Surrey title hopes hit by defeat at Old Trafford

Frizzell County Championship Division One
Table

Lancashire (20 pts) 341 and 135 for 2 beat Surrey (6) 337 and 138 by eight wickets at Old Trafford
Scorecard
Surrey's hopes of retaining their title were dealt a severe blow by Lancashire as they slid to an eight-wicket defeat at Old Trafford. The day began with Surrey staring at defeat following their dramatic collapse yesterday, and it took Lancashire seven balls to remove the last two batsmen for the addition of one run. With Lancashire needing 135 to win, Surrey needed to make early inroads, but Iain Sutcliffe and Mark Chilton put on 69 for the first wicket to all but secure the win. Sutcliffe's 62-ball 47 was ended by Azhar Mahmood, but Stuart Law smacked an unbeaten 35 from 22 balls to seal the victory shortly after lunch. Surrey regain a one-point lead over Sussex at the top of the table thanks to their bonus points, but Sussex have a game in hand. Warren Hegg, Lancashire's captain, paid tribute to Gary Keedy, who took 7 for 119 in the match, including four wickets in 12 balls yesterday. "Gary Keedy had a great game," he said. "Some people have said he can't field and he can't bat, but he played his part in the last-wicket stand, and he took a catch today. His bowling has been fantastic this year and last. His control has been good and he has been getting out key batsmen."

Warwickshire (19 pts) 290 and 198 beat Middlesex (7) 286 and 171 by 31 runs at Edgbaston
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The collapse of the day came at Birmingham where Middlesex, who started the day needing 86 runs to win, lost the eight wickets they had in hand for 56 runs to give Warwickshire a remarkable 31-run victory. The dismissal of Ben Hutton, who added just one to his overnight 36, started the rot and Waqar Younis (5 for 40) with four wickets and Alan Richardson with 3 for 40 blew away the Middlesex tail as they slid from 151 for 5 to 171 all out. The win lifts Warwickshire 21 points clear of relegation, although they were deducted one point for a slow over rate.

Nottinghamshire (8 pts) 290 and 243 for 7 drew with Leicestershire (12 pts) 523 for 7 at Trent Bridge
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Brad Hodge's 302, the highest Championship score at Trent Bridge, was not enough to steer Leicestershire to victory as Nottinghamshire held out for a draw, a result which leaves both sides struggling to avoid relegation. Hodge faced 280 balls, hitting 46 fours and three sixes, in an innings of the highest quality as Leicestershire looked for quick runs during a rain-interrupted morning. Charles Shreck finished with 5 for 100, his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Leicestershire declared 233 ahead with 62 overs remaining, and immediately dismissed openers Darren Bicknell and Guy Welton with one run on the board. At 29 for 4 Nottinghamshire were on the brink of collapse, but Chris Read cracked a 54-ball 65 and Paul Franks and Richard Logan played out the last few overs to earn the draw.

Frizzell County Championship Division Two
Table

Somerset (12 pts) 705 for 9 dec drew with Hampshire (10) 395 and 177 for 3 at Taunton
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Hampshire had the loss of yesterday's final session and today's morning one to thank for helping them to escape with a draw at Taunton. Resuming after lunch still needing 301 to make Somerset bat again, they slipped to 16 for 2 as Nixon McLean struck twice to remove Derek Kenway and John Crawley. But a third-wicket stand of 80 between James Adams and Lawrence Prittipaul effectively put paid to Somerset's chances, and by the time Adams was bowled by Ian Blackwell for 50 both sides had accepted the draw. Prittipaul (56) and James Hamblin (53) added 81 for the fourth wicket.

Yesterday's County Championship Round-up