County Championship Div 2

Yorkshire's Steve Kirby achieved the best Championship bowling figures for both an individual innings and a match of the season, in the 10-wicket victory over Somerset. The red-haired 25-year-old took 8-80 in the second innings to leave him with match figures of 13-154, after a five-wicket haul in the first innings. After scoring just 275 in their first innings, Somerset watched Matthew Wood score a double-century in a Yorkshire total of 512. Despite Kirby's onslaught, Somerset made 306, with useful contributions from most of the order. However, this left Yorkshire needing only 70, a target which the openers reached without losing a wicket. Kirby's figures are also noticeable as they are the best by a Yorkshire player since 1967, when Raymond Illingworth took 14-64.

Elsewhere, centuries from Michael Powell in both innings could not prevent Glamorgan's match with Worcestershire at Sophia Gardens, ending in a draw. The match promised to end with excitement, as Worcestershire, chasing 309, raced to 50, however the weather intervened and Worcestershire ended on 175-6, with Kadeer Ali scoring his first half-century.

The match at the Rose Bowl between Hampshire and Gloucestershire also ended in a draw. After a poor first innings, Gloucestershire amassed 427, including an unbeaten 151 from the South African Jonty Rhodes, leaving the home side chasing 283 for victory. However, after Martin Ball and Ian Harvey went through the top order, Shaun Udal and Wasim Akram batted for the last six overs, struggling to 161-7.

Written by Kelvin - Submitted by James

Posted by James