Weather frustrates attempts to force results
Essex 351 and 111 for 1 drew with Leicestershire 600 for 7 dec at Southend Scorecard Leicestershire still harboured hopes of victory despite the loss of most of yesterday's play, but James Middlebrook's gutsy 82 delayed them in the morning, and
Martin Williamson
26-Jul-2003
Frizzell County Championship Division One
Table
Table
Essex 351 and 111 for 1 drew with Leicestershire 600 for 7 dec at Southend
Scorecard
Leicestershire still harboured hopes of victory despite the loss of most of yesterday's play, but James Middlebrook's gutsy 82 delayed them in the morning, and although Essex were forced to follow on, Will Jefferson (54*) and Andy Flower (39*) prevented any repeat of their first-innings collapse. The match was drifting to a draw when rain returned shortly after tea.
Scorecard
Leicestershire still harboured hopes of victory despite the loss of most of yesterday's play, but James Middlebrook's gutsy 82 delayed them in the morning, and although Essex were forced to follow on, Will Jefferson (54*) and Andy Flower (39*) prevented any repeat of their first-innings collapse. The match was drifting to a draw when rain returned shortly after tea.
Surrey 411 and 94 for 0 drew with Middlesex 385 at Guildford
Scorecard
For the second time in a month Surrey and Middlesex had to settle for a draw after rain had severely reduced the playing time. David Nash was left stranded on 96 not out when Middlesex's last man Chad Keegan was bowled by Martin Bicknell, but by then any lingering hopes of a dramatic Surrey win had long since gone. Surrey opted for batting practice before rain at tea brought an early end to the game.
Scorecard
For the second time in a month Surrey and Middlesex had to settle for a draw after rain had severely reduced the playing time. David Nash was left stranded on 96 not out when Middlesex's last man Chad Keegan was bowled by Martin Bicknell, but by then any lingering hopes of a dramatic Surrey win had long since gone. Surrey opted for batting practice before rain at tea brought an early end to the game.
Lancashire 575 for 6 dec drew Warwickshire 255 and 211 for 4 at Old Trafford
Scorecard
It was a day of frustration for Lancashire who dominated this match but were denied victory by yesterday's washout. Dougie Brown (52*) and Waqar Younis (22) thwarted Lancashire in the morning with a ninth-wicket stand of 72. Warwickshire were forced to follow-on 320 in arrears, and Lancashire had five hours to bowl them out for a second time. But the batsmen looked far more settled, and Nick Knight made 56 and Mark Wagh 76 not out before the rain returned at 5.30pm.
Scorecard
It was a day of frustration for Lancashire who dominated this match but were denied victory by yesterday's washout. Dougie Brown (52*) and Waqar Younis (22) thwarted Lancashire in the morning with a ninth-wicket stand of 72. Warwickshire were forced to follow-on 320 in arrears, and Lancashire had five hours to bowl them out for a second time. But the batsmen looked far more settled, and Nick Knight made 56 and Mark Wagh 76 not out before the rain returned at 5.30pm.
Frizzell County Championship Division Two
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Gloucestershire 271 and 133 for 5 drew with Worcestershire 439 at Cheltenham
Scorecard
Worcestershire had victory over Gloucestershire in their sights when the weather intervened half-an-hour before tea to leave the match drawn. Gloucestershire were still 35 runs shy of clearing their first-innings deficit of 168 with five wickets remaining and another 43 still to be bowled. Jonty Rhodes with an unbeaten 58 was all that stood between Worcestershire and victory.
Scorecard
Worcestershire had victory over Gloucestershire in their sights when the weather intervened half-an-hour before tea to leave the match drawn. Gloucestershire were still 35 runs shy of clearing their first-innings deficit of 168 with five wickets remaining and another 43 still to be bowled. Jonty Rhodes with an unbeaten 58 was all that stood between Worcestershire and victory.
Yorkshire 384 and 211 for 4 drew with Hampshire 289 and 180 for 6 at Scarborough
Scorecard
The closest finish of the day came on the Yorkshire coast where Hampshire clung on to earn a draw after they had been set 307 to win in 80 overs. Yorkshire scored 188 runs in 30 overs in the morning enabling them to declare before lunch. Hampshire lost Derek Kenway and Simon Katich for single figures before James Adams (47) and John Crawley (32) stopped the rot. But Crawley's dismissal, caught at cover off a leading edge, ended any chance of a Hampshire run-chase. Indeed, it triggered a collapse as four wickets fell for 28 runs, Andy Gray's spin grabbing three wickets for one run in the space of 22 balls. James Hamblin and Shaun Udal held out for the last 80 minutes to defy Yorkshire.
Scorecard
The closest finish of the day came on the Yorkshire coast where Hampshire clung on to earn a draw after they had been set 307 to win in 80 overs. Yorkshire scored 188 runs in 30 overs in the morning enabling them to declare before lunch. Hampshire lost Derek Kenway and Simon Katich for single figures before James Adams (47) and John Crawley (32) stopped the rot. But Crawley's dismissal, caught at cover off a leading edge, ended any chance of a Hampshire run-chase. Indeed, it triggered a collapse as four wickets fell for 28 runs, Andy Gray's spin grabbing three wickets for one run in the space of 22 balls. James Hamblin and Shaun Udal held out for the last 80 minutes to defy Yorkshire.
Day 3 of 4
Derbyshire 287 for 4 v Durham 501 for 8 at Derby
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Michael di Venuto's fourth hundred of the season (143) took him past 1,000 runs and helped put Derbyshire within reach of avoiding the follow-on when bad light brought a premature end to play. His hundred came from 106 balls, and with Steve Selwood (78) added 142 for the first wicket in 42 overs. Given that the entire second day had been washed out, it was a little surprising that Durham batted on, adding 67 runs with Phil Mustard making his first Championship half-century. With more rain forecast for Sunday, a draw is the most likely result.
Scorecard
Michael di Venuto's fourth hundred of the season (143) took him past 1,000 runs and helped put Derbyshire within reach of avoiding the follow-on when bad light brought a premature end to play. His hundred came from 106 balls, and with Steve Selwood (78) added 142 for the first wicket in 42 overs. Given that the entire second day had been washed out, it was a little surprising that Durham batted on, adding 67 runs with Phil Mustard making his first Championship half-century. With more rain forecast for Sunday, a draw is the most likely result.
Day 2 of 4
Sussex 350 for 4 v Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge
Scorecard
Sussex looked to keep up the pressure on leaders Surrey with a positive batting display at Nottingham, Murray Goodwin leading the way with 148 from 207 balls with 24 fours and two sixes. Tony Cottey chipped in with 53 and Chris Adams made a quickfire 46 off 56 balls, but rain, which had led to a blank first day, stopped play early.
Scorecard
Sussex looked to keep up the pressure on leaders Surrey with a positive batting display at Nottingham, Murray Goodwin leading the way with 148 from 207 balls with 24 fours and two sixes. Tony Cottey chipped in with 53 and Chris Adams made a quickfire 46 off 56 balls, but rain, which had led to a blank first day, stopped play early.
Murray GoodwinJames MiddlebrookDavid NashYorkshireWorcestershireWarwickshireSussexSurreySomersetNottinghamshireNorthamptonshireMiddlesexLeicestershireLancashireKentHampshireGloucestershireGlamorganEssexDurhamDerbyshireEnglandFrizzell County Championship Division TwoFrizzell County Championship Division One