SIMON Kellett provided the backbone of Cambridgeshire's commanding first innings, as Suffolk were frustrated by first the damp conditions and then the visiting batsmen at Mildenhall yesterday.

By Carl Marston

SIMON Kellett provided the backbone of Cambridgeshire's commanding first innings, as Suffolk were frustrated by first the damp conditions and then the visiting batsmen at Mildenhall yesterday.

Day one did not begin until after lunch, due to the wet outfield down by the River Lark, and Kellett ensured that Cambridgeshire edged the honours when play finally began.

The former Yorkshire batsmen scored 98 out of a total of 298. The visitors eventually declared with two wickets remaining, to prevent Suffolk from grabbing another bonus point.

The hosts began their reply at 7.20pm, with Cambridgeshire opting for an all-spin opening attack of Craig Buckham and Lewis Bruce. They had reached seven for no wicket when bad light halted play just 15 minutes later.

Martin Smith claimed the first of his three wickets early on, with the dismissal of opening batsman Alan Burton (caught behind) for just two, but Kellett and Nick Ferraby then took centre stage.

Spinner Tom Huggins bowled 30 overs, but by the time he had trapped Ferraby (35), caught by Ben France at silly mid-on, Cambridgeshire were already well on their way at 111 for two.

Kellett reached his half-century off 80 deliveries, and was just two short of his century when Phil Edwards clean bowled him, with the score on 198. He was at the crease for just under four hours, stroking 12 boundaries.

Damien Brandy was dropped on 28, and filled his boots to celebrate another 50 off 112 balls. Smith then induced the outside edge, with Justin Bishop taking a smart catch at second slip.

A swashbuckling innings from Andy Clarke boosted Cambridgeshire's total towards the 300-mark. The all-rounder hammered an unbeaten 32 off 30 balls, including three towering sixes, and he received good late support from James Williams, who was finally dismissed (run out) by an accurate throw from Phil Caley.

Smith ended with figures of three for 77, and Huggins took three for 91. The latter will be hoping to make a similar contribution with the bat today. Play is due to resume at 11am.

Bookings for coach tickets can be made, for Suffolk's visit to Lord's on August 27, by visiting the Suffolk CCA tent at Mildenhall today, during the second day of their Minor Counties Championship match against Cambridgeshire.

Mildenhall scoreboard

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

First innings

S Kellett b Edwards 98

A Burton c Warn b Smith 2

N Ferraby c France b Huggins 35

G Frear c France b Huggins 15

D Brandy c Bishop b Smith 51

L Bruce c Warn b Smith 12

A Akhtar c Edwards b Huggins 7

A Clarke not out 32

J Williams run out 17

M Summers not out 4

Extras (15lb 4b 4w 4nb) 27

Total (for 8 wkts dec, off 88.4 overs) 298

Fall of wickets: 1-27 2-111 3-142 4-198 5-235 6-242 7-244 8-294

Bowling: Smith 21.4-2-77-3, Edwards 16-5-41-1, Bishop 8-2-21-0, King 13-1-49-0, Huggins 30-3-91-3.

SUFFOLK

First innings

B France not out 0

A Mawson not out 7

Extras 0

Total (for 0 wkt, off 5 overs) 7

Bowling: Buckham 3-2-2-0, Bruce 2-1-5-0.