By Jeremy Horne
July 3 2002

Paul Weekes scored a superb unbeaten century to ensure that Middlesex Kept their unbeaten record in this year’s championship. Resuming on 229-5 and still needing 123 to avoid the follow-on, Weekes shared in stands of 123 with Ed Joyce (70), 87 with David Nash (26) and 49 with Simon Cook (33). When Andrew Strauss declared, Phillip Weston, Robin’s brother was removed in the first over by Abdur Razzaq. When the game was eventually called a draw, Worcestershire had struggled to 99 for 5.

Worcestershire 1st innings: 502-4 dec (Solanki 153*, Smith 124, Hick 88)

Middlesex 1st innings:

Strauss lbw b Bichel 19
Koenig c Rhodes b Kabir Ali 63
Weston b Bichel 5
Shah lbw b Kabir Ali 4
Joyce b Batty 70
Abdur Razzaq b Batty 28
Weekes Not out 127
Nash c Sheriyar b Bichel 26
Cook b Batty 33

Extras 42

Total (for 8 declared, 117.2 overs) 417

Did not bat: Keegan, Tufnell

Worcestershire 2nd innings:

Weston c Strauss b Abdur Razzaq 0
Singh b Abdur Razzaq 12
Smith b Abdur Razzaq
Solanki Not out 42
Leatherdale b Tufnell 16
Batty c Joyce b Tufnell 5
Rhodes Not out 10

Extras 8

Total (for 5 wickets, 28 overs) 99

Did not bat: Hick, Bichel, Kabir Ali, Sheriyar

Result: Match Drawn

Points: Worcestershire 11, Middlesex 10


FRIZZELL COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION 2 TABLE:

Defeat for Essex, combined with Middlesex’s draw means that Essex’s lead at the top of the table is closed to half a point. Derbyshire also drew and remain a further five points behind in third.

1. Essex pld 8 pts 109.5
2. Middlesex pld 7 pts 109
3. Derbyshire pld 7 pts 104