Van Troost barred for intimidation

Andre van Troost was ordered out of the Somerset attack by umpire Barry Dudleston for intimidatory bowling against Kent at Taunton yesterday.

The Dutch pace bowler, who last week accidentally struck Jimmy Adams a blow to the cheek that kept him out of the West Indies' Test team at Trent Bridge, was twice no-balled for short-pitched deliveries at Nigel Llong, having already sent down one bouncer in the over.

In his next over Van Troost knocked the bat out of Graham Cowdrey's hands with a high full toss and Dudleston instructed Somerset's captain, Andy Hayhurst, to remove him immediately for the rest of the innings.

Middlesex took full advantage of a poor Durham performance to step up their pursuit of the Championship at Chester-le-Street. After making their lowest total during the winning run that has carried them into second place, they made quick inroads into the Durham batting, reducing them to 17 for 2 at the close. After choosing to bat on a pitch offering steep bounce, Middlesex mustered 307, thanks to a fine innings of 89 by John Carr.