Playing in England during the South African winter has not been an easy task for the players making the trip across the equator to participate in the County Championships and related tournaments during the 2002 English season.

Greg Smith playing for Nottinghamshire has proved to be the exception, again shining with the ball in a win against Essex. Taking 3/21 in the first innings, he followed it up with career best figures of 8/53 in the second. This after scoring 35 not out coming in at number 10 to help build a first innings lead.

Team mate Nicky Boje, playing his first match of the season could not get any wickets but did manage 25 and 21 not out with the bat. Boje having taken over the overseas spot after Lance Klusener's returned to South Africa. Klusener only had a one month contract.

Kevin Pieterson was not asked to bowl in the match and scored 19 in his only visit to the crease as Nottinghamshire easily won by seven wickets.

Shaun Pollock had a good weekend with the bat, but his 59 and 66 was not good enough to beat a high riding Leicestershire side. Pollock only took one wicket in the match but returned economical figures of 24-8-37-1 in the first innings.

Neil Johnson, together with Nic Pothas, was on the winning side for Hampshire against Kent. Johnson's form with the bat however seems to have left him after making another duck, but did take 2/3 and 2/54 with the ball. Pothas scored 24 in his only turn at the crease.

Andrew Gait made another valuable 53 as Derbyshire beat Northamptonshire.

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