COUNTY MATCHES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 9

COUNTY MATCHES

SUSSEX IN STRONG POSITION

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Sussex played themselves into a strong position in the match against Hampshire today, and now have a great chance of taking the lead on the English county cricket championship table. Sussex, after totalling 221, had half the Hampshire side out for 31 runs at the close of play. If the Sussex men can force home the advantage on Monday they may climb over the leaders, Middlesex.

Thunderstorms interfered with cricket matches in the Home Counties and the Midlands today. One of the county teams hit was Surrey, the present champions, which had Leicestershire with six down for 71 after three hours’ cricket when rain ended play. Len Hutton, England’s test captain, stood down from the Yorkshire team which met Derbyshire at Chesterfield. Derbyshire, in spite of having lost its opening batsman, John Kelly, in the first over, went on to score 300 for nine wickets before declaring. Hamer, who was missed at 45, went on to score 153.

Scores at the close of play today were:—

Leicestershire 6 for 72 v. Surrey at the Oval. Bain stopped play for* the day soon after lunch.

Sussex 221 (Sheppard 88) v. Hampshire five for 31, at Bournemouth. Northamptonshire 327 (Livingston 106, Reynolds 64) v. Somerset none for 12, at Taunton.

Lancashire two for 113 (G. Edrich 56, Ikin not out 50) v. Essex, at Manchester. A delayed start owing to rain.

Derbyshire nine for 300 declared (Hamer 153, Willatt 54) v. Yorkshire none for 12, at Chesterfield. Kent nine for 358 declared (Hearn 86, Witherden 100) v. Worcestershire none for 1, at Maidstone. Warwickshire 124 (Dooland five for 29, Kelley four for 25) v. Notts one for 32, at Birmingham. Rain restricted play. Glamorganshire 366 (Parkhouse 57, Pressdee 85, Clift 58. Watkins 53. Woolier 56) v. Gloucestershire, at Swansea.

Death After Pack Drill.—A Canadian veteran of the Korean War, forced as punishment to double with a 601 b pack, died in an Army hospital at Petawawa, Ontario, today. The body of the soldier, Private Joseph Burke, aged 29. was taken to the Ottawa Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The Army authorities promised a complete investigation. The soldier had been in detention.—July 17.