County Championship Round 3 - Day 4

The weather has certainly been the winner this week, as only 2 of the matches reached results. That didn't prevent a couple of exciting finishes and here is a run down of what happened and the updated tables.


Day 4

Lancashire v Warwickshire - Warwickshire win by 5 wickets
Lan - 250 & 148
War - 329 & 71-5

Lancashire put on 41 for their last two wickets to set Warwickshire a modest 70 runs to win. The visitors will be pleased it wasn't more though as they lost Chopra early and then Bell, who had scored 16 from just 17 balls, including a six. Carter, Troughton and Maddy then all departed for for just seven runs, to leave Warwickshire on 52-5. In the end it was left to Ambrose and Porterfield to take the visitors over the line.
     The result is super for Warwickshire as they make it two wins from two, however it is the exact opposite for the Lancashire. The champions make the worst possible start to their season with two losses. They collect just 5 points to Warwickshire's 22.


Glamorgan v Hampshire - Hampshire win by 2 wickets
Gla - 103-9d & 256
Ham - 156 & 204-8

For almost the whole day it looked as though a no play would be possible in Cardiff, but finally the game got under way with Hampshire needing another 92 to win, and boy was it worth waiting for. It was Glamorgan who snatched the initiative with two quick wickets. Ervine, though, did not get flustered and stuck to his task and found help for a while with Wood (24). However Wood went with the score on 173-7 and both teams were still chasing the win, in a fantastic encounter.
Ervine (75) had taken the score to 190 when he was caught behind, 14 runs still needed. It was left to Riazuddin and Briggs to see the game home and take the visitors away with a win and they did it with just one ball to spare.
Glamorgan, so close to the win themselves, only take 3 points, but Hampshire collect 19.


Middlesex v Durham - Match drawn
Mid - 188 & 179
Dur - 238 & 82-6

Set 130 to win Durham were delayed by the weather in their attempt at victory. Earlier, for the second time in the match, Onions bowled Strauss as he picked up match figures of 10 for 73, and put the visitors in a good position. Rain though meant they had to wait before they could begin the chase. When they eventually did start time was against them, meaning quick runs would be required. Wickets fell steadily though to keep Durham pegged back and raise the run rate.
     When Benkenstein was caught behind with the score on 67-5 Durham gave up the chase, opting to block out the final 6 overs. Middlesex though suddenly felt they had a chance to snatch a shock victory. Blackwell was also caught behind with the score on 72-6 and the home side began to crowd the bat.
     To add to the drama, Borthwick was caught by Strauss in the slips off a no-ball. By this time the slip cordon had grown to six.
     Sadly that was about the climax as Mustard and Borthwick saw off the bowling to take the game to a disappointing draw.
     Middlesex take 6 points and Durham take 7.


Surrey v Worcestershire - Match drawn
Sur - 140 & 224
Wor - 119 & 94-1
This was shaping up to be an excellent match before rain once again spoiled proceedings. Worcestershire has bowled well to restrict Surrey to 224 in their second innings, which meant they only needed 246 to win. The openers batted steadily and sensibly firstly to make sure they would not collapse and secondly to give themselves a chance of victory. At 94-1 this looked more than possible but then the rain returned to halt play, and just before five o'clock, the captain's shook hands to end the game.
     Surrey and Worcestershire both take 6 points.


Nottinghamshire v Somerset - Match drawn
Not - 162 & 109-4
Som - 445-2

Today was about survival for Nottinghamshire and the nerves might have been jangling when Lumb was bowled to leave the home side on 109-4. But then the ever dependable Read (33*) teamed up with Taylor (38*) to put on 60 and take the game to a draw.
     Nottinghamshire slip from the top of Division 1 after taking only 3 points, while Somerset get 11.


Kent v Gloucestershire - Match drawn
Glo - 255 & 257-7
Ken - 150 & 94-2

Gloucestershire declared in their second innings having set a total of 363 runs for Kent to chase. The home side simply let the overs pass by and had only lost two wickets when the rain came to Canterbury. The draw was announced shortly after.
     Kent take 6 points, Gloucestershire 8.

Yorkshire v Essex - Match drawn
Yor - 246 & 214-4
Ess - 199 & 26-2

Yorkshire added a quick 70 runs in the morning session and declared having set Essex 262 to win. Shahzad took two wickets almost immediately but shortly after the rain came down and just before four o'clock it became the first game to be called off.
     Yorkshire take 7 points and Essex 6.

Derbyshire v Leicestershire - Match drawn
Lei - 324 & 169-4
Der - 180 & 91-0

Set an improbable 314 to win Derby's main aim was to survive, which they managed impressively well, although they too were helped by the showers. Guptill decided the best way to defend was attack, scoring 67 from 75 balls to take Derbyshire to 91 without loss.
     The result means Derbyshire remain at the top of Division 2, while Leicestershire sit mid-table.
     Derbyshire take 6 points, while Leicestershire pick up 9.

  

Division 1 Table

	Team	Played	Points
1	Warwickshire	2	42
2	Nottinghamshire	3	41
3	Somerset	3	36
4	Surrey	3	30
5	Middlesex	3	30
6	Sussex	2	25
7	Durham	2	10
8	Worcestershire	2	9
9	Lancashire	2	8

Division 2 Table

	Team	Played	Points
1	Derbyshire	3	45
2	Kent	3	39
3	Gloucestershire	3	33
4	Essex	2	29
5	Leicestershire	2	24
6	Hampshire	2	22
7	Yorkshire	2	16
8	Glamorgan	3	8
9	Northamptonshire	2	7

The next round includes another 8 matches and beginning on Thursday, 26th April. See you then.