First Full Day!

So the first full(ish) day of county cricket has been and gone, so I thought now would be an appropriate time for another blog!

At Fenners Cambridge had a long day in the field, being made to toil by the Essex batsmen – Mark Pettini (153) and Ryan ten Doeschate (146*) in particular. On his first class debut for his new county Jason Gallian made 38.

There was no play at Derby where they are playing Durham UCCE.

At the Rose Bowl – recently announced as a future test match venue – Hampshire stuttered to 237-8 against Cardiff UCCE, the highlight being 103* from James Adams.

Without doubt the most impressive performance from a county team was from Kent, who made 366-2 against Leeds/Bradford UCCE. Key (105) and Denly (122) put on 225 for the first wicket, and van Jaarsveld and Walker both knocked half centuries.

Whilst down at the Brit Oval Loughborough performed most admirably out of all the students’, closing on 148-1 on a weather interrupted day. Their opener, Richard Johan Anders Malcolm-Hansen – a Danish Kentishman!! – finished the day on 93*. Surrey’s bowling attack looked weak, although one cannot think that too many of them will begin the championship opener later this week.

Finally, an update on the MCC match. Sussex had not had very much fun over the first couple of days, but on day 3, aided by the injury late on in day 2 to Steve Kirby, however, they took full control. This was mainly thanks to England hopeful Luke Wright. He smashed 155* off 185 balls with 21 fours and 3 sixes. This is a really big season for Wright – he has established himself in England’s one day team, and many more innings like this will soon see him pushing for test contention.

How happy I am the cricket season is back upon us!