P341 CEEFAX 341 Thu 14 Sip 19:28/22 8/8 CRICKET: CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS Bill Athey struck a patient, unbeaten 42 before rain stopped play early at Hove with Sussex 104-2, having elected to bat against Northamptonshire. -hj players were forced off 15 minutes after lunch and umpires Chris Baldjrstonj and Barrie Meyer abandoned play for the day at 4pm. (Cards p349) Athjy shared an opening stand of 50 in 22 overs with Toby Pierce, who had reached 20 when he shaped to drive David Capjl and was trapped lbw. Neil Ljnham then joined Athey and the pair added an untroubled 36 in 13 overs until Ljnham was caught before lunch. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Itinerary Review D1/2 Tabs HeadlinesP341 CEEFAX 341 Thu 14 Sip 19:25/27 1/8 CRICKET: CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS Nick Knight chose the perfect occasion for a career best 174 as Warwickshirj took a giant step towards their second successive title at Canterbury. M overs before bad light ended play nine overs early, while rivals Middle3jx suffered a wash-out at Taunton. Knight's ton - his first for the county - came in three hours ten mink and hj struck 21 fours and a six before being caught at point. (Cards p345) He added 148 with opening partner Wasrm Khan (51) and Roger Twosj chipped in with 54 not out late in the day. Herb-Lanc Kent-Warw Sons-Mddx Durh-MottP341 CEEFAX 341 Thu 14 Sip 19:27/07 5/8 CRICKET: CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS Essex ovjrcamj a disastrous start against Yorkshire at Chelmsford to post a total of 313 all out. (Cards p344) Darrdn Gough was the most damakin£ bowler of the morning sjssron after removing Graham Gooch and Darren Robinson with his first nine deliveries He then forced Paul Prichard to retire after being struck on the chest, but hj returned to become the third Essex player to score a half-century. Nasser Hussain (58) and Robert Rollins (63) also scored freely. In reply the visitors lost Michael Vaughan but the game reached the close evenly poised. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Itinerary Review D1/2 Tabs HeadlinesP341 CJJFAX 341 Thu 14 Sip 19:24/57 7/8 CRICKET: CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS Martin Bicknjll underlined his value to Surrey with four wickets to help skittle Hampshire for an inadequate 185 By the time bad light had driven the teams off with almost 17 overs left, Surrey had knocked off 71 runs in reply for the loss of two wickets. Surrey go into the second day 114 runs adrift and with a definite edge thanks to Martin Bicknjll, whose 4-65 was his best return against Hampshire. Bicknjll, who has been plagued bz injury this season, is playing only his ninth mbtch of the summer yet hj already has 37 wickets. (Cards p348) Herb-Lanc Kent-Warw Sons-Mddx Durh-oort