Bell rings up century for Warwickshire
A round-up of all the action from the second day of the latest round of County Championship matches
Andrew McGlashan
28-Apr-2005
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Warwickshire 277 for 6 (Bell 143*) trail Middlesex 298 (Joyce 92, Styris 53) by 21 runs
Scorecard
Ian Bell put his name to the forefront of the selectors' minds with his first century of the season. His unbeaten 143 took Warwickshire within touching distance of Middlesex's first-innings, after they were in trouble at 186 for 6. Bell shared important stands of 88 with Alex Loudon and 91 with Ashley Giles, who was unbeaten with a typically pugnacious 30. Middlesex kept chipping away, claiming a wicket each time a stand threatened to develop into something significant. Nantie Hayward put in a fiery spell during the afternoon, removing Dougie Brown and Tony Frost in quick succession, and a first-innings lead was on the cards before Bell dug in with the valuable support of Giles.
Scorecard
Ian Bell put his name to the forefront of the selectors' minds with his first century of the season. His unbeaten 143 took Warwickshire within touching distance of Middlesex's first-innings, after they were in trouble at 186 for 6. Bell shared important stands of 88 with Alex Loudon and 91 with Ashley Giles, who was unbeaten with a typically pugnacious 30. Middlesex kept chipping away, claiming a wicket each time a stand threatened to develop into something significant. Nantie Hayward put in a fiery spell during the afternoon, removing Dougie Brown and Tony Frost in quick succession, and a first-innings lead was on the cards before Bell dug in with the valuable support of Giles.
Surrey 162 for 4 (Ramprakash 72*) trail Glamorgan 250 (Wallace 96) by 88 runs
Scorecard
Mark Ramprakash showed his importance to the Surrey batting line-up as they were made to work hard against Glamorgan. Ramprakash stroked 10 fours in his 127-ball innings but struggled to find a partner to stay with him. Scott Newman typically fell when he was well-set, bowled by Alex Wharf. Graham Thorpe continued the trend of established England batsmen not making use of their opportunities as he was undone by Darren Thomas. Glamorgan were further boosted on the verge of the close when Wharf nipped out Jon Batty to leave the innings at a crucial juncture. In the morning session the home side had managed to eke out a second batting point thanks to Mark Wallace, who fell four runs short of his century.
Scorecard
Mark Ramprakash showed his importance to the Surrey batting line-up as they were made to work hard against Glamorgan. Ramprakash stroked 10 fours in his 127-ball innings but struggled to find a partner to stay with him. Scott Newman typically fell when he was well-set, bowled by Alex Wharf. Graham Thorpe continued the trend of established England batsmen not making use of their opportunities as he was undone by Darren Thomas. Glamorgan were further boosted on the verge of the close when Wharf nipped out Jon Batty to leave the innings at a crucial juncture. In the morning session the home side had managed to eke out a second batting point thanks to Mark Wallace, who fell four runs short of his century.
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Nottinghamshire 32 for 0 trail Sussex 379 (Martin-Jenkins 66*, Prior 65) by 347 runs
Scorecard
Contrasting half-centuries from Matt Prior and Robin Martin-Jenkins boosted Sussex to a useful total. Prior was typically aggressive, striking ten fours in his 89-ball knock but Martin-Jenkins faced 143 balls for his unbeaten 66 as he tried to nurse the tail along. Nottinghamshire had removed Murray Goodwin and Michael Yardy, the overnight batsmen, quickly in the morning session so consolidation was needed. Prior added 104 with Chris Adams but when they fell in the space of three runs Sussex would have been pleased to pass 300. However, Martin-Jenkins found admirable support from the lower-order. Johann van der Wath stayed with him for an hour-and-a-half, contributing 20 to an important stand of 68. The Notts bowlers had to work had for their success after the early strikes, but they all chipped in and ensured Sussex did not race away.
Scorecard
Contrasting half-centuries from Matt Prior and Robin Martin-Jenkins boosted Sussex to a useful total. Prior was typically aggressive, striking ten fours in his 89-ball knock but Martin-Jenkins faced 143 balls for his unbeaten 66 as he tried to nurse the tail along. Nottinghamshire had removed Murray Goodwin and Michael Yardy, the overnight batsmen, quickly in the morning session so consolidation was needed. Prior added 104 with Chris Adams but when they fell in the space of three runs Sussex would have been pleased to pass 300. However, Martin-Jenkins found admirable support from the lower-order. Johann van der Wath stayed with him for an hour-and-a-half, contributing 20 to an important stand of 68. The Notts bowlers had to work had for their success after the early strikes, but they all chipped in and ensured Sussex did not race away.
Kent 339 for 6 (Key 164, Walker 109) v Gloucestershire
Scorecard
Robert Key upped the stakes in the battle for the England No 3 spot with an impressive 165 in front of Duncan Fletcher. Key made the most of a let-off in the opening over of the day when he was dropped by Upul Chandana at point off Jon Lewis. He wasn't troubled by the bowling, his only scares coming from two close run out chances. The day was really a story of two batsmen as Key added 225 with Matthew Walker for the third wicket. Run-scoring was never easy on a damp outfield and Kent's total is worth more than it appears on paper. Walker was caught behind of Steve Kirby for 109 and Key went in similar fashion, under-edging a cut, after nearly eight hours at the crease. Chandana was rewarded for a his hard work - 33 overs - when he trapped Geraint Jones lbw.
Scorecard
Robert Key upped the stakes in the battle for the England No 3 spot with an impressive 165 in front of Duncan Fletcher. Key made the most of a let-off in the opening over of the day when he was dropped by Upul Chandana at point off Jon Lewis. He wasn't troubled by the bowling, his only scares coming from two close run out chances. The day was really a story of two batsmen as Key added 225 with Matthew Walker for the third wicket. Run-scoring was never easy on a damp outfield and Kent's total is worth more than it appears on paper. Walker was caught behind of Steve Kirby for 109 and Key went in similar fashion, under-edging a cut, after nearly eight hours at the crease. Chandana was rewarded for a his hard work - 33 overs - when he trapped Geraint Jones lbw.
Andrew McGlashan is editorial assistant of Cricinfo