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County Champ Div 2 Roundup

Monday, August 25 2003

Derbyshire v Northants

Derbyshire have struggled to score runs all season. Without Michael Di Venuto they probably wouldn't have scored 200 all season. Once again here Di Venuto failed, out fourth ball for a duck, and immediately Derbyshire subsided to 4-2, both openers out to Andre Nel.

As a result, they were indebted to Rawait Khan, who scored 76 out of 138 in Derbys first innings. Only Mohammad Kaif (31) offered any support. Jeff Cook finished with 4-35, and the innings lasted just 49.3 overs.

Then, Northants provided a demonstration of how to bat. Hopefully for the home side, they were paying attention. Although Kevin Dean trapped Timothy Robinson lbw for 12, that was to be the only success of the day. Northants soon passed 138 and indeed were 224-1 by the close of play, with Mike Hussey 103* and Phil Jaques 99*.

On the second morning, Jaques completed his hundred, and with the partnership at 233, Dean finally got a breakthrough, bowling Jaques for 123. Hussey was then run out for 115, but the pain continued for the hosts, who toiled to little avail as David Sales and Mark Powell added another 139.

Dean got Powell, though not until he had completed a 50, and then Cook simply joined in the fun, scoring 85 in a stand of 196. He also fell to Dean, the only bowler who didn't take a clobbering. Tobin Bailey smashed a few boundaries, and after Sales reached his double hundred, the declaration finally came.

Northants had amassed 647-5.

This left Derby requiring some 509 just to make Northants bat again, and they got off to a much better start - 66-0 at the close on day two.

But Selwood had to retire hurt early on day three and wickets began to fall. Once Jason Brown had bowled Di Venuto for 116, and Luke Sutton followed for 56, Derby subsided to 278 all out to lose by an innings and 231 runs, a truly massive defeat. Brown finished with 4-60.

Durham v Hampshire

There was another one-sided game up at England's latest test ground. Hampshire are chasing promotion in the NCL but have been woeful in the championship in 2003. Plagued by injuries, particularly to bowlers, they have struggled in large ever since the weather robbed them of a couple of likely victories early in the season. Durham meanwhile are looking good for promotion and they kept up the momentum here.

After reducing Durham to 73-3, Hampshire appeared to be in contention, but they hadn't reckoned for Martyn Love. Last winter, he frustrated England's attempts in the warm up games, and he was at it again here. Gary Pratt offered useful support with 66 in a stand of 161. Wickets fell regularly from then on, but all the while Love was blazing away at the other end. By the time he was last out, bowled by Udal, Love had compiled a very impressive 273.

Durham had scored 515 and Hampshire were well and truly on the back foot. Hampshire were 88-4 by the close on day two and the writing was on the wall. John Francis (61) and Nic Pothas (50) briefly showed it was still possible to score runs, adding 81 for the fifth wicket, but Hampshire lost their last 6 wickets for 50 runs to be all out for 211 and were forced to follow on.

And things didn't go any better. Killeen removed Crawley and Katich, 18-2. Robin Smith scored 49 and Pothas again fought hard for another 47, but Hampshire subsided to 189 all out and lost by an innings and 115 runs.

Worcestershire v Somerset

Somerset are another side who've suffered a disappointing year. Indeed possibly the worst of anyone. But they got off to a good start here. Half centuries from Matthew Wood and Mike Burns staked them to 154-1.

Worcs fought back though and 4 batsmen were dismissed in the 20s, including the returning Richard Johnson, as Somerset were dismissed for 296. Mason, Hayward and Batty took three wickets each.

In reply, Stephen Peters scored 103 and Gareth Batty 52*, but everyone else wasted their start and wickets fell at regular intervals. As a result, Worcs wasted a golden opportunity (at 223-4 and 286-6) to gain a significant first innings lead. They were dismissed for 331 with three wickets each for Laraman and Blackwell.

Somerset couldn't keep the momentum though, and Nantie Hayward ripped through the top order to leave the visitors 49-6. They eventually scrambled to 147 and Hayward finished with 5-46.

Stephen Peters looked in good form with another 54 and Worcs cruised to an eight wicket victory.


Derbyshire 138 (RW Khan 76) and 278 (MJ Di Venuto 116, LD Sutton 56) lost to Northants 647-5d (DJG Sales 200*, PA Jaques 123, MK Hussey 115, JW Cook 85, MJ Powell 50) by an innings and 231 runs.

Durham 515 (M Love 273, G Pratt 66) beat Hampshire 211 (JD Francis 61, N Pothas 50) and 189 by an innings and 115 runs.

Somerset 296 (M Burns 89, MJ Wood 53) and 147 (M Hayward 5-46) lost to Worcestershire 331 (SD Peters 103, GJ Batty 52*) and 116-2 (SD Peters 54) by eight wickets.

Posted by Barrie