Obuya makes his mark with the bat
Warwickshire v Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston Scorecard Kenya's World Cup hero, Collins Obuya, scored an unbeaten 55 on his Championship debut, and Dougie Brown added a stubborn 40 late in the day to give Warwickshire the honours after
Freddie Auld
03-Jun-2003
Frizzell County Championship Division One
Warwickshire v Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston
Scorecard
Kenya's World Cup hero, Collins Obuya, scored an unbeaten 55 on his Championship debut, and Dougie Brown added a stubborn 40 late in the day to give Warwickshire the honours after Nottinghamshire's bowlers had fought back bravely at Edgbaston. Ian Trott (63) and Mark Wagh (58) got the show on the road before Greg Smith dismissed them both, as well as Nick Knight, caught for 33. And when the recalled Paul Franks picked up Ian Bell and Jim Troughton in quick succession, Warwickshire had thrown away their good start, stumbling to 238 for 7. But Brown - still high on confidence from his matchwinning hundred against Essex in the C&G Trophy - played a sensible and valuable knock as he and Obuya guided Warwickshire past the 300 mark before bad light stopped play.
Scorecard
Kenya's World Cup hero, Collins Obuya, scored an unbeaten 55 on his Championship debut, and Dougie Brown added a stubborn 40 late in the day to give Warwickshire the honours after Nottinghamshire's bowlers had fought back bravely at Edgbaston. Ian Trott (63) and Mark Wagh (58) got the show on the road before Greg Smith dismissed them both, as well as Nick Knight, caught for 33. And when the recalled Paul Franks picked up Ian Bell and Jim Troughton in quick succession, Warwickshire had thrown away their good start, stumbling to 238 for 7. But Brown - still high on confidence from his matchwinning hundred against Essex in the C&G Trophy - played a sensible and valuable knock as he and Obuya guided Warwickshire past the 300 mark before bad light stopped play.
Kent v Sussex at Tunbridge Wells
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Alamgir Sheriyar gave Kent a much-needed boost with three wickets as Sussex crumbled to 142 for 5 on a rain-affected day. After play started at 3.45pm, Sheriyar accounted for the opener Richard Montgomerie for 13, the returning Tony Cottey for a second-ball duck, and the danger man Chris Adams for 62. Adams was by far and away the highest scorer for Sussex as they failed to build any partnerships on the damp Tunbridge Wells pitch.
Scorecard
Alamgir Sheriyar gave Kent a much-needed boost with three wickets as Sussex crumbled to 142 for 5 on a rain-affected day. After play started at 3.45pm, Sheriyar accounted for the opener Richard Montgomerie for 13, the returning Tony Cottey for a second-ball duck, and the danger man Chris Adams for 62. Adams was by far and away the highest scorer for Sussex as they failed to build any partnerships on the damp Tunbridge Wells pitch.
Lancashire v Leicestershire at Liverpool
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Leicestershire's bid to climb away from the bottom of the table didn't receive any favours from Lancashire, whose top three batsmen all crashed fifties against a seven-man bowling attack. Mark Chilton (87*) and Iain Sutcliffe raced along in a 104-run opening stand before David Masters had Sutcliffe caught for 55 - Leicestershire's only wicket of the day. Mal Loye then carried on the good work with 53 not out, until rain stopped play after tea.
Scorecard
Leicestershire's bid to climb away from the bottom of the table didn't receive any favours from Lancashire, whose top three batsmen all crashed fifties against a seven-man bowling attack. Mark Chilton (87*) and Iain Sutcliffe raced along in a 104-run opening stand before David Masters had Sutcliffe caught for 55 - Leicestershire's only wicket of the day. Mal Loye then carried on the good work with 53 not out, until rain stopped play after tea.
Middlesex v Essex at Lord's
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Ben Hutton and Ed Joyce led the Middlesex fightback against Essex at an overcast and damp Lord's. Jon Dakin did his best to recall his wonders with the ball at Trent Bridge with three quick wickets as Middlesex slumped to 23 for 3 shortly after play eventually started after lunch. But the Essex players' excitement at the prospect of another collapse were dampened by a rescuing 128-run stand between Hutton and Joyce. However, Joyce fell shortly before the close, caught-and-bowled by Ravinder Bopara for 69, but Abdul Razzaq played an uncharacteristically slow knock of 15 from 47 balls to ensure no more alarms. Hutton finished not out on 69.
Scorecard
Ben Hutton and Ed Joyce led the Middlesex fightback against Essex at an overcast and damp Lord's. Jon Dakin did his best to recall his wonders with the ball at Trent Bridge with three quick wickets as Middlesex slumped to 23 for 3 shortly after play eventually started after lunch. But the Essex players' excitement at the prospect of another collapse were dampened by a rescuing 128-run stand between Hutton and Joyce. However, Joyce fell shortly before the close, caught-and-bowled by Ravinder Bopara for 69, but Abdul Razzaq played an uncharacteristically slow knock of 15 from 47 balls to ensure no more alarms. Hutton finished not out on 69.
Frizzell County Championship Division Two
Somerset v Worcestershire at Bath
Scorecard
Worcestershire's serene progress this season continued on a belter of a day for their batsmen against Somerset at Bath. Stephen Peters - who at last is fulfilling his early potential as a World Cup-winner with England Under-19s - blasted a career-best 165, and his fellow opener, Anurag Singh, also filled his boots with 105 from 155 balls in their stand of 201. And after Keith Dutch finally removed Singh, Somerset's bowlers were then confronted by an in-form Graeme Hick, who duly carted them to all parts in an 88-ball 71 before he was caught off Ian Blackwell. Somerset had a mini-revival when Ben Smith was stumped for 2 and Vikram Solanki bowled for 10, but Andrew Hall (30*) and Gareth Batty (22*) kept up the momentum with some feisty blows to rocket Worcestershire past 400 in 104 overs.
Scorecard
Worcestershire's serene progress this season continued on a belter of a day for their batsmen against Somerset at Bath. Stephen Peters - who at last is fulfilling his early potential as a World Cup-winner with England Under-19s - blasted a career-best 165, and his fellow opener, Anurag Singh, also filled his boots with 105 from 155 balls in their stand of 201. And after Keith Dutch finally removed Singh, Somerset's bowlers were then confronted by an in-form Graeme Hick, who duly carted them to all parts in an 88-ball 71 before he was caught off Ian Blackwell. Somerset had a mini-revival when Ben Smith was stumped for 2 and Vikram Solanki bowled for 10, but Andrew Hall (30*) and Gareth Batty (22*) kept up the momentum with some feisty blows to rocket Worcestershire past 400 in 104 overs.
Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire at Gloucester
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Mike Hussey led Northamptonshire's charge off the bottom of the table with a domineering 169 not out, including 24 fours and two sixes. Hussey was at the crease for a marathon seven hours and 15 minutes and shared a 126-run second-wicket stand with his fellow Aussie, Phil Jaques, who continues to cause a stir for Northants with a rapid 75. David Sales then joined in the fun with 46 before he was caught behind off Ian Butler - one of Butler's three victims - but apart from those, and a wicket each for Mike Smith and Martyn Ball, there wasn't much to shout about in a long day for the Gloucestershire bowlers.
Scorecard
Mike Hussey led Northamptonshire's charge off the bottom of the table with a domineering 169 not out, including 24 fours and two sixes. Hussey was at the crease for a marathon seven hours and 15 minutes and shared a 126-run second-wicket stand with his fellow Aussie, Phil Jaques, who continues to cause a stir for Northants with a rapid 75. David Sales then joined in the fun with 46 before he was caught behind off Ian Butler - one of Butler's three victims - but apart from those, and a wicket each for Mike Smith and Martyn Ball, there wasn't much to shout about in a long day for the Gloucestershire bowlers.
Hampshire v Durham at Southampton
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Simon Katich scored an unbeaten hundred against his former county to rescue Hampshire and take the shine off another spirited display in the field by Durham. Danny Law celebrated his return to the side with the wickets of Derek Kenway, John Crawley and Robin Smith, to leave Hampshire reeling at 61 for 3. Will Kendall then set about repairing some of the damage before he was run out for 33, and Nic Pothas kept Katich company with 53 not out as Hampshire ended the day on 238 for 4.
Scorecard
Simon Katich scored an unbeaten hundred against his former county to rescue Hampshire and take the shine off another spirited display in the field by Durham. Danny Law celebrated his return to the side with the wickets of Derek Kenway, John Crawley and Robin Smith, to leave Hampshire reeling at 61 for 3. Will Kendall then set about repairing some of the damage before he was run out for 33, and Nic Pothas kept Katich company with 53 not out as Hampshire ended the day on 238 for 4.
University Match
Bradford/Leeds UCCE v Yorkshire at Bradford
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After a catching a severe case of the yips last year, Gavin Hamilton returned to the Yorkshire side in style with 143 not out against Bradford/Leeds Universities. They may not be the toughest opposition for a professional batsman, but that won't matter to Hamilton, who was on the verge of an emotional retirement last season. There was a return for Craig White, too, as he eased back from a rib injury with 65, and along with 117 from Richard Blakey, Yorkshire cruised to 409 for 3 before declaring. In their reply, the students reached 17 for 1.
Scorecard
After a catching a severe case of the yips last year, Gavin Hamilton returned to the Yorkshire side in style with 143 not out against Bradford/Leeds Universities. They may not be the toughest opposition for a professional batsman, but that won't matter to Hamilton, who was on the verge of an emotional retirement last season. There was a return for Craig White, too, as he eased back from a rib injury with 65, and along with 117 from Richard Blakey, Yorkshire cruised to 409 for 3 before declaring. In their reply, the students reached 17 for 1.