CC Div1:Hutton and Compton dominate

Cheltenham: Gloucestershire v Lancashire
Chilton puts Lancashire in command

An unbeaten century from opener Mark Chilton enabled Lancashire to attain a commanding position at Cheltenham today.

Dominic Cork earlier made light work of the Gloucestershire lower order, as they were dismissed for 234, 101 behind on first innings.

Then Chilton set to work amassing a huge lead. He enjoyed excellent support, with Mal Loye, Dinesh Mongia and Ian Sutcliffe all bludgeoning fifties in quick time.

As the day drew to a close, Craig Spearman was caught off the bowling of James Anderson, and despite Franklin's seven wicket heroics, Gloucestershire need to bat well on day four to avoid defeat.

Lancashire 375
Mongia 111, Loye 90, Franklin 7-60
Gloucestershire 234
Weston 44, Cork 5-54
Lancashire 354/2d
Chilton 124*, Mongia 76*
Gloucestershire 48/1
Weston 20*


Hove: Sussex v Kent
Davis, Mushtaq Ahmed drag Sussex back at Hove

Another opener enjoying the day was Kent's right hander, David Fulton who hit 122 as Kent finished the day on 300-8.

But spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Mark Davis brightened Sussex's day up in the sun as they sliced through Kent's powerful middle order, leaving the first day honours even.

Kent 300-8
Fulton 122, Davis 3-54, Mushtaq Ahmed 3-59


Guildford: Surrey v Warwickshire
Brown and Batty lift Surrey

Following on after conceding three centuries, Surrey have captain John Batty and Alistair Brown to thank as they at least put up a fight against championship leaders Warwickshire.

Ramprakash and Clarke fell to Pretorius and Brown respectively, but the rest of the day was dominated by Batty and Browns partnership, which produced 200 runs and gave Surrey at least hope of saving the match tomorrow.

Warwickshire 537
Bell 155, Powell 110, Brown 106, Sampson 5-121
Surrey 331
Ramprakash 145*, Tahir 4-63
Surrey (f/o) 363/7
Batty 145, Brown 103, Pretorius 3-63


Worcester: Worcestershire v Middlesex
Compton and Hutton wreak nostalgia at New Road

Familiar names, not so familiar faces was the order of the day at New Road today as Middlesex replied to Worcestershire's 305 all out. Making his debut, Nick Compton (grandson of Dennis) joined Ben Hutton (grandson of Len) at the crease, and the two added 127 before Compton was LBW off the bowling of Gareth Batty.

Earlier on, champion Indian speedster, Ajit Agarkar dismissed Andrew Hall and Matt Mason to finish a potentially dangerous Worcestershire first innings.

Middlesex will be looking to their middle order to press ahead tomorrow and establish a healthy first innings lead.

Worcestershire 305
Solanki 92, Hall 71, Betts 5-89, Agarkar 3-72
Middlesex 260/3
Hutton 108, Compton 40


Posted by RichardHi