Law keeps Lancashire in touch
A round-up of Thursday's matches in the Championship
Division One
|
|
Stuart Law put his pair last week against Nottinghamshire behind him to keep Lancashire in contention against Sussex at Hove with his fourth century of the season. Law was at the crease early as Lancashire's openers departed to the new ball and they were wobbling again at 145 for 4. However, Law was joined by Gareth Cross and the pair counter-attacked for the sixth wicket with an unbroken stand of 101. Cross was especially aggressive and scored at more than a run-a-ball during the early part of his innings. Earlier, Luke Wright had extended Sussex's total over 400 despite the efforts of Dominic Cork in returning to the bowling crease after injuring a finger on the opening day.
Despite the loss of the entire second day to rain the Durham's clash against Nottinghamshire at Chester-le-Street is heading for a result as 25 wickets tumbled. Early in the day Phil Mustard was Charlie Shreck's fifth wicket but Callum Thorp's 61 pushed Durham up to 195. That total took on much larger proportions as Nottinghamshire fell from 59 for 2, losing eight for 80. Graham Onions removed four of the top five and only two batsmen passed 30. However, Durham found it no easier second time around as they suffered an equally rapid demise to 83 for 8. But Onions and Neil Killeen added vital late runs and Nottinghamshire's target was made to look even more testing when they lost a late wicket on a manic day.
Division Two
Essex built a commanding position over Somerset at Garon's Park as Alex Tudor and Darren Gough followed Andrew Caddick's lead from the first day and rolled back the years. Tudor, who has been beset by injuries since his move to Essex, completed a five-wicket haul as Somerset crumbled for 133. Gough provided excellent support, adding to his two wickets from the previous evening, as Essex gained a lead of 119. Neil Edwards almost carried his bat, but was the last man out to Gough for a painstaking 44. Andy Flower then played the major innings as Essex extended their lead with a 64-ball 60.