Mushy, Aussies, Pettini and Lewis
Cricinfo takes a look back at the week of county action and some of the performances that caught the eye
Will Luke
15-May-2006
Cricinfo takes a look back at the week of county action and some of the performances that caught the eye.
Innings of the week - Mark Pettini, 124 v Somerset
In a match which produced five centurions and seven fifties, it took something special to break cover and Mark Pettini provided it. Pettini - 22, playing in only his 15th first-class game - anchored Essex's impressive run-chase of 347 while wickets continued to fall around him. It was all the more notable given that he opened the innings - replacing Essex's giant Will Jefferson who freakishly injured his wrist opening a window before the season began - instead of batting in his usual middle-order position. Jefferson is still struggling with his injury but did turn out for Essex 2nd XI recently.
In a match which produced five centurions and seven fifties, it took something special to break cover and Mark Pettini provided it. Pettini - 22, playing in only his 15th first-class game - anchored Essex's impressive run-chase of 347 while wickets continued to fall around him. It was all the more notable given that he opened the innings - replacing Essex's giant Will Jefferson who freakishly injured his wrist opening a window before the season began - instead of batting in his usual middle-order position. Jefferson is still struggling with his injury but did turn out for Essex 2nd XI recently.
Bowling performance - Mushtaq Ahmed, 6 for 72 v Nottinghamshire
Mushy is a firm favourite at Sussex and, after his match haul of nine wickets against Nottinghamshire, it is perfectly understandable. His enthusiastic appealing enlivened an otherwise dull second day, taking 6 for 72 and - despite his affable, friendly nature - he even got up the nose of Chris Read. Such was Mushtaq's excellence, in this his fourth season with Sussex, that the reigning county champions looked a shadow of their former dominant selves.
Mushy is a firm favourite at Sussex and, after his match haul of nine wickets against Nottinghamshire, it is perfectly understandable. His enthusiastic appealing enlivened an otherwise dull second day, taking 6 for 72 and - despite his affable, friendly nature - he even got up the nose of Chris Read. Such was Mushtaq's excellence, in this his fourth season with Sussex, that the reigning county champions looked a shadow of their former dominant selves.
Team of the week - Durham
The temptation to only mention Mustard and Onions, who provided the press with a feast of puns all week, is huge, but Durham have performed excellently this season as a team, and no better than when they brushed past an underperforming Middlesex on Saturday. A thoroughly resolute 99 from Jonathan Lewis set Middlesex an unlikely 368 to win and, thanks to Graham Onions' four wickets, they fell short by 135 runs. Incidentally, Onions' match figures of 8 for 134 was all the more remarkable given that his final three performances last seasons saw him take just one wicket for 198.
The temptation to only mention Mustard and Onions, who provided the press with a feast of puns all week, is huge, but Durham have performed excellently this season as a team, and no better than when they brushed past an underperforming Middlesex on Saturday. A thoroughly resolute 99 from Jonathan Lewis set Middlesex an unlikely 368 to win and, thanks to Graham Onions' four wickets, they fell short by 135 runs. Incidentally, Onions' match figures of 8 for 134 was all the more remarkable given that his final three performances last seasons saw him take just one wicket for 198.
Warne papers over tabloid cracks
It's not often a county cricketer makes the tabloid headlines - but then it's not often they're called Shane Warne. Last week's tabloid-exposure of his private life was clearly water off a duck's back; seven wickets for Hampshire led them to a crushing 193-run win over Warwickshire, leaving them second in the table. The Football Association didn't much care what happened either: Warne was chosen to deliver the ball to Alan Wiley in Cardiff's FA Cup final between Liverpool and West Ham.
It's not often a county cricketer makes the tabloid headlines - but then it's not often they're called Shane Warne. Last week's tabloid-exposure of his private life was clearly water off a duck's back; seven wickets for Hampshire led them to a crushing 193-run win over Warwickshire, leaving them second in the table. The Football Association didn't much care what happened either: Warne was chosen to deliver the ball to Alan Wiley in Cardiff's FA Cup final between Liverpool and West Ham.
Never knowingly playing for England
After routing Sri Lanka for England A, Jon Lewis was immediately inked in for the first Test at Lord's...and quickly released again, for the fourth time. His disappointment wasn't evident though, and he continued his superb form in ripping out five Northamptonshire batsmen - four of them in 25 balls - after racing from London to Bristol and taking the place of Carl Greenidge. It was his third five-wicket haul in five innings this season and Gloucestershire eased home by six wickets.
After routing Sri Lanka for England A, Jon Lewis was immediately inked in for the first Test at Lord's...and quickly released again, for the fourth time. His disappointment wasn't evident though, and he continued his superb form in ripping out five Northamptonshire batsmen - four of them in 25 balls - after racing from London to Bristol and taking the place of Carl Greenidge. It was his third five-wicket haul in five innings this season and Gloucestershire eased home by six wickets.
Aussie rules
Every county and his dog has an Australian overseas player these days, and they made their presence felt this past week. Darren Lehmann struck a quite brilliant 193 against Kent - the only sizeable score out of a total of 382 - and followed this up with 118 in Yorkshire's C&G Trophy clash against Northants on Sunday. In fact, in the same game another Australian - Chris Rogers - nearly took Northants to an unlikely victory with 85 from 76 balls. Meanwhile, Brad Hodge bullied Durham with 118 and Dominic Thornely struck an unbeaten ton for Hampshire.
Every county and his dog has an Australian overseas player these days, and they made their presence felt this past week. Darren Lehmann struck a quite brilliant 193 against Kent - the only sizeable score out of a total of 382 - and followed this up with 118 in Yorkshire's C&G Trophy clash against Northants on Sunday. In fact, in the same game another Australian - Chris Rogers - nearly took Northants to an unlikely victory with 85 from 76 balls. Meanwhile, Brad Hodge bullied Durham with 118 and Dominic Thornely struck an unbeaten ton for Hampshire.
England watch
Steve Harmison returned for Durham with 2 for 47 from 10 overs...Ian Bell hit 78 against Derbyshire...Robert Key hit 81 in the Championship and a match-winning 76 in Kent's C&G match at the weekend...Owais Shah hit 68 but Ed Joyce continues to struggle.
Steve Harmison returned for Durham with 2 for 47 from 10 overs...Ian Bell hit 78 against Derbyshire...Robert Key hit 81 in the Championship and a match-winning 76 in Kent's C&G match at the weekend...Owais Shah hit 68 but Ed Joyce continues to struggle.
Mushtaq AhmedMark PettiniGraham OnionsJon LewisSteve HarmisonShane WarneDarren LehmannEnglandEssexWorcestershireGloucestershireSussexSurreyHampshireLancashireYorkshireLeicestershireKentDurhamNorthamptonshireWarwickshireDerbyshireGlamorganMiddlesexSomersetNottinghamshireCheltenham & Gloucester TrophyCounty Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoEngland Domestic Season
Will Luke is editorial assistant of Cricinfo