Cricket: Ormond spin switch nearly wins the day

THE LEICESTERSHIRE pace bowler James Ormond almost stole an unlikely third win of the season for the County Champions at Southampton yesterday. Ormond turned to spin and took four Hampshire wickets for 93 as the home side, set 341 to win off 88 overs, laboured to 222 for 8 at the close.

The Leicestershire opening batsman Darren Maddy completed his first century of the season, scoring 108 before acting captain, Ben Smith, declared at 317 for 8, which left Hampshire more than two sessions. Jason Laney, playing in his first Championship match of the season, hit an aggressive 99, including 17 boundaries.

Surrey moved back to the top of the table after keeping out Muttiah Muralitharan to wrap up a four-wicket win over Lancashire at The Oval. Muralitharan took 10 wickets in the match, taking his victims this season to 24 in the four Championship innings in which he has bowled. Surrey, needing 36 to win, completed the task without losing any further wickets.

Worcestershire edged a 26-run victory over Somerset at New Road. The visitors looked likely to reach their target of 316 after resuming on 168 for 4, as Mike Burns raced to his century from just 93 balls.

However, when Burns was out for 105 and Rob Turner followed for 58, the home side's rising bowling hope Alamgir Sheriyar mopped up the tail to finish with 5 for 96 to boost his first-class summer tally to 47.

David Fulton, with 126 not out, helped Kent secure an unlikely draw against Glamorgan at Canterbury.