Floodlights fail to impress Adams
A round-up from the first day of the latest County Championship matches
Cricinfo staff
25-Jul-2007
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Division One
Only 24 overs were possible at The Rose Bowl, but it proved sufficient for Hampshire's bowlers who reduced Sussex to 64 for 6. James Bruce was the catalyst with 4 for 33, removing Chris Nash for a duck and trapping Murray Goodwin in front for 19. Sussex captain Chris Adams was unimpressed that his side had to bat under floodlights. "Although the light does improve once the floodlights are turned on, it is artificial light. I don't think floodlights have a place in four-day cricket," he said.
Surrey moved to 164 for 2 against Worcestershire on a reduced first day at Guildford. Jon Batty and Scott Newman got Surrey off to a brisk start with an opening stand of 81 before another Batty, Worcestershire's Gareth, bowled Newman for 32. Shortly afterwards, Batty dismissed his namesake Jon for 45 leaving Surrey on 104 for 2. But Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher steadied Surrey's innings with an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 60, before rain curtailed the day's play.
A steadying stand of 69 between Joe Denly and James Tredwell rescued Kent on their first day against leaders Yorkshire at Scarborough. Click here for John Ward's bulletin.
Division Two
Somerset slipped to 180 for 5 on the opening drizzly day against Derbyshire at Derby, as their powerful top-order struggled against Ant Botha's slow left-arm. That they reached such lofty heights owed much to Neil Edwards' fighting 94 which contained 16 fours and came from 121 balls. However, the next highest scorer was Justin Langer with 22, closely followed by 20 extras, as Somerset failed to put any length partnerships together. But shortly before the rain fell, and six short of a hundred, Edwards edged Botha behind to leave Derbyshire in command after the first, shortened day.
There was no play at Abergavenny between Glamorgan and Leicestershire due to rain.
Bristol also succumbed to the drizzle, preventing Gloucestershire's match against Leicestershire from starting.