County Championship round-up

Trescothick pushes Somerset ahead

Cricinfo staff

May 22, 2008

First Division

Second day
Peter Trego ended Martin van Jaarsveld's chances of a 38th first-class century when he dismissed him on 95 as Kent forced a lead at Tunbridge Wells which Somerset, in turn, snuffed out. Darren Stevens made 46 for Kent before receiving one of five lbw decisions in the innings. Trego grabbed 4 for 52, Charl Willoughby 3 for 91. Marcus Trescothick led the reply with an unbeaten 71, while Justin Langer fell just before stumps for 42, stumped off James Tredwell. The pair had put on 111 after Ryan McLaren removed Neil Edwards for 16.

For a report of Surrey's second day against Yorkshire, where Jacques Rudolph reached an unbeaten 99 in response to Mark Butcher's double-hundred, click here.

Third day
For John Ward's account of how Sussex bowled their way to a strong position against Nottinghamshire click here.

Second Division

Second day
Dominoes, le jeu de choix on the first day, was replaced by cricket on the second, Leicestershire's batsmen showing far greater application on a pitch which was less bowler-friendly than the opening exchanges at Chelmsford. HD Ackerman and Boeta Dippenaar gritted their way to fifties in a strong third-wicket partnership before Dippenaar gave his wicket away just before the close when he flicked loosely at a wayward Ravinder Bopara delivery down the leg-side for 64. In a war of attrition, Leicestershire are currently ahead on points, thanks also to the graft of Tom New (28) and Matthew Boyce (41) who both finally fell to Ryan ten Doeschate. Essex had eked out a slender five-run lead, Garnett Kruger dismissing James Middlebrook for 46 and Nadeem Malik removing Danish Kaneria to end with 6 for 46.

Darren Maddy became Warwickshire's latest casualty when he was forced to retire hurt on 39 at Edgbaston after breaking his thumb. Monde Zondeki was injured on the opening day and now Maddy is expected to be out for up to six weeks. Neither were the county smiling when they lost three wickets for one run, as Danny Evans and Tim Murtagh struck - Jonathan Trott falling for 50 while Michael Powell was denied a half-century with 47. However, a fifth-wicket stand so far worth 105 between Tony Frost, who was not out on 54, and Ant Botha, unbeaten on 41, has given them the distinct possibility of a first-innings lead after wheedling out Middlesex for 297.

Jason Gillespie continued to plug away against Northamptonshire, taking three wickets after rain washed out the morning at Swansea. Northants declared on 531 for 8, with Andrew Hall contributing 40 and Johann Louw an unbeaten 32. But before Glamorgan even got to the crease, rain halted play once more.

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