Pre-season friendlies - Day 1

It has been a day for the batters as the pre-season friendlies get under way, despite four of the five toss-winning captains choosing to field. Five 3-day, university matches have begun today and here is a quick run down of the scores and stats.


Cambridge MCCU v Essex
Essex won the toss and decided to bat.
Ess - 506-6d
Cam - 26-1

After a slow start that left the score on 14-0 after ten overs and 78-2 after 30 overs, Essex improved slightly but soon found themselves on 141-5. Then the game changed completely as first Smith (160), then Foster (114*) and Napier (100*) all passed the triple figure mark. Captain Foster then declared to give his bowlers a chance before the close, including the aging Willoughby on his first run out since joining from Somerset.


Middlesex v Durham MCCU
Durham MCCU won the toss and decided to field.
Mid - 368-9d
Dur - 25-2

Australian born Sam Robson was the star of the day, scoring 117, when several other top order batsmen failed. Simpson also opted to give his bowlers a run out and immediately got a reward when first Murtagh and then Roland-Jones picked up a wickets.


Oxford MCCU v Glamorgan
Oxford MCCU won the toss and decided to field.
Gla - 346-7d
Oxf - 6-0

Glamorgan found themselves in trouble at 132-5 but were rescued by a great captain's innings from Mark Wallace of 122 not out. He too chose to declare but failed to make a break through as Oxford inched their way to 6 off eight overs.


Somerset v Cardiff MCCU
Somerset won the toss and decided to field.
Car - 308-5

Somerset were the only county side not to bat today after they chose to field, but, after a good start, Cardiff enjoyed the best of the day. So far captain Zachary Elkin has carried his bat for 127, although at a steady pace having taken 292 balls. Somerset have used eight bowlers but only three have picked up wickets and it looks as though they may again be relying on their batsmen to get them points this season.


Surrey v Leeds/Bradford MCCU
Leeds/Bradford MCCU won the toss and decided to field.
Sur - 385-8d
L/B - 20-1

Following the pattern of the day Surrey's top order struggled but Rory Burns, hoping to play his first full season of county cricket, revived them with 101* batting at seven. He was backed by a strong 91 from Maynard who wasn't quite able to reach the three figures. On declaring Surrey took one wicket in the five overs before the close.