County roundup, 23-26 April

The wonderful British climate had a big say in things this week with a series of sporting declarations intended to resurrect rain-affected games. At Edgbaston, Ronnie Irani and Ashley Giles got it spot-on as the game between Warwickshire and Essex ended in a thrilling tie.

Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat, amassing 446-7 with Jamie Troughton undefeated on 129, well supported in a 201 run partnership for the sixth wicket by Dougie Brown. With almost two days lost to the elements, the captains made arrangements to inject a little life into the proceedings.

First of all, Dominic Ostler and Nick Knight 'bowled' four overs of nonsense, allowing Essex to plunder 66 runs. They promptly declared and Warwickshire duly forfeited their second innings.

What followed on the final day was five hours of the most enthralling cricket imaginable. Chasing 381 to win, William Jefferson was first to depart with the total on 88 when Mohamed Sheikh trapped him leg-before for a run-a-ball 49. Other contributions by Darren Robinson and Andy Flower kept Essex well up with the chase before Ronnie Irani blazed his way to 87 with a characteristic hectic mixture of nudges and lusty blows.

Meanwhile, Ashley Giles was producing a captain's contribution of his own, chipping away every time Essex seemed to be running away with matters. He removed Flower and Irani when each was set, but when Jamie Foster was caught by Tony Frost off the bowling of Melvyn Betts with 51 still required for victory, the match was tipped back into the balance.

Jonathan Dakin and James Middlebrook took the total to 365 before Dakin was snared by Alan Richardson, then Giles earned the plaudits by removing Middlebrook and finally Graham Napier with the scores tied.

Warwickshire (446-7 declared and 2nd innings forfeit), 12 points, tied with Essex (66-0 declared and 380), 9 points.


Division 1 highlights.

Middlesex came from well behind to edge out Sussex by 3 wickets at Lord's.
A last-wicket partnership of 67 between Jason Lewry and James Kirtly helped Sussex to an unlikely 239, and when Middlesex were skittled for 116 there seemed just one likely outcome. However, the hosts fought back well, first by dismissing the visitors for 204 in their second innings and then producing a sterling batting performance to reach the 330 required for the loss of seven wickets.

Opener Andrew Strauss made 83, but it was an electrifying 61 in 75 balls from Owais Shah which helped to set Middlesex well on the road to victory. For Sussex, James Kirtley signalled his intent to nudge the England selectors with 7 wickets in the game.

Middlesex (116 and 330-7), 17 points, beat Sussex (239 and 204) 4 points, by 3 wickets


Leicestershire comfortably held Kent at bay at Canterbury in one of the few games to be largely unaffected by the weather. Kent took first knock and half-centuries by Michael Carberry (55) and Greg Blewitt (57) were the main contributions in a disappointing first innings total of 245. Leicestershire struggled in turn, but shaded the first innings thanks largely to Darren Maddy (63) and an undefeated century by Paul Nixon (113*). Martin Saggers led the home attack, grabbing 4-75.

Mark Ealham (82) and Geraint Jones (104) helped Kent to 411 in their second innings - a total which seemed way beyond them at one stage with Phil DeFreitas rolling back the years as he grabbed 4 early wickets.

Set an unlikely 385 to win in under 5 hours, Leicestershire were in early trouble at 27-3, but once again Nixon (53) came to the rescue of the visitors, well-supported by Damian Brandy (52) as they played out time, ending on 255-6.

Kent (245 and 411), 8 points, drew with Leicestershire (270 and 255-6), 9 points.


Sterling work by Mal Loye (113) and Andrew Flintoff (97) helped Lancashire to a total of 354 against Nottinghamshire, for whom Steve Elworthy bagged 5 wickets for 71. Half centuries by Chris Cairns (57) and Chris Read (57) helped the visitors to 275, with Peter Martin collecting the excellent figures of 5-54.

Lancashire (354 and 41-2), 11 points, drew with Nottinghamshire (275), 9 points.


Division 2 highlights

A nine wicket match haul by Richard Johnson helped Somerset comfortably see off the challenge of Durham today, for whom only Jonathan Lewis (78 and 50) offered anything more than token resistance. Somerset in turn struggled with the bat in their first innings, only England opener Marcus Trescothick (60) ever really looking in on a pitch which offered help to the bowlers throughout.

It was a Bowler of the Peter variety, though who helped to swing the game the way of the home team, playing the sheet-anchor role and finishing undefeated on 67, well-supported by James Bryant (51).

Somerset (171 and 197-4), 17 points, beat Durham (185 and 180), 2.75 points by 6 wickets


A brilliant 128 by Jonty Rhodes was the highlight of the match between Northants and Gloucestershire at Northampton. With opening bat Craig Spearman chipping in with 69, Gloucestershire had little trouble in surpassing the first innings total of the home side, for whom Mark Powell (60), David Paynter (50) and David Sales (59) all made significant contributions.

With around 150 overs lost to the weather, this game was always likely to be drawn although the loss of 3 early wickets gave the home side a few uncomfortable moments on the final afternoon.

Northamptonshire (352 and 69-3), 9 points, drew with Gloucestershire (403-5 declared), 12 points


On a wicket seemingly full of runs, it was the weather which was once again the deciding factor at Sophia Gardens for the clash between Glamorgan and Hampshire.

The visitors won the toss and John Crawley (65), Robin Smith (92), Nic Pothas (87) and a ton by Dimitri Mascarenhas (100*) allowed them to declare on 531-7.

The home side in turn found the track to be a batsman's paradise, with David Hemp (57), Mike Powell (85) and Matthew Maynard (112) filling their boots before rain finally caused the abandonment of the game.

Glamorgan (412-6), 11 points, drew with Hampshire (531-7 declared), 11 points


Posted by Eddie