Relegation Dogfight

Worcester and Lancashire are battling to avoid relegation to the Second Division of the Frizzell County Championship.

After the first day of the game at New Road, honours are fairly even as wickets fell at regular intervals, but a superb 159 from Stuart Law helped the visitors to 350-8 at the close.

The Australian was well supported by Iain Sutcliffe and Glenn Chapple, both of whom made half centuries, but the bowling of imports Andy Bichel and Ray Price was tight, and the pair shared 5 wickets in the day in a must-win game for the hosts.

LANCASHIRE 350-8
Law 159, Sutcliffe 51, Chapple 50, Bichel 3-56


It was a much more bowler dominated day at Bristol, as 17 wickets fell for only 294 runs. The home side won the toss, but were soon reduced to 31-4, and it took a gutsy lower order effort lead by Tim Hancock to partially recover the side to 178 all out, both openers taking 3 wickets.

In reply, James Averis picked up the first 4 wickets, as the now deposed 2003 Champions struggled to 116-7. Only 3 men made double figures, and it will need a great effort for them to take a first innings lead from this position.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE 350-8
Hancock 44, Lewry 3-27, Kirtley 3-52
SUSSEX 116-7
Averis 4-26


The third game today saw a dour days play as Middlesex crawled their way to 280-6 from 104 overs.

Totesport hero Johann Louw was the pick of the bowlers, as Owais Shah and Ed Joyce added 156 for the 3rd wicket in over 3 and a half hours of attritional cricket.

MIDDLESEX 280-6
Shah 85, Joyce 71, Weekes 54, Louw 3-64, Rofe 3-69

Posted by Marc