LONDON, May 4: Australian Mike Hussey played a captain’s innings as Northamptonshire thrashed Somerset by 145 runs in the Benson and Hedges Cup Friday.

Northamptonshire skipper Hussey made 87 out of his side’s 299 for six.

Hussey faced just 91 balls and hit two sixes and six fours before he holed out against off-spinner Ian Blackwell.

David Sales (76) and Mal Loye (56) both made half-centuries as the Somerset attack took heavy punishment in front of its own supporters at Taunton.

Then the Somerset middle-order succumbed to England off-spinner Graeme Swann (four for 29) before being bowled out for 154 in less than 35 overs.

Elsewhere Australia paceman Andrew Bichel took four for 24 as Worcestershire beat arch Midlands rivals Warwickshire by three wickets at Edgbaston.

Bichel’s wickets helped reduce Warwickshire to a meagre 130 all out. But it was not plain sailing for the visiting batsmen either, seamer Alan Richardson finishing with four for 21 before Worcestershire got home.

At Cardiff, New Zealand batsman Craig Spearman continued his good start to the season with 73 as Gloucestershire beat Glamorgan by eight wickets.

Spearman’s runs came from just 59 balls as Gloucestershire, chasing 172, eased home to their third win in three games to stay on course for their fourth successive Benson and Hedges final.—AFP