Kumble takes charge

London, August 5: Anil Kumble came up with a half-century as Leicestershire added 51 more runs to their 324 for eight against Kent at Cant...

London, August 5: Anil Kumble came up with a half-century as Leicestershire added 51 more runs to their 324 for eight against Kent at Canterbury in Division One of the County Championship on Friday. The Indian wrist-spinner then snared three victims in his more familiar role with the ball as Kent, struggling to avoid the follow-on, slumped to 184 for eight in reply.

Elsewhere, two former England Test fast bowlers produced career-best performances. At The Oval, Division One leaders Surrey surged towards victory over Lancashire. The county champions were grateful for Alex Tudor’s best-ever return of seven for 48 as third-placed Lancashire were shot for a paltry 120. Meanwhile, another England discard, Hampshire’s Alan Mullally, claimed four further victims at Derby, following his nine for 93 in Derbyshire’s first innings, for a career-high match haul of 13 wickets.

At The Oval, Surrey captain Adam Hollioake elected to bat again rather than enforce the follow-on and his decision was justified as Mark Butcher’s 95 and a half-century from Nadeem Shahid batted Lancashire out of the match. Hollioake was able to declare on 227 for four — a lead of 417 — providing spin twins Saqlain Mushtaq and Ian Salisbury enough time to weave their magic on the final day. Lancashire reached stumps at 19 without loss knowing they will need all their resilience to keep their unbeaten championship record intact and in so doing remain apace in the race for the title. Hampshire’s survival hopes were upped by left-armer Mullally’s devastating display against their relegation rivals. The 31-year-old produced the remarkable figures of 14-6-14-4 as Derbyshire closed on 66 for four, still 18 runs in arrears.

Story continues below this ad

Earlier, Derek Kenway struck 136 and Dimitri Mascarenhas exactly 100 for his maiden first-class century, the pair adding 187 for the sixth wicket, as Hampshire manoeuvred from 141 for five overnight to a hefty 394 all out. Second-placed Yorkshire posted 327, a 32-run deficit on Somerset’s first innings at Taunton — Anthony McGrath (74), Darren Lehmann (56) and Ian Fisher’s career-best unbeaten 68 helping to provide three batting points. Any chances of a full points quota were scuppered, however, when captain David Byas had to retire hurt on two after tearing cartilage in his knee. With Byas at a local hospital, Somerset extended their lead by a further 33 without mishap by the close.

Division One

At Derby: Derbyshire 310 (M Dowman 110, S Lacey 55 no; A Mullally 9-93) and 66-4 (A Mullally 4-14) V Hampshire 394 (D Kenway 136, D Mascarenhas 100, R Smith 50; S Lacey 4-84); At Canterbury: Leicestershire 375 (A Habib 78, V Wells 72, A Kumble 56; M Saggers 4-70) V Kent 184-8; At Taunton: Somerset 359 (G Rose 124, P Trego 62) and 33-0 V Yorkshire 327 (A McGrath 74, I Fisher 68 no, D Lehmann 56); At The Oval: Surrey 310 (A Hollioake 80, A Brown 54; M Smethurst 6-63) and 227-4 dec (M Butcher 95, N Shahid 62) V Lancashire 120 (A Tudor 7-48) and 19-0; Division Two At Bristol: Glamorgan 122 (D Thomas 52; M Cawdron 5-45) and 115-5 (M Powell 57 no) V Gloucestershire 308 (M Windows 82, M Ball 53); At Lord’s: Middlesex 287 (M Ramprakash 84, B Hutton 55; A Cowan 4-70 and 93-3 V Essex 200 (R Irani 76; P Tufnell 6-48); At Northampton: Northamptonshire 340-4 (M Hayden 147, A Rollins 63, M Loye 52) V Worcestershire; At Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 368 (U Afzaal 82, C Read 52; D Brown 5-87) V Warwickshire 121-3