County Roundup
The weather dominated proceedings in the County Championship, with delays and interruptions typical of nearly every match
Dave Liverman
19-May-2000
The weather dominated proceedings in the County Championship, with delays and interruptions typical of nearly every match. Most seem to be drifting towards draws, or contrived finishes at this point.
County Championship Division 1
DERBYSHIRE v YORKSHIRE: 22 overs of play were possible at Derby, in which time Yorkshire added 45 runs, and lost the wicket of Gavin Hamilton, who was Cassar's fourth wicket of the innings. Lehmann was still there at the close on 59*, the highest score of the match so far. Derby were still without Munton who required 40 stitches in a head-wound he received in practice before play yesterday.
LEICESTERSHIRE v HAMPSHIRE: Smith and Habib took Leicestershire's total to 104 before their partnership was broken by Mascarenhas, who trapped Smith leg-before for 32. Wells fell to Hartley shortly afterwards, but Dakin contributed 36 before Warne dismissed him, and Habib continued on to 63* at close of play. Leicestershire still trail by 17 runs, with four wickets left, and Warne's figures are 3/71 as he struggles to find the form expected of him.
County Championship Division 2
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE v GLOUCESTERSHIRE: More rain at Trent Bridge, where, after a delayed start, the Russell and Alleyne partnership was finally broken when Russell was caught by Gallian off Millns. Alleyne advanced to a good century, reaching 118* at the close, with Gloucestershire trailing by 8 runs.
SUSSEX v WORCESTERSHIRE: The best weather of the day was at Hove, where Sussex were dismissed for 258. Several batsmen made promising starts to their innings but were unable to make a score of note, Bevan lbw to Lampitt for 31, Adams falling to the same bowler for 36, and Rashid advancing to 37 before McGrath had him leg before. McGrath finished with the excellent figures of 5/54 in 23.5 overs, whilst Lampitt took three wickets. Worcester faced 2 overs without losing a wicket before play was halted for the day.
WARWICKSHIRE v ESSEX: At Edgbaston, Ostler after spending a day watching the rain on 93* moved on to his first century in five years. After Anderson had bowled Hemp, Danny Law removed Penney, but Neil Smith contributed a belligerent half-century whilst Ostler advanced to 144 before Law had him caught. Law took his tally to 5 wickets by dismissing last week's record breakers Brown (42) and Giles (7) followed by handing Welch a golden duck. At the close, Warwickshire were 398/8, with Smith on 67*, and some complex machinations will be required to give this match a chance of a result, with just one day left, and not even the first innings completed.