Kent dent Surrey's title hopes
Essex 335 v Nottinghamshire 284 and 71 for 2 at Chelmsford (Day 2) Scorecard Andy Clarke and Jon Dakin added 63 for the tenth wicket to give Essex a vital first-innings lead in their relegation dogfight against Nottinghamshire at Chelmsford
Wisden CricInfo staff
04-Sep-2003
Essex 335 v Nottinghamshire 284 and 71 for 2 at Chelmsford (Day 2)
Scorecard
Andy Clarke and Jon Dakin added 63 for the tenth wicket to give Essex a vital first-innings lead in their relegation dogfight against Nottinghamshire at Chelmsford. Essex resumed on 77 for 2, and thanks to a trio of half-centuries from Andy Flower, Ronnie Irani and James Foster, they had pushed along to 272 for 9 when the last pair came together. At that stage Essex trailed by 12 runs and first-innings parity would have been a bonus. Instead Dakin was last man out for 47 while Clarke, who is batting for his future at Essex, finished unbeaten on 32. Mohammad Akram capitalised on Essex's momentum to grab an early wicket, as Notts finished the day with the second division beckoning.
Scorecard
Andy Clarke and Jon Dakin added 63 for the tenth wicket to give Essex a vital first-innings lead in their relegation dogfight against Nottinghamshire at Chelmsford. Essex resumed on 77 for 2, and thanks to a trio of half-centuries from Andy Flower, Ronnie Irani and James Foster, they had pushed along to 272 for 9 when the last pair came together. At that stage Essex trailed by 12 runs and first-innings parity would have been a bonus. Instead Dakin was last man out for 47 while Clarke, who is batting for his future at Essex, finished unbeaten on 32. Mohammad Akram capitalised on Essex's momentum to grab an early wicket, as Notts finished the day with the second division beckoning.
Warwickshire 449 v Lancashire 278 for 4 at Edgbaston (Day 2)
Scorecard
Lancashire have not yet given up hope of a last-gasp victory in the County Championship, although they are up against it after Warwickshire rattled along to 449 in their first innings at Edgbaston. Dougie Brown, who retired hurt yesterday afternoon, returned to finish unbeaten on 140, but his efforts were emulated by the Lancashire pair of Mark Chilton and Mal Loye. They each scored centuries in a second-wicket stand of 222, but a late clatter of wickets dented their prospects of that all-important first-innings lead. Mark Wagh and Alan Richardson grabbed three wickets for two runs, including both centurions, as Lancs closed on 278 for 4.
Scorecard
Lancashire have not yet given up hope of a last-gasp victory in the County Championship, although they are up against it after Warwickshire rattled along to 449 in their first innings at Edgbaston. Dougie Brown, who retired hurt yesterday afternoon, returned to finish unbeaten on 140, but his efforts were emulated by the Lancashire pair of Mark Chilton and Mal Loye. They each scored centuries in a second-wicket stand of 222, but a late clatter of wickets dented their prospects of that all-important first-innings lead. Mark Wagh and Alan Richardson grabbed three wickets for two runs, including both centurions, as Lancs closed on 278 for 4.
Kent 435 for 5 v Surrey at Canterbury (Day 1)
Scorecard
Andrew Symonds and Mark Ealham combined to give Surrey a torrid day in the field, as one-by-one, their fingers are prised away from the County Championship trophy. Symonds' brutal 121 from 123 balls was the highlight of the day, while Ealham finished unbeaten on 80, as Kent rattled up a vast 435 for 5 in the day's play. The foundations, however, had been laid by Michael Carberry and David Fulton, who batted all through the morning session in adding 160 for the first wicket. Carberry fell eight runs short of a deserved century against his former team, and though Surrey seemed to have edged back into contention with three quick wickets, Symonds and Ealham were on hand to prove otherwise.
Scorecard
Andrew Symonds and Mark Ealham combined to give Surrey a torrid day in the field, as one-by-one, their fingers are prised away from the County Championship trophy. Symonds' brutal 121 from 123 balls was the highlight of the day, while Ealham finished unbeaten on 80, as Kent rattled up a vast 435 for 5 in the day's play. The foundations, however, had been laid by Michael Carberry and David Fulton, who batted all through the morning session in adding 160 for the first wicket. Carberry fell eight runs short of a deserved century against his former team, and though Surrey seemed to have edged back into contention with three quick wickets, Symonds and Ealham were on hand to prove otherwise.
Gloucestershire 401 v Derbyshire 234 for 6 at Bristol (Day 2)
Scorecard
On the day he confirmed his retirement plans, Jonty Rhodes was eventually dismissed for 137, as Gloucestershire kept control of their match against Derbyshire at Bristol. Gloucester, 331 for 5, lost their last five wickets for 70 runs, but four wickets for Jon Lewis put them back in command of the match. Derbyshire put up some decent resistance, mainly through Michael di Venuto's brisk 75, but they lost wickets in pairs at inopportune moments. By the close, Steve Stubbings was unbeaten on 52, with Dominic Cork providing his usual bristling support.
Scorecard
On the day he confirmed his retirement plans, Jonty Rhodes was eventually dismissed for 137, as Gloucestershire kept control of their match against Derbyshire at Bristol. Gloucester, 331 for 5, lost their last five wickets for 70 runs, but four wickets for Jon Lewis put them back in command of the match. Derbyshire put up some decent resistance, mainly through Michael di Venuto's brisk 75, but they lost wickets in pairs at inopportune moments. By the close, Steve Stubbings was unbeaten on 52, with Dominic Cork providing his usual bristling support.
Worcestershire 364 and 50 for 0 v Hampshire 265 at the Rose Bowl (Day 2)
Scorecard
Simon Katich and Shaun Udal scored a pair of half-centuries at the top and bottom of Hampshire's batting card, but they were not enough to prevent Worcestershire taking a hefty first-innings lead of 99 at the Rose Bowl. By the close, Stephen Peters and Graeme Hick - in his new opener's role - had extended the advantage by 50. Worcestershire's dominance owed much to a fine bowling performance from England and South African bowling rejects alike. Nantie Hayward - unwanted for the Test series - and Kabir Ali and Gareth Batty - released from England's Test squad - shared seven wickets between them, with Matt Mason nicking in with a brace of his own.
Scorecard
Simon Katich and Shaun Udal scored a pair of half-centuries at the top and bottom of Hampshire's batting card, but they were not enough to prevent Worcestershire taking a hefty first-innings lead of 99 at the Rose Bowl. By the close, Stephen Peters and Graeme Hick - in his new opener's role - had extended the advantage by 50. Worcestershire's dominance owed much to a fine bowling performance from England and South African bowling rejects alike. Nantie Hayward - unwanted for the Test series - and Kabir Ali and Gareth Batty - released from England's Test squad - shared seven wickets between them, with Matt Mason nicking in with a brace of his own.
Durham 190 and 50 for 0 v Northamptonshire 538 for 7 dec at Wantage Road (Day 2)
Scorecard
Durham were left staring at a comprehensive defeat as Phil Jaques added 45 to his overnight 102, and Mike Hussey converted his sound start into a predictably vast century. Hussey's 187 was the mainstay of Northants' 538 for 7 declared, with David Sales adding 79, and Graeme Swann and Andre Nel capitalising on a demoralised attack to plunder 49 unbeaten runs for the sixth wicket. Shoaib Akhtar, much missed by Pakistan in Multan, finished with 2 for 91 from 21 overs. But Durham weren't about to roll over and die. Jonathan Lewis and Gordon Muchall reached 50 for 0 by the close.
Scorecard
Durham were left staring at a comprehensive defeat as Phil Jaques added 45 to his overnight 102, and Mike Hussey converted his sound start into a predictably vast century. Hussey's 187 was the mainstay of Northants' 538 for 7 declared, with David Sales adding 79, and Graeme Swann and Andre Nel capitalising on a demoralised attack to plunder 49 unbeaten runs for the sixth wicket. Shoaib Akhtar, much missed by Pakistan in Multan, finished with 2 for 91 from 21 overs. But Durham weren't about to roll over and die. Jonathan Lewis and Gordon Muchall reached 50 for 0 by the close.
Somerset 228 and 94 for 2 v Yorkshire 410 at Headingley (Day 2)
Scorecard
Yorkshire's players were dropping like flies at Headingley, but it didn't prevent them from taking a commanding lead over Somerset. After Steve Kirby was taken to hospital on Wednesday, today it was Damien Martyn's turn, and on his debut as well. Martyn had been looking superb value for money in his maiden innings, but on 87, he top-edged a pull against Richard Johnson and edged through the grille of his helmet and into his face. The injury overshadowed a superb innings from Darren Gough, who was back to his buccaneering best with 83 from 72 balls, including 16 fours. Gough's innings carried Yorkshire to a commanding 182-run lead, and he followed up with the early wicket of Matthew Wood, as Somerset closed on 94 for 2.
Scorecard
Yorkshire's players were dropping like flies at Headingley, but it didn't prevent them from taking a commanding lead over Somerset. After Steve Kirby was taken to hospital on Wednesday, today it was Damien Martyn's turn, and on his debut as well. Martyn had been looking superb value for money in his maiden innings, but on 87, he top-edged a pull against Richard Johnson and edged through the grille of his helmet and into his face. The injury overshadowed a superb innings from Darren Gough, who was back to his buccaneering best with 83 from 72 balls, including 16 fours. Gough's innings carried Yorkshire to a commanding 182-run lead, and he followed up with the early wicket of Matthew Wood, as Somerset closed on 94 for 2.
Mal LoyeMark ChiltonDougie BrownMichael CarberryMark EalhamAndrew SymondsJon LewisShaun UdalSimon KatichMichael HusseyPhil JaquesDamien MartynYorkshireWorcestershireWarwickshireSussexSurreySomersetNottinghamshireNorthamptonshireMiddlesexLeicestershireLancashireKentHampshireGloucestershireGlamorganEssexDurhamDerbyshire