Derbyshire's dramatic win launches Bob Willis Trophy in style – as it happened

A humdinger of a final day brought four dramatic finishes. With one ball remaining and the skies blackening over Trent Bridge, Derbyshire grabbed a three-wicket victory against Nottinghamshire, hitting 365 – their highest run-chase in county cricket. Fynn Hudson-Prentice made a superlative 91, assisted all the way down the scorecard with Michael Cohen hitting the winning runs on his 22nd birthday. Nottinghamshire are still without a first-class win for more than two years.

Leicestershire cut it fractionally less fine, beating Lancashire with eight balls to spare. A young side with only two players older than 30 did not balk at a target of 150 in 17 overs. They were spearheaded by the captain, Colin Ackermann, with 73 not out off 41 balls, and helped by Harry Dearden who hit three sixes.

Middlesex beat Surrey by 190 runs late in the afternoon at the Oval. Afternoon resistance by Rikki Clarke and Jordan Clark had settled Surrey nerves but Sam Robson came into the game with two wickets in two balls. Miguel Cummins then had Matt Dunn caught off a snorter and bowled James Taylor. With all seeming lost, Clark was stumped. The last five Surrey wickets had tumbled for four runs in seven overs.

Essex snatched a topsy-turvy match against Kent by two wickets. Struggling at 61 for four, Alastair Cook and Feroze Khushi put on 86 before Iwan Thomas took four wickets in 16 balls. It was up to birthday boy Sam Cook and Adam Wheater to score the 21 runs needed.

Northamptonshire drew with Warwickshire at Edgbaston after Adam Rossington (135 not out) and Luke Procter (112 not out) steadfastly batted throughout the day on an ever‑flattening pitch.

The rain that washed out the morning session could not save Durham as Yorkshire eased to victory by six wickets.

Four wickets in five overs by Joe Leach ruined Gloucestershire’s hopes of a draw at Bristol. Worcestershire made the 110 needed with nearly nine overs to spare.

Just popping back quickly to say, what a round! Victories for the little people (even if the big people were depleted): congrats Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Worcestershire... and Essex, Yorkshire and Somerset too. Well played all for a triffic first round of debutants, positive declarations and brave run-chases. Thanks to you all BTL (a special welcome to the new faces) for making me laugh often. Here’s to the Bob -see you on Saturday! Goodnight.

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I must write the round-up - godspeed Leics and Derbys. (C’mon, you’ve got to support the underdogs).

And Leicester are going for it, I think. 56-1, 94 needed in ten.

County Ground: Gloucestershire v Worcestershire GLOUCESTERSHIRE 267 (Dent 92; Morris 4-52) and 270 (Hankins 69; Leach 4-72); WORCS 428-5 (Mitchell 80, Libby 77, D’Oliveira 91 not out) and 113-2.

Derbyshire need 54 from nine overs. Notts need three wickets. Gah.

The Oval: Surrey v Middlesex MIDDLESEX 347-6dec (Gubbins 192, Simpson 53; Clarke 3-48) and 248-6dec (Gubbins 60; Moriarty 5-64); SURREY 282 (Borthwick 92, J Smith 80; Murtagh 5-47) and 123 (Cummins 3-30)

At The Oval Miguel Cummins has snatched a second as Matt Dun falls for a 24-ball duck. Middlesex need just two wickets!

Jake Ball mows down Mattie McKiernan’s off stump after an hour and a half’s defiance. The odds swing towards Notts once more - 66 needed by Derbyshire.

Notts bring on their secret weapon, Samit Patel under floodlights.

Four matches still in play, each with at least a little bit of something in them.

At Trent Bridge, Derbyshire need 81 in 17 overs in what would be an absolute humdinger of a comeback.

At New Road, Leicestershire need an unlikely 150 in 17 overs.

At Bristol, Worcestershire need another 48, with eight wickets in hand.

And very tense at The Oval, where Middlesex need to take three more Surrey wickets. Sam Robson has just taken two wickets in two balls!

Chelmsford: Essex v Kent KENT 387 all out (Robinson 78; Kuhn 140; Porter 4-107) and 112 (Harmer 4-35); ESSEX 298 (Browne 61; Ten Doeschate 78; O’Riordan 3-71, MILNES 4-46) and 202-8 (Cook 68;Stewart 3-48, Thomas 4-32).

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Northants NORTHANTS 142 all Out (Stone 4-39) and 507-6dec(B Curran 58, Thurston 96, Rossington 135 not out, Procter 112 not out; Bresnan 3-37); WARWICKSHIRE 369-8 (Yates 88, Bresnan 105; Buck 3-64).

Essex dragging out the tension for as long as humanely possible - three needed...

Meanwhile Northants pass 500 - not out hundreds for both Procter and Rossington. Good work gents. Actually, that’s game over! A draw.

A wicket at Bristol! Mitchell out for 20; Worc (42-1)s need 68. Lancs meanwhile are 9 down, Hartley lbw to Ackermann after a 40-min five. And the Derbyshire target falls to two figures.

Darren Stevens thinks the ball is out of shape. The umpires disagree. Essex need six.

And so it grows tense at Trent Bridge; Derbyshire’s target now 100 exactly.

Looks like a draw at Edgbaston. Eyes right to The Oval, where Clark and Clarke have put on 19, Surrey have five wickets in hand. Lancashire should survive.

Arghgh, a missed run-out chance at Chelmsford. Just six needed.

Just 11 needed now and my money is on Essex. Just so you know.

Is it time for the first Lancs-up of the season?

“I note that even Kent had the common decency to describe SAC’s dismissal as ‘adjudged LBW” disptaches Brian Withington. “Should go down with an asterisk in the score card.”

Just 15 needed now at Chelmsford where Thomas has just bowled consecutive no balls.

CENTRAL GROUP

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Northants NORTHANTS 142 all Out (Stone 4-39) and 478-6(B Curran 58, Thurston 96, Rossington 119 not out; Bresnan 3-37); WARWICKSHIRE 369-8 (Yates 88, Bresnan 105; Buck 3-64) Northants lead by 251.

NOT TEA County Ground: Gloucestershire v Worcestershire GLOUCESTERSHIRE 267 (Dent 92; Morris 4-52) and 270 (Hankins 69; Leach 4-72); WORCS 428-5 (Mitchell 80, Libby 77, D’Oliveira 91 not out).Worcs need 103 to win.

Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan SOMERSET 296 all out (Davies 81 not out; R Smith 3-41) and 290-8dec (Abell 119); GLAMORGAN 131 (C Overton 5-38) and 166 (JOverton 5-48). Somerset won by 289 runs.

NORTH GROUP

Chester-le-Street Durham v Yorkshire: DURHAM 103 (Coad 4-23, Thompson 3-16) and 266 (Lees 106; Fisher 4-54); YORKSHIRE 199 (Raine 3-53, Rushworth 3-69, P Coughlin 3-46) and 103-3(Rushworth 3-38). No play today -rain. Yorkshire win by 6 wickets

New Road: Lancashire v Leicestershire. LANCASHIRE 322 (Vilas 90; Klein 3-81) and 206-7; LEICS 409-8dec (Slater 172, Ackermann 94; Hartley 3-117). Lancashire lead by 119

Trent Bridge: Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire: NOTTS 324 (Hameed 68, Patel 63; Cohen 3-47) and 279 (Hameed 52, Patel 80; Conners 3-63, Aitchison 3-55); DERBYS 239 (du Plooy 130; Ball 3-71, Evison 3-38) and 240-6 (Godleman 86). Derbyshire need 125 runs to win.

SOUTH GROUP

The Oval: Surrey v Middlesex MIDDLESEX 347-6dec (Gubbins 192, Simpson 53; Clarke 3-48) and 248-6dec (Gubbins 60; Moriarty 5-64); SURREY 282 (Borthwick 92, J Smith 80; Murtagh 5-47) and 106-5. Surrey need 208 to win

NOT TEA Chelmsford: Essex v Kent KENT 387 all out (Robinson 78; Kuhn 140; Porter 4-107) and 112 (Harmer 4-35); ESSEX 298 (Browne 61; Ten Doeschate 78; O’Riordan 3-71, MILNES 4-46) and 183-8 (Stewart 3-48, Thomas 4-32). Essex need 19 to win.

Hove: Sussex v Hampshire SUSSEX 176 all out (Salt 68, Garton 54 not out; Dale 3-20, Crane 3-23) and 221 (Salt 80; Organ 3-41, Crane 3-46); HANTS 153 (Robinson 3-36, Claydon 3-31) and 150 (Robinson 5-29). Sussex won by 92 runs.

I forgot Derbyshire: 125 to win, four wickets left. I still can’t see them doing this, but I thought they’d be all out by lunch so whadaiknow.

It’s all happening - Lamb lbw for 19 on the stroke of tea at New Road leaving Lancashire with a 119 lead and 31.3 overs left. Croft unbeaten on 45* off 152 balls . Gloucestershire are batting again, 3-0, need 107 to win. Nothing to see at Edgbaston -Northants lead 251 - and an interesting session ahead at The OVal, with Surrey needing 208 with five wickets in hand.

....not out. But Essex have only two wickets left, 31 to win. Ivan Thomas 4-20!!! What more does this game have up its sleeve?

And the very next ball, Simon Harmer dangles his bat and the ball is snaffled low by Robinson. A slip comes in for the hat-trick ball....

Ooof now Ten Doeschate has gone too, lbw to one that kept low, a third wicket for Thomas since lunch: three wickets left, 31 needed by Essex. Down but not out!

A brave rear-guard action by Gloucestershire ends with Joe Leach picking up his fourth wicket in six overs. Worcestershire need 109 to win with 35 overs remaining. Eminently gettable.

Damn! Khushi gone too, for a wristy 45. Essex six down, need 50.

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Alastair Cook is lbw, with just 51 needed to win. No worries, Ten Doeschate and young Khushi will steer them home.

Surrey slip again - 88 for four. Just a reminder, though, that they are missing the equivalent of a team of senior pros, their seven England squad players, Kolpaks Morne Morkel and Hashim Amla, and bowlers Liam Plunkett, Conor McKerr and Jade Dernbach because of injury niggles.

Northants now have a lead of 233 - whether they’ll bother with a declaration? Would have thought they’d have to do it within half an hour to have a half-way decent go at Warwickshire. Derby need to bat out another session and a bit, with only four wickets in hand, Critchley 29 not out, the last recognised batsman.

Chester-le-Street Durham v Yorkshire: DURHAM 103 (Coad 4-23, Thompson 3-16) and 266 (Lees 106; Fisher 4-54); YORKSHIRE 199 (Raine 3-53, Rushworth 3-69, P Coughlin 3-46) and 172-4(Malan 73, Brook 66 not out; Rushworth 3-52).

Essex doing the inevitable at Chelmsford with SiirrAlastair 61 and Khushi 31 not outs. They need just 68, with six wickets in hand. Darren Stevens, your county needs you.

Not quite as much fun as this game from last August though. Essex 114 (Podmore 4-34) and 153 for 7 (Wheater 30*) beat Kent 226 (Bell-Drummond 55, Podmore 54*, S Cook 5-42, Amir 4-48) and 40 (S Cook 7-23) by three wickets

A wicket at Chester-le-Street as Malan chunks a Lees long hop to long-on for a cracking 73. Too late for Durham though, Yorkshire need just 17 more. The stand with Brook worth 98.

Head coach Matthew Maynard on Glamorgan’s capitulation.

“When we reflect on the game we may conclude that our bowling erred on the short side. We were in the game for a spell, but in the end were outplayed.

“The spell Wagg bowled yesterday was really good in a tough situation. There’s some decent elements but not for long enough.

“It’s about learning, raising our standards and being capable of handling it.”

A doughty effort by Gloucestershire - now Jack Taylor and Gareth Roderick dab away at Worcester’s finest. Serendipitously, a Worcester-themed email arrives.

“Daryl Mitchell’s already a legend for his batting in these Pear parts,” taps Rob, “but he also currently has some very pleasing bowling figures as Gloucestershire hang on:

9 - 4 - 7 - 1

“To be honest, I doubt it’s worth reporting in the blog, but they are nice to look at - more like what you’d expect from an early 1980s spinner.”

Rob, Rob, Rob - nothing is too obscure for the readers of this blog.

An email slides in, from Kim Thonger:“Delighted to see that my brave Somerset boys have spanked Glamorgan smartly on the posterior. I’m reminded of my father’s approach to celebrating a cricket (or any other kind of) victory in the late 60s/early 70s.

“He would hop on his mustard yellow and white Honda C90, which had an empty 5 gallon plastic barrel strapped to the rear parcel carrier with an ingenious combination of elasticated roof rack ropes. Then he would set off from Weston-super-Mare sea front, where we lived, on the 15 mile round trip to Thatchers cider farm in Sandford. It was, literally, a farm, long before they became a ‘brand’ and ‘corporate’. Upon his return, a precarious and wobbly journey with a full barrel, my mother would dole out proper cheddar, crusty bread, and raw onions, which would be set out and devoured, with unlimited cider (given to anyone over the age of 7 and breathing) until the barrel was empty or the assembled throng had passed out. Cheers to Somerset!”

If your inclinations are turning towards England v Ireland , you can follow the OBO here where Roy has just been out for 1.

Suitably refreshed, I return to see Essex and Surrey holding firm after pre-lunch wobbles. It has all restarted at Chester-le-Street with Durham needing a fair wind behind their bowlers, Yorkies need just 60.

Vilas out at New Road (Lancs 162-5, 75 ahead) and bravo Derby - oh, as I type that Madsen is lbw for 43. Derby 180-4, 185 to win. That’s curtains I think. Hankins too has gone at Bristol after a valiant 195-ball 69, the Gloucestershire lead just 53 with 4 wickets remaining.

Just grabbing some lunch, back in a jiffy.

CENTRAL GROUP

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Northants NORTHANTS 142 all Out (Stone 4-39) and 415-6(B Curran 58, Thurston 96, Rossington 104 not out; Bresnan 3-37); WARWICKSHIRE 369-8 (Yates 88, Bresnan 105; Buck 3-64)

County Ground: Gloucestershire v Worcestershire GLOUCESTERSHIRE 267 (Dent 92; Morris 4-52) and 206-5 (Hankins 68 not out); WORCS 428-5 (Mitchell 80, Libby 77, D’Oliveira 91 not out).

Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan SOMERSET 296 all out (Davies 81 not out; R Smith 3-41) and 290-8dec (Abell 119); GLAMORGAN 131 (C Overton 5-38) and 166 (JOverton 5-48). Somerset won by 289 runs.

NORTH GROUP

Chester-le-Street Durham v Yorkshire: DURHAM 103 (Coad 4-23, Thompson 3-16) and 266 (Lees 106; Fisher 4-54); YORKSHIRE 199 (Raine 3-53, Rushworth 3-69, P Coughlin 3-46) and 103-3(Rushworth 3-38). No play today -rain. Yorkshire need 68 to win.

New Road: Lancashire v Leicestershire. LANCASHIRE 322 (Vilas 90; Klein 3-81) and 156-5; LEICS 409-8dec (Slater 172, Ackermann 94; Hartley 3-117).

Trent Bridge: Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire: NOTTS 324 (Hameed 68, Patel 63; Cohen 3-47) and 279 (Hameed 52, Patel 80; Conners 3-63, Aitchison 3-55); DERBYS 239 (du Plooy 130; Ball 3-71, Evison 3-38) and 174-3 (Godleman 86). Derbyshire need 191 runs to win.

SOUTH GROUP

The Oval: Surrey v Middlesex MIDDLESEX 347-6dec (Gubbins 192, Simpson 53; Clarke 3-48) and 248-6dec (Gubbins 60; Moriarty 5-64); SURREY 282 (Borthwick 92, J Smith 80; Murtagh 5-47) and 20-3.

Chelmsford: Essex v Kent KENT 387 all out (Robinson 78; Kuhn 140; Porter 4-107) and 112 (Harmer 4-35); ESSEX 298 (Browne 61; Ten Doeschate 78; O’Riordan 3-71, MILNES 4-46) and 73-4 (Stewart 3-24). Essex need 129 to win.

Hove: Sussex v Hampshire SUSSEX 176 all out (Salt 68, Garton 54 not out; Dale 3-20, Crane 3-23) and 221 (Salt 80; Organ 3-41, Crane 3-46); HANTS 153 (Robinson 3-36, Claydon 3-31) and 150 (Robinson 5-29). Sussex won by 92 runs.

Essex having a moment at Chelmsford. 64-4 with debutant Feroze Khushi joining Cook at the crease. Ooof! And another wicket at The Oval, Borthwick tickles another debutant, Thilan Walallawita, into the gloves of Simpson. Surrey 19/2.

“It’s of course a delight to have the live blog but may I suggest just one small tweak that could improve it even further? types Geoff Wignall. “It would be to provide a real time OBO of the Lancs games and close of session scores for the rest. A tiny adjustment, but one that would make everything perfect.”

Not a chance - can you imagine the accusations of jinxing? Lunch scores to follow.

‘Umble little Northants reminding Warwickshire why they won promotion to Division One of Champo last season. An unbeaten 104 for captain Adam Rossington, an unbeaten 50 for Luke Procter. The lead now 182 with four wickets remaining.

And Stoneman goes in Murtagh’s fifth over, lbw, bat upside down in his paw. Surrey 11/1.

Slow from Dane Vilas and Steven Croft at New Road, but a valuable partnership of 48 for the fifth wicket. A patchwork of a lead over Leicester of 62.

Godleman lbw for 86 but still the flood-gates haven’t opened at Trent Bridge. Derby 165 for 2; 200 to win. I would say that they can’t possibly do it, but then I remember that Notts haven’t won a first-class game since June 2018...

Somerset lost their last four wickets for 13. Jamie Overton 5-48.

Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan SOMERSET 296 all out (Davies 81 not out; R Smith 3-41) and 290-8dec (Abell 119); GLAMORGAN 131 (C Overton 5-38) and 166 (JOverton 5-48).

Slow going at Chelmsford, but Essex are so far resisting Darren Stevens’ wiles. Alastair Cook and Nick Browne plodding on after the early wicket of Jamie Porter (last night’s nightwatchman). 42-1 need another 160.

A great read from Rob Smyth:

Middlesex have declared at 248-6, giving Surrey two and a bit sessions to score 313 or survive. Five of the six wickets to fall went to young left-arm spinner Daniel Moriarty, who was born in Reigate but represented South Africa at U19 level in one Test and one ODI in 2016. Fifties for Andersson and Gubbins.

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Somerset have grabbed another, it is an Overton, of course. Jamie celebrates his autumn move to Surrey with his fourth wicket of the innings. Glamorgan contemplate lunch, but it looks a long, long way away, 157 for 7, or (ahem) 299 to win.

They’re back out at Trent Bridge, and Gloucestershire are making a good fist of their second innings at Bristol - George Hankins still there 54 not out. However they lead Worcestershire by just 14 and need to bat most of the day.

“Would it be terribly cheeky,” taps Paul Billington, “to suggest to Charles Seldrick that Somerset get at least one mention in Vic Marks’ excellent dispatches, almost every week? As I type, I am attempting to recreate the “winking emoji” face to show that this is definitely meant in jest.”

Vic wears that badge with pride.

“OK, so feeling a bit left out,” sobs Charles Seldrick, “a 4 for Gubbins at 11:07 gets a mention but wicket fell at Taunton at 11:18, no mention…. are Somerset not exciting enough to be worth a mention…”

I know how this goes, soon you’ll be complaining that Middlesex got the biggest bowl of ice-cream, and got to stay up late.

Will this do as a sop?

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It is now raining at Trent Bridge with Derbyshire adding another seven to the overnight score. Jamie Overton has grabbed a third wicket to reduce Glamorgan to 149-6. And here is cricket being cruel:

A fifth wicket for Dan Moriarty on debut! Gubbins and Anderson - Middlesex lead 278. Wickets too, at New Road, with Lancashire looking vulnerable against the Championship wooden spoonists. Currently have a lead of just 22 with 6 wickets in hand.

Not county cricket but...Pakistan . I was chatting to a journalist who has watched them during their warm-up games. Says their bowling is a match for England’s, especially young Naseem Shah, but their batting is fragile. Their squad for the first Test starting tomorrow:

Azhar A (c), Babar A (vc), Abid A, Asad S, Fawad A, Imam, Kashif B, M Abbas, M Rizwan, Naseem S, Sarfaraz A, Shadab K, Shaheen A, Shan M, Sohail K and Yasir S.

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Gubbins finds the gap to send Amar Virdi’s first ball for four, then cuts his third for four more, as Middlesex start at a trot.

Rainwatch: no play before lunch at Chester le Street, which will be taken at 12.30. All other matches in play.

At Chester-le-Street, it is wet:

News from Australia:

Should you have a subscription, this looks like a great read from Scyld Berry on Somerset v Glamorgan. And this, for Yorkshire fans everywhere.

Good morning from a wet August Tuesday; the final day of the this round of the Bob Willis Trophy. We had one result yesterday, as Sussex blew away Hampshire. Glamorgan are in deep trouble at Taunton against Somerset, as are Durham as Yorkshire restart needing only 68 to win. Essex need 202 in a day, after Kent collapsed to Simon Harmer yesterday afternoon; Middlesex are in a good position at The Oval against a depleted Surrey; and Derbyshire, 126-1, have a chance of battling on a flat pitch at Trent Bridge. Lancashire and Gloucestershire need to bat better second time around and honours even-ish at Edgbaston.

Please do drop me a line with your thoughts, either at tanya.aldred.freelance@theguardian.com or @tjaldred; or comment below the line. The more the merrier!