County Championship Days 2&1

One new game started today in the Championship, to go with the six that began yesterday and so far there's been plenty of action to enjoy.


County Championship

Day 2

Middlesex v Warwickshire
Mid - 402
War - 178-2

Middlesex crept over 400, just outside of the 110 'bonus point' overs, before being all out, with Woakes and Wright picking up 4 wickets each. Last man Murtagh finished not out on 36, and there were 39 extras. Chopra then fell lbw for 3 and Porterfield was caught with the score on 26 and the visitors were in trouble.
     Westwood (89*) and Troughton (60*) batted slowly, but built a firm partnership and took Warwickshire out of danger, before pressing on to pick up fifties each. They have so far put on 152 together, but the visitors have already used up 73 overs and will look to push on tomorrow if they are to find a way to win this match.


Glamorgan v Gloucestershire
Gla - 208
Glo - 91-7

Glamorgan went from 64-6 overnight to 99-7 and then 125-9 as the Gloucestershire bowlers shared the wickets. A last wicket partnership of 83, however, lifted the hosts past 200, with Cosker finishing unbeaten on 49 and last man Waters making 39, to frustrate the visitors.
     Glamorgan then rubbed salt in the wound by tucking into the wickets themselves. Gloucestershire had edged to 28-1 before a flurry of wickets saw them collapse to 42-6, again with all the bowlers chipping in. Taylor added 27 and helped to almost double the score before he became Allenby's third wicket shortly before the close.


Lancashire v Somerset
Lan - 185
Som - 149

Thomas finished off Lancashire in the morning session, picking up 4 for 63 as last years' champions once again failed to collect a single batting point. Chapple struck back immediately, removing both of Somerset's openers and leaving them on 4-2, but 22 from Compton restored parity. Two wickets with the score on 89 again restricted the visitors and kept the game in the ballance.
     Trego and Thomas held on for a while but failed to really add to their wickets earlier as Lancashire kept pushing. Eventually Chapple picked up the last wicket, to finish with 3 for 38.


Sussex v Worcestershire
Wor - 162
Sus - 325-7

Sussex lost two early wickets as Worcestershire tried to find a way back into this match and Richardson picked up his third wicket around lunch to leave the hosts on 126-4. Joyce though was playing a commanding innings and with Wright (78) put on 123. Joyce was also removed by Richardson for 107, but Sussex took their lead past 100 and then their score past 300. One more wicket fell but the home side are well on top at the close.


Essex v Leicestershire
Ess - 434-3
Lei - 32-2

Essex continued to dominate the Leicestershire bowlers as their opeing partnership extended to 248 before Mickleburgh was run out for 126. He was soon followed by fellow opener Westley, who made 125, but Leicestershire still struggled to claw their way back. Shah went for 36, but Pettini (72) and ten Doeschate (63) put on 120 to take Essex past 400, although just outside the alloted overs for bonus points.
     Essex then declared to have a shot at Leicestershire before the close. After four overs and six runs it seemed as though the visitors would hold on for the night, but then Masters struck to remove both Smith and Eckersley as he finished the day with figures of 5 overs, 3 runs, 2 wickets. The midlands club did manage to move on to 32, although 13 of those were extras, and Essex are well on top.


Nothamptonshire v Yorkshire
Yor - 249
Nor - 175-3

Northamptonshire batted watchfully all day and managed to lose only 3 wickets in the 57.4 overs that were bowled. Peters is not out overnight on 74 and so far has put on 69 for the fourth wicket with Newton (40*).

Day 1

Derbyshire v Kent
Derbyshire won the toss and decided to field
Ken - 238-8

70 overs were possible on day one in Derby, and the hosts made the best of the running.  Key and Harmison made only 5 apiece and Kent had the inform Northeast (52) to thank for helping to still make a decent start. Later though Groenewald tucked into the lower middle order, reducing the visitors to 147-7.
     Powell became the key batsman but he was caught for 45 as Derbyshire sensed a quick finish to the innings. Coles though had other ideas as he went to 51*, with two 6s, and with Davies (17*) took Kent past 200 and onto a decent score, considering where they had been.