Cricket news round-up – 9 July: Steve Rhodes’ stint ends prematurely, Ireland name squad for Lord’s Test

Bangladesh Cricket Board parted ways with Steve Rhodes with immediate effect; Ireland announced their squad for their first ever Test against England, later this month at Lord’s; and Steve Davis‘ prompt action ensured the match between Surrey and Kent retained First-Class status.

Rhodes no longer Bangladesh coach

Shortly after their exit from the World Cup, Bangladesh Cricket Board and coach Steve Rhodes decided to part way upon mutual agreement, bringing his stint to a premature end. Rhodes’ contract was supposed to end after the World T20 in June 2020.

BCB has not renewed the contracts of fast-bowling coach Courtney Walsh, spin-bowling coach Sunil Joshi, or physio Thihan Chandramohan, all of which expired with the World Cup.

Bangladesh are yet to announce their coach for the 3-ODI series later this month in Sri Lanka.

No Dockrell for Lord’s Test

Ireland left out George Dockrell for their first ever Test on English soil, at Lord’s, starting July 24, along with James Cameron-Dow, Barry McCarthy, and Stuart Poynter. Instead, they have selected Gary Wilson and the uncapped duo of Mark Adair and Craig Young. The squad reads:

William Porterfield (c), Gary Wilson (wk), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Andrew McBrine, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

Davis saves the day

The County Championship match between Surrey and Kent at The Oval was almost stripped of First-Class status. When Gareth Batty of Surrey was unable to take field due to illness, Amar Virdi was originally allowed as full replacement. Kent did not object.

However, umpire Steve Davis contacted ECB Head of Operations Alan Fordham before Surrey’s innings resumed today at 244/6. When it transpired that a full substitution may only be allowed when a cricketer suffers from concussion or is called up on national duty.

Surrey were eight down by the time the update arrived with Virdi ready to bat at No. 11. The decision was annulled, and Virdi was disallowed from batting. Batty did not take field subsequently.

County Championship Division 1 roundup

Surrey were bowled out for 271 in the aforementioned match as Harry Podmore took 3/42, Matt Milnes 3/54, and Grant Stewart 3/84. Joe Denly (88), Zak Crawley (69), Daniel Bell-Drummond (64), and Heino Kuhn (50*) then took Kent to 285/4.

Aneurin Donald’s 46-ball 52 helped Hampshire set Warwickshire 404 at Rose Bowl. Kyle Abbott (3/18) then left the tourists reeling at 31/3 by stumps.

Peter Siddle (2/6) and Simon Harmer (1/2) reduced Yorkshire to 38/3 at Chelmsford after Ryan ten Doeschate (70*) and Aaron Beard (41) added 75 for the ninth wicket to take Essex’s lead to 120.

Dom Bess (5/59) and Jack Leach (3/79) helped Somerset secure a 75-run lead at Taunton. R Ashwin struck for Nottinghamshire before stumps, and the hosts finished on 7/1.

County Championship Division 2 roundup

Tom Lace stole the day at Kidderminster with a six-hour unbeaten 101. Derbyshire, 19 for no loss overnight after a 20-wicket day, finished the day on 272/6, with a 267-run lead.

Toby Roland-Jones (7/52) scythed through Gloucestershire at Northwood to restrict them to a 29-run lead despite Ryan Higgins’ 61 not out. Higgins then took 3/16 as Middlesex finished with 96/3.

Cameron Bancroft (109) and Alex Lees (70*) added 187 for the opening stand after Durham conceded a 95-run lead to Leicestershire at Grace Road. They finished on 191/1.

Opener Alex Davies (124*) batted through the Lancashire innings as the tourists finished on 211/4 at Northampton. However, they are still 231 behind Northamptonshire’s 442.