Email Us Forum Mail Article Print Article

NCL Final Day: Preview

Friday, September 26 2003

NCL Final Day: Preview

With the final day of a long hot summer here, there are five key matches to decide the fate of six teams.

NCL Division 1: Relegation Battle - Kent or Leicestershire

Kent and Leicestershire face a tough task of avoiding relegation tomorrow when both sides go into the final round with tough matches and a slight disadvantage where both opposition have nothing to play for with Surrey (vs Leics) taking the title last week and Warwickshire (vs Kent) confirmed of a mid table finish.

Kent will go into the game with a 2-point lead over Leicestershire, however with 4 points up for grabs that means nothing. Kent hold another key advantage in that they hold a far superior NRR, so a Tie or a No Result will chinch their survival and maintain the title of the only team never being relegated from Division 1 since the league was split up.

Kent will also welcome back the influential figure of Muttiah Muralitharan who was rested for the County Championship win, to make sure he was fit for this vital encounter.


NCL Division 2: Promotion Battle - Lancashire or Northants (Title Decider)

With promotion already sealed for both sides in the County Championship, their focus now turns to the One Day game when both sides meet each other this weekend to decide who will be the champions of Division 2.

Northants who lost out in the County Championship on the final match will hope their luck changes this weekend, however going into the match Northants are 4 points behind Lancashire, however their NRR is far superior so a win would see them leapfrog Lancashire.

NCL Division 1: Promotion Battle - Hampshire or Middlesex

Both sides will be aiming to join Lancashire and Northamptonshire in Division 1 next season.

Hampshire travel north to Derbyshire, who have little but pride to gain from their last match, with a two-point lead over Middlesex and a superior run-rate that would see them through even if the match is rained off.

Middlesex must defeat Durham at Chester-le-Street and hope that Hampshire slip up; If Lord's is to host first division cricket next season.

Final Fixtures:

Division One

Surrey v Leicestershire
Kent v Warwickshire
Worcestershire v Essex
Yorkshire v Gloucestershire

Division Two

Lancashire v Northants
Derbyshire v Hampshire
Durham v Middlesex
Sussex v Somerset

Posted by James