Proteas opening batsman Alviro Petersen led the South African charge in a round of English County Championship fixtures, which ended on Wednesday, hit by the elements. GARETH STEVENS reports.
Batting in the unfamiliar No 4 position, Petersen registered his first Championship ton of the English summer. Somerset took first guard at the wicket against Lancashire, with the South African finishing undefeated on 109 at the stumps on the first day. He kicked on the next morning before eventually falling for 155 to England’s left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan. Petersen’s century led Somerset to a total of 420 and set the foundation to push for victory.
Ashwell Prince scored a gritty 45 in Lancashire’s response, but his efforts couldn’t guide his team past the follow on target. After being asked to bat again, Prince made 7 in the second dig and Lancashire were looking down the barrel at 95-3. However, the English weather came to the rescue as no play was possible on the final day. Somerset had to settle for a commanding draw in the Division One encounter.
Jacques Rudolf fought hard at the top of the order for Glamorgan in their Division Two fixture against Essex. The left-handed opening batsman managed to blunt the new ball on a very lively pitch with scores of 20 and 46 in his two innings. The encounter was a stop-start affair with multiple rain delays. Ultimately there wasn’t enough time for either side to force a result.
Division Two leaders Hampshire were also left frustrated by the rain after being unable to close out victory against bottom side Derbyshire on a damp final day. Other results mean that Kyle Abbott’s team remain at the summit of the table.
Hampshire left the field requiring two wickets for victory as Derbyshire finished on 104-8 in pursuit their 346 run target. The Dolphins seamer showed why he has been retained in the Proteas Test squad, boasting figures of 3-48 and 1-21.
The only game featuring a South African that wasn’t decided by the weather saw Northamptonshire take on Yorkshire. Former Protea Andrew Hall helped Northamptonshire’s cause with bat and ball. He took 2-112 and scored 40 runs during the match. However, it wasn’t enough to prevent the impressive Yorkshire unit cruising to a 271 run victory and establish themselves as the team to beat in Division One of the County Championship.
