Thorpe struck painful blow

The Surrey and England batsman Graham Thorpe was taken to hospital for a precautionary X-ray after being struck just above the right elbow by a rising delivery from Somerset's Andre van Troost at Taunton yesterday.

Thorpe was clearly in considerable pain, but returned later to report nothing more serious than severe bruising. "I simply didn't pick the ball up," he said. "The arm will be a bit stiff in the morning, but I should be able to bat." Only 11.3 overs were possible, with Surrey finishing on 34 for 2.

Jason Laney scored his maiden first-class century for Hampshire against Oxford University at The Parks, but England's Robin Smith managed just one scoring stroke - a streaky edge for two - in 15 balls before miscuing a square cut to third man.