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Ken Gordon leaves his two-year presidency of West Indies cricket with the Board on stable financial ground; with a developmental academy ready to go; a financially successful World Cup behind it; and an improved contract with chief sponsors Digicel now worth US$2.6 million per year.But Gordon also leaves having presided over an organisation lacking public credibility. This was his frank admission yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad where he faced the media for a final time as West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president.”Obviously, anything that’s good or bad is a reflection of my leadership. As far as the credibility problem is concerned, I don’t think that has made the kind of progress I would have liked,” he said. “Short answer is the West Indies Cricket Board in my view continues to have a credibility problem. But I hope that in the process of change which is ahead of us, that there will be a structural change to the Board to have it reflect a different quality of membership.”According to Gordon – making reference to instances of leaks to the press – the root of the Board’s credibility difficulties had to do with a lack of confidentiality, which he said had led to a “media circus”.”A big part of the problem is until you can run an organisation where the quality of people who are there will respect confidentiality, and you can solve problems internally, I suppose you will always have a credibility problem… This has haunted the West Indies.”One of the commitments we made was transparency. We’re trying to tell you what all the issues are. But that doesn’t mean you have to know when everybody fights amongst themselves to resolve issues. And I’m afraid, in the process, many things have also been manufactured.”Gordon also conceded that the relationship between his administration and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) had also been a failure.”We have not succeeded in bridging that gap on a sustainable basis and I had hoped after the first few months, first year, that we would have done so,” he said.”I’m not here to point fingers,” Gordon continued. “I’m only here to say that it is absolutely critical for West Indies cricket that that issue be addressed and finally solved… It really boils down to how you deal with personalities.”Gordon noted, too, that “a new man”, Julian Hunte, “has a chance to come in and [WIPA president] Mr [Dinanath] Ramnarine may prefer to deal with him. So that will take it forward”.Referring also to the stormy exchanges between Ramnarine and new WICB CEO Bruce Aanensen, reflected in recent media releases, Gordon said: “Mr Aanensen has had a vigourous start. And perhaps there are similarities between Mr Ramnarine and Mr Aanensen.”But, with Aanensen seated at the head table listening, he expressed confidence that “once they have gotten over the initial flaring, things will settle down. Because one thing I’m certain of is, they both have West Indies cricket at heart”.Gordon, the former media magnate and government minister in the NAR administration, leaves this latest office, keen, he says, to “learn to be” the grandfather he has not quite been.And having previously been asked to reconsider his offered resignation during the World Cup in April, Gordon suggested his job in West Indies cricket is now done. “When you are involved in making serious change, there is fallout that must inevitably occur. Popularity is not one.”Obviously, people get upset with me. I understand that. I’m not here for a career. I like to think with what we have set out to do largely is putting a foundation there. But I also recognise that, in the process, there has been so much fallout, even among a pocket of my own members, that perhaps it’s better to get somebody else to take it to a different level. I have been there with it up to a certain point, now let somebody else take it forward.”And asked to reflect on his leadership style during his somewhat controversial tenure, Gordon said, had he to face the bowling all over again, there would be an adjustment in strategy.”Obviously I would have attempted to perhaps temper some of my approaches a little more. But you see, when you have what looks like a house of cards around you, it’s very difficult to be always as considered as you should be.”He said “in the light of what I have experienced”, he would use “more personal consultation perhaps rather than just consultation at the board level; making the time to do that. Maybe some people may have understood a little more clearly”.

With the rain pouring down in the morning, South Africa’s plans for the first game of the tri series against Sri Lanka were thrown into disarray. Both Shaun Pollock, who has lower back trouble, and Makhaya Ntini, who has a hamstring strain, were scheduled to undergo fitness tests, but the wet and swampy conditions prevented that. At his press conference, Mark Boucher, the South African captain, reckoned that Ntini might just make it, though he was less sure of Pollock.Pollock was also slated to bat at No.5, and if he doesn’t convince the physio by tomorrow morning, Ashwell Prince, who led in the Tests against Sri Lanka is expected to come in. When asked whether the inclusion of Prince might affect the power play strategy, Boucher said: “No, in one-day matches these days, everyone needs to be able to hit the ball out of the ground.”He also preferred not to focus on South Africa’s atrocious record in Sri Lanka – one win dating back to 1993. “We have to put that behind us,” he said. “We’re ranked No.2 and we’re proud of that. Our last series win was against the World Champions [Australia], and I think our one-day cricket has certainly taken a step forward.”We went over to India last year, to play against a team that was in very good form. Everyone wrote us off, but we managed to draw the series [2-2] and even had the opportunity to win it.”Looking ahead to the Sri Lanka game, Boucher said that he expected the toughest of tests. “I’ve spoken to some of the other senior players as well, and we think that Sri Lanka is the second-toughest place to tour. They’re a great team in their own conditions, and they’re in very good form.”Boucher added that both his batsmen and bowlers would have to adapt to make the most of conditions that are poles apart from those in the highveld. “The batsmen try to play a positive attacking brand of cricket, and the bowlers have to realise that the area in which they have to land the ball is so much smaller than it is when they’re playing at home.”As their performances against India last year, and the famous 3-2 series win against Australia, showed, the team coached by Mickey Arthur are far from being a soft touch. And though injuries have reduced South Africa to outsiders in a three-team race, neither Sri Lanka nor India are likely to make the mistake of taking them lightly.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Honours ended even after a truncated but intriguing opening day to the fourth Test at Trent Bridge. Marcus Trescothick led the early charge for England before Shaun Tait struck back for Australia following a lengthy rain break. Michael Vaughan was again in impressive form but fell to his opposite number, Ricky Ponting, shortly before rain drove the players off for the final time as 30 overs were lopped off the day.After a nine-day break between the end of the extraordinary events at Old Trafford and the resumption of hostilities here, the question was who would bring more momentum into this match. The initial signs – as Trescothick and Andrew Strauss laid into a patched-up Australia attack – were that England were again on top, but Australia produced enough evidence to suggest that the final two Tests in this epic series will be as tough as the previous three.Australia, for the second time in three Tests, received a blow just before the teams were named when Glenn McGrath was ruled out an elbow injury. With Tait already pencilled in for his first Test, Michael Kasprowicz was recalled in similar circumstances to his hurried inclusion at Edgbaston following McGrath’s ankle injury.As McGrath and the dropped Jason Gillespie – with a combined total of 764 Test wickets – watched from the pavilion, Brett Lee led the Australian attack after Vaughan had won the toss. Trescothick and Strauss played the opening half a dozen overs very watchfully but it quickly became apparent that the pitch was flat, there was no swing and the Australia attack was fairly unthreatening.Without a full-strength attack it was vital that Australia made the most of their chances but there were again a clutch of missed opportunities. Trescothick was bowled off a no-ball by Lee, Kevin Pietersen was dropped by Kasprowicz from a caught-and-bowled chance on 14, and Matthew Hayden spilled Vaughan in the gully when he had 30. Hayden also missed a chance to run out Pietersen with a shy at the stumps and Australia continued to lack that edge which everyone has become accustomed to.

However, Tait did bring a new dimension to the bowling attack, even if his opening spell was rather erratic. He nudged the speedgun into the mid-nineties but Ponting quickly turned to Shane Warne – who was welcomed by a straight six from Trescothick – with England rattling past 100 at their familiar scoring rate of over four an over.Trescothick moved to fifty from 77 balls and it was difficult to see where a wicket was coming from. But you rarely have to look further than Warne in that sort of situation and he conjured one up when Strauss bottom-edged a sweep onto his foot and the ball ballooned up to Matthew Hayden at slip. Strauss stood his ground as Steve Bucknor referred the decision to the third umpire and the replays clearly showed the ball had hit his boot and not the ground.Trescothick then received his stroke of fortune when he dragged Lee into his stumps only for the umpire to call no-ball. The Australians were well into their celebrations when they heard the call – and Trescothick was off towards the dressing room – but the bowlers had been asking for trouble. A profligate 18 no-balls were sent down before lunch and although they imporved to keep the tally down to 22 overall it was only a matter of time before they claimed wicket from one of them.But any momentum England took into lunch was washed away by the frustrating stream of showers that passed over the ground during the afternoon. Just 3.1 overs were possible between lunch and tea and it was Australia – having had time to regroup – who benefited from the stop-start nature of play.While the openers had blazed away during a sunny morning session the clouds hovering around Trent Bridge now gave the bowlers extra encouragement. Tait made a dramatic first mark when he castled Trescothick with the fourth ball of the evening session and then produced a perfect outswinger to Ian Bell, which was edged through to Adam Gilchrist. It was an impressive burst from Tait who showed all the attributes which had been talked of before the Test.

Within the space of 15 minutes England’s innings had a new complexion and some careful consolidation was required by Vaughan and Pietersen. They were both selective in their strokeplay, content to leave plenty of deliveries, but not afraid to dispatch loose offerings to the boundary. Both received let-offs and Vaughan, especially, set about making the most of his second life as he passed his half-century from 77 balls. He unleashed a range of well-timed strokes but none better than a stunning cover drive off Lee.Pietersen was his usual hyperactive self, walking across his stumps to make the most of the gaps in the leg side. But after almost getting himself run out he held back some of his attacking instincts. This was due, in no small part, to Ponting who sensed the need for another breakthrough and decided on the bold move of introducing himself.The gamble paid rich dividends when Vaughan, just as he appeared set for a major innings, feathered a catch through to Gilchrist. Ponting’s strike broke a stand of 67 between Vaughan and Pietersen but whether the move was a captaincy masterstroke or act of desperation is still open to debate. One thing that wasn’t expect this summer was that Ponting and Warne would bowl the same number of overs on the opening day of a Test.However, given the current state of their bowling attack Ponting won’t care where the wickets come from. There has never been a dull session in this series and with England’s powerful – if inconsistent – middle order at the crease and Australia knowing a couple of quick strikes will give them control, this match is on a knife edge.

EnglandAndrew Strauss c Hayden b Warne 35 (105 for 1)
Marcus Trescothick b Tait 65 (137 for 2)
Ian Bell c Gilchrist b Tait 3 (146 for 3)
Michael Vaughan c Gilchrist b Ponting 58 (213 for 4)

Essex 234 for 8 (Bopara 65) tied with Gloucestershire 234 for 7 (Weston 65, Taylor 56)
ScorecardEssex and Gloucestershire fought out a thrilling tie in their National League day-night clash at Chelmsford on Monday.Set 235 to win, Essex seemed on course for victory when they began the last over needing five runs with four wickets in hand. James Middlebrook and Paul Grayson collected three singles from the first four balls from the offspinner Martyn Ball, but with two required from two deliveries, Ball held a stunning return catch to dismiss Middlebrook.Ashley Cowan heaved the last ball to long-on, but Grayson was comfortably run out at the bowler’s end as he attempted the second run which would have secured Essex the win.Gloucestershire had earlier posted 234 for 7 in their 45 overs, with half-centuries from Chris Taylor and Phil Weston providing the backbone to the innings. Weston hit 65 off 102 balls, while Taylor upped the tempo in the middle of the innings with a 66-ball 56. Alex Gidman chipped in with a brisk 34 as Essex took 78 off the last ten overs.Essex always looked to be easing towards victory, but the dismissals of Ronnie Irani for 30 and then Ravinder Bopara for 55 – to a superb catch by Gidman at deep backward square – checked their momentum, setting up the dramatic finale.

Sri Lanka’s star fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has been forced out of theongoing Sharjah Cup quadrangular with an injured right ankle.The left-armer, the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup with 23 scalps,will return home to Colombo to receive treatment before a two-Test serieswith New Zealand.”Chaminda (Vaas) will be returning tonight,” confirmed Ajit Jayasekera, theSri Lanka team manager.”With some rest and treatment we are hopeful that he will be ok for the NewZealand series, we just don’t to take any risks with him here,” addedJayasekera.Sri Lanka have called up uncapped paceman Dharshana Gamage as a replacement.The 24-year-old right-arm fast bowler, also known as Dharshana Nayanakantha,who plays his club cricket for Bloomfield, joins his first internationaltour after impressing against the ECB Academy.

Australia coach John Buchanan believes Adam Gilchrist’s declaration has left the Headingley Test open for either side to win.Gilchrist declared to leave England with 315 to win the Fourth Test, though bad light forced them off the field after facing only 2.3 overs with the score on 4-0.Buchanan said: “Where the game is poised at the moment both sides have an opportunity to win.”In the context of this game and the way the weather has been, both sideshaving that opportunity to win is a good scenario going into the last day onthat wicket.”We will continue to attack as long as we can. That will give themopportunities to score and us opportunities to take wickets, so it is a goodcontest and it should be an exciting last day.”But he did add: “We feel there will be sufficient chances tomorrow – at least ten – in which to take those wickets we need.”England batsman Mark Butcher emphasised the need for the home side to be positive in pursuit of victory, rather than try to bat out 90 overs.”It is very important that you go out there with a positive attitude and lookto try and win the game,” said the England number three.”If we do not manage that then of course we have to look to hang on, but ifyou go out there looking to draw a game at the outset you put yourself indifficulty which is not necessary.”England were criticised for their last-day defeat against Pakistan at OldTrafford this summer when many felt they played for a draw too early, having been set 370 for victory.”These are a slightly different set of circumstances,” said Butcher.”But if you go out there basically looking to survive for 90 overs againstthat sort of bowling attack on a pitch offering a little bit of assistance youwill get yourself into a little bit of trouble.”

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union held a press conference in Harare this afternoon to brief the media on last week’s talks with the ICC in Dubai and insisted that Zimbabwe’s Test status had not been suspended.Peter Chingoka, the chairman of the ZCU, told reporters that the board had agreed to "revision" of the four Tests scheduled for later this year until 2005. He explained that Zimbabwe’s Test status had never been up for review at the Dubai meeting and that it had "its Test status and enjoys all the benefits and obligations that come with it, just like the other nine full member countries."And Chingoka tersely dismissed accusations that the ZCU was guilty of discrimination. "Nothing could be further from the truth than the unjustified accusation of racism mischievously levelled against the ZCU," he said. "Our integration process is not just all-embracing in intention but also in implementation. We have continued to promote, develop and administer the game of cricket for the benefit of all Zimbabweans without discrimination of any kind."We remain committed to the full implementation of this document, whose contents have stood the test of time."He went on to explain that India, Australia and South Africa had all offered their support to try and help Zimbabwe gain much-needed experience. The three countries have offered places within their high-performance programmes to Zimbabwe’s promising players, as well as making available facilities for the development of coaches and umpires.Chingoka defended the constitutional process for the appointment of the ZCU board which, he insisted, "involves an independent panel made up of senior and respectable citizens."The meeting was impressed and satisfied with our presentation and requested that we make a similar presentation to the ICC executive board which meets in London on the 30th of this month."And he concluded by repeating that he hoped that the dispute with the rebel cricketers could be resolved but reiterated the board’s line that the matter was not one which needed the involvement of the ICC disputes committee.

First Division

Darren Pattinson bowled his first over on the opening day at Trent Bridge at around 11.05 am and also bowled the final over at around 6.30 pm. During that time 20 wickets tumbled as Pattinson ripped Lancashire apart with a career-best 6 for 30 before Nottinghamshire were removed for 202. It was the second time in two matches that Lancashire had been involved in such a day, following their game against Durham last week. Pattinson took a five-wicket haul on his county debut in the opening match of the season against Kent, but had to move aside while Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad were available. With those two on England duty, Pattinson had another chance and responded in destructive fashion. Lancashire’s top order – missing Mohammad Yousuf who has had some minor visa issues – slumped to 16 for 4, and later the last six wickets went for 12. In between Stuart Law (55) and Steven Croft began a recovery but Mark Ealham started the second collapse by having Croft caught by Graeme Swann. Wickets continued to fall as Nottinghamshire slipped to 43 for 3. Samit Patel produced the best innings of the day, adding 93 with Mark Wagh (55), and Patel’s 74 off 71 balls took his team into the lead before Gary Keedy – the first spiner of the match – grabbed two quick wickets. Croft then swiftly wrapped up the innings with his medium-pace, although the lead of 89 is useful on a lively surface. The pitch inspectors are on their way for the start of the second day.Chris Tremlett continued the promising form he showed for England Lions last week with five wickets as Hampshire had a productive first day against Surrey at The Rose Bowl. He removed Jon Batty for a duck and returned to have Scott Newman bowled via an inside edge when he appeared set. Mark Ramprakash, searching for his 100th hundred, was caught behind for 17 as plenty of Surrey batsmen made starts without capitalising. Mark Butcher, well caught by Sean Ervine at midwicket, and Usman Afzaal fell in the forties despite being dropped three times between them. Matthew Nicholson’s 40 gave the total some respectability and the day ended on a positive note for Surrey when Jimmy Ormond removed Michael Carberry in his first over.The Somerset top order enjoyed the conditions at Taunton and Sussex endured a tough day in the field. James Hildreth scored his first Championship century of the season as the visitors were made to toil in typically batsman-friendly conditions. Chris Adams put Somerset in, perhaps swayed by last week’s match when Somerset were 23 for 6 against Hampshire. Neil Edwards was within touching distance of his own century but, having advanced out of the crease against Ollie Rayner, was run out for 99 by some swift work from Chris Adams at slip. Marcus Trescothick hit 74 with 11 boundaries before becoming Corey Collymore’s first Championship wicket.Click here for John Ward’s report of the first day’s play between Durham and Yorkshireat Chester-le-Street where Michael Di Venuto dominated with an unbeaten 184.

Second Division

Chris Taylor and Steven Snell hit centuries to haul Gloucestershire out of a hole against Worcestershire at New Road. The pair added 222 in 53 overs for the sixth wicket after the top order had fallen against the new ball to leave them struggling on 85 for 5. Simon Jones struck twice in his first spell, but Taylor and Snell carried the game away from Worcestershire. Snell began his cricketing life on the Isle of Wright and has now been preferred ahead of Stephen Adshead in the Championship. He reached his first century off 179 balls while Taylor hit four sixes in his 137 before being caught behind off Gareth Batty. But the momentum was now with Gloucestershire, a point emphatically hammered home by Mark Hardinges’ 43-ball half-century during the final session.Jonathan Clare continued the impressive form, which has earned him a contract extension, and his unbeaten 70 boosted a mediocre batting performance by Derbyshire at Sophia Gardens. The Glamorgan attack made early inroads as James Harris helped reduce Derbyshire to 66 for 3. Chris Rogers made 69 before being caught behind off David Harrison, but Clare and Graham Wagg (32) started the fightback with a stand of 50. Robert Croft worked his way through the tail to end with four wickets, including his 900th for Glamorgan. Matthew Wood fell early to Wagg, but Gareth Rees gave Glamorgan a solid platform to their reply.2nd dayJacques du Toit hit his maiden first-class century as Leicestershire piled up 527, their highest total for nearly two years, against Northamptonshire at Grace Road. He built on the solid work from the top order on the opening day, adding 129 with Paul Nixon (79) for the seventh wicket. Even when Nicky Boje removed them both the problems didn’t stop for Northamptonshire as Jermaine Lawson clubbed 35 off 29 balls at No. 11. Niall O’Brien built a solid response after Lawson removed Stephen Peters with a leg-stump yorker, finishing the day unbeaten on 76.

Click here for final tablesThe final group-stage matches in the Friends Provident resulted in Durham, already confirmed as semi-finalists after winning on Sunday, finishing top of the North Conference to be at home to Essex while Hampshire secured home advantage against Warwickshire by winning the South Conference.

South Conference

A sixth-wicket stand of 122 between Rikki Clarke and Chris Schofield rescued Surrey from embarrassment against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl after they crashed to 32 for 6, Stuart Clark doing the damage in an opening burst of 5 for 16. Surrey eventually posted 181, a total Hampshire passed with three wickets in hand despite a late wobble which saw them lose four within sight of victory. The win confirmed Hampshire as conference winners and ended Surrey’s slim chance of making the semi-finals.That result meant that Gloucestershire missed out on run-rate despite beating Kent by 40 runs at Tunbridge Wells. A fourth-wicket stand of 105 between Hamish Marshall and Alex Gidman steered Gloucestershire to 275 for 6, and Kent were in touch until two quick wickets from Ian Fisher put the brakes on the innings and thereafter they were always second best.Essex booked their place in the last four with a convincing seven-wicket win over Somerset at Chelmsford. Martin Saggers removed Marcus Trescothick and Peter Trego early on, but it was the introduction of Danish Kaneria which put Somerset on the back foot, taking 5 for 32. Only Justin Langer, with 82, showed any semblance of taking the attack as Somerset were bowled out for a disappointing 193. Essex’s chase got off to a rollicking start with Mark Pettini and Varun Chopra putting on 74 for the opening stand. And though Pettini fell to Ian Blackwell for a barnstorming 87 – from 79 balls and including 12 fours – Ravi Bopara’s slick 51 ensured Essex were home and dry in the 35th over.An excellent 110 from Nick Compton wasn’t enough for Middlesex who imploded against Sussex, losing by nine runs at Lord’s. Chasing 272, Compton and Owais Shah – who was in bristling form in his 97-ball 88 – put on 163 for the third wicket to put Middlesex well on course for victory. But when Shah holed out to James Kirtley, Middlesex crumbled to lose 5 for 52. Sussex’s 271 for 9 was set up by a magical 111 from Murray Goodwin – as inventive as he was orthodox – and a dogged 82 from Richard Montgomerie.Ireland’s disappointing campaign ended with a washout against Glamorgan at Belfast, leaving them without a win.

North Conference

Warwickshire beat Durham by 39 runs at Edgbaston to enter the semi-finals. The match was as good as meaningless for Durham who had already qualified for the last four, but today they struggled as Warwickshire piled up 314 for 5. Jonathan Trott (105*) and Tim Ambrose (132 off 82) put on 174 quick runs for the fifth wicket. Durham got off to a reasonable start, but on 77 for 3 the rain fell heavily and, with Durham behind the Duckworth-Lewis rate, the match was abandoned in Warwickshire’s favour.Nottinghamshire beat Lancashire by 37 runs in another rain affected match at Trent Bridge but it wasn’t enough for the hosts to qualify for the semi-finals. Lancashire’s 219 for 9 was led by Steve Croft’s 63 and a bristling 30 from Tom Smith – but the hosts began strongly in their chase, with David Hussey smacking 51 from 48 balls. When the rain fell, Nottinghamshire were comfortably ahead under the Duckworth-Lewis regulations, but owing to Warwickshire’s win over Durham, Notts missed out.There was nothing at stake in the match between Leicestershire and Derbyshire at Leicester, and the home side cruised to a nine-wicket win thanks to an unbeaten stand of 229 between John Mauders and John Sadler, both of whom hit their maiden one-day hundreds. Derbyshire had a sixth-wicket stand of 133 between Ant Botha and James Pipe to thank for giving helping them to 236 for 7 after Jim Allenby’s career-best 5 for 46 had reduced them to 88 for 5.Scotland were spared a drubbing at New Road when rain intervened as they tottered on 20 for 3 in reply to Worcestershire’s365 for 7. Vikram Solanki led the charge with 132 from 94 deliveries and Phil Jaques and Ben Smith chipped in with fifties. Scotland lost three wickets inside the first three overs.Yorkshire were awarded an unlikely victory over Northamptonshire at Headingley after the visitors notched 314 for 5. Usman Afzaal and Stephen Peters both hit fine hundreds, putting on 214 for the opening wicket. But after losing their openers, Yorkshire sneaked ahead on Duckworth-Lewis with Gerard Brophy unbeaten on 45 and Anthony McGrath making 62.

Division One

A superb 172 from Darren Lehmann took Yorkshire to the heights of 302 on the opening day of their encounter against Kent at Headingley. The next highest score was from Anthony McGrath (41) as Simon Cook (5 for 38) ran through the lower order to dismiss Yorkshire for 310. Lehmann was last man out when he fell to Min Patel; in 189 balls he hit 19 fours, clearing the boundary four times, and it was his fifth hundred of the season, taking his haul to 1272 runs in 12 matches. Yorkshire ended the day on top when Deon Kruis removed David Fulton shortly before the close.Hampshire’s Chris Tremlett served up a timely reminder of his abilities, grabbing a six-wicket haul including two in the first over of the match – Ian Westwood and Jonathan Trott, both clean bowled. That left Warwickshire reeling at the Rose Bowl. But Mark Wagh came to their rescue with a superb 128, his second and highest century of the season. He added 173 for the third wicket with Nick Knight, who made 78, as Hampshire struggled for further inspiration in the absence of their captain, Shane Warne. Tremlett, however, was not to be denied, and returned with more wickets in his second spell, as Knight fell lbw and Alex Loudon was caught behind for 10.Andrew Caddick top scored for Somerset with a typically boisterous 68 to frustrate Glamorgan on the opening day at Taunton. After Huw Waters continued his impressive form, picking up five Somerset batsmen to leave them reeling on 227 for 8, Caddick set about the recovery to take his side to 330. He cracked nine fours and two sixes in a 10th-wicket partnership spanning 44 minutes with Charl Willoughby worth 67. In reply, Glamorgan set off in a hurry with Gareth Rees and, in particular Mark Cosgrove, belting the Somerset bowling with an opening stand of 101. Willoughby and Caddick hit back, though, to remove both openers before stumps.Sussex are on course for a big total on the first day against Durham at Hove after four of their batsmen made confident half-centuries. None has yet gone on to make a hundred, although Chris Adams remains unbeaten on 92. Richard Montgomerie and Carl Hopkinson stroked the ball around during their 140-run opening partnership before Mick Lewis removed Montgomerie and Michael Yardy in quick succession. Matt Prior batted with his customary forcefulness and pugnacity, crunching several fours as he and Adams went on the attack.

Division Two

Surrey’s batting struggled in the absence of Mark Ramprakash, who was forced to sit out of their trip to Chelmsford for personal reasons and so missed the chance to go for an incredible sixth score of 150-plus in consecutive innings. With Andy Bichel leading the charge, Essex’s bowlers tore through the top order, leaving Surrey reeling at 147 for 6, before Ian Salisbury steadied the innings from No. 7 with 74, his best score of the Championship season. He was ably supported by Neil Saker, whose 58 more than doubled his fledgling career tally. Azhar Mahmood ripped out Varun Chopra and Mervyn Westfield shortly before stumps as Essex limped to 32 for 2.Fresh from their triumph in the Twenty20 Cup, Leicestershire found their return to four-day cricket to be an arduous one, as Worcestershire’s Stephen Moore and Steven Davies made them work hard for their wickets at Grace Road. Moore made 97, and was unlucky to miss out on his first century of the season when he was bowled by Claude Henderson. Following the dismissal of Graeme Hick, Worcestershire were 121 for 4, with Stuart Broad having accounted for a possible future England team-mate, Vikram Solanki, for a seventh-ball duck. But Moore and Davies, and later Davies and Gareth Batty turned the innings around with singular resolve.