County Roundup
LANCASHIRE v HAMPSHIRE: The Lancashire tail wagged taking them from their overnight 125/7 to 215 all out, mainly thanks to an unbeaten 39 by Schofield, ably assisted by Chapple (20), Martin (21), and Keedy (13)
Dave Liverman
25-May-2000
County Championship Division 1
LANCASHIRE v HAMPSHIRE: The Lancashire tail wagged taking them from their overnight 125/7 to 215 all out, mainly thanks to an unbeaten 39 by Schofield, ably assisted by Chapple (20), Martin (21), and Keedy (13). Mascarenhas took the last two wickets to finish with 4/52, and Warne bowled Chapple to give him figures of 2/51.
Hampshire struggled against Martin who had both openers back in the pavilion with the score on 34, but Kendall (36) and Smith took the total to 116 before Schofield, enjoying a chance to bowl after his rest against Zimbabwe at Lord's, had Kendall caught by Chilton. Smith, who is still a force to be reckoned with despite his absence from the international scene, hit ten fours in his 61
before chipping a catch to Flintoff off Keedy. White (45*) and Aymes (7 from 42 balls) took the score to 175/4 at the close, with a draw looking likely tomorrow.
SOMERSET v DERBYSHIRE: Somerset resumed on 117/4 and Bowler (57) with support from Parsons (47) helped them to a total of 240 all out. Derby made an attractive start as Dowman and Stubbings put together an unbroken century opening partnership in 26 overs, both bats being on 41* overnight.
DURHAM v LEICESTESHIRE: DeFreitas was in top all-round form for Leicestershire as firstly he and Crowe extended their last wicket partnership to 88 before Crowe was lbw to Harmison. DeFreitas made 81* from 157 balls, a splendid effort from number 10 in the batting order. He then took the first three Durham wickets in quick succession, reducing Durham from 43/0 to 52/3. Two more wickets before the close left Durham precariously poised at 80/5 (Katich 28*), with Leicestershire hoping for quick wickets and to enforce the follow-on tomorrow.
KENT V SURREY: No play was possible at Canterbury in the match between Kent and Surrey.
County Championship Division 2
SUSSEX v ESSEX: Sussex got off to a poor start, losing first Bevan, with no addition to the overnight score, and then Adams caught by Grayson off Irani for a second ball duck. Pierson and Cottey however combined for an excellent fourth wicket partnership of 198. Pierce played very much the sheet anchor role, taking 215 balls for his 86, whilst Cottey pushed the score along.
Mason bowled Pierce, and Patterson fell one run later for a golden duck, but then Rashid (55*) helped Cottey take the total to 298. Cottey (the former Glamorgan player) had scored just more than half his side's runs when he was out for a splendid 154, with nineteen fours and a six. At the close Sussex had a lead of 105 with three wickets left.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE v WORCESTERSHIRE: Sheriyar (4/51) and McGrath with a wicket apiece wrapped up the Gloucestershire innings for 199, a single run short of a batting point. Jon Lewis in an effective opening spell removed the openers, and when Smith had Hick caught by Harvey (his third slip catch of the innings), Worcestershire were 56/3. Solanki, however, dominated proceedings from then on with a magnificent unbeaten 161, with 25 fours and 2 sixes. Competition for batting places in the England team is getting stiff, but Solanki showed that he cannot be ignored with an innings of quality, combining aggression with defence. He received good support from Leatherdale (65), and at the close Worcestershire have a handy lead of 111 with four wickets left.
WARWICKSHIRE v GLAMORGAN: Only 32 overs were possible at Sophia Gardens, during which time Warwickshire advanced from 184/1 to 280/5. The day got off to a thrilling start as young pacer Simon Jones (son of England Test player Jeff Jones) ripped out four Warwickshire batsman for the addition of only two runs to the overnight score. Neither Powell or Ostler added to their overnight scores, and Hemp and Smith both made ducks. Dougie Brown contributing an unbeaten half century, and Penney provided some stability however, with an unbroken partnership of 94. The cooperation of both captains as well as the weather will be required to contrive a result from this match with only one day remaining.
NORTHANTS v MIDDLESEX: Northants replied to Middlesex's 217 with a good 2nd wicket partnership of 105 between Hayden and Loye (47). Tuffnell was brought into the attack after seam had proved ineffective, and dismissed both partners with the score on 142. Hayden made 69, with 13 boundaries. Tuffnell trapped Sales lbw in the same spell, but Penberthy and Swann stopped the rot. Bloomfield took both their wickets, and Tuffnell one more as Northants advanced into the lead and were 265/7 at the close, Tuffnell 4/82.