Hick hits back with 130

ROUND-UP

Graeme Hick, who was available only because of England's Test humiliation, hammered a 68-ball century to help Worcestershire to victory over Durham in the AXA Equity and Law League yesterday.

Heavily tipped to be dropped by England after scoring three in each innings at Edgbaston, Hick hit 130 - the highest Sunday score made against Durham - and took three wickets as Worcestershire triumphed by 79 runs at Darlington.

Worcestershire totalled 272 for 5, including 185 off the last 20 overs, before dismissing Durham for 193 in 36 overs. Hick hit 12 fours and six sixes in his 81-ball innings before skying a catch to long-on in the final over.

Mark Ealham hit the fastest-ever Sunday century as Kent grabbed a four- run win over Derbyshire at Maidstone. Ealham hit 112, with his century coming off off 44 balls in 42 minutes. It was two balls quicker than the previous fastest scored by Graham Rose for Somerset against Glamorgan at Neath five years ago. Ealham hit nine fours and nine sixes, but rode his luck, being dropped three times.

The defending champions, Warwickshire, made it five Sunday wins in a row, defeating Leicestershire by 112 runs at Grace Road. Warwickshire scored their biggest total of the season, making 277 for 4. Leicestershire were dismissed for 165 in 38.2 overs.

England's injury problems deepened yesterday when the bowler Peter Martin was taken to hospital after damaging an ankle during Lancashire's one- run defeat against Northamptonshire at Old Trafford. Lancashire, who blew the chance to go top, needed four off the final over and three off the last five balls, but Gary Yates could not finish three job.