CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

Day 1: No play

Day 2: Tonic for Robinson

David Grose at Fenner's

Second day of three: Cambridge University (30-0) trail Essex (340-3 dec) by 310 runs.

Out of form? Need some runs? A trip to Cambridge University can soon put that right.

Darren Robinson became the latest county batsman to take the Fenner's cure when scoring his first century in two years as Essex raced to 340 for three declared.

His 111 might not have been chanceless, but it was full of clean hits, containing 10 fours and four sixes from 179 balls in three hours.

Initially, he was overshadowed by Paul Prichard, who has started the new campaign with untold riches after a wretched final season as captain. But having scored 55 out of 81 in 24 overs he was out lbw to give a debut wicket to Samir Sheikh.

That proved the pinnacle for a Cambridge attack that had begun the day in good voice as the ball thudded into Essex pads with some regularity. But before long opening bowler Charlie Pimlott was limping heavily and after lunch Greg Loveridge was moving no more easily.

Robinson, having completed his century, eventually holed out on the boundary, leaving Grayson to enjoy unexpected afternoon sunshine before he fell when in sight of his century.

Essex's worst moment occurred when captain Ronny Irani was struck on an elbow when opposing captain, Quentin Hughes, proved more accurate than his bowlers with a return to the wicketkeeper.

Irani retired, but was out on the field seemingly none the worse for wear when Cambridge, given an hour's batting, reached 30 without loss.

Day 3: Concern as Essex fail to convince

David Grose at Fenner's

Cambridge University (191-7) drew with Essex (340-3 dec).

ESSEX will not have been entirely happy with their performance in the 3.5 hours play possible on the last day of a rain-curtailed match. But then, neither will Cambridge University.

The loss of the entire first day and an easy-paced pitch that rekindled memories of days of yore when, under legendary groundsman Cyril Coote, Fenner's was considered a batsman's paradise, combined to ensure that a result was never an option for either side.

The Essex bowling proved what is already known: that Ashley Cowan is a more than a useful new ball partner to Mark Ilott and Peter Such is still one of the best off-spinners on the circuit.

But look deeper and the county are not so well blessed. Yesterday, the University had their best period when adding 50 in 11 overs when Essex's apprentice seamers Jamie Grove and Jamie Bishop, a 17-year-old debutant, were in tandem under the eye of bowling coach Geoff Arnold.

Paul Grayson did prompt a mid-innings collapse with two wickets from successive balls, but form batsman Greg Loveridge and Andy Danson showed what a flat pitch it is with a 63-run partnership for the sixth wicket.