Rain frustrates Sussex's title charge
Lancashire 225 for 2 v Sussex at Old Trafford Scorecard Leaders Sussex, requiring 10 points from their remaining two games to secure their first title, were frustrated by the rain and then Lancashire in a shortened day's play at a gloomy
Wisden CricInfo staff
10-Sep-2003
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99 and counting: Mushtaq Ahmed searches in vain for the wicket of Stuart Law at Old Trafford |
Lancashire 225 for 2 v Sussex at Old Trafford
Scorecard
Leaders Sussex, requiring 10 points from their remaining two games to secure their first title, were frustrated by the rain and then Lancashire in a shortened day's play at a gloomy Manchester. After the morning had been washed out, Lancashire soon lost openers Mark Chilton, superbly caught behind, and Iain Sutcliffe (52 for 2). But then Mal Loye (110 not out) and Stuart Law (65 not out) revived the innings with an unbroken stand of 157 for the third wicket. Mushtaq Ahmed toiled in vain for his 100th wicket of the season, but despite remaining wicketless he was the pick of the Sussex bowlers.
Scorecard
Leaders Sussex, requiring 10 points from their remaining two games to secure their first title, were frustrated by the rain and then Lancashire in a shortened day's play at a gloomy Manchester. After the morning had been washed out, Lancashire soon lost openers Mark Chilton, superbly caught behind, and Iain Sutcliffe (52 for 2). But then Mal Loye (110 not out) and Stuart Law (65 not out) revived the innings with an unbroken stand of 157 for the third wicket. Mushtaq Ahmed toiled in vain for his 100th wicket of the season, but despite remaining wicketless he was the pick of the Sussex bowlers.
Leicestershire 151 for 6 v Kent at Leicester
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Only 47 overs were possible at Grace Road today due to rain, in which time John Maunders scored 76 not out for Leicestershire, but Muttiah Muralitharan struck back with 3 for 17 to give Kent the edge. Maunders and Brad Hodge (31) made a good start to reach 71 for 1, but then Murali turned it on. He took three wickets in nine overs as Leicestershire faltered to 151 for 6.
Scorecard
Only 47 overs were possible at Grace Road today due to rain, in which time John Maunders scored 76 not out for Leicestershire, but Muttiah Muralitharan struck back with 3 for 17 to give Kent the edge. Maunders and Brad Hodge (31) made a good start to reach 71 for 1, but then Murali turned it on. He took three wickets in nine overs as Leicestershire faltered to 151 for 6.
Nottinghamshire 316 for 5 v Middlesex at Lord's
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They may be down, but Notts finished their first day against Middlesex on a high, reaching a healthy 316 for 5. In the 77 overs possible, Russell Warren led the way with an unbeaten 100 from 161 balls, including 13 fours. Jason Gallian gave Notts a good platform with 73 at the top of the order, and Kevin Pietersen (70) then added 128 with Warren to give Notts a rare good day's work in the Championship.
Scorecard
They may be down, but Notts finished their first day against Middlesex on a high, reaching a healthy 316 for 5. In the 77 overs possible, Russell Warren led the way with an unbeaten 100 from 161 balls, including 13 fours. Jason Gallian gave Notts a good platform with 73 at the top of the order, and Kevin Pietersen (70) then added 128 with Warren to give Notts a rare good day's work in the Championship.
Somerset 409 v Derbyshire 32 for 0 at Taunton
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Ian Blackwell marked his return to the England one-day international team with a blistering 247 not out from 156 balls, including an astonishing 27 fours and 11 sixes. Blackwell came in with Somerset struggling at 31 for 4 after Dominic Cork, who took 6 for 92, ripped out three early wickets. Blackwell then put on partnerships of 64 with Richard Johnson (25), and 70 with Simon Francis (18), but they were then eclipsed when Nixon McLean, dropped at slip by Andrew Gait before he had scored, settled in to score 39 and add 163 with Blackwell, a last-wicket partnership record for Somerset. Blackwell clubbed his maiden double-century off only 136 balls, with the second hundred coming off 41 deliveries. The amazing onslaught took the shine off Cork's excellent bowling in the morning session and loosened Derbyshire's grip on the game.
Scorecard
Ian Blackwell marked his return to the England one-day international team with a blistering 247 not out from 156 balls, including an astonishing 27 fours and 11 sixes. Blackwell came in with Somerset struggling at 31 for 4 after Dominic Cork, who took 6 for 92, ripped out three early wickets. Blackwell then put on partnerships of 64 with Richard Johnson (25), and 70 with Simon Francis (18), but they were then eclipsed when Nixon McLean, dropped at slip by Andrew Gait before he had scored, settled in to score 39 and add 163 with Blackwell, a last-wicket partnership record for Somerset. Blackwell clubbed his maiden double-century off only 136 balls, with the second hundred coming off 41 deliveries. The amazing onslaught took the shine off Cork's excellent bowling in the morning session and loosened Derbyshire's grip on the game.
Northants 319 v Glamorgan 20 for 0 at Cardiff
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Mike Hussey followed such esteemed names as Sir Donald Bradman and Brian Lara by scoring his fifth consecutive century, for Northants against Glamorgan. He hammered an imperious 147, including 25 fours, as Northants amassed 319. Hussey was finally the last man out, receiving support from only Tim Roberts (41) and Phil Jaques (28). Meanwhile Robert Croft showed the England selectors what they will be missing in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka this winter with 5 for 93 to peg back Northants's progress. Jimmy Maher and Mark Wallace guided Glamorgan to 20 for 0 at the close.
Scorecard
Mike Hussey followed such esteemed names as Sir Donald Bradman and Brian Lara by scoring his fifth consecutive century, for Northants against Glamorgan. He hammered an imperious 147, including 25 fours, as Northants amassed 319. Hussey was finally the last man out, receiving support from only Tim Roberts (41) and Phil Jaques (28). Meanwhile Robert Croft showed the England selectors what they will be missing in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka this winter with 5 for 93 to peg back Northants's progress. Jimmy Maher and Mark Wallace guided Glamorgan to 20 for 0 at the close.
Gloucestershire 374 v Durham 2 for 0 at Bristol
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As Jonty Rhodes nears his retirement, he bid farewell in style with a stylish 103 to put Gloucestershire in command against Durham. Rhodes hit 10 fours and three sixes, and added 131 with Tim Hancock, who scored 97. Craig Spearman also hit 59, while Shoaib Akhtar and Graeme Bridge took three wickets each as Durham closed the first day on 2 for 0.
Scorecard
As Jonty Rhodes nears his retirement, he bid farewell in style with a stylish 103 to put Gloucestershire in command against Durham. Rhodes hit 10 fours and three sixes, and added 131 with Tim Hancock, who scored 97. Craig Spearman also hit 59, while Shoaib Akhtar and Graeme Bridge took three wickets each as Durham closed the first day on 2 for 0.
Robert CroftMichael HusseyIan BlackwellRussell WarrenMuthiah MuralidaranJohn MaundersStuart LawMal LoyeWarwickshireSussexSomersetNottinghamshireNorthamptonshireMiddlesexLeicestershireLancashireKentGloucestershireDurhamDerbyshireEnglandFrizzell County Championship Division TwoFrizzell County Championship Division One