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Middle East crisis live: US launches rescue mission as official says Iran has shot down fighter jet | US-Israel war on Iran
Iran shot down a US fighter jet
A search is under way for the crew of a US fighter jet that was shot down by Iran, a person familiar with the matter has confirmed.
As we reported earlier, Iran claimed that it had shot down a US fighter jet, with state media reporting it was an F-35 warplane.
The fate of the crew remains unclear.
It follows reports by Iranian state media that the US military is searching for an American pilot of a downed aircraft in Iran, following earlier reports that Tehran had shot down a US F-35 fighter jet.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency claimed that the US military is searching for a pilot “of a fighter jet that was attacked by the Iranian armed forces this morning”. In an earlier report, it published photos purporting to show the wreckage of a downed US aircraft, although it appears to be an F-15E Strike Eagle based out of RAF Lakenheath.
Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, told NBC News: “I think the structure looks like an F-15 and from the tail flash stripe markings from the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.”
US officials have not publicly commented on the claims.
The Associated Press news agency reported that a channel affiliated with Iranian state television broadcast news of the pilot. The channel is in Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, a rural and mountainous region that spans over 15,500 sq km (5,900 sq miles).
Key events
Reuters news agency has also reported that a search is under way for the crew of a US fighter jet shot down over Iran, citing US officials.
We will bring you more updates as we get it.
Iran shot down a US fighter jet
A search is under way for the crew of a US fighter jet that was shot down by Iran, a person familiar with the matter has confirmed.
As we reported earlier, Iran claimed that it had shot down a US fighter jet, with state media reporting it was an F-35 warplane.
The fate of the crew remains unclear.
It follows reports by Iranian state media that the US military is searching for an American pilot of a downed aircraft in Iran, following earlier reports that Tehran had shot down a US F-35 fighter jet.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency claimed that the US military is searching for a pilot “of a fighter jet that was attacked by the Iranian armed forces this morning”. In an earlier report, it published photos purporting to show the wreckage of a downed US aircraft, although it appears to be an F-15E Strike Eagle based out of RAF Lakenheath.
Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, told NBC News: “I think the structure looks like an F-15 and from the tail flash stripe markings from the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.”
US officials have not publicly commented on the claims.
The Associated Press news agency reported that a channel affiliated with Iranian state television broadcast news of the pilot. The channel is in Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, a rural and mountainous region that spans over 15,500 sq km (5,900 sq miles).
In today’s episode of Today in Focus, the Guardian’s editor for rights and freedom, Tess McClure, reports on the US bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in southern Iran, and the families who lost loved ones in the attack.
“The impact of dropping a 2,000-plus pound bomb on a primary school full of children mostly seven to 12 years old and their teachers is just unimaginable,” Tess tells Nosheen Iqbal of the strike on the school in Minab on 28 February.
“The loss of 130-plus girls and about 30 teachers is just an incredible loss for those families. And I think what comes through as well when you listen to their voices, listen to them describing their children, is this incredible ordinariness of family life up until that moment that just has transformed all of their lives forever.”
Tess describes how 28 February unfolded for two of the families that suffered in the bombing, based on her reporting. She also explains the evidence that points to the United States being responsible for the tragedy.
You can listen to the episode here:
Analysis: is the US committing war crimes?
Peter Beaumont
Donald Trump, other senior US officials and their cheerleaders appear to be embracing attacks – and threats of attacks – on Iranian civilian infrastructure, which legal experts say appears to constitute serious war crimes under international law.
In his rambling national address on Wednesday, the US president warned that if Iran did not reach an unspecified deal with him, US forces would “hit each and every one of their electric-generating plants” and “bring [Iran] back to the stone ages – where they belong”.
Following through on that threat a day later, Trump posted images of a strike on an the unfinished B1 bridge near Tehran, warning: “Much more to follow!”
Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s senior director of research, advocacy, policy and campaigns said: “Intentionally attacking civilian infrastructure such as power plants is generally prohibited.
“Even in the limited cases that they qualify as military targets, a party still cannot attack power plants if this may cause disproportionate harm to civilians.
“Given that such power plants are essential for meeting the basic needs and livelihoods of tens of millions of civilians, attacking them would be disproportionate and thus unlawful under international humanitarian law, and could amount to a war crime.”
Read on here:
Trump claims US could ‘easily’ open up strait of Hormuz but needs ‘more time’
Donald Trump has been posting on his social media platform, Truth Social.
On Iran, he has written:
With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A “GUSHER” FOR THE WORLD??? President DONALD J. TRUMP
As we mentioned earlier, Iran said earlier today that it had shot down an US fighter jet.
The Associated Press is now reporting that an affiliate of Iran state TV claims the fighter pilot ejected from an aircraft in southwest Iran.
AP said the US did not respond immediately to requests for comment over the claim.
We’ll bring you more on this when we get it…
Joanna Partridge
The world has become well versed in the importance of the strait of Hormuz to the world’s energy flows, but attention is increasingly turning to its vital role in another market – the fertiliser on which harvests depend.
A third of the global trade in raw materials for fertiliser passes through the maritime choke point, which is also the route for 20% of shipments of natural gas, which is required to make it.
The waterway’s near-total shipping blockade is a “food security timebomb”, the head of the International Rescue Committee, David Miliband, said this week, adding: “The window to avert a massive global hunger crisis is rapidly closing.”
“Fertilisers are the No 1 issue of concern today,” according to the World Trade Organization, while the UN World Food Programme says the total number of people facing acute levels of hunger could hit record numbers this year if the destabilising conflict continues.
So how worried should we be? You can read our visual guide to the crisis here:
Half of Iran’s missile launchers still intact – report
US intelligence has assessed that roughly half of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers are still intact despite over a month of US and Israeli strikes against military targets in the country, CNN has reported, citing three sources familiar with the intelligence.
Some of the launchers may not be accessible at present, such as those buried underground by strikes but not destroyed, according to the report. Still, Iran is “very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region”, one source said.
US intelligence assessments have also indicated that Iran still has thousands of one-way attack drones in its arsenal and “a large percentage” of its coastal defence cruise missiles, which play a key role in Tehran’s threats to shipping in the strait of Hormuz.
The findings are at odds with Donald Trump’s claims earlier this week that Iran’s ability to launch missile and drone attacks have been “dramatically curtailed” and that the war was “nearing completion”.
The White House and the Pentagon denied the report.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has denied responsibility for the attack on a Kuwaiti power and water desalination plant, blaming it instead on Israel.
In a statement carried by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the IRGC’s public relations department said:
The Zionist regime’s unconventional and illegitimate attack on Kuwait’s desalination plants is a sign of the vileness and baseness of the Zionist occupiers, and the Revolutionary Guards condemn this inhumane act and declare that American bases and military personnel in the region and the Zionist regime’s military and security centres in the occupied Palestinian territories are our powerful targets.
In a statement earlier today, the Kuwait ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy said an Iranian attack had damaged the plant.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer has condemned the “reckless” Iranian attack that set an oil refinery ablaze in Kuwait, in a call with the country’s crown prince.
A Downing Street readout of the conversation said:
The prime minister spoke to his highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah this morning.
The prime minister began by condemning the reckless overnight drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil refinery.
He reiterated that the UK stands with Kuwait and all our allies in the Gulf.
They discussed the deployment of the UK’s rapid sentry air defence system to Kuwait, which will protect Kuwaiti and British personnel and interests in the region, while avoiding escalation into wider conflict.
Regarding ongoing disruption to global shipping through the strait of Hormuz, the prime minister and crown prince welcomed the meeting convened by the foreign secretary yesterday on a viable plan to reopen the Strait.
They agreed to continue to work together on this and stay in close contact over the coming weeks.
Summary of attacks in the Middle East as war nears 6th week
Several Gulf nations came under missile and drone attacks throughout the night and this morning as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its 35th day.
Here’s a recap of the latest developments:
Kuwait
The state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said the Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery was struck by Iranian drones, sparking fires at the facility. The oil refinery has been hit multiple times during the war.
Kuwait also said that an Iranian attack caused “material damage” to a power and water desalination plant. Such plants are responsible for most of the drinking water for Gulf states.
Bahrain
Bahrain’s interior ministry said that sirens sounded three times overnight. It urged people to head to the nearest safest location, without providing further details. Sirens are normally activated when potential threats or attacks are detected.
UAE
Authorities in Abu Dhabi reported two incidents of debris falling from intercepted aerial threats in the UAE capital.
The official Abu Dhabi Media Office said authorities responded to an incident of falling debris at the Habshan gas facilities. “Operations have been suspended while authorities respond to a fire,” it said in a post on X, adding that no injuries were reported.
A separate incident of falling debris was reported in the Ajban area “following successful interception by air defence systems”, the media office said, without providing further details.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi defence ministry announced on X that it intercepted and destroyed more than a dozen drones overnight and this morning, without providing further details.
Elsewhere:
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it detected a ballistic attack from Iran targeting northern Israel earlier today. Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said one person was injured in a missile attack in Kiryat Ata, near Haifa.
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The IDF has killed 15 members of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group following an attack on southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee. Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the claim.
UK to deploy air defence system to Kuwait
The UK will deploy its Rapid Sentry air defence system to Kuwait to help protect British and Kuwaiti interests in the Gulf, Keir Starmer’s office said.
The UK prime minister discussed the deployment in a call with Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, this morning, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
“The prime minister began by condemning the reckless overnight drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil refinery,” the spokesperson said. “He reiterated that the UK stands with Kuwait and all our allies in the Gulf.”
The Rapid Sentry is a ground-based short-range air defence system aimed at countering drone threats.
All Easter masses in Dubai have been cancelled because of the Middle East war, AFP news agency reported.
In a statement on its website, the St Francis of Assisi Church at Jebel Ali in Dubai said “all Masses at our Church are cancelled until further notice” as per government directives. The Jebel Ali coastal area has been hit several times by missiles and drones fired by Iran, after its port was designated a “legitimate target” due to alleged US military presence.
St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai published a similar announcement on its website, and said Good Friday’s mass would be livestreamed online instead.
Rebecca Ratcliffe
Human remains have been found onboard the Thai-flagged cargo ship that was hit by unknown projectiles in the strait of Hormuz in March.
Thailand’s ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement a specialised search and rescue team had boarded the vessel, Mayuree Naree, for a second time and carried out a detailed inspection of accessible areas. The vessel has sustained damage from fire and was flooded in the engine room and nearby areas, it said.
“The team found human remains in the damaged area on board, but has not been able to verify or identify those remains,” the ministry said, adding that the owner of the vessel, Precious Shipping PLC, had informed the families of the crew members of the development.
“The ministry is saddened by this development and will coordinate closely with the relevant Thai embassies, the Iranian side and related agencies in order to receive the results of any forensic identification conducted at the earliest possible opportunity. The ministry will provide further updates in due course,” it said in a statement.
Reuters news agency reported a container ship belonging to French shipping group CMA CGM has passed through the strait of Hormuz, according to the French television network BFM TV.
It was not immediately clear how the vessel secured safe passage through the strait, which has been effectively closed since the beginning of the Middle East war on 28 February.
Reuters said CMA CGM did not immediately respond to a request for comment while France’s foreign ministry declined.
Here are some of the latest images on the newswires from across the Middle East:
Daniel Boffey
‘Every night they are bombarding’: at border crossing, some Iranians are fleeing war and some are heading home
He could not help but splutter out a laugh at the question. Amir, whose name has been changed for his safety, had just crossed the Kapıköy border point in eastern Turkey, a mountain pass between snow-topped peaks that is one of the few gateways to the west from Iran.
Until a few weeks ago, this was a busy place, popular among Iranian daytrippers coming across to Turkey to do some shopping in the lively city of Van, a further two hours drive west, or to spend a couple of nights out in its discreet Iranian-only nightclubs and bars serving alcohol.
Back then, there had been plenty of reasons that an Iranian might give for making this trip. But today, just about visible behind Amir, was the lifeless black flag raised a month ago by the Iranian regime after the death under US and Israeli strikes of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
“Why? Amir asked back with a smile when questioned as to his motivation for leaving Iran. “Boom,” he responded. “Because of the war. Every night they are bombarding.”
Not that Amir, who had come from Tehran, was bitter about the American and Israeli campaign. “We must want to get rid of the regime,” he said. “Thank you to Trump,” he added with a weary nod of the head.
You can read the full report here:
Key events
Just wondering how much Danny Dyer we will see this Friday night. Sunday versus Leeds bordered on the overkill.
Peter Oh gets in touch: “99.93%? To paraphrase the Jim Carrey character in Dumb and Dumber, ‘so there’s a chance of survival!’. In all seriousness, I think Wolves are by far the most interesting and entertaining nearly-guaranteed-to-go-down Premier League side in memory. If you’re gonna go down, go down playing in style!”
West Ham, after this game, have Crystal Palace away, Everton at home, Brentford away, Arsenal at home, Newcastle away and, this looks a six-pointer, Leeds at home. So yes, this is massive.
Wolves have circled the drain all season, and have just 17 points. Relegation is all but certain, it’s just a question of warding off the inevitable. They are 11 points from safety with seven games left. Opta data suggests Wolves have a 99.93% chance of going down, as close to certainty as is possible. They can get a maximum of 38 points when Tottenham, in 17th, have 30. West Ham have 29; their need is far greater, their hopes far more realistic.
Last time out for both teams:
The big news from the Hammers camp is the return of Crysensio Summerville, who was bang in form before his injury. Mads Hermansen, Pablo, Tomas Soucek, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Summerville come in as Alphonse Areola is dropped to the bench. Finlay Herrick, we hardly knew ya.
Wolves last played 25 days ago, drawing 2-2 at Brentford and playing very well once Angel Gomes came on for Mateus Mane, who looks likely to be used as an impact sub.
The teams
West Ham: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Disasi, Mavropanos, Diouf; Bowen, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville; Pablo, Taty. Subs: Areola, Wilson, Adama, Todibo, Magassa, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Potts, Kante
Wolves: Sa; Mosquera, S.Bueno, Krejci; Tchatchoua, Andre, J.Gomes, A.Gomes. H.Bueno; Bellegarde, Armstrong. Subs: Bentley, Wolfe, Hwang, Arokodare, Lima, R.Gomes, Toti, Mane, Edozie
Nuno Espírito Santo has rolled back the years in an attempt to save West Ham. He has gone old-school, switching to a gung-ho 4-4-2 system to give his side more threat in the final third. Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos, both January arrivals, have altered the face of the attack, but neither forward has been prolific. Castellanos has scored three goals in all competitions since joining from Lazio and Pablo, who is yet to open his account in English football, failed to convert during last week’s penalty shootout defeat by Leeds in the FA Cup. As a pair, though, Castellanos and Pablo have been oddly effective. Are they any good? Unclear. Do they run around a lot and give a previously ponderous West Ham more energy? Undoubtedly. Played together, Pablo and Castellanos do a worthy job for the team. Importantly, they create space for the wingers, Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, who hopes to return from a calf injury for Friday night’s vital home game against Wolves. Bowen and Summerville are the big threats; they are West Ham’s main source of goals, but both are more dangerous with Pablo and Castellanos in the team. Jacob Steinberg
Preamble
West Ham are massive, everywhere they go, and this is massive for the Hammers. It’s been a long wait to get back to Premier League business, and it’s unfinished business. They have to win against their manager’s old club or else it’s a weekend looking through the fingers at how Tottenham, Leeds and Nottingham Forest get on. Wolves, with little to lose, are a dangerous opponent. Let’s say this again: this is massive.
Kick-off is at 8pm BST. Join me.
Prince Harry left the charity last year in an acrimonious dispute over how Sentebale was being managed.
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UK News
Essex v Somerset, Surrey v Leicestershire, and more: county cricket, day one – live | County Championship
Key events
Shoaib Bashir’s four for 69 is his best return in county cricket. And now he takes the new ball with Muhammad Abbas. Two new feathers for his Derbyshire cap.
This might be the moment to remind CCLive! readers that if a Championship team’s pitch is rated below average, poor or unfit, the home side will get zero points from the fixture, regardless of the match result.
Playing condition 16.2.6 reads. “In the event of a match being abandoned due to a pitch that has been rated unfit, or if the pitch is rated poor or below average, in accordance with the ECB’s pitch regulations, the home team shall be awarded zero points and any first innings points already achieved shall be rescinded,”
“The home team shall be credited with a loss and the away team a draw for tiebreaker purposes.”
A fourth wicket for Shoaib Bashir
A beauty from Bashir, as Bailey is bowled for one, the ball creeping past excellent defence and into his stumps. Lancs 314-8. Bashir has four.
Five wickets for George Hill
As Yorkshire roll out Hampshire for 251. JAck Lehmann the top scorer with 76 and a handy 17 at the close from Eddy Jack. Lyth and Bean settle at the crease.
And a couple more wickets at OT as Derbyshire fight back. Matty Hurst gives a dolly to Montgomery for 32 and Bashir bowls a half-advancing Tom Hartley for 17. Hartley turns his bat upside down and bangs the handle on the grass in disappointment. Lancs 306-7, Bashir 3-66.
James Price, Lancashire’s Easter bunny, head of marketing and communications has just appeared in the press box with a milky bar Easter Egg for everyone. Just don’t mention the SGMs…
Rain at Bristol – McKinney 182 not out
Rain has never been more welcome at Bristol, as the players are forced in with the score 348-2 after 67.2 overs. McKinney 182 not out.
A cracking caught and bowled by Shoaib Bashir, sliding onto his tummy rhythm and slurping it up. Michael Jones wasn’t too happy, but it looked legit to me. Lancs 283-5, Marcus Harris out for 125 just before tea.
And with the sun out, Marcus Harris close to his hundred and Shoaib Bashir bowling well at OT, time for me to write up for early Friday first edition. Do keep chatting BTL.
And Brett D’Oliveira (67 not out) is standing tall as the rest of the Worcestershire batting crumbles around him. Worcs 167-8 against new improved Middlesex. Two wickets to Naavya Sharma and Ryan Higgins. Worcs 171-8.
A hundred for Ricardo Vasconcelos!
And he’s just gone, a wicket for Jas Singh, after 127 from 170 balls. Kent breathe a sigh of relief. Northants 229-1.
A century for Alex Lees
Durham continue their unrelenting pummelling of Glos – as Alex Lees joins the three figures club. McKinney is still flying along – 141 from 140 balls. Durham 261-0.
Compared to what’s happening elsewhere, Hampshire are plodding along at Headingley. Ben Maynes and Jake Lehmann have put on an unbeaten 50 for the fifth wickets. Two wickets for George Hill. Hants 161-4.
A wicket for Bashir!
But no century for Josh Bohannon, who chops Bashir onto his stumps for 73, done by a ball that spins and bounces. Bashir, half a (luxuriant) head taller than most of the players on the field, does a little jig of happiness. A wicket in his second over. Lancs 157-3.
Apologies to all – McCullum is not at Hove. Just his lookalike. But Rob Key is. And we pause at OT while Rocky Flintoff runs out with the modern equivalent of brown paper and string to help Marcus Harris repair his bat.
Runs for Pope and Smith
Simon Burnton
Very good since lunch, though Smith (76) was nearly caught at gully off a flashing drive, for which he demonstratively chastised himself. They’ve both hit lovely cover drives. A sharp single ended with Patel’s throw hitting Pope (61) and running away to the boundary for five runs, which is always fun. Leicestershire looking a little forlorn. Surrey 172-2.
Warwickshire’s mediocre morning continues into the afternoon where they have just lost Beau Webster for 48. A second wicket for Ollie Robinson at Hove. Warwicks 116-5.
Timm Van der Gugten, enjoying his trip to Trent Bridge, has just picked up his fourth Notts wicket, Patterson-White bowled for one. Fergus O’Neill has bashed five fours to get the scoreboard moving, Jack Haynes 37 not out. Glamorgan frisky after that morale-boosting draw against Yorkshire. Notts 140-6.
At Chelmsford, Matt Critchley, Rothesay CC player of round one for his 173 and five for nine, has returned to earth with a bump. Out for a three-ball duck to Somerset secret weapon Tom Lammonby, who also dismissed Dean Elgar for 41. Essex 112 for five.
Lancashire are making hay the afternoon, Harris has fifty too, getting there with a drive past Bohanon’s feet to the deep mid-on boundary. Lancs 127-2.
Rob Key watching at Hove
Thanks to Mike Bennett and his steward spy.
“A decent effort from both Ollie and young Henry this morning but Fynn H-P probably still takes my pick for the bowling award that session.
“Robinson looks much fitter and to have regained a bit of the gas that was lacking last season, I think he was unlucky not to have picked at least one more wicket – a couple of edges falling short or squeezing through the cordon.
“Crocombe on as first change again, a couple of very tight overs from both ends with decent speed, although neither Yates nor Webster seemed particularly troubled in negotiating it.
“A steward told me that both *Baz and Rob Key are in attendance today, so you’d think this is Robinson’s best chance to get himself more firmly “into the conversation” before his last chance passes.
“The sun is breaking through a bit and both batters are looking settled but I’d still say advantage Sussex at this point.”
*this turned out to be just Rob Key, with Baz somewhere as yet unknown
A hundred for Ben McKinney!
McKinney, who was much mentioned last season but didn’t make the Ashes tour in the end, smacks two sixes and 18 fours in a brutal century against Gloucestershire. Durham 171-0.
Fifty for Josh Bohannon, in an early-season fruitful patch. A lunchtime stroll around OT revealed a little girl in fairy dress batting against her mum, and a boy in a Lancs shirt smacking his dad around the concourse. Lancashire 102-2.
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 80-4 v Somerset
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 101-5 v Glamorgan
The Oval: Surrey 110-2 v Leicestershire
Hove: Sussex v Warwickshire 69-3
Headingley: Yorkshire v Hampshire 82-2
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Durham 143-0
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire 124-0
Old Trafford: Lancashire 88-2 v Derbyshire
Lord’s: Middlesex v Worcestershire 84-5
Time for one not very eventful over from Shoaib Bashir before they trundle in for lunch at OT. Lunch scores around the grounds to follow.
Fifty for Ricardo Vasconcelos
Kent’s bowlers also proving tasty fare – and Northants tucking in. Vasconcelos 73 not out from 94 balls.
Fifty for Ben McKinney
Big Ben McKinney doing exactly what the selectors are asking with 82 off 84 balls – though runs against Gloucestershire are some of the easiest. Apologies Glos supporters, I feel cruel typing that. Durham 141-0.
A wave to Will Unwin, who is sometimes watching from the stands at OT with his daughter, but is stuck behind a laptop today.
“I am intrigued by the lineup. After missing last season, for Lancashire at least, I am surprised Rocky Flintoff is not getting a chance. I can’t imagine Paul Coughlin is the long term answer either. Flintoff needs to develop and will not do it watching from the stands.
“I appreciate without Jennings, a Plan B is required but Singh has rarely convinced with the bat. Marcus Harris is an opener by trade and his experience could be significant there, taking the pressure off Singh, who could be allowed to move down the order.”
I should have said that Jennings is out with a calf injury – though Lancs hope he’ll be back for the next round.
I’d like to see Harris opening too but he bats five for Victoria, coming in after Leicestershire’s Peter Handscomb. This is his first game since the cracking Sheffield Shield final which Victoria lost by 56 runs to South Australia.
Lancashire SGMs
Reports from Lancashire’s two Special General Meetings at The Point here at OT last night are suitably chaotic. The first SGM, the one organised by the club, was adjourned before any of the seven resolutions were passed as there wasn’t a legal advisor in the room.
The second meeting, held by the “dissidents,”wanted to raise the number of former employees who could sit on the Board from two to four. It was won by 672-401 votes, but that wasn’t a big enough percentage to pass.
Josh Bohannon is dropped in the slips on 28. Chappell prowls back to his mark near the Old Trafford pavilion where hundreds of people are gathered in zipped-up fleece excitement. A good turn-out all the way round the stands for the first home game of the season.
At The Oval, Surrey are 52-2 against Leicestershire, both openers gone.One of those wicket-takers was Josh Hull who sent Sibley on his way for four. Gary Naylor is keeping an eye on things.
“Josh Hull is back at The Oval bowling from the same end as he did in his one Test. There’s no speedgun here (as far as I can see), but he looks very sharp, pushing 90mph I suspect, delivering a heavy ball. At 21, he has lost a bit of that teenage gawkiness, though he’s a big unit and will need to manage his body carefully.”
He’s huge isn’t he? I watched him go through his paces at Grace Road. Like an oak tree in a forest of saplings.
Glamorgan’s van der Gugten and Ryan Hadley have reduced Nottinghamshire to 50 for three, though not before Ben Duckett, who turned down his IPL gig for the CC, had knocked out 25 at about a run a ball. Joe Clarke is not out for a nippy 18 from 20 balls.
Round the grounds Northamptonshire’s Ricardo Vasconcelos and Luke Procter are having fun against Kent (58-0); Durham’s Ben McKinney and Alex Lees similar japes against Gloucestershire (59-0) but elsewhere the bowlers are taking early-season prizes.
The first email of the day drops into the CCLive postbag. Hello Mike Bennett!
“Good morning from Hove, where the glorious weather of the last few days has given way to slightly overcast conditions, although the sun is doing it’s best to break through.
“Living in Scotland means I very rarely get the chance to watch the CC in person, so despite being a Yorkie, staying just around the corner from the County Ground this week meant this was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“Fynn Hudson-Prentice opening the bowling with Robinson has bowled a couple of very sharp overs and Robinson has just whistled one past Alex Davies’ nose, so it looks like we’re shaping up for a decent first session.
“Thanks for the ever-great work with the live blog, it’s a lifeline for those of us stranded in cricket wildernesses! (Although a dedicated reader, this is the first time I’ve written in).”
It’s lovely to hear from you Mike and I’m glad the Guardian can help keep you connected. I’d be interested in what you think about Robinson and Henry Crocombe, both who are on the ECB scouts’ radar. And I see Warwicks have lost two early wickets – one each to Robinson and Hudson-Prentice. Sussex 12-2.
And an early wicket for Abbas, as ever liquid gold. Singh with an elaborate prod, edging to Guest. Harris strolls out to resume his usual relaying of the foundations role. Lancashire 13 for two.
An early wicket here at OT, though we were too distracted in the press box by a frozen telly to notice. Luke Wells well caught, diving to his left at third slip off Ben Aitchison, for four. It brings in Josh Bohannon’s for his 100th first-class match.
Haseeb Hameed will have the rest of the day to admire the ball by Timm van der Gugten that, in bright sunshine, sent him on his way first ball. HH cocked his leg to dink the ball into the leg side but instead lost his leg stump.
Out come the Derbyshire players, hands firmly stuck around handwarmers, deep in pockets. Lancs have three changes from the side that drew with Worcestershire – adding Mitch Stanley, Marcus Harris and Paul Coughlin. Muhammad Abbas has the new ball from the Statham End.
Domestic Journalism Awards
Congratulations to all the winners of the ECB’s Domestic Journalism awards – jobs well done.
Christopher Martin-Jenkins Young Journalist of the Year: Cameron Ponsonby
Christopher Martin-Jenkins Broadcaster of the Year: Aaron Viles
Outstanding Online Coverage: BBC Sport Online
Highly Commended: The Cricketer Online
Regional Newspaper of the Year: Yorkshire Post
Highly Commended: Liverpool Echo
Podcast of the Year: The Final Word
Highly Commended: Wisden Cricket Weekly, 150 Not Out: Somerset County Cricket Club
Video Content Creator of the Year: Cricket District
Photo of the Year: David Griffin
Highly Commended: Nathan Stirk
I love the elongated figures in the winning photo Groundstaff from above by David Griffin, who is here at Old Trafford today to cover Derbyshire. You can find it here if you scroll down the page.
Ajaz Patel makes his debut for Leicestershire today. The Foxes will have to crank up their match skills from their defeat by Sussex in the last round, to hold off Surrey at The Oval.
To Old Trafford, where the outfield is busy with slip catching practise and bowling run ins. Derbyshire have won the toss and have sent Lancashire in to have a bat.
Division Two table
Middlesex 22
Derbyshire 16
Lancashire 14
Durham 13
Northamptonshire 12
Kent 11
Worcestershire 11
Gloucestershire -1
Division one table
Essex 22
Warwickshire 16
Nottinghamshire 13
Somerset 13
Glamorgan 12
Surrey 11
Sussex 10
Yorkshire 10
Leicestershire 3
Hampshire 2
Fixtures
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex v Somerset
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Glamorgan
The Oval: Surrey v Leicestershire
Hove: Sussex v Warwickshire
Headingley: Yorkshire v Hampshire
DIVISION TWO
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Durham
Canterbury: Kent v Northamptonshire
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Derbyshire
Lord’s: Middlesex v Worcestershire
Preamble
Good morning! Welcome to round two of this Championship summer – all cherry blossom and leftover hot cross buns . We have another full set of matches and can start to divine whether last week’s wins for Sussex, Essex and Middlesex were anything more than early season luck. Play starts around the grounds at 11am, do join us.
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