Cricket news round-up – 17 May: ICC name commentators for World Cup

ICC announced their panel of commentators for the upcoming World Cup; Adelaide Strikers signed up Cameron White; and Alastair Cook helped Essex ease to a win in the County Championship.

Ensemble commentary panel for World Cup

ICC have named their panel of commentators for the upcoming World Cup. Never before has a tournament witnessed such a galaxy of stars behind the microphone. The list reads:

Nasser Hussain, Ian Bishop, Sourav Ganguly, Melanie Jones, Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Atherton, Alison Mitchell, Brendon McCullum, Graeme Smith, Wasim Akram, Michael Clarke, Shaun Pollock, Michael Slater, Mark Nicholas, Michael Holding, Isa Guha, Pommie Mbangwa, Sanjay Manjrekar, Harsha Bhogle, Simon Doull, Ian Smith, Ramiz Raja, Athar Ali Khan, and Ian Ward.

White to join Strikers

Adelaide Strikers signed up Cameron White for the 2019 BBL as replacement for Colin Ingram, who had left the franchise for personal reasons.

White’s contract had not been renewed by Melbourne Renegades, who had signed up Shaun Marsh instead, or by Victoria Cricket Association.

County Championship Division 1 round-up

Alastair Cook guided Essex to an 8-wicket win over Nottinghamshire at Chelmsford. Resuming the day on 90/6, Notts were bowled out for 158 by Simon Harmer (6/60) and Jamie Porter (3/41). Essex lost Nick Browne early in pursuit of 105, but Cook (40*) added 85 with Tom Westley (49) and stayed till the end to see them through.

Up against 384 at Canterbury, Kent finished Day Three on 34/3 against Ben Coad (2/17). Yorkshire, who trailed by 86 on first innings, had managed to pile up 496 thanks to Gary Ballance (159), Jack Leaning (69), and seven others who reached double figures.

Lewis Gregory’s unbeaten 129 helped Somerset steal an 18-run lead over Surrey at Taunton despite Rikki Clarke’s 3/74 and Conor McKerr’s 3/94. Surrey lost wickets after that, with only Rory Burns (78) standing tall in a total of 152/5.

And at Edgbaston, Warwickshire were 42/2 chasing 424 after Hampshire declared on 302/5, scored off just 50 overs – a total made possible by Rilee Rossouw (76 in 46 balls) and Oliver Soames (62 in 57).

County Championship Division 2 round-up

Glamorgan put up an amazing turnaround on display at Newport despite following on 213 behind Gloucestershire, finishing the day on 359/1. Nicholas Selman (148*) added 133 with Charlie Hemphrey (58), then an unbroken 226 with Marnus Labuschagne (128*).

Down to 114/8 at Lord’s, Middlesex were lifted to 223 by John Simpson (59*) and Tom Helm (46) as Chris Wright took 3/51 and Tom Taylor 3/74. Leicestershire finished the day on 38 without loss.

Josh Tongue (5/37) and Joe Leach (3/49) bowled out Durham for 197 at New Road, leaving Worcestershire a target of 81.

And at Old Trafford, Northamptonshire were bowled out for 200 (Richard Gleeson 5/50), just about saving the innings defeat. Lancashire need only 16.