County Roundup
LEICESTERSHIRE v SOMERSET: Somerset battled hard to set Leicestershire a decent target, with runs being as important as occupation of the crease
Dave Liverman
14-May-2000
County Championship Division 1
LEICESTERSHIRE v SOMERSET: Somerset battled hard to set Leicestershire a decent target, with runs being as important as occupation of the crease. Holloway fell without addition to the overnight total and only Bowler (48) played an innings of any substance. Kumble bowled accurately and with aggression returning figures of 5/61 from 38.2 overs. Leicestershire were set 122 to win, and a couple of quick wickets set them back on their heels. Maddy and Smith took them within sight of victory and despite Maddy and Pierson's dismissals, they won with some ease, with six overs to spare.
YORKSHIRE v HAMPSHIRE: Hampshire resumed at 84/4 and with little hope of winning, being well behind. As it was they failed to make Yorkshire bat again, as no-one was able to stay with Kendall until number 11 Hartley contributed a spritely 22. The impressive Yorkshire seam attack shared the wickets, with Hamilton picking up three tail-end wickets, and his fellow England all-rounder White two. Warne continued his miserable run with the bat, caught off Hamilton for a 2nd ball duck (a total of 5 runs and 5 balls in the match - and his second "pair" in consecutive championship matches). Kendall was unbeaten on 78 as Yorkshire won by an innings. They have achieved 39 points out of a possible 40 in their first two games, and lead the Championship in the early going.
SURREY v KENT: Kent declared on their overnight total and Surrey took just 4 balls (friendly ones from Key) to make 17 and declare. Dravid (71) and Ealham (83) added 102 for the fifth wicket. Bicknell and Tudor took three wickets apiece. Needing 320 to win, Kent had reached 255 for 8 by the close of play.
County Championship Division 2
GLAMORGAN v GLOUCESTERSHIRE: At Cardiff, Maynard reached his century and chose to bat on for for a further 10 overs before declaring at 300/4 setting Gloucestershire 309 to win. On a pitch that made quick run scoring a challenge, the visitors appeared to have no interest in the target, with runs coming at a snail's pace from the opening pair. Croft broke a 50 run opening partnership, and had Windows caught by Law, then Cunliffe was caught by Maynard off Cosker without any addition to the score. Gloucestershire's only thoughts were on survival, but then Barnett was inexplicably run out, Alleyne bowled by Thomas, and Harvey caught at the wicket from Croft. Jack Russell as always was not willing to give up the ghost, and stubbornly resisted and found a willing partner in Averis. Russell faced 110 balls in his 46, and when he was lbw to Croft (his fourth wicket), Averis was joined by Lewis, who stayed until the draw was near certain, but fell in the penultimate over of the day. Last man Cotterell kept out 3 deliveries to ensure the draw, Averis lasting two hours for his unbeaten 25 (dropped twice, but his highest score for his county).
SUSSEX v WARWICKSHIRE: There were no srprises at Hove as Sussex lost their last four wickets for 50 runs to lose by an innings. Ed Giddins finished the match by bowling Kirtley, and must have been quite satisfied with his three wicket haul against his former county. Ashley Giles also took three wickets, which combined with his unbeaten century was a fine all-round performance.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE v NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: Nottinghamshire's hopes of salvaging a draw took an immediate blow when Afzaal was out without adding to his overnight score. When Read, then Morris (46) were both adjudged lbw to Cousins, it was just a matter of time before Northants won. Cousins (formerly of Essex and Surrey) took four wickets, and Graeme Swann, apparently now peripheral to England's plans, snapped up the last two wickets to complete victory by an innings and plenty.
University Match
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY v DERBYSHIRE: After a dismal couple of days, Cambridge University re-established some credibility as a first-class side by at least providing resistance to Derby on the final day. Resuming at 25/4, the young Yorkshire born Danson batted well, but defensively, and the aptly named Block blocked assiduously, taking 110 balls for his 23. Danson eventually completed a well deserved maiden first-class century, and ensured a draw, unbeaten at the close on 117.