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Results Based News

Hamilton sets early pace

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 24/04/2009

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is the early betting favourite after setting the pace during Friday's first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion has endured a difficult start to the new season with his McLaren car off the pace.

However, he made a promising start to the fourth race weekend of the season after clocking a fastest lap of one minute 33.647 seconds in hot conditions around the Sakhir circuit.

The BMW Sauber pair of Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica were second and third respectively, while championship leader Jenson Button was fifth for Brawn GP.

In cricket's County Championship, Michael Vaughan's hopes of a recall to the England Test side were dealt a blow by former international colleague Steve Harmison.

Vaughan is hoping to get amongst the runs ahead of the Test series against West Indies, but a controversial dismissal by Harmison in Yorkshire's match at reigning champions Durham could prove costly.

The former England captain was caught behind after making just 24 as Yorkshire closed on 264-6 on day two at the Riverside.

Elsewhere, Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright took five for 80 as Lancashire were bowled out for 299. Sussex were 148-5 at the close of play at Hove.

Warwickshire reached 224-4 courtesy of Jim Troughton's unbeaten century on day two of their encounter with Hampshire at Edgbaston.

Nottinghamshire enforced the follow-on and then took three early second-innings wickets to reduce Worcestershire to 24-3 in a one-sided encounter at Trent Bridge.

In Division Two, Essex coasted to a seven-wicket victory over Gloucestershire after reaching their modest target of 98 with ease.

Kent have a 62-run first-innings lead against Northamptonshire after centuries from Geraint Jones and Martin van Jaarsveld.

Surrey fought back against Derbyshire after closing on 213-3 to take a 70-run lead into day three of their encounter at Derby.

Meanwhile, Glamorgan were bowled out for 505 against Middlesex at Lord's with Mark Wallace top-scoring with 128.

In the IPL, Rajasthan Royals defeated Kolkata Knight Riders via the Super Over system after both sides reached 150 in their game in Cape Town.

Elsewhere, Delhi Daredevils edged out Chennai Super Kings by nine runs in Durban.

In the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield, there was a 10-5 first-round victory for John Higgins over Michael Holt.

Meanwhile, Stephen Maguire won an all-Scottish affair 10-5 against compatriot Jamie Burnett.

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