County Championship round-up

Birt century limits damage of Edmondson charges

Cricinfo staff

July 31, 2007

Travis Birt, the Tasmania batsman, was in fine form for Derbyshire at Bristol © Getty Images

Division Two

Travis Birt stood alone with a powerful 140 for Derbyshire on the first day against Gloucestershire at Bristol, but his side collapsed to 312 all out. The next highest scorer for Derbyshire was Simon Katich, the captain, with 41 as the home bowlers - in particular Ben Edmondson - made the most of the conditions. Edmondson picked up 4 for 50 while Steve Kirby chipped in with 3 for 66. In reply, Gloucestershire moved to 32 without loss.

Three Middlesex batsmen made solid half-centuries on the first day of their match against Glamorgan at Lord's, and though none could go on to three figures, the home side finished on 320 for 6. After Billy Godleman fell for 38, Nick Compton found good support in Owais Shah (24), but the pair departed in quick succession. Ed Joyce was brisk in his 51, putting on 52 with Ben Scott (65) before Chaminda Vaas saw out the day with an unbeaten 47. Alex Wharf and Dean Cosker were the two Glamorgan bowlers to make inroads, sharing identical figures of 3 for 62.

Division One

Paul Harris' bristling 55 rescued Warwickshire on the first day against Durham at the Riverside after they were reduced to 168 for 8. Ottis Gibson continued his excellent form with 4 for 56, while Liam Plunkett also took four to put Warwickshire on the back foot. But Harris struck five sixes and four fours in his aggressive 43-ball knock to take Warwickshire to 239. In reply, Durham slipped to 110 for 3 - also losing Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the West Indies batsman making his debut for the county.

A full report of Lancashire's first day against Sussex can be read here.

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