Only 23.1 overs were possible on the second day at Grace Road, by the end ofwhich Leicestershire had crept to within three runs of Essex’s first-innings188 for the loss of seven wickets
Wisden CricInfo staff01-May-2003Division OneLeicestershire v Essex, Leicester
ScorecardOnly 23.1 overs were possible on the second day at Grace Road, by the end ofwhich Leicestershire had crept to within three runs of Essex’s first-innings188 for the loss of seven wickets. Darren Stevens top-scored with 65, whichincluded 11 fours. The main man with the ball was big Jon Dakin, a formerLeicestershire player himself, who took 4 for 54.Surrey v Warwickshire, The Oval
ScorecardAn hour and a half before the close at The Oval, last year’s championsSurrey were up against it, struggling at 121 for 4 in reply toWarwickshire’s imposing 413. But then came Adam Hollioake, fresh fromreceiving a leatherbound Wisden on Tuesday night as one of the famous FiveCricketers of the Year. While Alec Stewart nurdled his way to 27 not out,Hollioake blasted 88 in 87 balls, with 13 fours and a six. Unsurprisingly,he lived rather dangerously – Tony Frost missed a stumping when he had 49,and he was also dropped at 62. Surrey finished the second day at 237 for 4 -still 176 behind but breathing a lot more easily. Earlier Mark Wagh took hisovernight 91 to a fluent 136, which included a last-wicket stand of 70 withAlan Richardson (20*).Sussex v Kent, Hove
ScorecardSussex took the upper hand as wickets continued to tumble at Hove. Therewere 13 yesterday, and 16 more today, as Sussex moved to what should prove adecisive lead of 274 (mind you, we thought that in Sussex’s last match,which they ended up losing by three wickets to Middlesex). There was a lateflurry at the end of the second day, as Sussex declined from 166 for 4 to174 for 9, with top-scorer Murray Goodwin falling for 96 to the last ball ofthe day, one of three victims for the young offspinner James Tredwell.Earlier Kent stumbled to 185 all out – five men passed 20, but the top scorewas Greg Blewett’s 41 – conceding a lead of 94. James Kirtley and MushtaqAhmed grabbed three wickets apiece.Division TwoDerbyshire v Somerset, Derby
ScorecardSomerset took control at Derby, powering to a first-innings lead of 207after amassing 397. Jamie Cox, their former captain, weighed in with 126,with 15 fours, while Marcus Trescothick hinted at a return to form with 69.There were also 58 extras. Dominic Cork worked his way through the middleorder, ending up with 5 for 74 from 37 overs, but received precious littlesupport at the other end. Derbyshire started their second-innings brightly,ending the day at 38 for 0 from only six overs.Durham v Gloucestershire, Chester-le-Street
ScorecardDurham were struggling to avoid the follow-on by the end of the second dayat the Riverside, finishing on 128 for 7 in response to Gloucestershire’s341, which included 65 from Jack Russell, who put on 65 for the last wicketwith Mike Smith (17*). Durham were soon in trouble, slumping to 5 for 3 asGary Pratt and Vince Wells (first ball) both collected ducks. The captainJon Lewis, with a three-hour 54, and Nicky Peng (37) steadied the ship byadding 75, but two wickets from Mark Alleyne and two more for Smith, whofinished with 3 for 32, made it Gloucestershire’s day.Hampshire v Yorkshire, Southampton
ScorecardYorkshire took charge at the Rose Bowl, ending up 141 runs ahead after bowling Hampshire out for 175 … and even that was something of a recovery from 64 for 6. The wickets were shared around, with Steve Kirby returning the best figures of 3 for 19, including the important scalp of Robin Smith for 30. Nic Pothas, who has started the season well, top-scored with 44 not out. Earlier Yorkshire extended their overnight 174 for 7 to 293, mainly thanks to an eighth-wicket partnership of 126 between Michael Lumb, who ended up with an unbeaten 115, and Darren Gough, who spanked 72 from only 97 balls, with eight fours and three sixes.Worcestershire v Northants, Worcester
ScorecardOnly 32 overs were possible at New Road, during which Northants added 88 forthe loss of two wickets to finish up only 40 behind Worcestershire’sdisappointing 236. Mike Hussey was out for 45, and Jeff Cook made only 2,but Phil Jaques – a left-hander from Brett Lee’s home town of Wollongong inNew South Wales – romped to 86 not out by the close, with 14 fours and asix, and seems set for a maiden first-class century tomorrow.