Cricket: Mushtaq makes more magic

ROUND-UP

ROUND-UP

Somerset's Pakistani leg-spinner, Mushtaq Ahmed, maintained his spell over Sussex at Taunton yesterday, taking 6 for 70 in 31 overs, as Sussex were dismissed for 241.

On the wrist-spinners' two first-class appearances against Sussex for Somerset, Mushtaq has taken 12 for 175 in 1993 and 10 for 116 in 1995.

He struck twice yesterday morning, as Keith Greenfield and Neil Taylor both fell lbw, the latter without offering a stroke. Then, after some dogged batting from Keith Newell and Bill Athey in the afternoon, Mushtaq took the final four wickets.

Devon Malcolm and Phil DeFreitas gave Derbyshire the first-day edge by taking five wickets each among the 15 wickets to fall at Lord's. The visitors finished on 123 for 5, after Middlesex opted to bat and were bowled out for 146. They were 2 for 2 before Mike Gatting and Paul Weekes added 79, but wickets fell regularly throughout the afternoon, with Malcolm and DeFreitas in outstanding form.

BENSON AND HEDGES CUP Quarter-final draw (ties to be played 27 May): Leicestershire v Somerset; Yorkshire v Northamptonshire; Kent v Warwickshire; Essex v Surrey.

Pakistan have lifted a two-year Test ban on Aamir Sohail after he apologised for making allegations of match-fixing and betting. The ban has been replaced by a fine of 50,000 rupees [pounds 775].