County Roundup

DURHAM v LEICESTERSHIRE: A ninth wicket partnership of 85 between Phil DeFreitas and Jonathan Dakin frustrated the Durham bowlers who again looked impressive today at Chester-le-Street. Maddy managed to shake off some of his recent poor form, scoring an important 50 for the visitors, but Trevor Ward's disappointing run continued with a fifth-ball duck.

At 167-8, with Harmison, Betts and Wood sharing the wickets, Durham's bowlers seemed to have earned their pennies. Dakin (89) and Daffy (31*) had other ideas though and their patient partnership took Leicestershire on to a much healthier 252 before the former was bowled by Wood. At close the score stood at 256-9.

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KENT v SURREY: Ian Ward dominated the headlines after yesterday's half-century and deserves to again after notching up a career best 127*. While no other Surrey batsmen managed to establish themselves as well as Ward, there were useful contributions from Brown (28) and Bicknell (27). Kent left arm seamer, Kristian Adams, having picked up his first wicket (Thorpe) yesterday, added a second ensnaring Jonathan Batty LBW. The weather spoiled the day as it has so often this season forcing the premature close of play with Surrey standing at 283-7. With both teams struggling for points at this early stage, the intervention of the rain would not have been welcomed by either, as the likelihood of a positive result receded further.

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HAMPSHIRE v LANCASHIRE: Rain again intervened on the second day of the Hampshire - Lancashire match, somewhat to Lancashire's relief. Atherton was rested from the squad, although Test players Flintoff and Schofield were included, and overseas player Ganguly was overseas - preparing for the Asia Cup.

Lancashire soon found themselves in trouble after being asked to bat. Chilton and Crawley put on 41 for the first wicket, but Francis had Chilton caught, and Flintoff (5) soon followed. Mascarenhas dismissed Crawley and Fairbrother, and Lancashire slumped to 71/4/. Warne was brought into the attack, and broke a promising partnership by having Lancashire's Italian-Australian non-import Scuderi caught behind.

Hartley got into the act, having both Lloyd and Aymes caught behind, and when rain stopped play, Lancashire were 125/7.

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SOMERSET v DERBYSHIRE: Just 40 overs were possible today at Taunton and honours were even at stumps. Somerset started brightly with highly rated openers Marcus Trescothick and Jamie Cox putting on 69 and Dominic Cork, having invited Somerset to bat must have been wondering about his decision. The Derbyshire seamers soon fought back, with Munton, Dean, Smith and Aldred each claiming a victim. At the close, former Derbyshire batsman Peter Bowler remained unbeaten on 18, with new batsman Rob Turner yet to score.

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ESSEX v SUSSEX: There had been some play on the first day at Chelmsford where Essex resumed on 59/3. Grayson soon was bowled by Lewry, but Peters (22) and Irani (46) took the total to three figures. Both were dismissed with the total on 132, and Law (D) and Mason soon followed, as Essex slumped to 140/8. What looked like being a good day for Sussex turned sour as Hyam (34) and Anderson put on 86 for the 9th wicket, and then Illot helped Anderson (left on 67*) to take the total to 255. Sussex had to face 9 overs, and reached 21/1, losing Montgomerie to Illot.

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GLAMORGAN v WARWICKSHIRE: 60 overs of play were possible before the rain descended again over Sophia Gardens, and Warwickshire enjoyed the opportunity, Knight making 80 out an opening partnership of 135 with Powell (73*). Ostler and Powell took the total to 184/1 before the rain fell again.

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE v WORCESTERSHIRE: Worcestershire's opening pair of Sheriyar and McGrath were in devastating form when Hick asked Gloucestershire to bat. It was the Afghani rather than the Australian who took the wickets, though, dismissing Cunliffe, Hancock and Alleyne, with McGrath chipping in with the wicket of Windows to reduce Gloucester to 19 for 4.

Barnett was bowled by Lampitt for 16, but then Harvey, partnered briefly by Russell (16), and then Snape, led a recovery. Harvey's batting has blossomed in English conditions, and by the time he was caught by Lampitt off Illingworth, he had made 70, with eleven fours and a six, and his partnership with Snape was worth 98. Snape fell to Illingworth shortly afterwards, and after 54.2 overs rain prevented further play with Gloucestershire on 176/8, in the circumstances, a good recovery.

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NORTHAMPTONSHIRE v MIDDLESEX: Middlesex chose to bat at Northampton, and Ramprakash finally seeming more comfortable in the role as opener made a typically accomplished 54, top score of the day. Langer contributed a quick 17 before being bowled by Malcolm, and the middle order had difficulty against the seam bowling of Logan who took 5/61. Apart from Ramprakash no batsman was able to build an innings, and when rain intervened Middlesex were all out for 217.

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