NCL Division Two Roundup

6 July 2003

Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Hampshire Hawks

Northants came in to this game unbeaten favourites and off the back of a seven wicket victory over Hampshire in the County Championship, but despite a brilliant century from Phil Jaques their record was to be spoilt.

Jaques scored 117 off 113 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes and Graeme Swann smashed 24 off just 15 balls as Northants posted a competitive 228-8, despite a wily spell of 2-23 from Wasim Akram. But Hampshire knocked off the runs with three balls to spare, thanks largely to John Crawley (77*) and Simon Katich (54), who received useful support from Robin Smith (33) and Dimitri Mascarenhas (31).

Scottish Saltires v Nottinghamshire Outlaws

Rahul Dravid scored a marvellous ton but it wasn't enough for Scotland to keep up their impressive early record in the NCL. Dravid scored 129* off 128 balls with 14 fours and 4 sixes as the home side posted 222-7. Richard Logan bowled impressively for figures of 9-3-32-4.

In reply the Outlaws lost Guy Welton second ball but kept their composure. Paul Franks pinch hit for 55 off just 43 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes, and after Craig Wright (9-2-31-3) appeared to have put Scotland in the box seat, Chris Cairns (65*) battered 7 fours in a 56 ball innings and added 92 for the seventh wicket with Gareth Clough to guide Notts to victory with nearly 3 overs to spare.

Somerset Sabres v Sussex Sharks

Murray Goodwin did manage to record a century in a winning cause at Taunton. His 123 off 137 balls with 18 fours helped Sussex post a massive 286-5, with support from Tony Cottey (41, 47 balls), Chris Adams (69*, 63 balls) and Tim Ambrose (29 off just 16 balls).

Somerset are missing Andy Caddick, Marcus Trescothick and Richard Johnson and it showed here. Keith Parsons scored 74 but the hosts were never really in the hunt after James Kirtley took three early wickets.

Middlesex Crusaders v Lancashire Lightning

Middlesex were reduced to 60-4 before fighting back to test the Lightning, but despite Abdur Razzaq's all round heroics it was to prove fruitless. Razzaq smashed 61* off just 31 balls after David Nash made 62, adding 95 in an unbroken 7th wicket stand with James Dalrymple which carried the hosts to 255-6.

Razzaq then took 3-48 but Mal Loye hit 78 and Carl Hooper blasted 88* from just 68 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes to give Lancashire a five wicket victory with 8 balls to spare. Chad Keegan returned figures of 9-3-31-0.

Northants 228-8 (Jaques 117) lost to Hampshire 229-6 (Crawley 77*, Katich 54) by 4 wickets.

Scotland 222-7 (Dravid 129*, Logan 4-32) lost to Notts 224-6 (Cairns 65*, Franks 55) by 4 wickets.

Sussex 286-5 (Goodwin 123, Adams 69*) beat Somerset 196 by 90 runs.

Middlesex 255-6 (Nash 62, Razzaq 61*) lost to Lancashire 257-5 (Hooper 88*, Loye 78) by 5 wickets.

Posted by Barrie