20.05.2007

The three Sri Lankan reps in this season’s English county cricket, started off their campaign impressively.

Especially Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan, who play for Warwickshire and Lancashire respectively, did remarkably well in their very first games. Sangakkara, playing his first ever county game scored a hundred at Edgbaston against Durham on Thursday and was dimsised for 149 on Friday. Warwickshire lost their openers for no score but Sangakkara added 229 runs with Alex Loudon to help his side to reach 335 in the four day game.

Murali meanwhile picked up six for 72 but couldn’t prevent Worcestershire from taking a 166 run first innings lead as they made 327 thanks to 40-year-old veteran Graeme Hick, who completed his 133rd first class hundred. Hick was one of Murali’s victims.

Lancashire, who were bowled out for a paltry 167 in the first innings after Kabir Ali took eight wickets did well in the second essay reaching 296 for seven.

Meanwhile Chaminda Vaas, batting at No.8 for Middlesex, top scored for them in their innings of 248 all out against Derbyshire. He made an unbeaten 56 while Neil Compton, the grandson of the legendary Dennis Compton made 51.

Middlesex dismissed Derbyshire for 225 and Vaas claimed two wickets.

Lancashire v Worcestershire at Manchester (Day-4 tea):

Lancashire 161 all out and 296/7

(P. Horton 139, M. Chilton 59)

Worcestershire 327 all out

(V. Solanki 54, G. Hick 110, M. Muralitharan 72-6,)

Warwickshire v Durham at Edgbaston (Day-3 tea):

Warwickshire 335 all out

(K. Sangakkara 149 (273 m, 230b, 4x22), A. Loudon 105, G. Onions 101-8)

Durham 174/4

(K. Coetzer 46, W. Smith 38)

Middlesex v Derbyshire at Derby: (Day-3 tea)

Middlesex 248 all out

(N. Compton 51, C. Vaas 56 n.o. (126 m, 88 b, 4x6, 6x1)

Derbyshire 225 all out

(S. Katich 59, G. Wagg 40, A. Richardson 5-50, C. Vaas 2-49)

Results of other county matches:

Sussex v Surrey in Hove: (Day-2)

Surrey 626 for 3 wkts. (M. Ramprakash 266 n.o., M. Boucher 179, A. Brown 50 n.o.)

Sussex 109 for 1 wkt. (R. Motgomerie 54 n.o., C. Nash 53 n.o.)

Gloucestershire v Glamorgan in Bristol: (Day-2)

Glamorgan 392 all out (M. Wallace 128, A. Wharf 128 n.o.; M. Hardinges 3-59)

Gloucestershire 118 for 5 wkts. (M. North 64 n.o.; J. Harris 3-28)

Leicestershire v Essex in Leicester:

No play on first two days