Cricket: Hooper, Wells to the rescue

Round-Up

THE WEST Indian all-rounder, Carl Hooper, and Alan Wells got together with the bat to comfortably help Kent save their County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Northampton on Saturday.

Hooper weighed in with an unbeaten 157 as the pair put on 176 runs in a sixth-wicket stand. This came just when Kent had appeared in some trouble after losing Ben Phillips (5), Chris Walsh (8) and opener Ed Smith for 33. Then Wells (77) and Hooper cut loose.

Hooper's century came in 154 balls and he did most to take Kent to safety, the match finishing as a draw, with the visitors on 377 for 7 and 204 in front.

The match between Derbyshire and Durham at Derby was also drawn, after the hosts' former captain Kim Barnett dug in with a determined 98. Barnett was finally caught off Nicky Phillips (5 for 56) after helping Derbyshire from 66 for 2 to 187, in tandem with Robin Weston, as they pushed towards a target of 229 to reach parity with Durham. Phillips then dismissed Weston (45) on his way to a clutch of wickets that left Derbyshire on 239 for 8. But the hosts' Michael May (24) and Kevin Dean ensured their team reached 269 for 9 at the close, denying Durham a winning run-chase.