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County Championship 2023

Englandwatch: Bairstow’s return, Robinson’s record and Stone’s niggle

Englandwatch: Rehan Ahmed, Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Robinson, three of the England Test stars in action this week
by Billy Dobson 3 minute read

It was a week filled with draws and drama in the County Championship, with mixed fortunes for England’s stars. Jonny Bairstow was back in action and Ollie Robinson stood out with the ball.

Here’s a look at how those who have been involved in England’s Test squad in the last year fared in the County Championship this week.

Jonny Bairstow: 20* & 0 vs Glamorgan

The most notable performance of the week came at Headingley as Jonny Bairstow returned to top-level action eight months on from the leg break that ruled him out of England’s winter tours. Arguably England’s player of 2022, how the Yorkshireman fits back into the Test side has been the subject of much discussion as a result of Harry Brook’s blistering form. Bairstow was carded to bat at No.5, although the use of two nightwatchmen saw him come out at No.7 in the first innings – he was left stranded on 20 as a Michael Neser hat-trick razed the tail – while a more aggressive approach saw him enter at first-drop in Yorkshire’s second innings. The England man also took the gloves, claiming four catches in the game.

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Will Jacks: 26, 9 & 2-24, 0-0 vs Essex

Surrey’s Will Jacks also made a return from an injury, sustained in Bangladesh in March. The all-rounder scored a brisk 26 in the first innings, before a low score in the second, dismissed by Netherlands’ Shane Snater in both innings. Spin played a minor role at Chelmsford although Jacks did collect two wickets from Essex’s middle order, sparking the start of a strong spell for Surrey.

Olly Stone: 2-58 & 1-60 vs Lancashire

One of the fastest bowlers in the country, Olly Stone picked up a hamstring injury at Trent Bridge in a blow to England’s Ashes hopes, with the Nottinghamshire bowler set to undergo a scan this week. England captain Ben Stokes has spoken about his desire to use express pace during the Ashes, and injuries to Jofra Archer and Mark Wood may open the door for Stone add to his three Test appearances. The pace bowler took three wickets in the match, scaring the Lancashire tail in the first innings and denying George Balderson a century in the second. He also saw out five balls at the end of day four to see his side over the line for a dramatic draw.

Ollie Robinson: 7-59 & 7-58 vs Worcestershire

The performance of the week came at New Road as Ollie Robinson took career-best match figures of 14-117. The seamer ripped through Worcestershire’s top order in the first session, taking four wickets in his opening spell, and continued to put on a masterclass of red-ball bowling as he claimed his sixth 10-wicket match haul in first-class cricket. His performance rather overshadowed the County Championship debut of Steve Smith, who made 30.

Chris Woakes: 3-45 & 2-23 vs Hampshire

The ever-reliable Chris Woakes played a supporting role to Chris Rushworth in Warwickshire’s dominant win on the south coast. Woakes took five wickets in the match, with two quick-fire wickets in the first innings swinging the game in the visitors’ favour. Despite Woakes scoring one with the bat, Warwickshire declared with a lead just shy of 200 before dismissing Hampshire for 97 in a ball under 35 overs.

James Anderson: 0-49 & 3-35 vs Nottinghamshire

Playing his third County Championship game in a row, James Anderson spearheaded Lancashire’s pursuit of victory on day four. In typical Anderson fashion, he conceded a mere 35 runs in his 20 overs in the fourth innings.

Stuart Broad: 2-41 & 0-78 vs Lancashire

With England’s injury worries mounting, there’s a chance that both Stuart Broad and James Anderson could feature all five Ashes Tests this summer, with the former looking to add to his 131 wickets against Australia. The 36-year-old took two wickets in his second spell on day one, while failing to take a wicket in the second innings, bowling as Nottinghamshire’s first change. He also eschewed his attacking instincts to see Nottinghamshire to safety on the fourth evening with a 50-ball three not out.

Ben Duckett: 5 & 8 vs Lancashire

Coming off the back of a century at Lord’s, Ben Duckett will be disappointed to have missed out at Trent Bridge. The England opener was bowled twice by Tom Bailey, including a pinpoint yorker from the Lancashire man.

Jack Leach: 3-15 & 3-77 vs Northants

The left-arm spinner wrapped up the Northants tail in the first innings. He also kept things tight, maintaining an economy of 2.14. Leach then claimed the wickets of three of Northants top four in the third innings, before Sam Whiteman’s gutsy 130* wiped away any chance of a win on the final day.

Dan Lawrence: 2 & 28 vs Surrey

Dan Lawrence looked to move through the gears in his second innings, scoring 28 from 25 deliveries. His fun was put to a stop by Gus Atkinson who bowled the England man around his legs.

Ollie Pope: 26 & 47 vs Essex

Ollie Pope’s second innings record has come under scrutiny while playing for England, but he top-scored for Surrey on day four at Chelmsford. The No.3 was caught at cover for 47 as he looked to bring up his half-century in style. He had a strike rate of 81 as Surrey briefly mounted a victory push before turning their attention to batting out the day for a draw.

Rehan Ahmed: 23, 1 & 0-25 vs Derbyshire

Ahmed batted at No.7 for Leicestershire, managing 24 runs across the match. The 18-year-old bowled three overs, going for 25 runs as Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy safely navigated their way through his leg-spin.

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