The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Langer breaks Richards's record

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Friday, Jul 21, 2006

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Langer breaks Richards's record

London: Justin Langer broke legendary West Indies batsman Viv Richards's Somerset record score when he made 342 against Surrey at Guildford in the County Championship on Thursday.

Australia opener Langer resumed on his overnight score of 234 not out but, after more than 10 hours at the crease, was eventually dismissed when he was caught at long-on by Neil Sarkar off former England leg-spinner Ian Salisbury.

In all the 35-year-old left-hander faced 416 balls with two sixes and 43 fours after passing Richards's 322, Somerset's previous highest individual score.

On Wednesday Langer, in what was to be his final match in England before returning home, broke the highest ever individual score at Guildford, beating the previous best of 228 recorded by Darren Bicknell in 1995.

He was just a boundary away from beating Charlie McCartney's 345 for the Australians against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 1921, the record score by an Australian in England, when he was dismissed.

Langer's was the tenth highest score in all first-class cricket in England.

Anil Kumble, playing for Surrey, could manage only one wicket for 127.

Zaheer's efforts in vain

Meanwhile, in a NatWest Pro40 Division Two match, Zaheer Khan bowled an excellent spell claiming three wickets for 27 in his eight overs and contributed 23 vital runs in 16 balls with the bat but could not prevent Worcestershire from losing against Gloucestershire at New Road.

The home side fell short by 12 runs despite making a good start to its chase after Gloucestershire won the toss and decided to bat, scoring 245 in its 40 overs.

Chris Taylor top-scored with 93 and later spinner Martyn Ball took four for 47 to seal the win for Gloucestershire.

Lou Vincent and Stephen Moore gave a good start to the Worcestershire chase but its innings crumbled after the openers went following an 81-run stand.

The lower-order, however, stuck their neck out with Zaheer and Roger Sillence contributing 23 runs each. But their effort could not compensate for the middle-order collapse. — Agencies

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