Spoilt for choice with live streaming.

 Posted by Tony Hutton

The first round of County Championship matches were somewhat interrupted by the Arctic winter weather, which saw many of the games affected by snow showers of varying strengths. However cricket enthusiasts were certainly spoilt for choice, despite not being allowed entry to any of the grounds, due to the excellent live streaming from each and every game.

Headingley under a light covering of snow which ended play early on day three.

Immediate interest locally centred on the action between Yorkshire and Glamorgan at Headingley and Nottinghamshire and Durham at Trent Bridge. Having put Glamorgan in to bat Yorkshire were not able to take advantage of early successes which reduced the visitors to 132-7 and were put to the sword by tailenders Douthwaite, Van der Gugten and Hogan who all made fifties. A final score of 330 all out was far more than anticipated earlier.

Yorkshire's reply was one of fits and starts with Adam Lyth making the only fifty as all Glamorgan's regular bowlers shared the wickets to dismiss them for only 193. Yorkshire were handicapped in the field for a second time by the perennial problem of two pace bowlers, Coad and Fisher, being absent with injuries and Glamorgan, despite the snow interruptions, were able to fill their boots.

The highlights on the last morning being a century from Billy Root, achieved against his elder brother's bowling, and another century from captain Chris Cooke. The home side were never in with a chance of chasing the daunting target of 379 to win, but managed to bat out for a draw with the consolation of another fine century this time from Adam Lyth.

Billy and Joe Root.

Meanwhile at Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire were up against it, with Durham in the ascendency for most of the game after their traditional poor start (5-2 on the first morning). Fifties from Alex Lees, David Bedingham, who we learned had played league cricket in Nottinghamshire, and the ever reliable Ben Raine, allowed them to consolidate, before an innings of 31 from number eleven Chris Rushworth rounded things off nicely. 330 all out was a useful total.

We watched in anticipation as Chis Rushworth took the new ball, but for once he was denied his early wicket as Matt Salisbury at the other end, removed the first three batsmen cheaply. The lower order restored some respectability of 267 all out, with Tom Moores left high and dry on 96 not out after Ben Hutton had given him good support with fifty. Yet again Durham faltered at the start of their innings. First 22-3 and not long after 78-4.

Dave Bedingham batting for Durham at Trent Bridge.

What happened next was wonderful to behold as Dave Bedingham and Ned Eckersley, (playing as a batsman and not keeping wicket), put together a fifth wicket record partnership for Durham of 254, both players completing excellent centuries and appearing to put the visitors in sight of victory when they declared at an overnight total of 322-4. Notts set off with an unlikely target of 395 and this time Chris Rushworth obliged with a trademark early wicket sending Hameed's stump cartwheeling. However Notts batted purposefully aided by a career best by young Lyndon James with 79 not out to achieve a draw.

Chris Rushworth (Durham)

So with the two local games heading for draws it was time to trawl the other offerings available. Managed to see Ed Barnard of Worcestershire arrive at his first century at Chelmsford to the delight of his fellow Salopian (native of Shropshire) Kevin Howells on commentary at the time, batting in partnership with yet another centurion Jake Libby.

Then it was time for two exciting finishes, first at Lord's where Somerset came back from the dead to achieve a fine victory over Middlesex thanks to a fine partnership between Bartlett and Gregory. Then a little later on to Bristol, where after a delay from bad weather, Gloucestershire beat Surrey in fine style with some splendid batting from Van Buuren with 110 not out and skipper Dent with 91 not out. This game certainly had a few spectators cheering on the home side from the balconies of the adjoining flats.

So despite the large number of draws an excellent start to the County Championship season with hopefully the return of spectators due in the middle of May. Meanwhile the live streaming gives us excellent coverage.