Cricket Round-Up: Durham are blasted out by Bicknell

MARTIN BICKNELL, the odd man out when England finalised their team for the third Test against Australia, took out his disappointment on Durham in the County Championship yesterday, when the visitors were beaten by an innings and 205 runs inside two days at The Oval.

Durham, replying to Surrey's 473 for 9 declared, were bowled out twice in a day, first for 148 and then 120, although both John Glendenen and the captain David Graveney were unable to bat a second time because of injury.

Bicknell finished the match with eight wickets and the Pakistan fast bowler, Waqar Younis, took seven.

Graeme Hick, rejected by England, gave his answer with 173 off 176 balls as Worcestershire amassed 539 for 7 to lead Derbyshire by 288 at Kidderminster. The opener Phil Weston completed a maiden Championship century.

Winston Benjamin took three wickets in five balls, finishing with 4 for 54, to put Leicestershire in charge against Lancashire at Grace Road.

Paul Nixon, with 113, and Adrian Pierson, with 58, had both hit

career-bests in Leicester's 455 and Lancashire slumped to 148 for 7, still needing another 158 to avoid the follow-on.

David Gower, who scored 61, led Hampshire's fightback as they reached 141 for 2 in reply to Gloucestershire's 501 for 7 declared at Bristol. Dean Hodgson hit a career-best 166 for Gloucestershire.

Kevin Curran took 5 for 32 to polish off Nottinghamshire for 172 and then cracked 68 as Northamptonshire reached 363 for 8, a lead of 403, at Northampton.

Harry Brind, the TCCB's Inspector of Pitches, visited the Northampton County Ground yesterday after 17 wickets fell on the first day of the match on Thursday.

The pitch was reported as 'poor' by the umpires, David Shepherd and Allan Jones, and Northamptonshire could be docked 25 points if Brind rules it unfit for first-class cricket.