Shoaib rocks Northants
AFP, London
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar grabbed six wickets while England reject Graham Thorpe handed the England selectors a timely reminder of his Ashes credentials on Wednesday.Shoaib enjoyed figures of 6-47, with five of his victims bowled, to put Worcestershire in charge of their English County Championship match against Northamptonshire. The home side were dismissed for 299 at the County Ground before Worcestershire reached 74 for two in their reply at the end of the first day at the County Ground. Thorpe fell just of a first century of the season for Surrey against Kent at Guildford. The 35-year-old, overlooked for the Ashes series after England opted for young South African-born talent Kevin Pietersen, hit 95 with his runs coming on the eve of the opening Lord's Test. His innings helped Surrey reach 394 for five while Ali Brown finished 101 not out.
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