Cricket: Stewart fails as Surrey struggle

ALEC STEWART'S hopes of a meaningful innings before the World Cup were ruined when he was dismissed for six in Surrey's rain-ravaged County Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road yesterday.

The England captain faced just nine balls before he drove at Stuart Lampitt and was caught at second slip. Surrey's other England players - Graham Thorpe (17) and Adam Hollioake (4) - also fared badly against the Worcestershire attack as Surrey were dismissed for 223, with the Worcestershire debutant Chris Liptrot finishing with five for 51. The home side were 15 for 1 at the close.

At Hove, Devon Malcolm's opening spell reaped four wickets for 27 to leave Sussex on the brink of following on in their match against Northamptonshire. The former England fast bowler removed Richard Montgomerie, Chris Adams and Michael Di Venuto for just four runs in the space of eight deliveries as the hosts, replying to Northamptonshire's 391 for 8 declared, stumbled to 79 for 7 by the close of the second day.

An inspired Gavin Hamilton put Yorkshire in a winning position by the close of the second day of their Championship match against Gloucestershire at Headingley. The Scottish all-rounder claimed 4 for 26 to add to his unbeaten 81 with the bat as Yorkshire made 282 all out and then bowled the visitors out for 169.