Centuries flow on opening day
A round-up of all the action from the first day in Division Two of the County Championship
Cricinfo staff
25-May-2005
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Scorecard
Riki Wessels, son of the Northants coach Kepler, struck his maiden first-class century as Northants posted a commanding first-innings score on typically flat Wantage Road pitch. From 117 for 1 Northants found themselves 117 for 4 as Richard Johnson removed three batsmen - including David Sales and Usman Afzaal - in four balls. But barely a match goes by without Martin Love filling his boots and he added 185 with Wessels. It would be easy to think that Wessels, a 19-year-old, would have taken a back seat batting with Love but he was, in fact, the aggressor. His century took just 116 balls and when he was caught by Sanath Jayasuriya off Aaron Laraman, six balls later, he had 17 fours and a six to his name. Johann Louw boosted the total with some lusty blows, but Somerset's attack kept going and managed to dismiss the tail during the penultimate over of the day, with the wickets shared around.
Essex 308 for 5 (A Flower 105, Irani 103) v Yorkshire
Scorecard
A stand of 213 between Andy Flower and Ronnie Irani gave Essex the opening day honours as second place took on fourth at Headingley. Yorkshire started the brighter of the two teams, comfortably winning the morning session as Essex struggled to 76 for 4. Deon Kruis took his wickets tally to 25 while Chris Silverwood and Anthony McGrath snaffled one each. But then Flower and Irani took command, as Craig White tried eight bowlers to break the partnership. No one was treated especially harshly, there was just steadily accumulation by Essex. Irani reached his ton from 158 balls, Flower a more circumspect 253, but both stroked 16 fours. For Irani it was his first century of the season, and Flower's second as he passed 500 runs in the Championship for 2005. Tim Bresnan finally broke the stand with the second new ball but Essex still have some useful players in the dressing room for the second day.
Scorecard
A stand of 213 between Andy Flower and Ronnie Irani gave Essex the opening day honours as second place took on fourth at Headingley. Yorkshire started the brighter of the two teams, comfortably winning the morning session as Essex struggled to 76 for 4. Deon Kruis took his wickets tally to 25 while Chris Silverwood and Anthony McGrath snaffled one each. But then Flower and Irani took command, as Craig White tried eight bowlers to break the partnership. No one was treated especially harshly, there was just steadily accumulation by Essex. Irani reached his ton from 158 balls, Flower a more circumspect 253, but both stroked 16 fours. For Irani it was his first century of the season, and Flower's second as he passed 500 runs in the Championship for 2005. Tim Bresnan finally broke the stand with the second new ball but Essex still have some useful players in the dressing room for the second day.