Former Australia all-rounder Andy Bichel enjoyed another productive week for his third county, Essex, having previously had spells at Worcestershire and Hampshire.

Bichel claimed 2-20 from six overs in the first innings of the LV County Championship match with Leicestershire and although he failed to trouble the scorers during his only innings he followed up with 3-63 as his county won by 114 runs.

Evergreen Bichel, who was 37 on Monday, continued his impressive form with an undefeated 43 out of 177 against Sussex in a NatWest Pro40 clash on Sunday.

In the end Bichel proved the difference between the sides as his 3-48 and five wickets from Danish Kaneria gave Essex the points by 26 runs.

Legendary Aussie leg-spinner Shane Warne did not have a week to remember while captaining Hampshire against fellow title-chaser Lancashire at Old Trafford.

On Thursday during his 17th over, he pulled up clutching his right side and it transpired he had fractured a rib and he is expected to be out for at least two weeks. Were he to miss the rest of the season, Hampshire's prospects would be severely dented.

Hampshire will reassess Warne's fitness next week, but he is certain to miss the game against Surrey at the Rose Bowl on Thursday.

Former Australia seamer Jason Gillespie rolled back the years with a dynamic spell of bowling as Yorkshire Phoenix beat Glamorgan Dragons by eight wickets at Cardiff in the Pro40.

Gillespie exploited helpful conditions to the full by swinging and seaming the ball and he conceded a mere eight runs off his seven consecutive overs, three of which were maidens.

The Australian gained only one wicket for his efforts but it was one of his best-ever performances for Yorkshire.

Australian opener Jimmy Maher made 23 for Glamorgan but Gillespie's side were the clear winners.

Meanwhile three Australian players have landed in trouble with the England and Wales Cricket Board who have reprimanded Somerset pair Cameron White and Justin Langer and Lancashire's Brad Hodge for level-one breaches of conduct.

White's penalty resulted from his 'showing disrespect' to ground equipment during a match against Derbyshire on August 5.

Langer showed dissent towards an umpire during a county championship match against Nottinghamshire just days later and Hodge also showed dissent towards an umpire and was reprimanded for a breach in a game against Yorkshire the same week.

Somerset captain Langer batted at number seven against Durham on Thursday. Sportal