CC Div1:Loudon leads Kent fightback

Manchester: Lancashire v Warwickshire
Bell and Brown dig Warwickshire out of trouble

Reeling at 96 for 4, Warwickshire had Dougie Brown and Ian Bell to thank as they took their team from mediocrity to a challenging first day total.

Lancashire spinner Gary Keedy came to the fore with three wickets, but after Mike Powell fell, it was all one way traffic.

Warwickshire passed the 300 mark in the evening session, and Brown and Bell start tomorrow on a 216 run partnership.

Warwickshire 308/4
Brown 120, Bell 106, Keedy 3-82

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Worcestershire
Taylor shines for Gloucestershire

Chris Taylor top scored today as Gloucestershire won the toss and batted against local rivals Worcestershire. He was ably supported by a smashing innings from England hopeful Alex Gidman, who hit 70 at better than a run a ball. Mark Alleyne, batting unusually low down the order at eight chipped in with 61 not out.

Opening bowlers Matt Mason and Kabir Ali shared two wickets a piece, and Andrew Hall was very harshly treated. His 15 overs costing 80 runs, but with Taylor's wicket.

Gloucestershire 392/8
Taylor 103, Gidman 70

Southgate: Middlesex v Kent
Hutton steers Middlesex to 351

In a keenly fought first day at Southgate, Middlesex were helped by the runs of in form skipper Ben Hutton, but it was newcomer Alex Loudon who impressed as he took five wickets to bring the day back to honours even. A career best for the off-spinning all rounder.

Owais Shah and Paul Weekes supported Hutton’s efforts, but after Weekes' dismissal, Kent, through Loudon clawed back ground, as both Cook and Agarkar were dismissed in the same over.

Kent openers Carberry and Fulton resume tomorrow morning.

Middlesex 351
Hutton 100, Shah 60, Loudon 5-53






Posted by RichardHi