Summary

  • Use audio icons to choose between BBC radio commentaries

  • Seven County Championship matches on day four in final round of group stages

  • No play in Yorkshire v Lancashire - match abandoned as Lancashire finish top of Group Three

  • Notts and Somerset seal qualification for Division One

  • Warwickshire join them after drawing against Worcestershire

  • Hampshire beat Gloucestershire to claim final Division One spot

  • Derbyshire v Essex abandoned due to Covid-19 case in home team

  • Get involved at #bbccricket

  1. See you again all red-ball lovers on 30 Augustpublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Jack Leach.Image source, Getty Images

    As far as County Championship cricket is concerned that's it now until 30 August when the red-ball season will resume.

    All the places in the three divisions are now booked for the season-ending climax.

    During the meantime, however, there is plenty of cricket to watch.

    In fact right now, there's England Women's final T20 against India - you can view that and follow the live text here.

    England have three men's T20 internationals straddled over the next five days followed by a three-Test series with India which starts on 4 August.

    There are also eight games in the slightly downgraded One-Day Cup campaign for the 18 first-class counties which start on 22 July before concluding with a Trent Bridge final on 19 August.

    And there is also something called The Hundred.

    English cricket's attempt to look for a new audience embarks on 21 July at the Kia Oval, when The Oval Invincibles Women face the Manchester Originals Women, followed by their male counterparts from both teams meeting at the same venue the following day.

    But, if it's only red-ball cricket that really rocks your world, then you have only another 47 days to wait. And we hope to see you then.

  2. Battle for the title commencespublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Each team now has four more games come the end of August in their respective divisions.

    They will not play against the other team from their initial group, but will carry through half the number of points scored in the two matches played against that team in the group stage.

    Somerset have helpfully tweeted how the standings in Division One will look before the first game - advantage them, Warwickshire and Lancashire then.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  3. Postpublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    While much of this week has been about who progresses to the top flight and can compete for the County Championship title, that's been by no means the only story.

    Huge credit must go to Kent, who battled for a draw against Sussex despite virtually their whole first team being ruled by Covid isolations.

    And also to Northamptonshire, who ground out a draw against Glamorgan despite an injury to Gareth Berg and a family bereavement to bowler Luke Procter.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  4. Who's where in August?published at 18:46 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Division One:

    • Nottinghamshire
    • Warwickshire
    • Somerset
    • Hampshire
    • Lancashire
    • Yorkshire

    Division Two:

    • Durham
    • Essex
    • Gloucestershire
    • Surrey
    • Glamorgan
    • Northamptonshire

    Division Three:

    • Worcestershire
    • Derbyshire
    • Leicestershire
    • Middlesex
    • Kent
    • Sussex
  5. How they finishedpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Group One of the County Championship.Image source, BBC Sport

    We have our final six in Division One then - Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Somerset, Hampshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire. Pretty tasty line-up that.

    Notts and the Bears sealed progression with draws in their final Group One games as Durham missed out.

    Consolation for defending champions Essex, whose game in Derby was abandoned due to a Covid outbreak in the Derbyshire squad is that they would not have made it even with a 24-point win.

    Group Two of the County Championship.Image source, BBC Sport

    Somerset's draw at Surrey threw up a thrilling wicket-filled final day but Group Two table-toppers had already qualified.

    They were joined by Hampshire who got the better of a titanic tussle with Gloucestershire, despite Tom Lace's gutsy century for the hosts.

    Matters were already decided in Group Three, although Lancashire and Glamorgan both jumped places due to superior points from draws.

    Group Three of the County Championship.Image source, BBC Sport
  6. Final scorespublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Group One

    Durham (165 & 188-4) drew with Nottinghamshire (328 & 217)

    Worcestershire (447-9 dec) drew with Warwickshire (395 & 215-2 dec)

    Group Two

    Gloucestershire (229 & 302-7) lost to Hampshire (486-7 dec & 56-3) by seven wickets

    Middlesex (324 & 196) beat Leicestershire (228 & 171) by 121 runs

    Surrey (240 & 106-4) drew with Somerset (429 & 69)

    Group Three

    Sussex (181 & 332-4 dec) drew with Kent (165 & 275-7)

    Glamorgan (462-4 dec) drew with Northamptonshire (215 & 250-5)

    Lancashire 411-2 v Yorkshire. Match abandoned as a draw.

  7. Kent draw with Sussexpublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 14 July 2021
    Breaking

    Kent 165 & 275-7 v Sussex 181 & 332-4

    And there's the confirmation.

    Harry Finch's excellent 115 helps Kent secure a draw against Sussex.

    It means Sussex, for whom Ali Orr (119) also notched a fine ton, finish bottom of Group Three, with Kent fifth.

  8. Postpublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Kent 165 & 271-7 v Sussex 181 & 332-4

    Kent content to bat this out now - and that would mean they avoid finishing bottom of Group Three.

    Might not sound a lot but for a county featuring virtually a shadow squad after a raft of first-team Covid isolations, they would be rightfully pleased.

  9. Glamorgan draw with Northantspublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Northants (215 & 250-5), Glamorgan (462-4 dec)

    Rob Keogh's return to the middle has ended any hopes of a Glamorgan victory.

    He helps nudge the visitors into the lead to reach 71 not out in Cardiff - and the two sides settle for a draw.

    Harry Gouldstone finishes unbeaten on 67.

    Northants take 10 points from the fixture, but Glamorgan's 16 points lifts them up above their opponents into third.

    Now the season splits into three divisions, they both end up in Division Two for the resumption of the County Championship season on 30 August.

    They will both have four matches against Group One sides Durham and Essex and Group Two pair Surrey and Gloucestershire.

    Full report here

  10. wicket

    Qadri lbw Hunt 4published at 18:12 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Kent 165 & 265-7 v Sussex 181 & 332-4

    This might be the wooden spoon match in Group Three but it has served up some fantastic entertainment.

    Sussex need to win to avoid finishing bottom - and they have a chance as Hamidullah Qadri goes lbw to Sean Hunt.

    Only five overs remaining, though - and they still require three wickets. Shut-it-down time for Kent you feel. They can't get the 84 runs needed.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  11. Postpublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Nope, they're carrying on... and Sussex will feel justified in doing so.

  12. wicket

    Finch c Carter b Hunt 115published at 18:06 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Kent 165 & 257-6 v Sussex 181 & 332-4 dec

    Harry Finch.Image source, Rex Features

    That's the end of Harry Finch, sadly. But it's a brilliant effort against his former side.

    A great 115 off 212 balls, featuring 14 fours.

    Wonder if the sides will shake hands now?

  13. Postpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Kent 165 & 249-5 v Sussex 181 & 332-4 dec

    Kent aren't giving up on this, you know.

    Harry Podmore has hit a quickfire 20no to support Harry Finch, who's moved on to 115no.

    Kent are harrying along, you might say.

  14. wicket

    Houillon c Ibrahim b Carson 9published at 17:39 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Kent 165 & 224-5 v Sussex 181 & 332-4 dec

    Sussex haven't given up the ghost yet.

    Harry Houillon becomes Jack Carson's third victim of the day but Harry Finch is anchoring this Kent effort on 112no.

    He's the wicket Sussex will be prizing.

  15. Postpublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    There are still two games ongoing as Glamorgan try to force victory in Cardiff against Northants, while Sussex attempt to see off Kent at Canterbury.

    And there's good news on that front for Sussex...

  16. wicket

    Kerrigan c Cooke b Root 36published at 17:30 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Northants 226-5 v Glamorgan

    A late twist in Cardiff as Simon Kerrigan is out for 36.

    Rob Keogh returns to the middle with a black armband on his sleeve after retiring at 15:00 BST to attend his late grandmother's online funeral.

    Wicktkeeper Harry Gouldstone is on 64.

    Still 13 overs to go.

  17. Hampshire win to qualify for Division Onepublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 14 July 2021
    Breaking

    Glos 229 & 310 v Hants 486-7 dec & 56-3

    Nick Gubbins, who hit a brilliant century in Hampshire's first innings, gets the winning runs to put his side into Division One.

    Not bad for a chap who only joined on loan a couple of weeks ago.

    His drive is misfielded by Miles Hammond and goes for four to wrap up the win in a rollercoaster game that swung this way and that.

    Disappointment for Gloucestershire, who began the final round of fixtures second in Group Two but have been leapfrogged by their victorious visitors.

    Full report here

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  18. Postpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Glos 229 & 310 v Hants 486-7 dec & 51-3

    Colin de Grandhomme smashes a lovely drive to put Hampshire on the brink of victory and progression to Division One.

  19. wicket

    Lincoln c Robinson b Carson 41published at 17:28 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Kent 165 & 214-4 v Sussex 181 & 332-4 dec

    It looks like it's drifting to a draw in Canterbury.

    Kent have given it a go but Dan Lincoln departs, caught in the slips by Ollie Robinson.

    Kent need 135 runs to win, Sussex require six wickets. Can't see either happening.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  20. wicket

    Holland lbw Worrall 19published at 17:21 British Summer Time 14 July 2021

    Glos 229 & 310 v Hants 486-7 dec & 38-3

    Surely only a blip? Although Hampshire are making a bit of a meal of this chase.

    Ian Holland becomes the second lbw scalp for Dan Worrall.

    But it's going to be too little too late. Hampshire need 15 runs off 11 overs.