Cricket: Caddick's eight are one day too late

ANDREW CADDICK, left out of the England tour party to Australia, continued his fine form for Somerset when he claimed his season's best County Championship figures of 8 for 64 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 224 at Taunton.

It took Caddick's Championship haul to 88 for the season. In reply Somerset reached 33 for 1, having lost Piran Holloway for eight.

"Of course, I am disappointed and the worse thing is I don't really know why I was overlooked," Caddick said, when asked about his absence from England's Ashes party. "I thought I had done all that was being asked of me by taking wickets regularly this summer.

"I didn't bowl well for England in the West Indies and I accept that there was a bit of a problem with my action and I put it right," the New Zealand-born bowler added. "I know I am bowling well and its just one of those things. I am certainly not blaming anyone. Playing for England means a lot to me and I hope to regain my place some time in the future."

A century from Giles White helped Hampshire regain some ground after they had allowed Middlesex to amass 437 at Southampton. Middlesex added 80 to their overnight total and it looked bleak for the home side when they stumbled to 85 for 3, before White's 106, and 63 from Dimitri Mascarenhas, helped steer Hampshire to 291 for 9.

Gloucestershire hold a slight advantage after the first day against Northamptonshire at Bristol. At the close the home side were 27 runs ahead with five first- innings wickets intact. Courtney Walsh had figures of 6 for 36 as Northamptonshire were dismissed for 123.