Cricket: Painful day with 'The Dentist'

Worcestershire 309-8 v Norfolk

IF NORFOLK had held their catches on a cold, wet and windy day, they might have caused Worcestershire some embarrassment here. Tim Curtis, the principal beneficiary, was dropped three times in making a painstaking 78 in 49 overs.

There were three periods of play. In the morning, two overs were bowled; another 6.3 overs were added after lunch, while the most dramatic part of the day was the final period, which was well supported by the heavily be- sweatered locals.

With the score on 66, Adam Seymour cut at Steve Goldsmith, once of Derbyshire, in his opening over and was caught behind.

This brought in Graeme Hick, and Norfolk brought back John 'The Dentist' Maynard, their huge West Indian from Nevis, who had dismissed Hick for 0 when playing for the Leeward Islands at the start of England's recent tour of the West Indies.

Maynard is called 'The Dentist' in acknowledgement of his friendly habit of hitting batsmen in the face and removing their teeth. Hick decided to hook his third ball and, to general delight, mis-hit an easy catch to square leg.

Curtis survived his third and easiest chance, a straightforward return catch to Rodney Bunting, once of Sussex. At 103, though, Tom Moody tried to play a wide off-break from Steve Plumb to leg and was brilliantly stumped off what was subsequently called a wide. However, Curtis and Gavin Haynes, who made a fine 98, ensured that Norfolk's batsmen will face a formidable task today.