On The Circuit
Counties continue to out-class universities
Nottinghamshire made a better fist of their second innings against Durham UCCE
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Nottinghamshire made a better fist of their second innings against Durham UCCE. After being rolled for 183 in Durham, Notts began to exact some kind of revenge, skittling Durham for 142 and eking out a lead of more than 300 by the close.
There may be much tutting about mismatches at the World Cup; on this side of the Atlantic Northamptonshire had their own version, absolutely crushing Cambridge UCCE by a thumping innings and 329 runs at Fenners. Gareth James struck Cambridge
Full postStudents struggle against counties
Durham UCCE handed Nottinghamshire a tough start to the season by rolling them for 183 in Durham despite being 92 for 0 before lunch
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Durham UCCE handed Nottinghamshire a tough start to the season by rolling them for 183 in Durham despite being 92 for 0 before lunch. Jason Gallian hit 73 but the middle and lower order fell in a heap, including Chris Read for 15. However, the students struggled in reply and stumbled to 95 for 7 by the close.
Chris Rogers and Stephen Peters helped themselves to centuries after Northamptonshire skittled Cambridge UCCE for 79 at Fenners with Johann van der Wath taking the season's first five-wicket haul.
Ed Smith and Ben Hutton enjoyed the sunshine at The Parks with a century apiece as Middlesex flayed the students from Oxford to the tune to 379 for 2.
Neil Edwards struck 212, the first double century of the summer, as Somerset reached over 400 against Loughborough UCCE at Taunton. Marcus Trescothick was bowled for 28.
Full postKey caught 'sand-papering' ball
Robert Key was caught using sandpaper on a ball during Kent's recent pre-season friendly against Nottinghamshire, but will not face any action from the club or ECB
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Robert Key was caught using sandpaper on a ball during Kent's recent pre-season friendly against Nottinghamshire, but will not face any action from the club or ECB. The match, arranged between the two teams, was not an official ECB fixture so doesn't come under the jurisdiction. A picture taken by a freelance photographer showed Key using the sandpaper to assist reverse swing.
"The way the game is moving forward for bowlers nowadays is through reverse swing," Key told The Guardian, "so what we've tried to do throughout our pre-season nets was to get brand new balls, sandpaper one side, and let the boys practise bowling. It actually goes really well."
The two local officials, and Nottinghamshire's coach Mick Newell, say they saw nothing but would have at least asked questions of Key if they had.
Full postRamprakash thinks of quick footwork
Mark Ramprakash enjoyed a memorable 2006, topping the run charts and then winning the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series to propel him from mere former-England-cricket status to celebrity
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Mark Ramprakash enjoyed a memorable 2006, topping the run charts and then winning the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series to propel him from mere former-England-cricket status to celebrity. Now, though, he is ready to hang up the dancing shoes (for now, at least) and pull on the batting boots as he aims for another run-filled campaign with Surrey, back in the first Division. Ahead of the new season, Christopher Martin-Jenkins caught up with him for The Times.
Full postRamprakash is 37 and the new contract will presumably see him through to retirement and probably to the 13 centuries he needs to become the first batsman since Graeme Hick
Worcestershire hit by Mason injury
Worcestershire will be without paceman Matt Mason for the opening weeks of the season after he failed to recover from an off-season shoulder operation as quickly as expected
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Worcestershire will be without paceman Matt Mason for the opening weeks of the season after he failed to recover from an off-season shoulder operation as quickly as expected. He will certainly miss the first Championship match, against Durham, on April 18 but is hopeful of being fit in early May.
Full postTrescothick on the double
Marcus Trescothick returned to the Somerset side with a bang as he smashed 256 off 117 balls in a pre-season friendly against Devon
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Marcus Trescothick returned to the Somerset side with a bang as he smashed 256 off 117 balls in a pre-season friendly against Devon. His innings included 25 fours and 19 sixes as he continued his rehabilitation from the illness which forced him home from the Ashes tour before the first Test. His comeback action continues with a match against Cornwall on Wednesday before a one-day outing against Gloucestershire a three-day fixture against Loughborough UCCE starting on April 14.
Full postEssex warm-up against Surrey
Essex begin their domestic pre-season friendly programme when they face Surrey on Thursday and Friday (April 5 and 6) at Chelmsford
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Essex begin their domestic pre-season friendly programme when they face Surrey on Thursday and Friday (April 5 and 6) at Chelmsford. The provisional format comprises of 50-overs-per-side games on each day with play starting at 11.00am on Thursday and 10.30am on Friday (please note: format and start times are subject to change as these games are designed to provide match practice for the players ahead of the season).
Full postNorth covers for Marshall
Marcus North will provide cover for Gloucestershire during the opening weeks of the season
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Marcus North will provide cover for Gloucestershire during the opening weeks of the season. Their original option, Hamish Marshall, will be with New Zealand at the World Cup after a late call-up to replace the injured Lou Vincent.
North is expected to play the first Championship match, against Nottinghamshire, starting on April 25 at Bristol. Marshall is now due to be available for the match against Somerset, at Taunton, starting on May 23.
Full postElliott joins Glamorgan for a month
Matthew Elliott will join Glamorgan for the first month of the season
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Matthew Elliott will join Glamorgan for the first month of the season. He was originally due to play for Yorkshire during the same period, but Pakistan's early elimination from the World Cup means that Younis Khan is now available for Yorkshire for the entire season.
Elliott previously played for Glamorgan in 2000 and 2005 and was only prevented from a further season in 2006 by a recurrence of a knee injury. Jimmy Maher will be available for the remainder of the season.
"This opportunity has only come up very recently because my agreement with Yorkshire fell through," said Elliott, "but I was really keen to play county cricket for that first month of the season and, knowing that Jimmy wasn't due to come over to Wales until mid-May, I floated the idea and was delighted that the club agreed. I think people know of my affections for Glamorgan and for Wales, and I'm really looking forward to linking up with the players and getting the season off to a positive start for when Jimmy arrives."
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