da cassino online： A round-up of all the action from the final day of the latest round in Division One of the County Championship
da betsul： Cricinfo staff23-Apr-2005
Tony Frost: guided Warwickshire to a tense draw against Kent © Getty Images
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Tony Frost kept his cool to ensure Warwickshire maintained their unbeaten Championship record, dating back to the last game of the 2003 season. He made an unbeaten 82 from 232 deliveries after Min Patel had spun Kent – the last team to beat Warwickshire – to the verge of victory with 32 overs of testing left-arm spin. David Fulton declared Kent’s second innings at their overnight score, leaving Warwickshire to chase 347 on a pitch that was assisting the spinners. However, it was Simon Cook who struck the first blow – with the first ball of the day – trapping Nick Knight lbw. Warwickshire were in deep trouble at lunch, on 73 for five, but Frost and Alex Loudon, against his former team, batted the entire afternoon session. Min Patel claimed three quick wickets after tea, including Loudon, and Kent seemed poised for victory but Neil Carter survived for 48 balls and Neil Warren for 15 to help Frost secure the draw.
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Stephen Fleming was left to rue is decision not to enforce the follow-on as rain delayed the start of the final day at Lord’s until 2.50pm and then Middlesex comfortably batted out a draw as Nottinghamshire used their spinners to improve their over rate to avoid a points deduction. Andrew Strauss fell early, bowled by the part-time off-spin of David Hussey, but an 87-run stand between Ben Hutton, the captain, and Ed Smith removed any threat of a batting collapse. When Smith was run out, Owais Shah accompanied Hutton for the final hour, Hutton finishing unbeaten on 76. He will feel that Middlesex got out of jail.
Kevin Pietersen: dashing innings was not enough for Hampshire © Getty Images
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Hampshire were left playing out a draw in a tense finish at Hove despite an explosive innings from Kevin Pietersen. Play did not start until mid-way through the afternoon session but Hampshire still went for their target of 285. John Crawley and Billy Taylor took the score to 130 for 3 before James Kirtley snapped them both up without addition to the score. Suddenly Sussex fancied their chance of victory but Pietersen and Sean Ervine then embarked on a thrilling stand of 113 for the sixth wicket. Pietersen smashed 61 from 50 balls, with five fours and three sixes, but when he was caught off Mushtaq Ahmed the task proved too great for the remaining batsmen. The fall of Ervine persuaded Hampshire to play for the draw.
