County Champ R5 - Day 3/2 and 40 over Match 1

Certain teams are starting to set themselves out as the best in their divisions, while others can't seem to find a win anywhere. The County Championship is well and truely on the road now and today also saw the start of the Pro40 competition with a replay of last year's final.
     We start at Edgbaston where Warwickshire are flying high.

Day 3

Warwickshire v Durham - Warwickshire win by 9 wickets.
Dur - 163 & 139
War - 267 & 36-1

Warwickshire showed why they are top of the table by sending Durham to a three-day defeat. The home side added to their score this morning with runs down the order after Bell was caught behind for 120. Onions finished with figures of 4 for 74, to keep the lead to 104. That though seemed a mountain as wickets fell regularly and Durham slipped to 58-5, and, after 45 from Mustard, were eventually all out for 139. That left just 36 needed for victory and Warwickshire made it at a canter, only losing Chopra, who hit his wicket having scored 22.
Warwickshire take 21 points, to further increase their lead, while Durham only get 3, as their early season woes continue.


Lancashire v Nottinghamshire
Not - 169 & 304
Lan - 146 & 39-5

Nottinghamshire pressed their advantage today by batting Lancashire out of the game. There were runs from almost all the recognised batsmen, with Lumb (62), Read (54) and Taylor (46) the highest scorers. The end though came quickly as the last three wickets fell for no runs. Anderson made up for his first innings bowling by taking 5 for 82, although Lancashire still needed 328 to win, the highest score of the match.
     The visiting bowlers though have put that all but beyond doubt. Broad put the rest of the game behind him and picked up his first wicket with the second ball of the innings, having Horton caught by Swann. He then took a second to dismiss Brown. The Lancashire top order was blown away as Adams, fresh from his 7 wickets first time around, and Swann reduced the home side to 38-5, and staring at another defeat.

Derbyshire v Gloucestershire
Der - 388
Glo - 206 & 219-2 (f/o)

Gloucestershire have applied themsleves much better second time around after they were asked to follow on. Earlier Palladino finished with 5 for 47, forcing a 182 run lead. However, despite losing Dent for 2, the visitors have fought hard and are now in a good position, with a lead of 37. Williamson is 106* overnight and has been the mainstay of the innings. The draw now seems the most likely option and Derbyshire will be rueing throwing away such a dominant position.

Yorkshire v Leicestershire
Yor - 447
Lei - 116 & 102-3 (f/o)

Leicestershire will have been pleased by the extended rain today after they only faced a few overs in the morning session. Still in that time they lost a second wicket as Yorkshire moved closer to a huge win over the visitors. When they finally came back out it was more bad news for the visitors as Sarwan became Patterson's third wicket. Since then though Boyce (46*) and Cobb (45*) have put on 88 for the fourth wicket. Still Leicestershire will have to bat all of tomorrow, or pray for rain, to save this match.

Glamorgan v Essex
Ess - 259-9d & 5-0
Gla - 187

Glamorgan collapsed from 158-4 to 187 all out with Mills the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 25. That gave Essex a lead of 72 and they will look to add quick runs tomorrow to put Glamorgan under pressure in their second innings.


Northamptonshire v Hampshire
Nor - 218 & 176-5
Ham - 154

Northamptonshire have moved into a good position after three days, as the dominated the play with both bat and ball. Only four bowlers were required to dismiss Hampshire as they all took wickets. This gave the visitors a surprising lead of 64 and they soon added to that. Wickets have fallen regularly to prevent any batsman from pushing on (Sales' 58 is the top score so far) but collectively they've all but batted the visitors out of the game. Hampshire will have to play better tomorrow if they are to save the match.

Day 2

Middlesex v Worcestershire
Worcestershire won the toss and chose to field.
Mid - 148-2

Play finally got underway at Lords on the second day, but only lasted until Lunch when the rain returned. By then Middlesex had moved smoothly on to 81. When they returned Robson moved on to 59 before becoming the second wicket. More bad weather meant the game was halted again and after two days seems to be meandering to a draw. However, should the weather improve maybe a stunning performance can make something of the match.

Pro40 Competiton

Surrey v Somerset - Surrey won by 105 runs.
Somerset won the toss and chose to field.
Sur - 295
Som - 190

Somerset's early season troubles go on as the opening 40-over encounter went the way of last years winners, Surrey. Somerset, who have been runners-up the past two years, were never in the contest. Hamilton-Brown (101 from 89 balls) and Davies (72 from 58 balls) put on 163 for the first wicket and the Lions never looked back. With a required run rate of 7.4 and a depleted line up Somerset were always under pressure. Compton made 53 but no-one was able to support him as the visitors were all out in 37.1 overs.