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County Championship round-up: Adam Riley seizes his opportunity with both hands

Jon Culley
Wednesday 07 May 2014 23:26 BST
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Bowler of the Day

Is Adam Riley the new Graeme Swann? The 22-year-old off-spinner from Sidcup has had to wait behind James Tredwell for the opportunity to establish himself as the front-line slow bowler in the Kent side.

However, with Tredwell given leave to work on technical issues after playing Twenty20 and one-day international cricket for England during the winter, the 6ft 2in Riley has seized his opportunity with both hands and Tredwell may find it difficult to regain his place.

Riley was the architect of Surrey's demise at Canterbury, taking 5 for 78 as Surrey – relegated from the First Division last season and winless in four matches in the second tier – were bowled out for 203, leaving Kent to score 54 to win.

Tall for an off-spinner, Riley maximises his height by bowling with a high, straight action, helping him to get bounce as well as turn. So far this season he has 23 wickets in four matches at exactly 20.00, including another five-wicket haul, for Loughborough MCCU against Sussex.

Batsman of the Day

Former Australian Test batsman Phil Jaques scored his 43rd first-class century and his first for Nottinghamshire as the First Division match against Somerset drifted to a draw at Taunton.

He has scored Championship hundreds for Northamptonshire, Worcestershire and Yorkshire in five spells in county cricket but is unlikely to stay at Trent Bridge when his current short-term contract expires next month.

Signed as cover when it was assumed – wrongly, in the event – that England batsman Alex Hales would win an Indian Premier League contract, he plans to return to Australia to pursue a coaching career.

Extras

Kevin Pietersen's form in the IPL shows no sign of improving. The former England batsman struggled against spinners Sunil Narine and Shakib Al Hasan before he was run out for six on his latest appearance for Delhi Daredevils, who slipped to a third consecutive defeat, by eight wickets, to Kolkata Knight Riders.

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