The European Court of Justice today receives a preliminary opinion on whether the sport's lucrative transfer system violates European Union law. Substitute not used: Bonner (gk).Rangers (3-5-2): Goram; Gough, McLaren, Petric; Wright, Gascoigne, Miller, Laudrup, Robertson (Cleland, 60); McCoist, Salenko (Durie, 78). Goram's first involvement was in the 15th minute when he saved well from Andreas Thom and five minutes later he fingertipped away a McStay shot.At the start of the second half he stood between Celtic and the lead, saving superbly at the top corner as a Collins free-kick seemed destined to result in the opening goal.His piece de resistance was reserved for the 85th minute when a spellbinding leap produced a magnificent save from McStay.Rangers elected to play Gascoigne in a withdrawn role. His positioning, directly in front of the back three, restricted the chance of potential flashpoints with the Celtic midfield although there were occasions, notably when he appeared to swing an elbow at McStay, when he benefited from leniency by the referee.He displayed enough to suggest he will be able to fit the Rangers pattern although, if the best is to be seen from the Englishman, his role might have to be changed to allow him to impress his authority on a game.Celtic (4-4-2): Marshall; Vata, Boyd, Hughes, McKinlay; Donnelly, Grant, McStay, Collins; Walker (Van Hooijdonk, 60), Thom (McLaughlin, 71). Substitutes not used: Brown, Margetson (gk).Referee: M Pierce (Portsmouth).. Celtic 0 Rangers 1 Ally McCoist again demonstrated his ability to make the extraordinary appear commonplace. The Rangers striker who came off the bench to score the winner for Scotland against Greece last month has made a career out of being in the right place at the right time and with tension rising in this, the first Old Firm match of the season, he provided the finishing touch for a Rangers victory which will be well remembered by their supporters. If Celtic felt aggrieved at losing a Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final they dominated, the evening once again proved that no defence is safe when McCoist is around.For most of the game he had chased shadows or watched team-mates fire in shots, but two telling contributions bore his hallmark.He forced Gordon Marshall to save well in the first half and was well placed at the far post to direct a Paul Gascoigne cross past the Celtic goalkeeper with 15 minutes remaining.The 32-year-old was thought by many to be past his best after missing almost two years through injury, but the joker in Rangers' pack had the last laugh.Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, may have spent pounds 10m in summer signings, but the old dog showed just one of his tricks on the night to upstage Gascoigne, Petric, Salenko and Wright.The two people he could not quite better were Paul McStay, the Celtic captain, and his own goalkeeper, Andy Goram.The game hinged around the performance of these two with McStay producing a virtuoso performance in only his second game back from injury.He was denied by Goram on two occasions, and both saves were from the top drawer.

Substitutes not used: McGavin, McGorry, Soloman.Manchester City (4-4-2): Immel; Edghill, Symons, Curle, Phelan; Kinkladze (Summerbee, 61), Lomas, Brightwell, Beagrie; Quinn, Rosler. After 67 minutes he had the ball in the net from Farrell's near-post cross, but the ticker-tape acclamation proved premature: De Souza was ruled to have bundled over the keeper illegally.Wycombe Wanderers (4-4-2): Hyde; Rowbotham, Crossley, Howard, Hardyman; Carroll, Patterson, Brown, Farrell; De Souza, Williams. When Carroll lost the ball on the edge of his box, Uwe Rosler produced the visitors' first genuine goal attempt which was well held by Paul Hyde. Niall Quinn appeared to have gone one better two minutes from time when he shot inside the post after Phelan had supplied him, but the effort was declared offside.Wycombe retained optimism thanks to the muscular charges of De Souza. Ian Brightwell joined him in the book six minutes later for a high challenge on Dave Carroll and Edghill became the second City player to receive a yellow card after fouling David Farrell.The speed and trickery of Terry Phelan and Peter Beagrie on the left flank began to raise City's hopes. I've got to go on from day to day." Maine Road itself is midway through a massive redevelopment, and City could have been forgiven feelings of culture shock in this neat little ground wedged between an industrial estate and woods of beech and silver birch which rose above the stands eerily in the floodlights.Its residents made the bright start one might have expected from a side unbeaten in five games, and they penetrated the City penalty area after 15 minutes when Miguel De Souza turned Kit Symons before diving when challenged by Richard Edghill For this ungentlemanly conduct he was cautioned. "We didn't let a goal in."Asked how long it might take him to turn things round at Maine Road, he responded: "I don't think I can tell you that.

At the end of a low-key match, the best commentary on the visitors' performance came from their own fans, to the tune of "Blue Moon": "One shot, we've only had one shot..." Ball, uncharacteristically subdued, was asked afterwards if there had been any pluses in his side's performance "Yes," he said after a long pause. The Premiership's basement club - with one point from six games - struggled for parity in this Coca- Cola Cup second round, first leg against Second Division opposition. Wycombe Wanderers 0 Manchester City 0 The "kick start" to the season for which City's manager Alan Ball was hoping failed to occur at Adams Park last night. Batting Qualification: 6 Innings M I NO Runs HS 100 50 AveM R Ramprakash (Middx) 20 32 3 2258 235 10 7 77.86M D Moxon (Yorks) 13 23 8 1145 203n 3 8 76.33A C Gilchrist (Y Aus) 8 11 3 495 122 2 2 61.87P A de Silva (Kent) 16 30 0 1781 255 7 7 59.36B C Lara (WI) 13 20 1 1126 179 3 7 59.26S Chanderpaul (WI) 15 25 8 1003 140n 4 5 59.00J L Langer (Y Aus) 7 12 3 516 149 2 2 57.33K L T Arthurton (WI) 15 23 4 1077 146 3 6 56.68D Byas (Yorks) 20 37 3 1913 213 4 10 56.26A J Lamb (Northants) 16 26 4 1237 166 3 6 56.22A Symonds (Gloucs) 18 31 5 1438 254n 4 9 55.30T M Moody (Worcs) 18 31 2 1600 168 5 7 55.17M G Bevan (Yorks) 20 34 5 1598 153n 6 7 55.10N Hussain (Essex) 19 35 1 1854 186 6 10 54.52A P Wells (Sussex) 18 30 2 1524 178 7 4 54.42M W Gatting (Middx) 16 22 1 1139 148 5 3 54.23R T Robinson (Notts) 18 32 0 1728 209 7 5 54.00P D Bowler (Som) 19 33 3 1619 196 6 5 53.96P C L Holloway (Som) 12 22 6 863 129n 2 6 53.93R A Smith (Hants) 12 23 2 1117 172 3 4 53.19H Morris (Glamorgan) 18 33 3 1574 166n 6 8 52.46M E Waugh (Essex) 16 29 2 1392 173 5 6 51.55J C Pooley (Middx) 18 30 4 1335 136 5 6 51.34G A Gooch (Essex) 18 34 1 1669 165 7 6 50.57W J Cronje (Leics) 16 28 1 1362 213 4 7 50.44T L Penney (Warks) 19 27 3 1198 144 4 4 49.91W G Khan (Warks) 13 23 6 847 181 1 6 49.82G A Hick (Worcs) 16 27 3 1193 152 4 5 49.70N V Knight (Warks) 13 23 5 887 174 1 7 49.27R J Harden (Som) 19 35 6 1429 129n 5 6 49.27P A Cottey (Glam) 19 33 3 1465 130 5 7 48.83J D Carr (Middx) 20 29 6 1098 129 4 3 47.73J P Crawley (Lancs) 18 31 2 1377 182 3 10 47.48S C Ecclestone (Som) 7 12 2 472 81 0 3 47.20S L Campbell (WI) 16 26 0 1225 172 3 6 47.11A J Wright (Gloucs) 18 34 4 1401 193 4 5 46.70R Q Cake (Camb U) 7 14 3 511 101 1 2 46.45M L Love (Y Aus) 7 13 2 510 181 2 1 46.36C L Hooper (WI) 15 25 2 1063 195 5 2 46.21R T Ponting (Y Aus) 7 12 2 460 103n 1 4 46.00M L Hayden (Y Aus) 7 14 2 551 178 2 1 45.91R G Twose (Warks) 19 30 4 1186 191 4 3 45.61D J Cullinan (Derbys) 14 26 4 1003 161 5 1 45.59M P Maynard (Glam) 20 36 1 1590 164 3 12 45.42C O Browne (WI) 12 16 5 498 102n 2 1 45.27K J Barnett (Derbys) 17 31 3 1251 169 2 7 44.67R C Russell (Gloucs) 17 26 4 977 91 0 8 44.40A J Moles (Warks) 9 16 0 710 131 1 6 44.37G R Cowdrey (Kent) 13 22 1 930 137 2 6 44.28S G Law (Y Aus) 7 11 2 397 134 1 1 44.11M A Atherton (Lancs) 18 31 1 1323 155n 4 6 44.10J C Adams (WI) 13 22 5 741 114n 1 5 43.58J A Daley (Durham) 7 12 2 435 55 0 4 43.50I J Sutcliffe (Leics) 14 24 4 847 163n 1 5 42.35J J Whitaker (Leics) 15 25 0 1055 127 3 5 42.20K R Brown (Middx) 19 27 4 970 147n 1 7 42.17A D Brown (Surrey) 16 29 4 1054 187 3 3 42.16N R Taylor (Kent) 7 12 2 421 127 1 2 42.10N E Briers (Leics) 15 27 2 1046 175n 3 3 41.84R J Warren (Northants) 16 27 5 914 154 1 5 41.54D P Ostler (Warks) 18 26 2 983 208 2 6 40.95G P Thorpe (Surrey) 16 30 0 1223 152 2 9 40.76S J Rhodes (Worcs) 20 33 8 1018 122n 1 7 40.72T S Curtis (Worcs) 20 35 5 1221 169n 2 5 40.70C J Adams (Derbys) 15 27 0 1096 216 3 5 40.59S P James (Glam) 15 28 3 1011 230n 3 2 40.44C L Cairns (Notts) 17 30 1 1171 115 2 7 40.37G F Archer (Notts) 17 32 3 1171 158 3 4 40.37M C J Nicholas (Hants) 19 33 3 1210 147 4 4 40.33R B Richardson (WI) 15 23 3 804 101n 1 5 40.20D J Bicknell (Surrey) 15 28 3 997 228n 2 4 39.88M T G Elliott (Y Aus) 6 12 3 357 89n 0 3 39.66N J Lenham (Sussex) 15 25 3 867 128 2 4 39.40N Shahid (Surrey) 14 25 2 900 139 2 5 39.13J E R Gallian (Lancs) 18 33 4 1129 158 2 4 38.93S C Williams (WI) 13 20 0 770 137 3 3 38.50R J Bailey (Northants) 18 30 3 1038 157 4 2 38.44J E Morris (Durham) 19 35 1 1297 169 3 6 38.14A J Stewart (Surrey) 10 18 1 647 151 2 2 38.05M A Lynch (Gloucs) 17 29 2 1026 114 5 2 38.00D A Leatherdale (Worcs) 18 30 3 993 93 0 8 36.77M A Butcher (Surrey) 18 34 1 1210 167 2 10 36.66A J Hollioake (Surrey) 18 32 2 1099 117n 1 8 36.63A Fordham (Northants) 16 29 1 1025 130 4 4 36.60R C Irani (Essex) 18 34 2 1165 108 1 9 36.40D A Reeve (Warks) 16 22 4 652 77n 0 5 36.22C M Wells (Derbys) 16 30 3 976 115 2 6 36.14K M Curran (Northants) 17 27 3 863 117 1 4 35.95C W J Athey (Sussex) 15 27 1 929 163n 2 5 35.73D J Capel (Northants) 19 29 3 926 175 3 3 35.61G I Macmillan (Leics) 17 26 3 817 122 3 3 35.52W P C Weston (Worcs) 20 35 1 1207 111 3 7 35.50T A Radford (Middx) 6 11 4 244 69 0 2 34.85C M Gupte (Ox U) 10 18 2 554 119 1 3 34.62A N Hayhurst (Som) 17 29 5 825 107 1 5 34.37P Johnson (Notts) 17 30 1 996 120n 1 8 34.34P N Weekes (Middx) 20 31 2 995 143 2 6 34.31J P Stephenson (Hants) 17 30 4 892 127 1 6 34.30M P Dowman (Notts) 9 18 2 548 107 2 2 34.25A S Rollins (Derbys) 17 33 1 1095 200n 2 5 34.21W A Dessaur (Notts) 8 16 2 478 119n 1 2 34.14M Watkinson (Lancs) 18 29 3 887 161 2 3 34.11A R Caddick (Som) 6 7 0 237 92 0 2 33.85P J Prichard (Essex) 18 33 1 1080 109 2 5 33.75N J Llong (Kent) 9 16 0 538 118 2 1 33.62M W Alleyne (Gloucs) 19 32 2 1007 141 1 7 33.56D P Fulton (Kent) 8 16 1 502 116 1 4 33.46M R Benson (Kent) 13 21 0 702 192 2 1 33.42N J Speak (Lancs) 17 30 2 919 116 1 7 32.82M P Vaughan (Yorks) 21 39 1 1244 88 0 10 32.73W S Kendall (Ox U) 11 16 2 457 94 0 3 32.64R A Battye (Cam U) 8 14 2 391 70n 0 5 32.58J D Ratcliffe (Surrey) 9 17 0 550 75 0 5 32.35W Larkins (Durham) 13 23 0 737 121 2 1 32.04M Prabhakar (Durham) 17 31 3 896 101 1 5 32.00K A Parsons (Som) 16 28 2 821 105 1 6 31.57M N Lathwell (Som) 17 33 0 1033 111 2 5 31.30C White (Yorks) 19 33 5 874 110 3 3 31.21R J Turner (Som) 19 30 7 717 106n 1 4 31.17B F Smith (Leics) 18 31 5 802 112 1 6 30.84G D Rose (Som) 16 25 0 771 84 0 6 30.84G D Hodgson (Gloucs) 9 17 0 524 148 1 2 30.82V P Terry (Hants) 20 35 2 1012 170 2 3 30.66N H Fairbrother (Lancs) 14 23 3 602 132 2 1 30.10S D Thomas (Glam) 11 15 4 331 78n 0 3 30.09T R Ward (Kent) 18 32 1 932 114n 2 6 30.06A N Aymes (Hants) 20 33 9 720 62n 0 5 30.00F D Stephenson (Sussex) 13 23 0 690 106 1 3 30.00S P Titchard (Lancs) 13 24 1 690 130 1 5 30.00M V Fleming (Kent) 10 16 1 447 100 1 2 29.80W M Noon (Notts) 17 31 6 745 66 0 5 29.80P R Pollard (Notts) 11 19 2 506 120 1 2 29.76P R Whitaker (Hants) 13 21 0 624 119 1 3 29.71M A Ealham (Kent) 18 31 1 891 121 1 4 29.70J M Dakin (Leics) 8 13 2 326 101n 1 2 29.63A Dale (Glam) 12 23 2 622 133 2 2 29.61G J Kersey (Surrey) 15 28 4 708 83 0 6 29.50K Newell (Sussex) 10 19 2 500 135 1 2 29.41J S Laney 9 17 1 470 73 0 2 29.37C Banton (Notts) 7 14 4 292 80n 0 2 29.20S Hutton (Durham) 12 23 1 634 98 0 4 28.81V J Wells (Kent) 14 24 1 654 124 1 5 28.43D R Brown (Warks) 15 20 2 506 85 0 4 28.11A McGrath (Yorks) 5 10 0 280 84 0 1 28.00D A Blenkiron (Durham) 9 17 1 446 145 1 2 27.87W K Hegg (Lancs) 18 28 4 669 101 1 2 27.87G D Lloyd (Lancs) 14 23 2 584 117 1 3 27.80J N Snape (Northants) 13 16 3 361 55 0 2 27.76O D Gibson (WI) 11 13 2 303 101n 1 0 27.54S A Marsh (Kent) 16 28 3 688 67n 0 4 27.52K Greenfield (Sussex) 19 32 1 853 121 1 5 27.51J R Murray (WI) 12 19 3 440 100 1 1 27.50R R Montgomerie (N'hants) 14 24 1 632 192 1 2 27.47D L Hemp (Glam) 18 32 0 872 157 1 4 27.25P J Newport (Worcs) 18 23 8 404 50 0 1 26.93F A Griffith (Derbys) 8 13 4 240 53 0 1 26.66K M Krikken (Derbys) 11 16 5 288 61 0 1 26.18C W Scott (Durham) 7 13 1 311 56 0 2 25.91S R Lampitt (Worcs) 17 25 6 488 97 0 1 25.68D J Millns (Leics) 8 14 2 307 70 0 2 25.58R J Rollins (Essex) 19 35 3 809 133n 1 4 25.28G W White (Hants) 15 24 2 554 62 0 3 25.18A C Ridley (Ox U) 10 16 1 375 71 0 2 25.00J E Owen (Derbys) 4 8 0 200 65 0 2 25.00M A Roseberry (Durham) 16 29 2 669 90 0 4 24.77R C J Williams (Gloucs) 5 9 0 223 90 0 2 24.77J I Longley (Durham) 9 18 1 420 58 0 2 24.70G R Haynes (Worcs) 18 30 0 737 78 0 4 24.56C E L Ambrose (WI) 10 13 7 147 27n 0 0 24.50J W Hall (Sussex) 12 22 0 537 100 1 2 24.40G W Mike (Notts) 5 9 3 143 66n 0 2 23.83M P Bicknell (Surrey) 9 12 3 213 61 0 1 23.66R I Dawson (Gloucs) 9 16 1 355 101 1 3 23.66K P Evans (Notts) 7 13 2 260 78n 0 2 23.63K J Piper (Warks) 16 19 2 398 99 0 2 23.41G Yates (Lancs) 7 9 2 162 42n 0 0 23.14N M K Smith (Warks) 18 23 2 486 75 0 4 23.14B Parker (Yorks) 4 8 1 161 40 0 0 23.00T H C Hancock (Gloucs) 8 13 1 275 79n 0 1 22.91I D Austin (Lancs) 13 22 4 412 80n 0 1 22.88S A Kellett (Yorks) 6 11 1 228 86 0 1 22.80S Young (Y Aus) 7 10 0 228 110 1 1 22.80J P Carroll (Camb U) 8 15 2 292 42 0 0 22.46J Ratledge (Camb U) 8 16 0 358 67 0 3 22.37R D B Croft (Glam) 20 36 4 716 143 1 1 22.37A J Dalton (Glam) 5 10 1 201 46 0 0 22.33R T Ragnauth (Cam U) 8 16 1 335 82 0 3 22.33W Akram (Lancs) 14 22 3 423 61 0 4 22.26D D J Robinson (Essex) 17 32 0 712 123 2 1 22.25I D K Salisbury (Sussex) 18 30 3 599 74 0 2 22.18P Moores (Sussex) 19 32 2 660 94 0 5 22.00M C J Ball (Gloucs) 18 28 9 417 48 0 0 21.94M T E Peirce (Sussex) 6 10 0 219 60 0 1 21.90J P Taylor (Northants) 18 21 8 284 86 0 2 21.84D G Cork (Derby) 18 31 4 589 84n 0 3 21.81J J B Lewis (Essex) 7 14 0 299 75 0 2 21.35A W Smith (Surrey) 9 13 0 272 88 0 2 20.92M G N Windows (Gloucs) 9 17 2 313 56 0 2 20.86D J Nash (Middx) 19 25 4 433 67 0 3 20.61P A J DeFreitas (Derbys) 16 26 3 474 94n 0 2 20.60T A Tweats (Derbys) 8 16 1 308 78n 0 2 20.53J I D Kerr (Som) 13 19 2 349 80 0 1 20.52S D Udal (Hants) 18 29 4 512 85 0 3 20.48R S M Morris (Hants) 10 18 0 368 47 0 0 20.44J E Emburey (Middx) 17 20 1 387 87 0 1 20.36N C Phillips (Sussex) 6 10 1 183 53 0 3 20.33A Kumble (Northants) 17 21 5 321 40n 0 0 20.06P J Martin (Lancs) 13 17 2 300 71 0 1 20.00M E D Jarrett (Ox U) 7 11 4 137 40 0 0 19.57G Chapple (Lancs) 15 21 6 292 58 0 1 19.46G J Parsons (Leics) 18 28 2 501 73 0 1 19.26K C G Benjamin (WI) 11 12 4 154 44 0 0 19.25J R Wileman (Notts) 8 16 4 230 43 0 0 19.16D R Law (Y Aus) 8 13 0 248 115 1 0 19.07M E Trescothick (Som) 12 22 0 417 151 1 1 18.95K D James (Hants) 12 21 3 341 53 0 1 18.94A E Warner (Derbys) 14 22 8 265 43 0 0 18.92V S Solanki (Worcs) 6 9 1 150 36 0 0 18.75D Gough (Yorks) 14 19 1 332 60 0 1 18.44P A Nixon (Leics) 18 30 5 461 79 0 2 18.44M J McCague (Kent) 14 25 6 344 59 0 1 18.10A P Grayson (Yorks) 9 14 1 235 73 0 2 18.07C P Metson (Glam) 17 23 9 253 26n 0 0 18.07H A G Anthony (Glam) 14 25 1 433 91 0 2 18.04R A Pick (Notts) 17 26 4 395 50n 0 1 17.95M Saxelby (Durham) 7 14 0 251 68 0 1 17.92A R K Pierson (Leics) 20 32 10 392 50 0 1 17.81H S Malik (Ox U) 8 10 1 160 64 0 1 17.77A A Donald (Warks) 15 16 5 194 44 0 0 17.63T C Walton (Northants) 4 7 1 104 71 0 1 17.33R J Blakey (Yorks) 20 29 6 398 77n 0 1 17.30N A Mallender (Som) 7 10 3 121 49n 0 0 17.28H R J Trump (Som) 16 22 10 207 47 0 0 17.25N M Kendrick (Glam) 15 21 4 291 59 0 1 17.11A R Whittall (Cam U) 8 13 2 185 81n 0 1 16.81D L Maddy (Keics) 9 17 1 264 131 1 0 16.50M M Patel (Kent) 18 29 6 376 56 0 2 16.34N A Gie (Notts) 3 6 0 98 34 0 0 16.33P W Jarvis (Sussex) 9 13 2 177 38 0 0 16.09C A Connor (Hants) 17 27 6 336 33 0 0 16.00R K Illingworth (Worcs) 14 19 9 160 23n 0 0 16.00D G C Ligertwood (Durham) 12 21 2 303 40 0 0 15.94A C Cottam (Som) 5 6 0 95 36 0 0 15.83M J Church (Worcs) 5 9 1 126 35 0 0 15.75J Srinath (Gloucs) 15 24 4 314 44 0 0 15.70T J G O'Gorman (Derbys) 5 8 0 125 39 0 0 15.62C E W Silverwood (Yorks) 7 9 2 106 50 0 1 15.14H H Streak (Hants) 19 28 3 378 69 0 1 15.12C G Rackemann (Surrey) 13 20 12 120 20n 0 0 15.00R L Johnson (Middx) 12 13 2 164 29n 0 0 14.90M B Loye (Northants) 7 10 1 134 51n 0 1 14.88J D Ricketts (Ox U) 10 11 1 148 63 0 1 14.80M Ahmed (Som) 17 23 2 311 62n 0 1 14.80T J Boon (Leics) 6 12 0 177 38 0 0 14.75V C Drakes (WI) 6 9 1 118 48n 0 0 14.75N V Radford (Worcs) 10 11 2 130 50 0 1 14.44D W Headley (Kent) 14 24 6 253 54 0 1 14.05M C Ilott (Essex) 17 29 4 350 60 0 1 14.00N J Haste (Cam U) 7 10 4 83 16 0 0 13.83N Killeen 7 13 3 137 48 0 0 13.70A J Tudor (Surrey) 5 9 0 123 56 0 1 13.66P J Hartley (Yorks) 18 23 4 256 38 0 0 13.47J E Hindson (Notts) 17 28 5 309 53n 0 1 13.43U Afzaal (Notts) 7 12 2 134 37 0 0 13.40R P Davis (Warks) 6 8 2 79 30 0 0 13.16J M Attfield (Ox U) 6 8 2 76 23n 0 0 12.66J Boiling (Durham) 18 32 7 312 69 0 1 12.48M J Walker (Kent) 9 14 1 162 53 0 1 12.46J E Benjamin (Surrey) 12 18 4 174 49 0 0 12.42S L Watkin (Glam) 16 23 9 174 30 0 0 12.42A D Bairstow (Derbys) 3 6 0 73 26 0 0 12.16D R H Churton (Cam U) 6 10 0 118 39 0 0 11.80S J E Brown (Durham) 18 30 6 278 36 0 0 11.58A D MacRobert (Ox U) 9 9 2 80 29 0 0 11.42T W Harrison 5 10 1 102 61n 0 1 11.33C A Walsh (WI) 11 11 1 111 40 0 0 11.10M A Feltham (Middx) 14 15 4 115 25 0 0 10.45A P van Troost (Som) 7 11 3 82 34 0 0 10.25I R Bishop (WI) 10 11 1 102 25 0 0 10.20D M Cousins (Essex) 9 16 4 121 18n 0 0 10.08J D Lewry (Sussex) 12 19 4 150 34 0 0 10.00R J Chapman (Notts) 8 11 3 78 22 0 0 9.75P M Such (Essex) 18 30 8 214 32 0 0 9.72J A Afford (Notts) 7 9 3 57 15n 0 0 9.50V P Clarke (Som) 4 7 1 55 29 0 0 9.16E S H Giddins (Sussex) 18 27 12 137 34 0 0 9.13N F Williams (Essex) 8 12 2 90 17 0 0 9.00S Herzberg (Y Aus) 5 9 2 61 18 0 0 8.71R C Williams (Gloucs) 4 7 0 60 22 0 0 8.57T N Wren (Kent) 7 11 4 60 23 0 0 8.57R D Stemp (Yorks) 21 25 4 179 22n 0 0 8.52S G Kenlock (Surrey) 4 8 2 50 12 0 0 8.33S P Griffiths (Derbys) 5 9 0 75 20 0 0 8.33P C R Tufnell (Middx) 17 15 7 65 23n 0 0 8.12R Dhanraj (WI) 15 13 3 81 22 0 0 8.10P Aldred (Derbys) 7 12 0 97 33 0 0 8.08A Walker (Durham) 11 16 3 102 29 0 0 7.84A C S Pigott (Surrey) 6 11 1 76 19 0 0 7.60R W Nowell (Surrey) 11 20 2 134 27 0 0 7.44D E Malcolm (Derbys) 14 21 4 125 25n 0 0 7.35A R C Fraser (Middx) 17 21 8 95 20 0 0 7.30R T Bates (Notts) 4 7 0 50 11 0 0 7.14J H Childs (Essex) 17 28 11 113 18 0 0 6.64A D Mullally (Leics) 19 30 6 150 22 0 0 6.25M A Robinson (Yorks) 18 20 8 75 23 0 0 6.25M M Betts (Durham) 9 15 5 55 14 0 0 5.50A Sheriyar (Leics) 8 12 1 59 19 0 0 5.36P A Thomas 14 15 4 57 25 0 0 5.18P Mirza (Worcs) 6 10 2 39 18n 0 0 4.87A M Smith (Gloucs) 11 11 2 37 11 0 0 4.11P E McIntyre (Y Aus) 8 8 1 26 13 0 0 3.71R M S Weston (Durham) 3 6 0 15 9 0 0 2.50K P Sheeraz (Gloucs) 9 11 4 8 3 0 0 1.14BowlingQualification: 10 WicketsOvers M Runs W 5w 10w Best AveA A Donald (Warks) 535.3 136 1431 89 6 1 6-56 16.07D A Reeve (Warks) 312.0 118 661 38 1 0 5-30 17.39J Lewis (Y Aus) 67.4 12 209 12 0 0 4-34 17.41K E Cooper (Gloucs) 103.0 32 228 13 0 0 4-34 17.53J Srinath (Gloucs) 568.4 147 1661 87 5 2 9-76 19.09W Akram (Lancs) 518.1 108 1598 81 7 3 7-52 19.72T A Munton (Warks) 373.5 119 952 48 3 1 5-37 19.83C L Cairns (Notts) 375.5 89 1035 52 3 1 8-47 19.90D G Cork (Derbys) 586.5 111 1800 90 4 1 9-43 20.00R L Johnson (Middx) 301.4 79 812 40 2 1 5-48 20.30A Kumble (Northants) 899.4 265 2143 105 8 2 7-82 20.40S M Milburn (Yorks) 69.0 15 204 10 0 0 4-68 20.40K C G Benjamin (WI) 284.1 71 923 43 3 1 5-52 21.46A M Smith (Gloucs) 415.3 104 1275 59 4 1 7-70 21.61J Wood (Durham) 97.4 25 303 14 0 0 4-54 21.64P C R Tufnell (Middx) 678.1 207 1634 74 5 1 6-111 22.08A F Giles (Warks) 146.5 46 354 16 1 0 5-23 22.12M S Kasprowicz (Y Aus) 175.1 42 599 27 1 0 5-19 22.18S Young (Y Aus) 128.0 36 359 16 0 0 3-23 22.43P J Newport (Worcs) 548.0 148 1551 69 4 0 5-45 22.47A J Tudor (Surrey) 83.3 7 320 14 1 0 5-32 22.85P J Hartley (Yorks) 549.0 120 1861 81 4 1 9-41 22.97J E Emburey (Middx) 708.4 198 1701 74 5 2 7-82 22.98V J Wells (Leics) 139.3 33 438 19 0 0 3-28 23.05D J Capel (Northants) 358.2 70 1206 51 2 0 7-44 23.64M P Bicknell (Surrey) 285.0 65 978 41 3 0 5-61 23.85M C Ilott (Essex) 582.4 126 1897 78 6 2 9-19 24.32P Aldred (Derbys) 108.2 23 375 15 0 0 3-47 25.00V C Drakes (WI) 106.0 17 400 16 1 0 5-20 25.00J E Benjamin (Surrey) 420.4 85 1326 53 3 0 5-37 25.01N A Mallender (Som) 142.2 32 427 17 0 0 4-49 25.11A J Harris (Derbys) 85.5 16 354 14 0 0 4-84 25.28I D Austin (Lancs) 363.4 111 889 35 0 0 4-50 25.40A R Caddick (Som) 183.1 34 613 24 1 1 8-69 25.54M T Brimson (Leics) 110.0 24 310 12 0 0 2-11 25.83J H Childs (Essex) 678.2 183 1757 68 2 0 6-36 25.83I R Bishop (WI) 334.1 69 983 38 1 0 5-32 25.86D E Malcolm (Derbys) 461.4 82 1692 65 3 1 6-61 26.03R Dhanraj (WI) 475.3 79 1596 61 4 0 6-50 26.16J Angel (Y Aus) 179.4 38 709 27 0 0 4-31 26.25P J Martin (Lancs) 349.5 96 922 35 0 0 4-51 26.34J D Lewry (Sussex) 350.1 62 1247 47 3 0 6-43 26.53D Gough (Yorks) 414.5 89 1365 51 1 1 7-28 26.76A P Igglesden (Kent) 171.2 37 563 21 1 0 5-92 26.80P M Such (Essex) 748.4 174 2064 77 6 2 8-93 26.80A E Warner (Derbys) 375.1 90 1050 39 3 0 6-21 26.92R K Illingworth (Worcs) 524.0 172 1212 45 0 0 4-30 26.93M A Feltham (Middx) 273.1 72 783 29 1 0 6-41 27.00S L Watkin (Glam) 590.4 144 1755 65 2 1 7-49 27.00J N B Bovill (Hants) 251.3 62 814 30 2 1 6-29 27.13D R Brown (Warks) 311.4 71 1011 37 0 0 4-24 27.32R G Twose (Warks) 108.0 29 301 11 0 0 3-50 27.36A Sheriyar (Leics) 189.0 27 799 29 2 1 6-30 27.55P W Jarvis (Sussex) 228.4 45 719 26 1 0 5-55 27.65S R Lampitt (Worcs) 494.1 124 1524 55 0 0 4-34 27.70M Prabhakar (Durham) 579.1 165 1439 51 1 0 7-65 28.21A D Mullally (Leics) 583.4 172 1700 59 2 0 6-50 28.81C A Walsh (WI) 384.2 76 1124 39 1 0 5-45 28.82D W Headley (Kent) 430.5 101 1276 44 3 0 7-58 29.00J P Taylor (Northants) 573.4 122 1713 59 2 0 7-50 29.03D J Nash (Middx) 460.1 90 1512 52 2 0 5-35 29.07A R C Fraser (Middx) 592.1 156 1632 56 2 0 5-56 29.14M J McCague (Kent) 424.2 79 1457 50 2 0 5-47 29.14P A J DeFreitas (Derbys) 591.1 128 1751 60 2 0 6-35 29.18M Watkinson (Lancs) 622.4 158 1910 65 2 1 7-140 29.38E E Hemmings (Sussex) 177.5 51 442 15 0 0 4-33 29.46E S H Giddins (Sussex) 605.4 110 2004 68 4 1 6-73 29.47G J Parsons (Leics) 579.2 178 1570 53 0 0 4-46 29.62M Ahmed (Som) 952.0 286 2821 95 7 2 6-38 29.69C E L Ambrose (WI) 262.1 70 744 25 1 0 5-96 29.76C G Rackemann (Surrey) 457.0 114 1430 48 1 0 6-60 29.79G C Small (Warks) 182.5 48 507 17 1 0 5-71 29.82M A Robinson (Yorks) 483.1 134 1375 46 0 0 4-46 29.89P E McIntyre (Y Aus) 296.5 70 1018 34 1 0 5-38 29.94A C S Pigott (Surrey) 209.3 50 667 22 2 1 6-91 30.31A R K Pierson (Leics) 637.1 135 2115 69 2 0 5-48 30.65H H Streak (Hants) 516.2 114 1629 53 0 0 4-40 30.73A Walker (Durham) 285.3 53 958 31 2 1 8-118 30.90I D K Salisbury (Suss) 558.2 130 1674 54 5 1 7-72 31.00O D Gibson (WI) 242.4 36 966 31 0 0 4-32 31.16R A Pick (Notts) 490.2 105 1602 51 2 0 5-82 31.41B A Williams 134.3 26 443 14 0 0 4-79 31.64F D Stephenson (Suss) 361.2 73 1113 35 1 0 5-64 31.80H A G Anthony (Glam) 397.5 70 1402 44 2 0 6-77 31.86K M Curran (Northants) 357.1 84 1202 37 0 0 4-78 32.48C M Wells (Derbys) 110.0 25 326 10 0 0 4-29 32.60J E R Gallian (Lancs) 129.5 17 533 16 0 0 3-14 33.31S D Udal (Hants) 628.2 137 1864 55 5 1 6-65 33.89G Chapple (Lancs) 380.1 81 1229 36 0 0 4-44 34.13J E Hindson (Notts) 692.0 165 2219 65 5 2 5-67 34.13T N Wren (Kent) 205.4 31 785 23 1 0 5-148 34.13S J E Brown (Durham) 589.3 117 1951 57 4 1 6-69 34.22C A Connor (Hants) 556.2 115 1954 57 3 1 6-44 34.28A J Hollioake (Surrey) 230.3 46 721 21 0 0 4-22 34.33R D B Croft (Glam) 847.0 209 2353 68 4 1 6-104 34.60S C Ecclestone (Som) 105.0 20 383 11 0 0 2-31 34.81C E Silverwood (Yorks) 147.1 23 630 18 1 0 5-62 35.00N M K Smith (Warks) 460.0 105 1375 39 3 0 6-72 35.25M C J Ball (Gloucs) 577.2 144 1481 42 2 0 5-49 35.26N F Williams (Essex) 188.4 31 743 21 1 0 5-93 35.38M M Patel (Kent) 788.0 194 2336 66 3 1 6-74 35.39N V Radford (Worcs) 220.1 46 780 22 1 0 5-45 35.45G D Rose (Som) 436.0 93 1402 39 1 0 5-78 35.94F A Griffith (Derbys) 190.4 42 614 17 0 0 4-89 36.11N J Haste (Cam U) 197.0 41 655 18 1 0 5-73 36.38J P Stephenson (Hants) 358.0 62 1316 36 1 0 7-51 36.55A R Whittall (Cam U) 328.4 85 1064 29 2 1 6-46 36.68R T Bates 115.1 32 369 10 1 0 5-88 36.90K P Sheeraz (Gloucs) 225.1 35 888 24 2 1 6-67 37.00C White (Yorks) 273.4 49 934 25 0 0 4-40 37.36M A Harrity 135.2 33 497 13 0 0 4-37 38.23D M Cox (Durham) 129.5 28 422 11 0 0 4-141 38.36M A Ealham (Kent) 384.2 95 1151 30 0 0 3-37 38.36R P Davis (Warks) 216.4 58 576 15 1 0 5-118 38.40A P van Troost (Som) 145.3 23 624 16 1 0 5-120 39.00J N Snape (Northants) 231.0 53 747 19 1 0 5-65 39.31D P Mather (Ox U) 227.1 49 710 18 0 0 4-65 39.44R W Nowell (Surrey) 424.5 117 1264 32 0 0 4-43 39.50K J Barnett (Derbys) 218.2 42 635 16 0 0 3-51 39.68M P Vaughan (Yorks) 272.4 64 876 22 0 0 3-32 39.81G R Haynes (Worcs) 272.0 76 840 21 0 0 4-33 40.00G Keedy (Lancs) 505.0 128 1498 37 0 0 4-35 40.48J I D Kerr (Som) 280.1 53 1134 28 1 0 5-82 40.50D J Millns (Leics) 205.2 27 792 19 0 0 3-47 41.68K P Evans (Notts) 238.1 60 590 14 0 0 3-66 42.14M W Alleyne (Gloucs) 421.5 125 1228 29 0 0 3-59 42.34M A Butcher (Surrey) 234.5 37 935 22 0 0 4-72 42.50J D Ricketts (Ox U) 224.5 34 732 17 0 0 3-30 43.05H R J Trump (Som) 596.2 173 1745 40 1 0 5-85 43.62G Yates (Lancs) 136.0 33 494 11 0 0 4-67 44.90K D James (Hants) 233.2 47 857 19 1 0 6-38 45.10N Killeen 195.3 30 767 17 1 0 5-118 45.11R C Irani (Essex) 361.5 71 1222 27 1 0 5-62 45.25W J Cronje (Leics) 256.2 82 688 15 0 0 3-42 45.86R D Stemp (Yorks) 721.1 226 1929 42 0 0 4-68 45.92M E Waugh (Essex) 255.5 66 789 17 0 0 4-76 46.41N M Kendrick (Glam) 389.5 102 1255 27 0 0 4-70 46.48A D MacRobert (Ox U) 264.0 37 843 18 0 0 4-41 46.83P A Thomas 386.4 67 1554 33 1 0 5-70 47.09J A Afford (Notts) 314.5 69 991 21 0 0 4-58 47.19P Mirza (Worcs) 175.1 40 661 14 1 0 5-110 47.21C L Hooper (WI) 267.4 54 821 17 0 0 3-22 48.29S D Thomas (Glam) 303.3 51 1356 28 1 0 5-99 48.42S R Barwick (Glam) 233.4 58 681 14 0 0 4-116 48.64A N Hayhurst (Som) 139.2 21 519 10 0 0 2-39 51.90P N Weekes (Middx) 278.4 55 679 13 0 0 3-26 52.23D M Cousins (Essex) 176.0 23 640 12 0 0 3-73 53.33V J Pike (Gloucs) 195.3 39 592 11 0 0 3-72 53.81J Boiling (Surrey) 599.0 149 1702 27 2 0 5-73 63.03A W Smith (Surrey) 165.3 27 647 10 0 0 3-112 64.70R J Chapman (Notts) 179.2 23 777 11 0 0 3-119 70.63A N Janisch (Cam U) 185.0 21 723 10 0 0 3-38 72.30D B Pennett (Notts) 208.1 35 811 10 0 0 3-136 81.10. At the risk of cursing him again, you have to say that Ramprakash will crack it this time.. But it should save them from becoming that dread figure on the modern tour, the Forgotten Man. But llly, mellowing fast, was persuaded that class counts for more than batting order.It is odd that only seven batsmen are going for what will presumably be six Test places.

The flip side of that is being too tight, too nervous.Still, he's on the tour; and full credit to Illingworth. He said he wanted a spare opener, which would have meant choosing between Ramprakash and John Crawley; Crawley might have won, after making 50 in the last Test. These two external factors have added fuel to another that is innate: an almost disabling desire to succeed. Last week Mike Getting was praising Ramprakash's dedication "every morning, he's first in the nets". While his contemporary, Inzamam- ul-Haq, has played 80 of these games, Ramprakash has played seven.

Ramprakash made his debut against West Indies, and has kept bumping into them since: 11 of his 17 Tests have been against them, with a top score of 29. In two Tests against Australia, he has a 72, a 64 and a 42.Nor has he been groomed in one-dayers. By the time Botham faced West lndies, he had played 25 Tests, and passed both 1,000 runs and 100 wickets. And yet, when he flies to South Africa next month, he will still have it all to prove Why? He is a poor picker of opponents. Meanwhile, I understand, Ray Illingworth had already decided to drop him, but to recall him for the winter if he did well for Middlesex.The message was relayed to Ramprakash.