Smith adds gloss for homespun Cornwall

SOUTH AFRICAN all-rounder Greg Smith spearheaded Cornwall’s latest win but team manager Godfrey Furse insists that his Championship hopefuls were crafted inside the county.

Smith scored eight centuries and took nearly 300 first-class wickets in a professional career with Essex and Derbyshire.

After retiring at the end of the 2015 season, Smith, 33, took up the reins of Penzance – and made himself available for Cornwall.

His best performance so far came in Tuesday’s innings defeat of Dorset, a first-innings century followed by a five-for, and Furse said:“Everyone who plays for us either lives in Cornwall, plays in Cornwall or is Cornish.

“We don’t mind what other counties do, that’s up to them, but it’s something we look to do and it’s a strong time for the county.

“Smith was excellent but there were runs and partnerships right down the order, and several people got three or four wickets.

“A couple have come back into the fold, Antony Angove had not played all year for example.

“We haven’t been champions of the Western Division for four years but we’ve got quality now.”

Cornwall face what could be a deciding clash next with Berkshire, now second after beating previous leaders Shropshire.

Alex Wyatt took a combined nine wickets for Shropshire, but it was to no avail after they were restricted to 209 and 193.

Andy Rishton, who scored an unbeaten 92 in the first innings, and Billy Rogers guided Berkshire across the line by six wickets in a simple chase of 91.

Ex-Derbyshire spinner Peter Burgoyne was the difference for Herefordshire, his 7-58 destroying Oxfordshire’s second innings in a ten-wicket win.

Cheshirewon their first threeday game of the season by eight wickets – having reduced Devon to 113 all out in the first innings – while Wiltshire’s second-innings declaration paid off as they beat Wales by 70 runs.

Eastern Division leaders Northumberland remain on a charge after Jack Jessop (132), Matthew Whaley (150) and skipper Jacques du Toit (105) all hit centuries in their nine-wicket rout of Hertfordshire.

Staffordshire, 14 points behind, are Northumberland’s closest challengers and captain Kadeer Ali came to the fore again by hitting twin tons in the 178-run defeat of Bedfordshire.

Lincolnshire have a game in hand and overcame Suffolk by six wickets, while champions Cumberland held out to draw with Cambridgeshire.