Tufnell snaps up his 1,000th first-class wicket

Phil Tufnell, overlooked by England for a test recall against Australia, snapped up his 1,000th wicket in first-class cricket on Sunday.

Left-arm spinner Tufnell reached the landmark as he helped Middlesex to victory over Durham by an innings and 74 runs on the third day of their four-day county championship match at Lord's.

Durham's Australian batsman Martin Love was bowled for 19 to give Tufnell his 1,000th victim in a first-class career that started in 1986.

Tufnell went on to capture five for 46, and finished with a match haul of eight for 87, as Durham were dismissed for 163 in their second innings after following on 237 behind division two title chasers Middlesex.

With 52 wickets this season -- his best haul was 88 in 1991 -- Tufnell might have earned a place for the third Ashes test starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday, but the selectors opted for off-spinner Robert Croft.

Yorkshire are on course to consolidate their position at the top of division one despite a century from Lancashire captain John Crawley at Headingley.

With Lancashire 158 behind on first innings, Crawley stroked 113 in 157 balls, hitting 16 fours and one six, but was short of effective support.

Lancashire reached 280 for eight at the close on the third day when they led by a modest 122.

Second-placed Somerset sustained their championship hopes by beating Glamorgan by an innings and 67 runs with more than a day to spare at Taunton.

The Welsh side, who trailed by 431 on first innings, made an impressive start to their second effort with Australian Jimmy Maher hitting 98 as they reached 191 for one.

However, skipper Steve James retired hurt after making 77 and his side were dismissed for 364, England pace bowler Andrew Caddick taking three for 62 to finish with a match haul of eight for 146.

Mail Cricket Editor