Cricket Round-Up: Morris stays cool

A SUPERB unbeaten century by John Morris steered Durham to a three-wicket win against Glamorgan at Hartlepool yesterday. The former Derbyshire batsman went to the crease with the score 16 for two as Durham chased a victory target of 259. He hit 18 fours and a six in making 123 not out off 200 balls. The win ended Durham's run of seven defeats and left Glamorgan anchored at the foot of the table, despite some inspired bowling from Ottis Gibson. The West Indian took six for 88, including three wickets in four balls.

Martin McCague delivered another hefty nudge to the England selectors as Kent moved towards victory at Derby. The fast bowler celebrated career best figures of nine for 86 with an innings of 47 that left Derbyshire fighting a desperate rearguard action. The home side's pursuit of an unlikely victory target of 352 was stopped in its tracks when McCague had Peter Bowler caught at the wicket for one in the fifth over. But Adrian Rollins (37 not out) and Kim Barnett (43 not out) displayed the necessary application to steer their side to 105 for three, 247 runs adrift.

Mike Gatting produced a pugnacious innings to hold Middlesex together against Northamptonshire at Northampton yesterday. Gatting's undefeated 80 guided the visitors to 150 for three at the close - a lead of 86. Northamptonshire spent the first half of the day increasing their first innings to 462 all out - a county record against Middlesex. Alan Fordham's 158, which lasted six- and-a-half hours, was the highest by a Northamptonshire batsman in first-class cricket this season. Middlesex then hit trouble at 86 for three, before Gatting and John Carr steadied the innings with a partnership of 64.