Rain means relegation?

The second day of the crucial round of games in the County Championship was severely hit by rain.

The key match between Lancashire and Worcestershire saw only 15.4 overs, in which time Lancashire made it to 400 and the 5th batting bonus point, but they now need 2 clear days to have much hope of the win they so desperately need to stave of relegation. Things are just as bleak for Worcestershire, who have the 3 bowling points, but in their last game need a lot more points to have any realistic hope of surviving.

LANCASHIRE 403-9
Law 159, Sutcliffe 51, Chapple 50, Bichel 4-91


Sussex and Gloucestershire occupy the 2 places just above the relegation zone, and they saw the whole day rained off at Bristol.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE 178
Hancock 44, Lewry 3-27, Kirtley 3-52
SUSSEX 116-7
Averis 4-26

In the third game, bottom side Northamptonshire look almost certain to drop straight back to Division 2 after a maiden first class century from wicket-keeper Ben Scott helped Middlesex to battle their way to 420.

In reply, the visitors were reduced to 12-3 before Usman Afzaal and Gerard Brophy combined to add some important runs following David Sales retiring hurt. Sale resumed when Afzaal was dismissed, but his side are in need of a miracle to get the win they need so much.


MIDDLESEX 425
Scott 101*, Shah 85, Joyce 71, Weekes 54, Rofe 4-109, Louw 4-112
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 139-4
Afzaal 62, Brophy 42*, Clark 2-27

Posted by Marc