we found it hard to stay up with the Ashes already gone. Obviously that was our aim. But I believe we can beat Australia on our day, if we get our batting and bowling together, be a little bit more ruthless – but 100 percent believe we’ve got the players to compete in that first game, and it’s a one-off game. It shouldn’t really matter too much.”[This series] was very different to 2019 I think. Our belief and mentality has been totally different. I think we’ve gone toe-to-toe and tried to go at Australia, which I think is a good strategy against them. But we haven’t been able to be quite ruthless [enough] in those big moments and they’re the sort of team that don’t give you too many chances, so when you’re on top you have to nail it down.”We haven’t become a bad side after this Ashes. We have to reassess and go again. [We’ll be] ready for the World Cup and hopefully gain some mental freshness and freshen up physically as well.”

“CSK is CSK is because of the relationship between the owners and the captain”

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2020Gautam Gambhir believes that despite the Chennai Super Kings enduring its poorest season in IPL history this time in the UAE, the franchise will retain MS Dhoni as their captain in 2021 because of the “fabulous relationship” they share.”You’re putting me in a fix. Now that’s a tough question. It up to the franchise. What he has done for the franchise and how the franchise actually deals with MS and treats MS is a fabulous relationship,” Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo in response to a question on the leadership of the Super Kings after a season where they could well end up finishing bottom of the table. “And that is how every franchise should deal with their captain, who has delivered for them.”Dhoni’s future as player and as captain have come under severe scrutiny after the Super Kings became the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs’ race this IPL despite starting with a victory over defending champions the Mumbai Indians. They have since lost eight games and won just three more. And Dhoni is among several senior batsmen who have struggled to find form.Gambhir felt that the relationship Dhoni and the Super Kings have developed since the inaugural season (2008), when he was bought by the franchise and appointed captain, was a unique one. And the “mutual respect” they shared, Gambhir pointed out, was the reason the Super Kings have been one of the most successful teams in the IPL – three titles (only behind the Mumbai Indians’ four) in addition to winning the Champions League T20 twice.”MS has won them three [IPL] trophies, couple of Champions Leagues, he has made them one of the top successful sides in the IPL after Mumbai Indians,” Gambhir said. “So CSK saying they are going to continue with MS – it is just the relationship, it is just the mutual respect. That’s why MS has been so loyal (to the Super Kings). That’s why MS has given everything: heart and soul, his sweat, sleepless nights – I’m sure he must have had sleepless nights while he has continued captaining CSK.”I know people talk about that you should not be emotional, but then there is a connect. You’ve got to appreciate what the captain or a player has done for your franchise, how much hard work he has put in, because it is not easy being the captain of any franchise and that also for a such a long period of time.”The Super Kings management has said that Dhoni would be retained at the next mega auction, which is likely to be pushed to 2022 with the 2021 IPL scheduled to begin next April. There is a likelihood of a mini auction taking place, but Gambhir was confident that Dhoni’s position was not in doubt for 2021.”He deserves that much of appreciation from the owners,” Gambhir said. “I keep saying that why CSK is CSK is because of the relationship between the owners and the captain. They have given all the freedom to MS, and MS has received all the mutual respect from the owners as well.”So I would not be surprised if they continue with MS and MS plays till the time he wants to play. And then next year he still continues to be the captain and have a much different squad than what he has this time around.”

Mark Adair claims four-wicket haul and adds crucial runs as Craig Ervine’s ton for Zimbabwe goes in vain

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jul-2019Andy Balbirnie’s fifth ODI hundred set up a successful chase as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first encounter of their three-match series. Balbirnie fell with 26 still needed but Mark Adair, who had earlier claimed 4 for 73, struck 21 from 13 balls to seal victory with an over and a half to spare.Zimbabwe’s 254 for 9 had been built around a century from Craig Ervine, but he received little support from the rest of the top order and it took an unbeaten 49 from 42 balls by No. 8 Ryan Burl to get them up to a competitive total.”Zimbabwe are a good team but I thought the Zimbabwe score was about par or a bit below, as the outfield was very quick and it was as good a wicket as I’ve played on here,” Balbirnie said. “I think looking ahead we can learn from last series against Afghanistan when we went one up and then we didn’t perform in the second. We’ll be desperate to train well and put in another good performance in the next ODI.”Morning rain had led to a delayed start, and Adair then struck twice in the opening Powerplay to send back both Zimbabwe openers. Brendan Taylor became the maiden ODI wicket for debutant Shane Getkate, leaving Zimbabwe 49 for 3 in the 14th over.Ervine found a partner in Sean Williams to post a 55-run stand, before Getkate struck again. Neither Sikandar Raza nor PJ Moor stuck around for long, and after Ervine fell for 105 – his third ODI ton – Zimbabwe were 210 for 7 and in need of some impetus from Burl, who cracked three fours and four sixes to end the innings with a flourish.In response, Paul Stirling and Balbirnie fashioned a century stand for the second wicket, after Kyle Jarvis had removed James McCollum in the ninth over. Stirling struck eight fours in registering his fifth consecutive ODI half-century, only for his dismissal to give Zimbabwe an opening, as Tendai Chatara claimed three wickets in as many overs to leave Ireland 150 for 4.Lorcan Tucker, in his third ODI and having taken the gloves for the first time, steadied the hosts by helping Balbirnie add another 64 runs. But there was more drama when Jarvis removed Tucker on the hook and then Balbirnie ran himself out three overs later.However, with 26 required from 28 balls, Adair and Getkate did their bit with the bat to ensure that Ireland would get home and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Aggressive bodily contact, shoving, agitated yelling, pointed fingers and a shattered dressing room door, all marred the rancorous finish and the immediate aftermath, of the Nidahas Trophy match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Colombo16-Mar-2018Aggressive bodily contact, shoving, agitated yelling, pointed fingers and a shattered dressing room door, all marred the finish and the immediate aftermath of the Nidahas Trophy match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.The shattered door was likely the doing of somebody inside the Bangladesh dressing room. An outward-facing camera caught a number of Bangladesh players racing down the steps in front of their dressing room as bits of glass were strewn on the stairs, the door probably having been shattered in those moments. Match Referee Chris Broad has seen the footage and spoken to some of the catering staff who have named the player they believe to be responsible, but Broad had suggested that those statements could not necessarily be taken as fact for the purposes of his work, and has asked for footage from the outside looking in. Bangladesh’s team management is understood to have offered to pay for the damage.The shoving – or one instance of it, at least – was by a Sri Lanka player on a Bangladesh substitute. The substitute had been on the field to deliver drinks immediately after the umpires had refused to award a no-ball when Isuru Udana delivered a second short-pitched delivery in the over. While batsman Mahmudullah was making an agitated case to the umpires, the substitute had become involved in a tense exchange with Sri Lanka players elsewhere on the field. He was pushed – not particularly hard, but not lightly either – as a group of Sri Lanka fielders followed him closely towards the boundary.Nurul Hasan and Thisara Perera were involved in a heated exchange•AFP

The shove, as well as the umpire’s refusal to award a no-ball, then tipped Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan into a fury. Shakib, along with several team-mates, immediately rushed to the edge of the boundary, where he entered into a heated exchange with reserve umpire Lyndon Hannibal. He then beckoned Mahmudullah and Rubel Hossain off the field, only the batsmen appeared very reluctant to follow those instructions, and ambled half-heartedly towards the boundary as many of the Sri Lanka fielders took their places. Eventually, Shakib relented and play was allowed to resume after the fracas had eaten up several minutes.After the winning runs were hit, the Bangladesh team charged the field, to enter into euphoric celebrations, but more vitriol was exchanged as the teams were walking out. This time it was Kusal Mendis – generally a composed and easy-going player – that was furiously pointing and yelling at someone in the Bangladesh group. Some senior Bangladesh players and interim coach Courtney Walsh were seen trying to calm tensions. Tamim Iqbal was gently restraining Mendis, and later put a friendly arm around his shoulder as the two exited the field. Mahmudullah was also seen taking an agitated Nurul Hasan – a substitute player – away from the crowd, to lecture him.After the match both sides were keen to play down the incident, but Shakib did confirm that it was the missed no-ball call that triggered Bangladesh’s indignation. He believed that one of the on-field umpires had initially called a no-ball when Udana delivered the second bouncer of the over, but had then reversed his decision. Throughout the tournament, all umpires have been Sri Lankans.”I don’t want to talk about it, but what happened was that the square-leg umpire called a no-ball and after a discussion they cancelled it,” Shakib said. “I didn’t think it was the right decision. I don’t know what happened after the first ball, which was a bouncer. But after the second ball, the umpire called a no-ball. We are all human, we should take it in the chin and move forward.There was also an admission that perhaps players, including himself, had allowed their emotions to get the better of them at the game’s denouement. “Many things happened that shouldn’t have happened. I need to remain calm. I was overjoyed. Excitement was there. I must know how to react next time. I will be careful.”What happens in the field should never spill over off the field. To be honest, we are all good friends. We see each other in the Bangladesh Premier League and Dhaka Premier League. The two boards have great relations. We help each other a lot. Just like I would want my team to win at all cost, they would have the same feeling. I am sure that both teams will never let it go off the field.”The ICC is yet to officially comment on the incidents, but is expected to do so on Saturday. The Nidahas Trophy final will be contested by Bangladesh and India on Sunday.

The PCB is looking to build upon the momentum of the Pakistan Super League by hosting a T20 series in the country against a team of foreign players in September this year

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2017The PCB is looking to build upon the momentum of a successful and incident-free Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore on Sunday, by hosting a T20 series in the country against a team of foreign players in September this year.It is unclear currently what the nature of the touring side will be. A senior PCB official said it would be a “commonwealth XI” but a report in the Guardian referred to a World XI.Giles Clarke, the ECB president, and head of the ICC’s Pakistan Task Force, is a driving force behind the venture. He visited Pakistan in January and was given briefings on security arrangements for visiting sides. It was his first visit to the country as head of the Pakistan Task Force and he met with senior officials of the Punjab government to assess the security arrangements. He then gave a presentation on his visit at the ICC board meeting soon after.On Monday, he congratulated PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan on the “successful staging” of the PSL final, calling it a “tremendous achievement”. Referring to the series, he said: “Very well played. We will be there in September.”According to the Guardian, the team that will visit Pakistan is expected to assemble in Dubai on September 17 before flying to Lahore for the matches on September 22, 23, 28 and 29.Among the international players to play in the PSL final were Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Chris Jordan and Morne van Wyk, who travelled in bullet-proof buses to the ground amid high security.Sammy, who captained Peshawar Zalmi to a 58-run win in the final, spoke in glowing terms about the experience.”To me it was more than just a game,” he said after the match. “When you have not been in a place you always have your doubts. You get different views, different opinions. But I spoke to Javed [Afridi, the Peshawar team owner] and Shahid Afridi and they influenced my decision to come here.”The fans here deserve to see their players playing as they haven’t seen it for quite a while. I am glad I came here. Being here felt like playing in St Lucia, playing in India or anywhere else in the world. And like I said at the toss, today I felt cricket was the winner.”

India Women pick only three pacers in squads led by Mithali Raj for the limited-overs tour of Australia starting on January 26

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2016Wicketkeeper-batsman Sushma Verma was recalled to India’s ODI squad, while Shubhlakshmi Sharma and Latika Kumari were left out of the T20 squad that will travel to Australia for the limited-overs series later this month. Sushma, who last played an ODI in 2014, impressed in the T20 series against New Zealand at home last July. R Kalpana, the wicketkeeper, who made her international debut in the same series, also found a place in the ODI squad.Thirush Kamini and Niranjana Nagarajan were picked in the T20I squad, while allrounder Deepti Sharma was dropped from the ODI squad, but made the cut for the T20I squad. Surprisingly, only three pacers were picked in both squads that will be led by Mithali Raj.With just two wins in nine matches, India head into the three-match ODI series placed seventh in the ICC Women’s Championship table. While the top four teams gain direct entry to the Women’s World Cup in 2017, the bottom four teams will play with four qualifiers to determine the four remaining spots.India will kick off the tour with the T20s starting on Australia Day (January 26) at the Adelaide Oval. All three T20Is will be double-headers, with the men’s game following soon after.This is the first tour for the India women’s team since becoming fully professional following the awarding of contracts by the BCCI in November.ODI squad: Mithali Raj (capt), Jhulan Goswami (vice-capt), Smriti Mandhana, Thirush Kamini, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Niranjana Nagarajan, Sushma Verma, Ravi Kalpana (wk), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Raut, Poonam Yadav, Sneh Rana.T20I squad: Mithali Raj (capt), Jhulan Goswami (vice-capt), Smriti Mandhana, Thirush Kamini, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Niranjana Nagarajan, Sushma Verma (wk), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Vellaswamy Vanitha, Anuja Patil, Deepti Sharma.

Once Somerset had avoided the follow on with their penultimate pair at the crease, a draw was the only realistic result

Ivo Tennant at Taunton31-May-2013
ScorecardJames Hildreth scored his first Championship ton of the season•PA Photos

Once Somerset had avoided the follow on with their penultimate pair at the crease, a draw was the only realistic result. Yorkshire, who eventually had a first-innings lead of 140, had not the time nor the inclination to attempt to enhance that swiftly once three wickets had gone for 21 runs. Adam Lyth, who never tires of batting in Taunton, remained at the crease at tea and, indeed, thereafter.At least, from Somerset’s perspective, another batsman has found some form. On Thursday it was Marcus Trescothick. Now James Hildreth reached his first century of the season, indeed his only meaningful Championship score, before he was yorked by Moin Ashraf when just three runs were required to save the follow on. Like his captain, he is not as yet back to his very best, but his punched drive square of the wicket, a shot he plays as well as virtually anybody, was in good order.Hildreth, who was on 76 overnight, reached his century with, depending on your point of view, 12 or 14 fours. Two were all run and so do not feature as boundaries in the scorers’ official books and computers. Or, on this occasion, one scorer, as Gerry Stickley, of Somerset, was making his international debut at Lord’s.Craig Meschede partnered Hildreth competently enough until he drove too early at a slower ball from Steven Patterson and was caught at short mid-off. They had added exactly 100. At that stage, 29 runs were still required, but the pitch, effectively a third day one after the rain of Tuesday, was akin to one of Phil Frost’s surfaces of old: all even bounce and of little help for seamers and spinners alike.George Dockrell ensured Yorkshire would have to bat again by pulling Adil Rashid for four before he played on when failing to counter bounce from Ashraf. Yorkshire, then, had two options: to bat out the afternoon or to have a quick thrash in the hope of bowling out Somerset in, say, 30 overs. Not as unlikely as it would seem given Somerset’s dreadful batting this season.What happened instead was that Joe Sayers was caught at second slip by Marcus Trescothick for a single off Steve Kirby, as he had been in the first innings; Phil Jaques padded up to the second ball he faced; and Andrew Gale was leg before half forward to Peter Trego’s medium pace. That was 21 for 3 but Lyth, who continued his fine run of form on this ground by reaching a half century off 106 balls with six fours, hardly played and missed.”It was a boring draw in the end,” Trescothick admitted, “and my own batting is a work in progress. But James Hildreth has been batting well in one-day games and he shepherded the lower order well. The last four wickets put up a good fight to save the follow on.”