Creeping statistics

Maybe expecting Test cricket at the Rose Bowl by 2009 was asking too much when cows, not cricketers, were enjoying it little more than seven years ago. But its much-criticised playing surface is improving, if statistics are a reliable guide. Over the first five torrid summers at the Rose Bowl only two Hampshire players attained the modest target of 1,000 runs: Simon Katich (1,143 in 2003) and John Crawley (1,246 in 2005). Though runs are still not flowing, by the mid-point in the Championship as many as five look on course for 1,000 this year. Crawley had 748 and four others