Cricket: Cork denies Surrey

Round-up

England's Dominic Cork frustrated Surrey at The Oval yesterday to earn Derbyshire an unlikely draw and 10 valuable Championship points.

An unbroken last-wicket stand of 74, lasting 87 minutes, between Cork (82) and the injured Paul Aldred (7) pulled Derbyshire back from the brink at 172 for 9 to end on 246 for 9 after they had been set 354 to win. Surrey were not helped by the loss of Martin Bicknell. By tea he had taken 5 for 17 in nine overs but a groin injury prevented him resuming.

Surrey had batted on for almost 90 minutes as they took their overnight score from 199 for 2 to 345 for 3 declared. They had to do this without their captain, Alec Stewart, who was with his wife in hospital where she had gone for tests the night before. The run-making was left to Adam Hollioake (71no) and Ally Brown (56no). Stewart rejoined the fray after lunch.

The Worcestershire captain, Tom Moody, completed his second Championship century of the season with an unbeaten 138 in a rain-ruined draw with Hampshire at New Road.

An 80-minute hold-up after lunch disrupted any plans for a declaration, although Moody could have pulled out at that stage and set the visitors a target at around six runs an over. Instead, Worcestershire batted on between the showers, extending their lead to 326 as Moody and fourth-wicket partner Reuben Spiring (82) put on 159 towards a total of 288 for 4.

Heavy rain also ruined any hopes of a result in Nottingham- shire's match against Durham at Trent Bridge - although the game was drifting towards a draw when the rain intervened.

Play was abandoned at 4.30pm. Nottinghamshire could draw satisfaction from turning the game round after being forced to follow on 186 runs behind. They finished on 408 for 3, 222 runs in front.