County Roundup

LEICESTERSHIRE v HAMPSHIRE: Leicestershire took on Hampshire at Grace Road in what has been billed as the battle of the high-priced import leg spinners. DeFreitas made the early breakthrough, however, removing Laney and Kendall in an impressive opening spell.

Kenway and Smith took the score to 61/2 before Kumble struck with two quick wickets, removing White first ball after having Kendall caught by Maddy. The big excitement of the day was Shane Warne finally breaking his county cricket duck, reaching the lofty heights of 16 before being bowled by Maddy. Adrian Aymes, well supported by Renshaw, rebuilt the innings, as Hampshire recovered from 135/7 to 227/9 at the close. Aymes is still there on 74, having batted over four hours, with only three boundaries.

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DERBYSHIRE v YORKSHIRE: Derby chose to bat on their home ground, and made a reasonable start against the Yorkshire seamers, still an impressive line-up despite the absence of Gough and Silverwood. After Hutchinson dismissed Dowman, Hamilton, again bowling accurately, bowled Di Venuto for 30. Hoggard, a press favourite for England selection, struggled, and Hutchinson was the pick of the bowlers, dismissing Stubbings just short of a half-century and taking a return catch from Cassar who made 47. Cork chipped in with another forty, before Yorkshire's secret weapon Darren Lehmann struck, having Cork caught and bowling Lacey. At the close Derby were 285/8, a reasonable performance, but less than might have been if one of their bats had been able to build a major innings.

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NOTTINGHAMSHIRE v GLOUCESTERSHIRE: Nottinghamshire chose to bat at Trent Bridge and attempted to shore up their so far fragile batting line-up by bringing in 22 year old Guy Welton to open the innings with Bicknell, dropping out of form Afzaal down the order. The experiment was a success in that Welton alone batted well.

The new opening partnership foundered almost immediately as Bicknell was run-out. Gallian stayed with Welton until the 13th over, when Jonathan Lewis struck with devastating effect. He trapped Gallian lbw, then next ball repeated the feat, as Afzaal continued his miserable run. John Morris snicked the hat-trick delivery to Cotterell and Notts were suddenly 35/4.

Wayne Noon was next man in, a somewhat elevated position for a player who averaged 4.4 in 1999, and playing his first game of the season. He lasted 6 balls before falling for another duck, and yet again, Nottinghamshire were in the position of rebuilding an innings after failures by the recognised batsmen.

Welton and Read however played sensibly and took the score to 88/5 by lunch. Welton put on 52 with Read, then 39 with Franks as the Notts lower order displayed some much needed backbone. Welton was eighth out for an excellent 74, Millns and Lucas contributed useful runs, and a total of 215 represented a good recovery. The total looked even more useful when Franks (3/9) and Lucas (2/31) reduced Gloucestershire to 47/5 by the close, with only Alleyne (12*) reaching double figures.

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WARWICKSHIRE v ESSEX: With Nick Knight on Test duty Warwickshire brought in Mark Wagh to open the batting when they were put in at Edgbaston. After a delayed start, Irani, relishing his new role opening the bowling, had Wagh caught by Mason for 7. Ostler continued his good form with a patient 93*, and took Warwicks to 160/2 at the close as rain intervened again.

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CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY v MIDDLESEX: Middlesex made light work of passing Cambridge's total, with Roseberry enjoying himself to the extent of 139 runs before retiring hurt. Weekes declared on 296/2, and Bloomfield reduced the University to 10/3 at the close.

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OXFORD UNIVERSITIES v GLAMORGAN: Glamorgan continued to get some batting practice in against the Oxford bowlers, although only Wharf reached three figures, Evans, Law, Maynard and Newell all passing fifty. Maynard declared once Wharf reached his century on 475/6, and Oxford had time to lose a wicket before close of play.

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