County Championship round-up

Pothas and Ervine deny Sussex

Cricinfo staff

September 3, 2006

Division One

Points table

Yasir Arafat appeals against Chris Benham but Sussex were unable to force a win at Hove © Getty Images

Fourth day

Sussex couldn't engineer the victory that would have given them a significant push in the title race as Hampshire fought through the final day at Hove. Four wickets for 44 runs gave Sussex a sniff of setting themselves up for a run chase after the first session had been washed out by drizzle. However, Nic Pothas and Sean Ervine combined in a sixth-wicket stand of 89 to lead Hampshire to safety. Mushtaq Ahmed was used sparingly, with the battles ahead at the forefront of Sussex's minds, but the draw virtually ends Hampshire's title hopes, although they remain a mathematical chance with two games left.

Division Two

Third day

Leicestershire are well placed to push for a win against Somerset at Grace Road after the middle order built on a strong performance from their young seamers. Chris Liddle and Nick Walker finished with eight wickets between them, restricting Somerset's lead to 22. Leicestershire lost John Maunders while still behind, but HD Ackerman, John Sadler and Darren Maddy all hit half-centuries to build a promising lead. Maddy is unbeaten on 60 overnight, including 11 boundaires, after Ackerman fell for 82 off 135 balls.

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