Cricket: Wells goes to the well again as Sussex swim against the tide

ALTHOUGH all manner of thirtysomethings were touted as potential Test reinforcements when the South African 'rebels' were paroled last year, the lack of any mention for Alan Wells was more than a little inexplicable. On yesterday's evidence, the Sussex captain may be rather less anonymous this summer, writes Rob Steen.

Aided by David Smith in a third- wicket stand worth 94, Wells moved serenely, if watchfully, to his 13th century in two years, collecting 120 off 209 balls against Glamorgan at Cardiff with a six and 15 fours as Sussex closed on 275 for 6, still 56 behind.

Nigel Felton, a steady rather than prolific presence at the top of the Northamptonshire order in recent times with just one century since 1990, will be scenting another at Edgbaston this morning. After Warwickshire had extended their overnight 256 for 5 to 345 all out, the opener held the fort with an unbeaten 90, adding 68 for the fifth wicket with Mal Loye (44) as Northamptonshire struggled to 191 for 5.

Surrey clawed back into contention at Grace Road, where Neil Kendrick and Joey Benjamin picked up three wickets apiece to confine Leicestershire to 255, a lead of five, Nigel Briers, the home captain, making a customarily dogged 79.

In the Roses 'friendly' - a contradiction in terms if ever there was - Graham Lloyd, one of the few successes of England A's Australian tour, played a lone hand at Headingley. Reaching a vibrant century off 139 balls, his eventual 116 came out of a Lancashire total of 200. The Yorkshire spinners, Jeremy Batty and new arrival Richard Stemp, did most of the damage, just as the visiting slow left-armer Alex Barnett (5 for 83) had earlier been instrumental in restricting the hosts to 319.