Sport News

Moore assists Worcestershire draw

category: Cricket

17.05.2008 22:26

Stephen Moore became the first batsman to reach 500 runs this season in leading Worcestershire to safety against Gloucestershire at New Road.

Following-on 230 behind after a first innings effort of 214, the home side secured a fourth successive draw with the help of weather interruptions.

Worcestershire finished on 196-3 in an improved performance second time round.

Moore took his total to 567 runs from nine innings, just failing to reach his fourth century of the summer on 84.

Worcestershire began the last day on 189-9, still needing an unlikely 106 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

They did at least pick up a batting bonus point before Simon Jones was caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 18 to give leg-spinner Matthew Gitsham his first wicket in first-class cricket.

Daryl Mitchell, who had resumed his innings after being hit on the left elbow on Friday, remained unbeaten on 11.

But Mitchell did not open with Moore when Worcestershire were duly asked to bat again.

Nearly half the day was lost to rain and bad light (there were five interruptions in all).

But, with solid contributions from home skipper Vikram Solanki (44) and former captains Ben Smith and Graeme Hick, Steve Rhodes's men comfortably avoided any threat of an innings defeat.

Worcestershire headed off to Taunton for Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy clash with Somerset (1200 BST), while Gloucestershire have the week off before next Sunday's home clash with Hampshire in the same competition (25 May, 1200 BST).

Original text is here

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