Essex wrapped up a commanding 335-run winover Cambridge MCCU at Fenner's to conclude their LV= County Championship preparations.
England captain Alastair Cook could only add one to his overnight 59 and no other batsman would pass 50 before Essex declared their second innings on 250 for nine.
Having been blown away for 90 at the first time of asking, Cambridge once again subsided meekly as England duo Ravi Bopara and Monty Panesar collected 3-21 and 3-26 respectively.
First-innings hero Graham Napier helped himself to 2-11 and concluded proceedings at 125 all out.
WICKET Sadler bowled by Napier for 6 Essex win by 335 runs. Cambridge 125 all out
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) April 9, 2014
The other five MCCU versus county matches all ended in three-day draws after rain across the country decimated Monday’s programme.
The majority of Somerset’s top order got valuable runs under their belts, marking a stark contrast to the clatter of wickets against Leeds/Bradford MCCU at Taunton yesterday.
Marcus Trescothick was run out five shy of three figures, while James Hildreth’s half-century followed forties by Chris Jones and Nick Compton in 255 for three declared, before Leeds/Bradford reached stumps on 29 for one.
Kent’s batsmen similarly went well versus Loughborough MCCU– Daniel Bell-Drummond’s 103 retired out backed up by 87 from Brendan Nash and Ben Harmison’s 51 not out.
DBD has retired on 103. Brilliant start to the season! Kent 199/3 (61 overs)
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) April 9, 2014
Darren Stevens cracked a typically lusty 45 not out, with four sixes and a couple of fours off 39 deliveries. His dismissal brought the close on 339 for five.
Jonathan Trott enjoyed himself with the ball as five overs of his nagging medium pace returned 2-8 in Warwickshire’s game at Oxford MCCU– the hosts closing on 181 for nine in response to an overnight declaration of 388 for seven.
Having impressed in the MCC County Champion match in Abu Dhabi, Durham seamer Jay Harrison was among the wickets once more with 3-33 as Durham MCCU made 176 for nine in reply to 487.
Chris Dent was a double centurion for Gloucestershire yesterday and opted to put his feet up as his side progressed to 99 for two second time around after Cardiff MCCU declared on 282 for seven.