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CC1: Gloucester sole victors

Monday, June 28 2004

Arundel Castle: Sussex v Gloucestershire
Lewis stars as Gloucs cruise

Jon Lewis took 8 wickets in the match as Gloucestershire thrashed defending champions Sussex at Arundel Castle. Only three Sussex batsmen made double figures in their first innings' 106 as Lewis took 5-33 and Mike Smith and Mark Alleyne two each before Philip Weston's 81 and twenties and thirties from five other batsmen pushed Gloucestershire to 300 despite Mushtaq Ahmed's 5-58.

Smith and Lewis then took three each in Sussex's second innings, as only Ian Ward's 69 and then 88 for the eighth wicket between Robin Martin-Jenkins (43) and Mushtaq Ahmed (54) forced the visitors to bat again, and Craig Spearman had little difficulty in bludgeoning Gloucestershire home, although Weston was run out in the process.

Sussex 106
MW Goodwin 28, J Lewis 5-33
and 218
IJ Ward 69, AM Smith 3-34
Gloucestershire 300
WPC Weston 81, Mushtaq Ahmed 5-58

Gloucestershire (20pts) beat Sussex (3pts) by 9 wickets

Worcester: Worcestershire v Surrey
Thorpe holds firm as rain thwarts Pears

A thoroughly inept display from Surrey was only saved from complete ignominy by Graham Thorpe's determined 22* to prevent defeat after Worcestershire had been a class apart through what play was possible over the four days of the game. Thorpe made 41 and Jon Batty 53 in Surrey's first innings but only two others made double figures as Kabir Ali's 5-60 sent them tumbling to 155 all out.

The two Stephens, Peters (108) and Moore (146), then added 240 for the first wicket of Worcester's reply before four fell in quick succession. Adam Hollioake (3-69) removed both openers and Graeme Hick - who, like Vikram Solanki, was caught behind without scoring. However, from 271-4, Ben Smith and Andy Hall added 129 at speed and Worcester declared in search of the win.

However, the weather only permitted 16 overs' play on day four and Thorpe held firm after Scott Newman had made 65 earlier on, but at 187-8, Surrey were grateful when the heavens opened above New Road.

Surrey 155
JN Batty 53, Kabir Ali 5-60
and 187-8
SA Newman 65, AJ Hall 3-10
Worcestershire 400-4
SC Moore 146, SD Peters 108

Gloucestershire (12pts) drew with Surrey (4.5pts)

Beckenham: Kent v Warwickshire
Rain dominates despite Symonds salvo

Warwickshire amassed 502-6 in their first innings at Kent's Beckenham outground, with Michael Powell (134), Mark Wagh (86) and Jonathan Trott (115) adding 354 for the first two wickets.

Brad Hogg (4-90) and Naqqash Tahir (3-50) then reduced Kent to 297 all out, although Andrew Symonds' 156 not out, coming from 167 balls and including 21 fours and 4 sixes, rescued them from 108-5 and 218-8. The second-highest score was Min Patel's 24, though Mohammad Sami stuck around for over two hours for his 18.

The loss of the first day's play and the majority of the fourth then conspired to wash out Warwickshire's victory hopes, Kent ending on 23-0 after an hour's defence.

Warwickshire 502
MJ Powell 134, IJL Trott 115
Kent 297
A Symonds 156*, GB Hogg 4-90
and 23-0
MA Carberry 14*

Kent (7pts) drew with Warwickshire (12pts)

Posted by Neil