Cricket: Suitable case for Such

SUCH was life for Essex here yesterday, Peter Such hauling in Hampshire for 191 after lunch with a career-best seven for 66. And Such, who at one stage took three for 2 in 15 deliveries, was making points as well as taking wickets.

The off-spinner managed six for 67 against Australia at Old Trafford on his England debut last summer, but missed out on the trip to the West Indies and instead ended up on the beach during the winter, touring South Africa with the A-team. This seemed a bit harsh, though Such's sun- bleached hair was quite in keeping with the weather.

The pitch seemed to suit him, too. Extracting a fair bit of turn from the Northlands Road end, Such had Hampshire, who had totalled 321 for their first innings, groping from the moment he resumed his post in the second session. .

Such began improving on his previous best of six for 17 against Sussex at Southend the summer before last by pinning Paul Terry, a century maker first time around, leg before for 26.

Robin Smith, who had looked a bit jumpy and out of sorts, appeared to be working his way out of trouble only to hole out at shortish mid-on, and 93 for 4, towards which the nightwatchman Cardigan Connor had contributed a gallant 25, became 97 for five when Such whistled out Matthew Keech.

Terry and Smith had put on 46, which Udal and Mark Nicholas equalled before Such had Hampshire's captain caught behind. Winston Benjamin, the third to go leg before, Martin Thursfield and finally Udal, who struck two sixes and four fours in his 96-ball stay, completed Such's afternoon takeaway.

When Graham Gooch, a cheap scalp of Benjamin's in the course of Essex's first innings score of 243, smashed the first ball of the second from the West Indian over mid-wicket for six, Essex were off and running towards their target, Gooch unbeaten on 57 as his side reached 102 for two at the close. They require another 168 today with eight wickets in hand.