Yorks crush Nhants * Roundup

Yorkshire (22) were the stars in the first round of the Frizzell County Championship from April 18-21.

Northamptonshire (2) won the toss at Headingley, and swiftly regretted it, as a resurgent Darren Gough, backed up by fellow international Chris Silverwood, made light work of the Northants top order. Jeff Cook's 74 ploughed a lone furrow against the hosts, as they stumbled to a miserable 184 all out by the time Ryan Sidebottom mopped up the tail. Gough took 3/40 and Silverwood 3/45.

Maybe it was the pitch? Matthew Wood's 157, Richard Blakey's career-best 223* and Silverwood's rapid 53 suggested that it wasn't, as did 673/8 declared.

The Northants batting order performed even more ineptly in the second innings, with only Phil Jaques (60) and Cook (28) showing any degree of competence. Nobody else made double figures, and when Gough's yorker hit John Blain's pads, it was 146 all out and victory by an innings and 343 runs.

The other three matches in the division were somewhat better matched. Derbyshire (12) and Glamorgan (11) shared the spoils at the County Ground, Derby. Michael Di Venuto (121) and Luke Sutton (120) both hit centuries as Derbyshire totalled 420. Matthew Maynard's 142 and Robert Croft's run-a-ball 79 anchored the Welshmen to 352. Croft again starred in Derby's second knock, with 4/61 in 245/6 declared. Set 314 to win, Adrian Dale's 92 wasn't given the support needed to mount a realistic challenge, and they ended on 253/7.

Worcestershire (11) and Hampshire (10) also finished without a winner at New Road, despite several more tons. Ben Smith's captain's 104 led Worcester to 396 but this was more than matched by Nic Pothas' 146* for the visitors, although Hampshire only made 347. Smith made another 82 second time round and set Hampshire 314 in 74 overs. Robin Smith (77) and John Crawley (67) shared 122 for the third wicket, and Pothas put on 60 with Dmitri Mascarenhas, but Nantie Hayward's 5/70 kept the game alive. Somehow, perennial rabbits Alan Mullally and Ed Giddins fought out until close on 276/9 to claim the draw.

At Bristol, Somerset (5) made a mess of what should have been a comfortable victory against Gloucestershire (18). Jonty Rhodes and Roger Sillence both made 42 in Gloucester's 203, then Jon Lewis reduced the visitors to 36/6 until Richard Johnson hit a first career ton, 118 off 95 balls. More hitting from the tail took them to 289. Gutsy 78s from Matt Windows and Jack Russell set Somerset 283. At 204/3 it looked certain but Sillence and Mark Alleyne both took 3 wickets as Somerset crashed to 274 all out and an 8-run defeat.

Middlesex (8) fought back to hold Essex (12) to a draw at Chelmsford. Jon Dakin's 4/57 kept Middlesex to just 214, and in reply Essex batted all the way down the order to knock up 402. Dakin went from 10 to 50 in just 17 balls. Middlesex, however, showed much more resilience in the second innings with Sven Koenig hitting 94. Abdur Razzaq 81 and Ed Joyce 117. When Joyce was bowled by Darren Robinson of all people, Essex had tried 8 bowlers and Middlesex had run up 495 in 173 overs. James Middlebrook bowled 57 overs for his 5/172. Essex' 41/0 was never going to make the target of 308.

Nottinghamshire (19.75) and Warwickshire (3.25) shared in a cracker at Trent Bridge. Mark Wagh's 73 was the sole stand-out in Warwicks' 222. Middle order resistance was the key in Nottinghamshire's reply, with Bilal Shafayat's 97 the stand-out display. 54 from Paul Franks and Greg Smith for the ninth wicket made it 349 all out. Warwickshire followed that example as Dominic Ostler (58) at six, Dougie Brown (52) at 7, Ashley Giles (94) at 8 an Melvyn Betts (56) at 9 all contributed to 390. 264 was a testing target, but Darren Bicknell (81) and Kevin Pietersen (54) put on 99 for the fourth wicket - at 209/3 it looked easy. Four wickets in quick succession from Betts made it 219/7. Chris Read and Paul Franks ended the Warwickshire revival there and then, with a composed stand of 45 in a three wicket win.

Stuart Law and Mal Loye shared in a 282-run partnership as Lancashire (12) racked up 599 against Surrey at the Oval, Rikki Clarke going at nearly seven an over. Jimmy Anderson took 5/61 - the first five Surrey wickets to fall - in their reply of 280 and when their follow-on stuttered to 150/5, an embarrassing innings defeat looked on the cards. However, Ian Ward (158) and Clarke (127*) saved Surrey as they ended comfortably on 379/6.

CricketWeb Player of the Round: Richard Blakey (Yorkshire) - 223*

Posted by Neil