Sutcliffe gives Lancashire the edge
A round-up of the latest action from Division Two of the County Championship
Cricinfo staff
08-Jun-2005
Lancashire 379 (Sutcliffe 153, Loye 67, Harvey 4-51) v Yorkshire
Scorecard
Iain Sutcliffe made his highest Championship score for Lancashire on a rollercoaster opening day to the Roses clash at Headingley. Sutcliffe powered his way to 153 as both sides thwarted each others attempts to take complete control. Sutcliffe added 107 with Mal Loye and 106 with Stuart Law but Ian Harvey picked up vital wickets at important times to keep Lancashire in check. Sutcliffe had watched his opening partner, Mark Chilton, depart to the first ball of the match as he edged Matthew Hoggard, but didn't let it faze him. However, when he was seventh out at 319 Lancashire were still someway short of 350. But Dominic Cork and Sajid Mahmood combined in a 59-run stand for the eighth wicket to boost the total and frustrate Yorkshire's attempts to wrap up the innings. Tim Bresnan finally broke through, and then ended things in a hurry, as he removed the tail quickly. Yorkshire's main seamers all chipped in, with Harvey being the pick and finding some welcome bowling form with 4 for 51. Hoggard, despite his first-ball wicket, was a disappointment and, as in the Test matches against Bangladesh, struggled with no-balls, sending down six in the day.
Scorecard
Iain Sutcliffe made his highest Championship score for Lancashire on a rollercoaster opening day to the Roses clash at Headingley. Sutcliffe powered his way to 153 as both sides thwarted each others attempts to take complete control. Sutcliffe added 107 with Mal Loye and 106 with Stuart Law but Ian Harvey picked up vital wickets at important times to keep Lancashire in check. Sutcliffe had watched his opening partner, Mark Chilton, depart to the first ball of the match as he edged Matthew Hoggard, but didn't let it faze him. However, when he was seventh out at 319 Lancashire were still someway short of 350. But Dominic Cork and Sajid Mahmood combined in a 59-run stand for the eighth wicket to boost the total and frustrate Yorkshire's attempts to wrap up the innings. Tim Bresnan finally broke through, and then ended things in a hurry, as he removed the tail quickly. Yorkshire's main seamers all chipped in, with Harvey being the pick and finding some welcome bowling form with 4 for 51. Hoggard, despite his first-ball wicket, was a disappointment and, as in the Test matches against Bangladesh, struggled with no-balls, sending down six in the day.
Somerset 359 for 8 (Wood 114*, Jayasuriya 66, Smith 55) v Worcestershire
Scorecard
Matthew Wood struck his first century of the season as Somerset made a useful start to their festival match at Bath. Wood, 24, hit 18 fours and a six in his innings and was helped by half-centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya, Graeme Smith and Ian Blackwell. Worcestershire had enjoyed the better of the early exchanges as Matt Mason and Nadeem Malik grabbed an early wicket each. Smith grafted his way to a half-century, while Jayasuriya was more flamboyant with his effort. But at 157 for 4 it still needed someone to convert their start into a innings of substance and Wood took it upon himself to do that. He was happy to let Blackwell dominate a fifth wicket stand of 94, as Blackwell hit seven fours and a six in his 71-ball innings. But as the lower order was exposed Wood began to express himself and if Andy Caddick and Simon Francis can offer a straight bat 400 - and full batting points - is still a possibility. Matt Mason was the pick of the Worcestershire attack but the spinners did not find much joy in the Bath pitch.
Scorecard
Matthew Wood struck his first century of the season as Somerset made a useful start to their festival match at Bath. Wood, 24, hit 18 fours and a six in his innings and was helped by half-centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya, Graeme Smith and Ian Blackwell. Worcestershire had enjoyed the better of the early exchanges as Matt Mason and Nadeem Malik grabbed an early wicket each. Smith grafted his way to a half-century, while Jayasuriya was more flamboyant with his effort. But at 157 for 4 it still needed someone to convert their start into a innings of substance and Wood took it upon himself to do that. He was happy to let Blackwell dominate a fifth wicket stand of 94, as Blackwell hit seven fours and a six in his 71-ball innings. But as the lower order was exposed Wood began to express himself and if Andy Caddick and Simon Francis can offer a straight bat 400 - and full batting points - is still a possibility. Matt Mason was the pick of the Worcestershire attack but the spinners did not find much joy in the Bath pitch.