Cricket: Essex fall as Fisher strikes

Round-up

Round-Up

IAN FISHER ripped through the Essex middle-order as Yorkshire cruised to a decisive eight-wicket victory in their AXA League match at Scarborough yesterday. The visitors, lying second, lost ground in their bid to catch Lancashire.

The slow left-armer dismissed Australian Stuart Law for six before getting rid of Paul Grayson for 15 and Graham Napier for nine as Essex were skittled for 129 in 37.3 overs. Matthew Wood and David Byas then shared an unbeaten 83 for Yorkshire's third wicket.

Northamptonshire's bowlers again endured the wrath of Carl Hooper as Kent notched up a seven-wicket victory at Wantage Road. Hooper, who hit an unbeaten 157 on Saturday, was not out on 65. Included were three sixes in four balls off Rob Bailey. Kent easily passed Northamptonshire's 168.

Cardigan Connor captured three Middlesex wickets as Hampshire claimed a 12-run victory at Southampton.

Andrew Oram bolstered Nottinghamshire's attack with three wickets in a four-run victory over Leicestershire.

Warwickshire did the double over Worcestershire with a four-wicket win at Edgbaston while John Morris' half-century led Durham to a 22-run victory over Derbyshire.