Cricket Round-up: Bowler's bat does the damage

AFTER 19 wickets fell on the first day at Derby, John Morris, Peter Bowler and Chris Adams belied the impression that the pitch was difficult to play on. Instead they were as unconcerned by the Sussex attack as a schoolboy throwing pebbles into the sea, writes Richard Wetherell. Morris hit a century off just 138 balls while Bowler fell 13 short of his century, concluding the opening stand at 177.

Adams is unbeaten on 95 having left his previous best of the season well behind. Kim Barnett joined in with 29 which took him to 999 runs for the season. Closing at 350 for 6 Derbyshire are 340 ahead of Sussex. The only blot was the run out of Karl Krikken off what turned out to be the final ball of the day.

Durham continue to have the upper hand against Essex. Indeed, contrary to previous form, they are as hot as any radiator. Phil Bainbridge scored his first century since 1990, ending up with 150 not out. He hit 18 boundaries in his 349-minute vigil and shared half-century partnerships with David Graveney and Brown for the last two wickets.

When Essex replied to Durham's 483 Simon Brown took three wickets and the visitors are still 86 short of avoiding the follow-on.

Warwickshire will miss Allan Donald even more after he went through Leicestershire's top batsmen finishing with 4 for 34 off 17 overs. In his final Championship match before he leaves for South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka. After being 54 for 6 the home side recovered to 103 for 6 thanks to Laurie Potter and Paul Nixon.