da bwin： Essex won the toss, batted first and were skittled for 188, asLeicestershire took firm control of proceedings at Chelmsford
Andrew Miller30-Apr-2003Leicestershire v Essex, Grace Road
ScorecardEssex won the toss, batted first and were skittled for 188, asLeicestershire took firm control of proceedings at Chelmsford. PhilDeFreitas led from the front with three wickets, including a subdued NasserHussain who managed just 6 from 33 balls in his first outing of the season,as Essex slumped to a gruesome 91 for 7. They showed the value of having aformer Test opener batting at No. 9, however, when John Stephenson thumpeda lusty 50 to rescue the remains of the innings. Stephenson then grabbedthe wicket of Trevor Ward for 44, as Leicestershire closed on 114 for 3.Surrey v Warwickshire, The Oval
ScorecardOn their early-season form, Surrey, the hottest favourites for theChampionship in years, are threatening to emulate Yorkshire’s hero-to-zeroantics last season, as Warwickshire outplayed them on the first day at TheOval. Nick Knight, feeling the effects of a knee injury, and Tony Frostadded 153 for the first wicket, before Martin Bicknell and Alex Tudorfought back with five cheap wickets in the middle order. Mark Wagh,however, battled on to reach 91 not out at the close, thanks to someexcellent support from a robust tail.Sussex v Kent, Hove
ScorecardThirteen wickets fell on the first day at Hove, as Sussex and Kent tradedblows on an overcast day. After winning the toss and bowling first, Kent’sAlamgir Sheriyar took 5 for 65 with strong support from Martin Saggers andMark Ealham, as Sussex found the conditions tough to handle. Chris Adamsfared better than most with a hard-fought 54, but Kent found batting noeasier later in the day, as they lost two quick wickets and a third beforethe close. Robert Key was the first to go, bowled for a duck while playingno shot to James Kirtley.Division TwoDerbyshire v Somerset, Derby
ScorecardAndy Caddick started his season as he means to go on with four wickets on arain-shortened day at Derby, but it was Richard Johnson who started therout with a three-wicket burst at the top of the order. Johnson removedMichael Di Venuto, Chris Bassano and Steve Selwood without conceding a runas Derbyshire were bundled out for 190. Peter Bowler fell early in reply,but Somerset’s captain Michael Burns charged to a rapid 40 before beingdismissed by Dominic Cork, off the last ball of the day. Marcus Trescothickwas left unbeaten on 15.Durham v Gloucestershire, Chester-le-Street
ScorecardJonty Rhodes continued his excellent form with a dogged 60, as Gloucesterestablished a strong position on a seaming wicket at Chester-le-Street.They may yet regret a mid-innings collapse, as they lost four wickets fornine runs, but by the close, Jack Russell had grafted his way to 31 notout, with determined support from Jon Lewis and Mike Smith. Earlier, TrevorHancock’s 59 had helped build a strong position, while Rhodes became afirst Championship victim for his former South African team-mate, DewaldPretorius.Hampshire v Yorkshire, Southampton
ScorecardWisden’s cover-boy and England one-day captain-in-waiting, Michael Vaughan,lasted just seven deliveries on his return to action, as Hampshire’sseamers ripped through the Yorkshire line-up at the Rose Bowl. Vaughan wasbowled by Wasim Akram for 1, before Alan Mullally picked up three wicketsin an excellent spell to reduce Yorkshire to 84 for 5. Michael Lumb dug inwith a face-saving 60 not out, but when Shaun Udal popped up with twowickets in two balls, Yorkshire were teetering at 128 for 7. Enter DarrenGough, who smashed a gloriously flamboyant 30 not out, with four fours anda six, to take some of the sheen off Hampshire’s day.Worcestershire v Northamptonshire, Worcester
ScorecardVikram Solanki and Ben Smith did their best to stem the tide, butNorthamptonshire pulled together their best performance of the season todismiss Worcestershire for 236 at New Road. John Blain and Ben Phillipsshared nine of the wickets as six batsmen failed to reach double figures.After Smith had been trapped lbw by Jeff Cook for 50, Solanki shepherdedthe tail with a determined 79, before he became the fifth of Blain’swickets. In reply, Northamptonshire reached 108-1 when rain stopped play