National League round-up

Essex stay top of Division One

Cricinfo staff

August 7, 2005

Division One

Essex continued their impressive National League form with a tight four-run win in their top-of-the-table clash with Middlesex. Essex held their nerve towards the end as Ben Scott's half-century just about kept Middlesex in the hunt. But Darren Gough bowled a good final over, following an impressive spell of legspin from Danish Kaneria, who took 3 for 26. His three scalps included Paul Weekes, who was anchoring the Middlesex chase with 82. Ronnie Irani had provided the early ballast for Essex, making 61 off 103 balls, and a late burst from Ryan ten Doeschate boosted them past 200.

Brisk half-centuries from Craig Spearman and Matt Windows put Gloucestershire on course for a comfortable win over Hampshire. The pair added 106 for the second to ensure that a brief collapse, as the target approached, didn't cause any real problems. Mark Hardinges had stared with the ball for Gloucestershire, taking 4 for 40, as Hampshire's top order couldn't build on a series of solid starts. John Crawley, Shane Watson and Sean Ervine made forties but couldn't convert in something more significant.

Division Two

HD Ackerman left it late, but his unbeaten 117 sealed a last-ball, six-wicket win for Leicestershire over Sussex. Ackerman and Darren Maddy had combined in a stand of 185 as Leicestershire were cruising to their target. But Mushtaq Ahmed and Robin Martin-Jenkins claimed a wicket each and slowed the scoring rate. Aftab Habib was run out, but Ackerman's 127-ball innings proved to be perfectly timed - just. Chris Adams's was the backbone to Sussex's innings with a solid 78 although Ottis Gibson's four wickets kept the innings under control.

Jonathan Batty made a composed 82 to guide Surrey to a five-wicket win against Kent. Batty and Ali Brown added 117 after Andrew Hall ripped out three top order wickets to leave Surrey tottering on 24 for 3, in pursuit of 121. But, while Batty held firm, Brown played his familiar game - striking his 65 from 55 balls. Rikki Clarke guided Surrey home with a composed 35. Kent's innings was a story of missed opportunities as numerous batsmen threw away solid starts. Neil Saker was rewarded with his best one-day figures of 4 for 43.

Yorkshire completed a calm five-wicket victory but were given a tough workout by a determined Scotland side. Phil Jaques cracked 57 from 60 balls and Anthony McGrath made 42 as Yorkshire eased home with 21 balls to spare. Scotland's competitive total of 203 for 9 was based around Jonathan Beukes's 78 but, from 122 for 1, they will have been disappointed with their final total as McGrath and Richard Dawson bowled economical spells.

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Players/Umpires

HD Ackerman

Ronnie Irani

Phil Jaques

Craig Spearman

Matt Windows

Series/Tournaments

National League Division One

National League Division Two

Teams

England

Essex

Gloucestershire

Hampshire

Kent

Leicestershire

Middlesex

Scotland

Surrey

Sussex

Yorkshire