McGrath effort goes in vain

LONDON, MAY 1. Glenn McGrath produced the day's best bowling of four for nine in the opening round of the English league on Sunday - but the Australian failed to stop Worcestershire Royals from losing by 19 runs against Division I rival Yorkshire Phoenix at Worcester.

Paceman McGrath sent down six maidens in his nine overs as the visitor was restricted to 151 for eight in 45 overs. He bowled England allrounder Craig White (one) and came back to dismiss Michael Vaughan, Matthew Wood and Gavin Hamilton in his first full game for Worcestershire. But McGrath was out for a duck as the Royals fell for 132 in 43.2 overs. Steve Rhodes made the top score of 42.

Australian one-day specialist Michael Bevan reached 52 not out and ran out of partners as the Sussex Sharks collapsed to a 10- run defeat against Gloucestershire Gladiators in a dramatic finish at Bristol.

Kim Barnett (55) and Mark Alleyne (30) steered the Gladiators to 145 in 43.5 overs. But from 86 for three off 24 overs, the Sharks slumped to 135, losing its last six wickets for just 10 runs.

The game between last year's champion Lancashire Lightning and the Kent Spitfires at Canterbury was abandoned because of rain.

In Division II, Jason Gallian (74) and John Morris (50) led Nottinghamshire Outlaws (209 for six) to a thrilling four-wicket win over Durham Dynamos (208 for six) with just one ball to spare at Trent Bridge. England batsmen Graham Thorpe (61) and Mark Butcher (47) helped Surrey Lions (185 for nine) to a 10-run triumph over Glamorgan Dragons (175) at Cardiff.

Middlesex Crusaders suffered a crushing 60-run defeat against Essex Eagles in a match reduced to 23 overs a side at Chelmsford.

Mark Ilott (three for 13) and Ronnie Irani (three for 10) reduced the Crusaders to 16 for seven before they closed at 83 for nine in reply to 143. England captain Nasser Hussain made 60.

- Reuters

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