April 2008 Archives

Heavy rain has stopped play.

Warwickshire 42 for 1 (17.1 overs). Westwood 16, Bell 25.

Solid work by the two batsmen. Leicestershire would have hoped for two or three wickets at least with a moving ball.

By the way, re. the question last week: "Who are the two county cricketers whose name is a cathedral city?" (Salisbury and Cork), an esteemed Radio WM reporter has come up with a third one. A very good effort.

The first person to name this third gentleman will win a unique and prestigious prize - a Walsall v Bournemouth match programme (April 19, 2008), signed by my mother.

Warwickshire 25 for 1 (9 overs). Westwood 11, Bell 14.

It's tough going against bowlers obtaining some life with the new ball in cloudy conditions but it looks a decent batting track so if Warwickshire can get through the early overs with no further damage they will fancy their chances of building a big total.

Willow warblers lay six or seven eggs (white with brown spots).

When Leicestershire visited Edgbaston in the championship in 1900 they won the toss and batted - and were all out for 47, courtesy of Freddie Santall's 8 for 23.

Warwickshire 4 for 1. Westwood 0, Bell 4.

Maddy offers no stroke to his second ball, from Du ,and his off-stump flies. Out for 0.

Bell chops his first ball to third man for four and then is desperately close to playing on to his second.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Darren Maddy has won a toss at the fourth attempt this season and Warwickshire will bat.

Anyon comes in for Daggett who has a groin twinge, otherwise it's the team that won the champo game at Northampton.

Play will start on time under thickish cloud.

Ten of the 22 players in the match are of South African origin. Warwickshire 4 Leicestershire 6.

Huddersfield 2 Walsall 0. The most pointless, forgettable end-of-season football match ever.

Didn't miss anything at Northampton did I?

The close. Northamptonshire 170 for 4 (54 overs). Wessels 22, Klusener 17.

312 ahead.

Much depends on Nicky Boje's declaration tomorrow. Will he be as cripplingly over-cautious as Worcestershire were last week?

The charge is on. Sales was caught by Westwood at long off off Botha for a blistering 47 with 11 fours.

He added 55 in six overs with Peters who lifted Daggett to Botha at point and was out for 59.

Northamptonshire 135 for 4. Wessels 4, Klusener 0.

277 ahead.

Northamptonshire 80 for 2 (31 overs). Peters 53, Sales 2.

White pays the price for a dreadful leaden-footed waft outside off-stump and edges Daggett to Ambrose. Out for 13.

Daggett bowling with good discipline. Zondeki, at the other end, again going for a few and Peters has just driven him straight for four to reach 50 (106 balls, 7 fours).

A nice man has just brought in some sandwiches. Prawn, cheese and ham.

Willow warblers have a sweet song but it turns raucous and screechy if there is a cuckoo nearby.

Tea. Nothamptonshire 60 for 1 (26 overs). Peters 38, White 10.

Northants have been made to work hard for their runs. Daggett has bowled well and should have dismissed White, on 4, but Ambrose grassed a tough chance.

The trouble is Northants are under no pressure to score quickly as they are already 202 ahead.

Northamptonshire 36 for 1 (14 overs). Peters 24, White 0.

Wakely drives at Daggett, is done by a slower ball, and lifts the ball to Botha at point to become the first batsman in cricket history to be caught by Botha at point twice in a county championship match.

Northamptonshire lead by 178.