County Championship round-up

Willoughby leads Derbyshire rout

Cricinfo staff

July 28, 2007

Division One

Harbhajan Singh claimed five wickets in the second innings at Guildford, but the match ended in a draw © Martin Williamson

John Crawley struck a fine century, but Hampshire couldn't force a win against Sussex at The Rose Bowl despite handing them a scare with three early wickets. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan took out Hampshire's middle order, but Crawley held firm and reached his hundred off 148 balls. Once Crawley had taken Hampshire to a second batting point, Shane Warne declared and Sussex's top order wobbled. James Bruce, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Daren Powell did the damage and suddenly the pressure was on. Murray Goodwin and Chris Adams calmed nerves with a stand of 89 and Hampshire took the points honours nine to seven.

Younis Khan hit an unbeaten double-century as Yorkshire and Kent played out a draw at Scarborough

Division Two

Derbyshire were decimated by Charl Willoughby and Andy Caddick, capitulating for 52 as Somerset completed a 278-run win at Derby. Chasing 331 after yesterday's negotiations, the home side were soon in tatters at 13 for 5 as Willoughby claimed four of the top five. The spinners, Ian Blackwell and Cameron White, then ran through the tail as Derbyshire folded inside 28 overs. Ant Botha was the only batsman to reach double figures before falling to Blackwell for 21.

Chris Taylor's 101 almost enabled Gloucestershire to turn impending defeat into victory against Essex at Bristol in a match played over one innings after rain washed out the first three days. After being inserted Gloucestershire slumped to 23 for 4 and 122 for 8 against impressive bowling from Andy Bichel and Ravi Bopara. They claimed eight wickets between them, but Taylor found support from Steve Kirby and Ben Edmondson as the last two wickets added a priceless 62 runs. Gloucestershire's attack then repeated the damage to the visitors with Kirby's four wickets sending Essex sliding to 89 for 7. But Bichel (22 not out) and Alex Tudor (16 not out) held firm in the closing stages and the honours were shared.

The match at Abergavenny between Glamorgan and Leicestershire was abandoned without a ball bowled due to unsafe run-ups. "It's a shame for all concerned and especially Abergavenny Cricket Club but unfortunately we had to do the right thing and the run-ups were just not fit," said umpire Barrie Leadbeater.

3rd day

Centuries from Stephen Fleming and Mark Wagh put Nottinghamshire in the driving seat against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. Fleming struck 19 fours and a six in his even 100, adding 112 for the second wicket with Wagh, before he was stumped off Jason Brown. Wagh then combined with Samit Patel (54) to add another 111. Wagh took 174 delivers over his third Championship ton of the season and Nottinghamshire are poised to take a lead. Earlier, the home side added 102 to their total mainly through the efforts of Johann van der Wath, who struck and unbeaten 59, and an eighth-wicket stand of 69 with David Lucas.

* - match still ongoing

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