Spearman sparks Gloucestershire's win

Gloucestershire's promotion push in the Second Division of the Norwich Union League received another boost as they thrashed Hampshire at the Rosebowl yesterday.

Batting first, the Gladiators rattled up 295 for 9 from 45 overs with the opener Craig Spearman hitting 107 from 85 balls. Hampshire had the worst possible start, losing Neil Johnson for one in the second over. His opening partner Derek Kenway followed in the next over to leave them on 8 for 2. John Crawley managed only 13 and it was up to the youngster John Francis to carry the attack, making 51 from 73 balls. When he departed, to make the score 123 for 6, Hampshire's last real hopes left with him and they finished on 225 for 9.

Mohammad Kaif and Dinesh Mongia justified the cancellation of their flights home to stay on for India's Test series with a seventh-wicket stand of 85 to save India from embarrassment against West Indies A at Arundel yesterday.

They came together with India struggling at 149 for 6 in their second innings, 136 ahead. Kaif was last man out, for 77, caught by the West Indies captain, Darren Ganga, to give Jermaine Lawson his sixth wicket of the innings. India finished their second innings on 255, leaving West Indies to score 243 to win off 40 overs in the final session of the three-day match. West Indies let the game subside to a draw, finishing on 81 for 4.