Cricket: Richardson takes eight wickets on home debut

THE WARWICKSHIRE newcomer Alan Richardson routed Gloucestershire for 132 by taking 8 for 51 - the best bowling in the County Championship this season - on the first day of at Edgbaston.

The 24-year-old pace bowler, formerly with Staffordshire, took three wickets in 14 balls during a first spell of 4 for 40 and came back to finish off the innings with four in 17 deliveries. This is only his fourth Championship appearance and his first at Edgbaston, where he set the best figures for a home debut in Warwickshire's history.

Gloucestershire crashed to 33 for 5 at one stage but raised something of a recovery with a partnership of 89 in 24 overs by Ian Harvey (33) and Jeremy Snape (57). Warwickshire finished 27 ahead at 159 for 6.

The Lancashire captain, John Crawley, led by example with his second century of the season against Hampshire at Old Trafford. Crawley's unbeaten 117 enabled the home side to reach 352 for 7 in reply to Durham's 226.

Graham Rose took 4 for 14 as Glamorgan, who had slumped to 37 for 6, were bowled out for 113 against Somerset at Taunton. Rose had earlier been the top scorer with 50 as Somerset were dismissed for 203 after winning the toss.

James Kirtley took 6 for 37 as Sussex beat Essex by eight wickets at Eastbourne. Russell Warren (87 not out) and David Ripley (58 not out) steered Northamptonshire to 293 for 6 at Wantage Road in reply to Hampshire's 357.