Lancashire teenager Rocky Flintoff made 32 on his first-class debut but Jordan Clark’s four-wicket haul put Surrey on top after the opening day at the Kia Oval.
On a day where his fellow 16-year-olds learned their GCSE results, Flintoff, the son of talismanic former England captain Andrew, became Lancashire’s youngest player in the Vitality County Championship.
Flintoff, who has shone at England age-group and Lancashire second-team level already this summer, was dropped at third slip on 13 but could not capitalise after flashing Clark to Sai Sudharsan at point.
A brilliant catch at backward point by Sai Sudharsan!! 🤯
🤎 | #SurreyCricket https://t.co/vLPSk9ojGv pic.twitter.com/imSFqiKOSH
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) August 22, 2024
Clark earlier castled opener Luke Wells then claimed two-in-two to claim four for 57 as Lancashire were all out for 204 before Surrey openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley put on an unbroken 83 before stumps.
Captain Burns ended the day on an unbeaten 44, with Sibley on 37 not out for the Division One leaders, who paid tribute to their late former batter Graham Thorpe with a minute’s silence before play.
Durham openers Alex Lees and Ben McKinney both registered hundreds as Nottinghamshire’s bowlers were put to the sword at Chester-le-Street.
Lees thumped 145 and McKinney 121 as Durham racked up 393 for five. Olly Stone, released by England to play for Nottinghamshire, went at nearly six an over as he conceded 87 from 15.2 wicketless overs.
ALEX LEES!!
First-class century number 1️⃣5️⃣ for Durham & his third this season!! #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/dIgJ02cceq
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) August 22, 2024
Joe Leach’s six-wicket haul put Worcestershire in charge against Kent in the battle of the bottom two Division One clubs at New Road.
After Tawanda Muyeye’s breezy 56, basement-side Kent lost 10 wickets for 98 runs as they were all out for 171 before Worcestershire closed on 137 for two, with opener Gareth Roderick unbeaten on 53.
Jacob Bethell’s 60 not out and Michael Burgess’ unbeaten 63 helped Warwickshire recover from 165 for six to 277 without further loss at Edgbaston.
There was frustration all round at the Utilita Bowl as rain meant no play was possible between Hampshire and Essex, both of whom need a win to realistically keep their faint title hopes in tact.
A much-needed, composed half-century by Tom Alsop. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/FdXdkjRm4u
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) August 22, 2024
Division Two leaders Sussex were grateful for Tom Alsop’s 84 not out after opener Daniel Hughes’ 53 against fellow promotion-hopefuls Yorkshire at Scarborough.
Aside from Alsop and Hughes, no other Sussex batter passed 16 in their total of 187 for nine as Matthew Revis collected three wickets, with Ben Coad and Jordan Thompson each claiming a couple each.
Derbyshire seamer Zak Chappell took six for 47 as Glamorgan were rolled for 168 – although the Welsh side did well to fight back from 32 for six at one stage at Derby.
𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 | Chappell stars on first day as Derbyshire dominate.
Read ⤵️
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) August 22, 2024
Some lower order resilience, led by Timm Van Der Gugten’s unbeaten 46, stunted Derbyshire’s charge although the hosts remain in pole position after closing on 119 for two, with Harry Came 58 not out.
Ian Holland amassed 104 and Rehan Ahmed 60 off just 75 balls to underpin Leicestershire’s 291 for seven against Gloucestershire at Bristol.
Toby Roland-Jones’ three for 34 helped Middlesex reduce Northamptonshire to 167 for seven on a rain-affected day where just 44.4 overs were possible at Merchant Taylors’ School.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here