Report
Trescothick and Langer lift Somerset to the top
A round-up from the latest County Championship matches
Cricinfo staff
02-Jun-2008
First Division
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Somerset romped to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Surrey at Whitgift School, completing the victory just after lunch and thereby lifting them to the top of Division One. Surrey's tail didn't last long: Saqlain Mushtaq top-edged an attempted sweep, before Charl Willoughby bowled Jade Dernbach and removed Pedro Collins for 5. Somerset were set an easy 108 to win and, though they lost Neil Edwards for 5, leg before offering no stroke, Marcus Trescothick and Justin Langer set off in exhilarating style. Langer carved a huge six out of the ground as the left-handers took a particular fancy to Usman Afzaal, who conceded 12 in one over. Afzaal removed Langer for a 30-ball 46, but Trescothick's 42 saw Somerset home with ease.
Kent's match against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl dribbled to a draw, as rain once again played a major part with the day's play abandoned shortly after Hampshire were made to follow-on. With 185 lost to the weather, a result was never likely. Hampshire started the day on a precarious 130 for 5, but were given hope of surviving with Dimitri Mascarenhas, in typically bullish mood, making 45. Once he fell to Azhar Mahmood, however, the rest folded quickly and Hampshire were bowled out for 215. Mahmood finished with 3 for 21 while Amjad Khan, playing in his first Championship match for nearly two years, picked up 2 for 28. Michael Carberry and Michael Brown endured some tricky moments when they batted again before the rain returned midway through the afternoon.
Full postYousuf double-century confirms draw
Predictably, the loss of the entire third day's play to rain condemned this match to a draw, and a rather dreary one Lancashire made of it, too
John Ward at Headingley
02-Jun-2008
Lancashire 481 for 5 dec (Yousuf 205*, Horton 152) drew with Yorkshire 395 (Rudolph 66, Bresnan 64*, Mahmood 4-89)
Scorecard
Scorecard
Predictably, the loss of the entire third day's play to rain condemned this match to a draw, and a rather dreary one Lancashire made of it, too. Roses matches do not lend themselves to contrived finishes, and there was little the players could do to give the match any meaning beyond the acquisition of bonus points - except that Lancashire might have looked to score a little more enterprisingly than they did.
The chief culprit, if he could be described as such, was the Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who began the day needing seven more runs to reach his first century for Lancashire. Play started on time on a dry but cloudy day, and it took Yousuf 36 minutes to move from 93 to 100, which came off 189 balls. Eventually he gratefully accepted a full toss from Richard Pyrah and hit it to the point boundary for four.
His overnight partner, Paul Horton, had already passed 150, but on 152 he appeared to take his eye off a shorter, faster ball from Adil Rashid and had his middle stump knocked back. The two had put on 258 runs together, which equalled the Lancashire record for any partnership against Yorkshire, compiled by Horton himself and Stuart Law in the same fixture last year.
Full postLee sparks Australian surge
Brett Lee breathed life into a meandering match with a masterful spell of fast reverse-swing that overshadowed Shivnarine Chanderpaul's second century of the series
The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale
02-Jun-2008
Australia 479 for 7 dec and 244 for 6 (Jaques 76) lead West Indies 352 (Chanderpaul 107*, Sarwan 65, Marshall 53, Lee 5-59) by 371 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
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Brett Lee breathed life into a meandering match with a masterful spell of fast reverse-swing that overshadowed Shivnarine Chanderpaul's second century of the series and significantly increased the chances of a final-day result. Lee's strikes ensured Australia's first-innings lead of 127 and by the end of the fourth day Phil Jaques had run with the momentum, posting 76 and setting up the visitors' advantage of 371.
At the close Australia had reached 244 for 6, with Andrew Symonds unbeaten on 43 after Lee fell from the last ball of the day. Their lead appeared to be more than adequate to secure the Frank Worrell Trophy - they only need a draw - but there was no indication as to when Ricky Ponting would give his bowlers a chance to push for the victory.
Full postChanderpaul fights on rainy day
Stuart MacGill picked up an important wicket on the day he decided to quit Test cricket but Shivnarine Chanderpaul's solid resistance was decreasing Australia's chances of giving him a farewell victory
The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale
01-Jun-2008
West Indies 255 for 4 (Sarwan 65, Chanderpaul 55*, Marshall 53) trail Australia 479 for 7 dec by 224 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
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Stuart MacGill picked up an important wicket on the day he decided to quit Test cricket but Shivnarine Chanderpaul's solid resistance was decreasing Australia's chances of giving him a farewell victory. On a day shortened to one session because of rain and a wet outfield, West Indies reached 255 for 4 at the close with Chanderpaul on 55 and Dwayne Bravo on 29, and they still trailed by 224 runs.
It was a frustrating day for the players and spectators at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium as the venue's drainage, which was a problem during last year's World Cup, once again failed to impress the umpires and captains. Rain during the morning meant no play was possible before lunch but despite the optimistic sunny skies after the break, it took so long to mop up the wet outfield that play could not begin until 3.30pm local time - five and a half hours late.
Full postHarmison hat-trick inspires Durham
A round-up from the latest County Championship matches
Cricinfo staff
01-Jun-2008
First Division
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Steve Harmison took a hat-trick to inspire Durham to a seven-wicket victory against defending champions Sussex at Hove, despite a fine rearguard century from Matt Prior. Harmison had Rory Hamilton-Brown and Robin Martin-Jenkins caught behind then bowled Mushtaq Ahmed, continuing an encouraging match as he tries to prove his form to the England selectors. He ended with four wickets, as did Callum Thorp who caused the damage to the top order. Thorp removed Murray Goodwin and Luke Wright in three balls, clearing the way for Harmison's moment. Prior, though, stood head and shoulders above his team-mates, as he collected his third century of the season off 117 balls, and reached three figures by lofting Harmison over point for consecutive sixes. He managed to extract 74 runs from the last two wickets, but it still left Durham chasing only 126. An early double from Jason Lewry created a few flutters, however Michael Di Venuto hit a quickfire 60 to settle any nerves.
Somerset are on course for victory at Whitgift School after a fine all-round performance from Ian Blackwell left Surrey in deep trouble. Firstly he moved to 158 as Somerset built a lead of 120, then he took three wickets with his left-arm spin as Surrey ended just 52 ahead with three wickets remaining. Scott Newman offered the main defiance with 91 to follow his 84 in the first innings, but he was caught behind during a collapse that saw Surrey slip from 112 for 1 to 168 for 7. Mark Ramprakash's form slump continued when he was removed for 15. Their problems were compounded when Mark Butcher, batting at No. 8 with a runner because of a hamstring injury, was run out. The only positive for Surrey came from the performance of Jade Dernbach, who claimed a career-best 6 for 72 as Somerset lost their last five wickets for six runs after Blackwell was bowled.
Full postDerbyshire still in hunt for victory
It is still too close to pick a winner at Lord's after Derbyshire's lower order added valuable runs on a truncated third day. With half the side out they were only 73 ahead, but Middlesex couldn't wrap up the innings
Andrew McGlashan at Lord's
01-Jun-2008
Derbyshire 244 and 260 for 9 (Clare 46*, Murtagh 4-70) lead Middlesex 262 by 242 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
It is still too close to pick a winner at Lord's after Derbyshire's lower order added valuable runs on a truncated third day. With half the side out they were only 73 ahead, but Middlesex couldn't wrap up the innings. Jonathan Clare, Charl Langeveldt and a stubborn effort from John Sadler, kept the visitors in the hunt for victory and extended the lead to 242 before bad light ended the day.
This has been a fascinating, and hard-fought, Championship encounter where the ball has had the edge on a pitch that has encouraged the quicker bowlers. That has made for a keen contest, where neither side has been able to grasp the advantage for very long. In such a match, lower-order runs can be the deciding factor.
Clare survived a short-pitched attack from Vernon Philander and Dirk Nannes which had him in some trouble. He was struck on the glove and shoulder in the space of three balls by Philander - keeping the Derbyshire physio on his toes - and also ducked into another short ball. He was far more assured when deliveries were pitched up, bringing out two sweet on-drives. Clare's runs were priceless as the lead grew over 200 and Ed Smith had to start spreading his field.
Full postTaylor stars but Flynn fails
Ross Taylor continued his fine form with 150 against Northamptonshire as the New Zealanders opted for batting practice on the final day at Wantage Road
Cricinfo staff
01-Jun-2008
Northamptonshire 214 for 9 dec and 85 for 2 (Peters 52) drew with New Zealanders 363 and 317 for 7 dec (Taylor 150ret, Hopkins 63, Wigley 4-77)
Scorecard
Scorecard
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Ross Taylor continued his fine form with 150 against Northamptonshire as the New Zealanders opted for batting practice on the final day at Wantage Road. After the home side declared yesterday afternoon there was the prospect of a run-chase being set up, but that clearly wasn't on the agenda when the New Zealanders batted on after lunch with the lead already at 328.
Taylor made the most of the extended time in the middle, hitting 17 fours and six sixes in his 154-ball innings. It followed his unbeaten 154 at Old Trafford, an electric knock which put his team in control on the first two days. He took 14 off an over from Jason Brown, and his main problem was when David Wigley hit him in the groin, cracking his box.
Full postRajasthan champions after cliffhanger
League or knock-out there was only one champion. It was fitting that the most consistent side in the tournament held their nerve to clinch a thriller
The Bulletin by Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
01-Jun-2008
Rajasthan Royals 164 for 7 (Yusuf 56) beat Chennai Super Kings 163 for 5 (Raina 43, Yusuf 3-22) by three wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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League or knock-out there was only one champion. It was fitting that the most consistent side in the tournament held their nerve to clinch a thriller. The Chennai Super Kings summoned every ounce of their reserves to take the match to the wire but a calm swat from Sohail Tanvir, when one was needed off the last ball, sparked some heady celebrations in the Rajasthan Royals' dug-out. The least expensive side in the league had completed the coup that had them winning 13 of their 16 matches.
A galaxy of international stars might have added fizz to the IPL but it was India's most improved domestic player who sparkled in the tense final at the DY Patil Stadium. Few outside India might have heard of Yusuf Pathan before this tournament but he imposed himself on the grand stage, snaffling three wickets before smashing a scintillating 56, setting the stage for the inspirational Shane Warne to pull off the last-ball nailbiter.
Full postAfghanistan claim title in Jersey
A fine all-round performance from Hasti Gul guided Afghanistan to the World Cricket League Division 5 title, with a tense two-wicket victory, in a low-scoring thriller against hosts Jersey
Cricinfo staff
31-May-2008
Afghanistan 81 for 8 (Gul 29*) beat Jersey 80 (Gough 23, Hassan 4-27) by two wickets
Scorecard
Scorecard
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A fine all-round performance from Hasti Gul guided Afghanistan to the World Cricket League Division 5 title, with a tense two-wicket victory, in a low-scoring thriller against hosts Jersey. Gul hit an unbeaten 29, as Afghanistan slumped to 62 for 8 chasing just 81 for victory, to follow his three wickets.
"This game was very important to the team and to the country," said Gul. "Jersey got a small total but when I came into bat, all I wanted to do was to guide my team home and I am delighted to have accomplished the job. There will be lots of people waiting in Kabul to see the trophy and all of Afghanistan will be very happy."
Full postBenkenstein and Smith hurt Sussex
A round-up from the latest County Championship matches
Cricinfo staff
31-May-2008
First Division
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Dale Benkenstein and Will Smith added 205 in 49 overs as Durham took a lead of 87 against Sussex at Hove and once again made inroads into the top order. Their partnership rescued Durham from 11 for 4 after Neil McKenzie had gone early in the day and there was precious little else around them. For Smith it was a notable return to the side, his initial first-team outing of the season after replacing Kyle Coetzer, as he brought up his first Championship century for Durham. He made Sussex pay for dropping him on 9 at slip, a simple chance by Carl Hopkinson. Benkenstein is a more familiar rock for Durham and reached his century off 152 balls, in a stand which fell 17 short of equalling the team's fifth-wicket record. Ben and Steve Harmison shared a useful last-wicket stand of 34, pushing Durham to another batting point, then Steve struck early by removing Chris Nash. Harmison also had Michael Yardy dropped at short leg, but Callum Thorp removed Hopkinson to cement Durham's strong position.
Centuries from Justin Langer and Ian Blackwell put Surrey to the sword at Whitgift School and left Somerset well-placed for a important lead. The match was finely balanced when the pair came together at 134 for 4 in reply to Surrey's 326. However, Langer had already been given one life when he was dropped on 0 by Mark Butcher. Blackwell, too, was put down at slip on 76 and reached his hundred, which included three sixes, off 111 balls. Langer took 141 deliveries as Surrey struggled to make an impact following earlier success for Jade Dernbach and Pedro Collins.
Full post