I always enjoy my visits there, but it has to be said, that the Spitfire ground is a bit of a dump!
It's not particularly picturesque (especially without "the tree") and will be less so with the retirement flats going up, the stands as such are mainly geriatric and (as a guess) many have a restricted view, while the open seating is ancient as well. Not enough bogs either
We call it 'quirky'! Great day apart from the result, especially as the rain falls today!
Kent have signed South Africa bowler Hardus Viljoen for the final four games of the County Championship season. A sign of ambition, though it's sad these days how overseas players due to the busy international calendar are here for just a few weeks, rather than being stalwarts of the team all summer.
Essex 60-4, we are 40-2. Need to pick up more bonus points than Essex and Leicester. Leicester would only have got 1. Us winning and Essex losing would the bonus
You would have assumed that such hot weather would lead to ideal batting conditions, and bowlers toiling for hours under the baking sun, but evidently not
Essex 60-4, we are 40-2. Need to pick up more bonus points than Essex and Leicester. Leicester would only have got 1. Us winning and Essex losing would the bonus
I can't believe Essex recovered from 68-5 to 423 all out, as they now look likely to win again. What a knock by 19 year old Dan Lawrence, last out for 154
Having said that the BBC close of play report did exaggerate his score slightly...
Comments
Kent have signed South Africa bowler Hardus Viljoen for the final four games of the County Championship season. A sign of ambition, though it's sad these days how overseas players due to the busy international calendar are here for just a few weeks, rather than being stalwarts of the team all summer.
Glos are 42-2 off 14.0
2 wickets for Stevens.
Nice debut!
Thanks for the update, Len
Dickson got a golden duck
Essex are 42-3 in reply to Leics 258
Denly 6
D B-D out for 65 Northeast 49*
Stevens 121* Billings 86*
Weather forecast good so hopefully can win this although Essex likely to as well now.
Billings 111* (138)
Stevens 135* (157)
5th wicket stand of 247 so far
Meanwhile Essex are 411-9 and 173 ahead
394-4 and counting hopefully!
Stevens 135* Billings 117*
Lead 179. Go mad and declare at tea I reckon.
Having said that the BBC close of play report did exaggerate his score slightly...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/37171055
Billings out for 171
Gidman 55* - would be great if we could sign him for next season but gather that this is probably unlikely