County cricket: Anderson stars as Lancashire win thriller against Derbyshire – as it happened

A picture


Jimmy Anderson peeled back the years with every neat and tidy stride from the James Anderson End, poetically butterflying Derbyshire at Old Trafford.It was a day of high drama from start to finish, with Ben Aitchison grabbing two wickets in the first over of the day, much to the surprise of the Lancashire No 10, Mitchell Stanley, who was still doing himself up and dropping gloves on his way to the middle.Derbyshire were finally set 138 to win, which felt possible, though Caleb Jewell, who has a blind spot against Lancashire, was out in the second over.From then on, it was nip and tuck, until Anderson started his second spell.Just 4.

5 overs later he had four for seven, and had knocked off the bails to ensure Zak Chappell was run out going for a shambolic single,The 29-run victory was celebrated with gusto by the Lancashire dressing room,Meanwhile, Stanley showed just why England are so interested,Tall and strong, relaxed run up, urgent arms, he hit 90mph and proved a genuine threat,Paul Coughlin, on Lancashire debut, celebrated with six wickets, 64 runs and a catch.

The defending champions, Nottinghamshire, pocketed their first win of the season, but they had to work for it,Asa Tribe was out for 85 in the third over of the day but the Glamorgan lower order prodded and poked with great alacrity, especially Mason Crane, who dug in for a two and a half hours while making 39,Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott closed the door on Yorkshire with a bang, with 10 wickets in the match; while Jack Leaning (120) and Tom Price (70) guided Sussex to victory against Warwickshire at Hove, two wins in two for the side that started the season on minus 12 points,Rob Key watched Jamie Smith and Ollie Pope get half centuries for Surrey against Leicestershire on the flat Oval pitch; Ben Compton (114) and the rain helped Kent to safety against Northamptonshire,Thanks for your company for this entertaining round of games.

From Ben McKinney to Ben Compton, Harry Conway to Jimmy Anderson, its been fun.We’ll be back on Friday for round three.Have a lovely evening.DIVISION ONEChelmsford: Somerset 348 and 49-0 BEAT Essex 149 and 245 by ten wicketsTrent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec BEAT Glamorgan 113 and 285 by 192 runsThe Oval: Surrey 520 and 263-4 DRAW with Leicestershire 691Hove: Sussex 204 and 328-5 BEAT Warwickshire 267 and 264 by five wicketsHeadingley: Hampshire 251 and 351-5dec BEAT Yorkshire 177 and 211 by 214 runsDIVISION TWOBristol: Gloucestershire Durham 605-5dec BEAT 175 and 205 by an innings and 225 runsCanterbury: Kent 178 and 253-5 DRAW with Northamptonshire 684-2decOld Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 160 BEAT Derbyshire 374 and 108 by 29 runs.Lord’s: Worcestershire 191 and 253 BEAT Middlesex 183 and 204 by 57 runsWell played Ben Compton! 118 not out.

Daniel Bell-Drummond 36 not out.Kent should also raise a glass to teh weather.Canterbury: Kent 178 and 253-5 DRAW with Northamptonshire 684-2decKent 8 points; Northants 16 pointsThey’re about to start at Canterbury – I’m going to start writing up for the paper but will try to pop back.BTL remains open for comments.Kevin Howells says there will be play at Canterbury, 15 overs for Northants to pick up five wickets.

Handshakes at The Oval.The Oval: Surrey 520 and 263-4 DRAW with Leicestershire 691Surrey 14 points;Leicestershire 15 pointsAnd then there were two.Canterbury, where its raining; and The Oval where its not.A pitch inspection due at Canterbury at 4.45, which is about when they’ll shake hands at The Oval, Surrey 234-5, Pope 69 not out.

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec BEAT Glamorgan 113 and 285 by 192 runsNottinghamshire 20 pts, Glamorgan 3 ptsBy the width of a cigarette paper.Lancashire captain, James Anderson: “We managed to scrape to 160 and it gave us half a chance to get a win.And then, you know, to be honest, in those situations, you’ve just got to keep running in and keep believing that something’s going to happen.A Derbyshire coach, Alex Hughes: “We succumbed to pressure and that was the difference between the two teams.They put pressure on us for longer and ultimately, we were the team to break.

“This type of games always brings nerves – and that’s good because it shows you’re putting yourself in a position to win – but I’m pretty gutted and the lads in there are as well.It’s a lonely changing room when you lose a game like that.”Time for me to cycle home before they close up the Old Trafford box.Back shortly.DIVISION ONEChelmsford: Somerset 348 and 49-0 BEAT Essex 149 and 245 by ten wicketsTrent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec v Glamorgan 113 and 281-9 Glamorgan need 197 to winThe Oval: Surrey 520 and 227-4 v Leicestershire 691Hove: Sussex 204 and 328-5 BEAT Warwickshire 267 and 264 by five wicketsHeadingley: Hampshire 251 and 351-5dec BEAT Yorkshire 177 and 211 by 214 runsDIVISION TWOBristol: Gloucestershire Durham 605-5dec BEAT 175 and 205 by an innings and 225 runsCanterbury: Kent 178 and 231-5 v Northamptonshire 684-2dec rainOld Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 160 BEAT Derbyshire 374 and 108 by 29 runs.

Lord’s: Worcestershire 191 and 253 BEAT Middlesex 183 and 204 by 57 runsAndy Gorvin! An inside edge onto his stumps after an hour and a half of doggedness.Glamorgan 280-9, a second for Patterson-White.Jimmy Anderson’s second spell was 4.5-1-7-4.Poetry in numbers.

And Glamorgan have 240 deliveries to survive at Trent Bridge,In the one Division Two game still going, rain looks as if it going to do Kent one hell of a favour,They’ve taken an early tea at Canterbury,After all that excitement, let’s check in at The Oval, where Rob Key has watched Jamie Smith hit 89, and Pope an unbeaten 41,Ajaz Patel has three wickets -Surrey lead by 18.

Surely trickling to a draw unless Patel can unleash dark magic.In the other Div one match, Glamorgan are having a very good go at sticking things out, 254 for eight now.Crane (24 not out) and Govin holding Notts up.Two wickets each for Hutton and James.Lyndon James a substitue for Fergus O’Neill.

Shoaib Bashir is no match for England’s greatest bowler, who is purring.A super catch by second slip Harry Singh who dives across first slip and swallows it up.And it all ends with a whimper shortly afterwards as Zak Chappell is run out going for a non-existent run.Anderson whips off the bails.Anderson 4-18.

Bailey 2-26, Coughlin 2-13, Stanley 1-41,Derbyshire all out 108,Phew,Old Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 160 BEAT Derbyshire 374 and 108 by 29 runs,Lancashire 21 points; Derbyshire 6 points.

Anderson! A third! Aitchison, who’d picked up a helpful 13, slopes away – Derbyshire eight down need 34,On runs the Derbyshire 12th man in the anorak with a yet more desperate message for Zak Chappell,Bashir and Abbas the men to bat,Jimmy three for six in this four over spell,Enthusiastic applause from the Derbyshire dressing room as Reece drives past the stretched arm of Mitch Stanley for four….

but even more enthusiasm from the Lancashire bacony next ball as Stanley fires one into Reece’s pads.Derbyshire 91 for seven.Yorkshire lose their ninth, Dom Bess, for a battered 49 – hit twice on the helmet, once in the box and once in the thigh during a ball-bearing assault from Sonny Baker and Eddie Jack.Stanley with a new spell.Anderson making magic.

I don’t fancy Derbyshire here…And another!!! Lots of happy roars from the Lancashire dressing room.A Derbyshire sub runs on in a coat and an urgent message.Dal lumps off for 0, lbw to Anderson, who has two in the over.Lancs have bowled nine overs, 3-18 since lunch.Derbyshire 77-6.

It’s a double Anders(s)on! Jimmy Anderson comes back on from the Jimmy Anderson end – and Martin Andersson, horizontal bat, duly edges him to first slip.Derbyshire 77-5, need 61.Oooof and Jimmy’s next ball almost removes Dal’s stumps immediately as he extravagantly leaves his first ball.Ooof, Martin Andersson is dropped by Luke Wells on 14.Derbyshire inching their way, 77-4 – need 61.

Anderson has a long chat with Bailey at the top of his mark, and ushers the boundary fielding along a few metres.Ben Compton stranded on 99, and very happy he will be to remain there if the rain lets Kent escape with a draw.Kent 231-5, following on.Bell-Drummond 33 not out.Nearly time to close the curtains on this run-fest.

Ajaz Patel has his first wicket for Leicestershire – Sibley caught for 32.Surrey, 119-2, still trail by 52.But Jamie Smith has fifty to add to his already bulging runs folder this season.Ten wickets fo Kyle Abbott, Yorkshire, licking their wounds, are nearly done.175 for eight.

Hill sent on his way, lbw for 52.A very happy Sussex skipper Ollie Robinson “It is an amazing win.We were behind the eight-ball a bit after the first innings so to bounce back and chase that target was an unbelievable effort.“The pitch got a bit easier to bat on which helped us a bit but it was still a great effort to get over the line when the pressure was high like it was today.“Jack Leaning and Tom Price batted brilliantly but everyone has made a contribution to these first two wins.

There have been two great team performances but our mentality is not going to change - we try to win every game and you have seen that shine through, especially in the last two days,”Derbyshire creep up to 69 for three,,Came skims four but next ball edges Bailey behind,65 needed.

Derbys 73-4.Kate Cross is having a bowl out in the middle, single yellow stump to single yellow stump.DIVISION ONEChelmsford: Somerset 348 and 49-0 BEAT Essex 149 and 245 by ten wicketsTrent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec v Glamorgan 113 and 200-7 Glamorgan need 278 to winThe Oval: Surrey 520 and 105-2 v Leicestershire 691Hove: Sussex 204 and 328-5 BEAT Warwickshire 267 and 264 by five wicketsHeadingley: Yorkshire 177 and 153-7 v Hampshire 251 and 351-5dec Yorks need 273 to winDIVISION TWOBristol: Gloucestershire Durham 605-5dec BEAT 175 and 205 by an innings and 225 runsCanterbury: Kent 178 and 231-5 v Northamptonshire 684-2decOld Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 160 v Derbyshire 374 and 52-3 Derbys need 86 to winLord’s: Worcestershire 191 and 253 BEAT Middlesex 183 and 204 by 57 runsDerbyshire survive the final over before lunch from Stanley and will tuck into their sandwiches with 86 to get.Lunch scores to follow.Hove: Sussex 204 and 328-5 BEAT Warwickshire 267 and 264 by five wicketsWell played! Jack Leaning 120 not out and Tom Price 70 not out.

Two wins from two for Sussex.Sussex 19 points; Warwicks 4 pointsAnother huge appeal, Lancs think they’ve got Guest, but this time Jack Shantry says no.But next ball, he does get the edge, Singh moving balletically at second slip to collect.Another for Coughlin, who has two wickets for five.Nice little debut this.

Derbys 39 for three and although the target has dropped below 100 – it feels a long way away,Glamorgan’s Sean Dickson, playing because of a hip injury to Ben Kellaway, has only the tail for company now,Glamorgan 192 for six, 286 behind,A huge appeal by Stanley! Both arms, pleading,Umpire Sue says no
sportSee all
A picture

How, not what, McIlroy does, makes him golf’s successor to Ballesteros | Ewan Murray

Levels of greatness need not always be defined by numbers. Nick Faldo’s six majors to Rory McIlroy’s five prior to events at Augusta National on Sunday gave the Englishman the edge in the eyes of many in respect of Europe’s finest ever golfer. That McIlroy had already won the career grand slam of majors, therefore passing every test his sport has to offer, meant he was more worthy of the crown. Those who want to add Harry Vardon and a bygone age to the conversation should check the Jersey man’s scoring for his septet of major wins.It is the nature of McIlroy’s achievement that sets him apart

A picture

‘Disgraceful’: anger as World Aquatics allows Russia to compete under flag again

Swimming has agreed to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete without restrictions under their own flag and anthem for the first time since 2022, prompting joy in Russia and outrage in Ukraine.The decision by World Aquatics, which also oversees diving and water polo, adds further momentum to Russia’s bid to be allowed back for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 following judo’s decision to do the same last year.However, the news was greeted with disbelief by Ukrainian athletes, with the skeleton star Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified from competition after wearing his “helmet of remembrance” during training at the Winter Olympics, telling the Guardian it was “unacceptable and disgraceful”.“World Aquatics claims it can keep the conflict away from pools and competition venues,” he said. “But of course, this does not apply to Ukrainian sports facilities and pools, which are constantly being struck by Russian missiles

A picture

Key gambling reform campaigner calls for pause to controversial affordability checks

Dr James Noyes, one of the key early advocates of affordability checks for online gamblers, has joined calls for Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, to instruct the Gambling Commission to pause the implementation of checks “until there has been adequate evaluation and scrutiny” of a pilot scheme to assess how checks might work in practice.Noyes’s intervention in the long-running debate over affordability checks comes in an open letter sent to Nandy on Monday. It echoes similar calls for a halt to the process by many senior figures in the racing industry, which fears a disproportionate effect on racing bettors with the potential to cost the industry tens of millions of pounds in income if punters refuse to supply financial information to gambling operators and switch to the black market instead.Noyes says in his letter that while affordability checks were “a worthy idea in principle” when first proposed in 2020, his call for checks was made on the basis “a gambling ombudsman would be created to ensure proper treatment of consumer redress and rights”, “checks would be non-intrusive” and “while preventing serious cases of harm from happening, they would not impede the majority of gamblers from engaging in a lawful activity which involves inherent risk, economic agency and their own money”.Noyes, a senior fellow of the Social Market Foundation (SMF) thinktank, argued for the introduction of affordability checks in their reports published in 2020 and 2021 and a number of his proposals were included in a government white paper on gambling reform, which was published in April 2023

A picture

Rory McIlroy hails his parents after second Masters triumph

In a sport filled with pushy parents the McIlroys do things differently: Rory McIlroy had to push his parents to attend the scene of his greatest triumph.Rosie and Gerry McIlroy feared their presence might jinx their son’s defence of the Masters, so they planned to steer clear of Augusta National.They partly attributed his victory at the course last year – a dramatic moment in golfing history that secured a career grand slam – to their absence, which avoided distracting him, and planned to do the same last week.Instead, the world’s No 2 persuaded them to travel from Northern Ireland to the US to witness what turned out to be another rollercoaster victory, climaxing in emotional family celebrations.“They weren’t here last year to celebrate with us, and surprisingly I had to convince them to come this year, because they thought the reason I won was because they weren’t here

A picture

WNBA draft 2026 predictions: Will Azzi Fudd or a Spanish prodigy go No 1 overall?

For the past three years, the No 1 pick has been a foregone conclusion: Aliyah Boston in 2023, Caitlin Clark in 2024, Paige Bueckers in 2025. This year has much less certainty. Will the Dallas Wings go for a big or a guard? How did UConn’s exit and UCLA’s triumph affect the stock of their stars? It’s a toss-up, but I’ll go with Awa Fam. She’s only 19, but her athleticism and pick-and-roll game will make her a strong complement to Bueckers in Dallas. EBAwa Fam

A picture

History beckons for I Am Maximus as Red Rum’s record comes in to view | Greg Wood

Relentless drama, no significant injuries to any of the 34 runners and a winner who inked himself on to the exclusive list of Aintree legends with the possibility of better to come next year. Saturday’s Grand National produced everything racing could realistically hope for and more, and if I Am Maximus can stay sound and return to Aintree in 2027 for a fourth run in the race, it promises to be one of the highlights of the sporting year.There was a 45-year wait for the next dual Grand National winner after Red Rum’s second success in 1974. Now, seven years after Tiger Roll’s second victory, I Am Maximus is only the third horse since the mid 1930s to register win number two, and the first since the peerless “Rummy” to win in nonconsecutive years. Having also finished a close second in 2025, he is arguably already second only to Red Rum in the list of all-time Aintree greats