A huge thanks to Worcestershire who have just lent me a laptop for the last cough of the season. The wind has picked up now, the umpires have replaced their hats for flat caps and those players doing a last perambulation are in football manager coats and beanie hats. Worcestershire 152-7, Phillip three for 57. The lead 155. Time for one last Lancs-up of the season?
Wooden Spoon
It goes to Derbyshire for the 16th time. With just one win and 19 batting points (above only Kent and Lancs), the only way is up.
This was Luis Reece yesterday:
“[Today] It is an opportunity to try to build a bit of confidence going into next year by trying to establish a bit of rhythm, expose the players to different situations that will help move the club forward. We have had a tough season. The table doesn’t lie but even when there is nothing a stake, each game is an opportunity to find something, maybe a little bit of a spark to take forward.”
Updated
Many congratulations to Chris Rimmer who retires today after nine years scoring for the Lancs first team and 25 for the club. Wishing him a very happy retirement and many more cups of tea (milk, one sugar).
Many congratulations to Chris Rimmer who retires today after nine years scoring for the Lancs first team and 25 for the club. pic.twitter.com/tUYc6TrD0s
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 29, 2024
Lunchtime scores
TAUNTON:Hampshire 196 and 121-5 BEAT Somerset 136 and 180 by five wickets
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham 360 v Kent 96-3
TRENT BRIDGE: Nottinghamshire 487 v Warwickshire 284-4
NEW ROAD Worcestershire180 and 78-6 v Lancashire 177
CHELMSFORD: Essex 508-8dec v Surrey 138-4
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorkshire 559-3 v Northamptonshire147
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec BEAT Glloucestershire 189 BY 192 RUNS
HOVE Sussex 239-4 v Middlesex 271
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire 280 v Derbyshire 79-1
A huge thanks to Worcestershire who have just lent me a laptop for the last cough of the season. The wind has picked up now, the umpires have replaced their hats for flat caps and those players doing a last perambulation are in football manager coats and beanie hats. Worcestershire 133-7, Phillip three for 49. The lead 137. Time for one last Lancs-up of the season?
Wooden spoon
Goes to Derbyshire for the 16th time. With just one win and 19 batting points (above only Kent and Lancs), the only way is up.
Many congratulations to Chris Rimmer who retires today after nine years scoring for the Lancs first team and 25 for the club. Wishing him a very happy retirement and many more cups of tea (milk, one sugar).
Many congratulations to Chris Rimmer who retires today after nine years scoring for the Lancs first team and 25 for the club. pic.twitter.com/tUYc6TrD0s
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 29, 2024
Lunchtime scores
TAUNTON:Hampshire 196 and 121-5 BEAT Somerset 136 and 180 by five wickets
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham 360 v Kent 96-3
TRENT BRIDGE: Nottinghamshire 487 v Warwickshire 284-4
NEW ROAD Worcestershire180 and 78-6 v Lancashire 177
CHELMSFORD: Essex 508-8dec v Surrey 138-4
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorkshire 559-3 v Northamptonshire147
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec BEAT Glloucestershire 189 BY 192 RUNS
HOVE Sussex 239-4 v Middlesex 271
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire 280 v Derbyshire 79-1
Roundup: Lancashire go down, Yorkshire heading up
In fading light at New Road, Lancashire slid into Division Two for next season. The end came just before five o’clock, when Anderson Phillip drove to cover and Lancashire were all out for 177. It was three short of Worcestershire’s first innings and 73 short of the magic 250 which would have theoretically kept them in the race until the final day of this season.
This is Lancashire’s fourth relegation since their team of underdogs won the Championship in 2011. This year’s team join the roll-call that also reads 2012, 2014 and 2018. Each time they’ve jumped back up right away, but it could be more difficult in 2025 with a team of talented but raw young players. Only Kent, who are also heading down, collected fewer batting points in Division One.
Their opponents Worcestershire, promoted in 2023, were almost universal favourites to drop back down again this season but, despite the tragic death of Josh Baker and the repeated flooding of New Road, they have stayed up – and with the affection of almost everyone. With a chief executive in Ashley Giles who reintroduced puddings once a week for the players, and a possible fly-on-the-wall documentary on the cards in spring, they go into Sunday looking at their highest finish since the introduction of two-tier county cricket.
Joe Leach, playing his final match before retirement, was given a standing ovation when he came out to bat, making two in Worcestershire’s tails-wagging innings, and then receiving a guard of honour from his teammates as they walked out to bowl. That familiar burly figure motored in from the Diglis end one last time and finished with two wickets, Lancashire’s innings flailing to a familiar tune. There was a first Championship wicket for Jack Home, watched by his parents and his black Labrador, OJ.
There was joy the other side of the Pennines, as Yorkshire secured promotion in the gloom at Headingley. Adam Lyth and James Wharton both laid into Northants, Lyth making 147 and Wharton still unbeaten on 162. They return to Division One cricket for the first time since since being relegated by one point two years ago.
Lancs up, Yorks down, Hants runners up, it’s all over bar the final tidying. But do join us tomorrow as we say goodbye to the 2024 season. Thanks for your company today and your patience with my technical hitches. Sleep well.
Close of play scores
TAUNTON:Hampshire 196 and 121-5 BEAT Somerset 136 and 180 by five wickets
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham 360 v Kent 96-3
TRENT BRIDGE: Nottinghamshire 487 v Warwickshire 143-4
NEW ROAD Worcestershire180 And 0-0 v Lancashire 177
CHELMSFORD: Essex 508-8dec v Surrey 30-1
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorkshire 371-2 v Northamptonshire 147
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec BEAT Glloucestershire 189 BY 192 RUNS
HOVE Sussex 112-2 v Middlesex 271
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire 264-8 v Derbyshire
Yorkshire promoted!
And with some style, thanks to Adam Lyth and James Wharton.
Yorkshire are promoted
Yorkshire pass 350 at Headingley, with James Wharton reaching 150 not out, to pick up the required batting points and secure promotion back to Division One.
Lancashire are relegated
And with a catch at cover, it is all over. Lancashire – 177 all out – descend to the party division.
I’m going to have to slip away now to write for the paper because it takes me so long to type on a phone – apologies. With the light fading, Middlesex and Lancashire may yet live to fight into the last day. BTL remains open, of course.
Hampshire head coach Adi Birrell:
“The season as a whole has been great apart from a bit of a slow start. We have won six of our last ten games and been really on it in each one.
“Our first match was washed out and then we had some really boring draws because the pitches weren’t quite right for the Kookaburra ball. There was a watershed moment against Notts when I think we needed around 85 with five wickets down.
“We got the runs for the loss of only those five wickets and it proved a turning point for the season. I remember saying at the time that it was our opportunity to start looking up or worry about looking down.”
Lewis Gregory on being denied a first hat trick: “No slip catch is easy and I can’t fault any of the lads who want to field in the cordon because I go there myself and know how difficult it can be.
“It would have been an amazing thing to have on my career list, but it is what it is. These things happen.”
Hampshire’s second in the Championship is their best result in 19 years. The winning runs were hit by Liam Dawson, who has had yet another magnificent summer – 54 wickets and 956 runs.
Middlesex are all out for 271 – which means, we think, that once Yorkshire pass 350 in 110 overs, Yorkshire will definitely be playing Division One cricket next year.
A fourth lbw, in the second over after tea – Lancs slip, slide, banana skins everywhere, eight down. 123 on the board. Bailey the man to fall, a wicket for Brookes.
Tea time scores
TAUNTON:Hampshire 196 and 121-5 BEAT Somerset 136 and 180 by five wickets
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham 309-6 v Kent
TRENT BRIDGE: Nottinghamshire 487 v Warwickshire 68-2
NEW ROAD Worcestershire 180 v Lancashire 119-7
CHELMSFORD: Essex 413-2 Surrey
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorkshire 228-1 Northamptonshire 147
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec Glloucestershire 111-4
HOVE Sussex v Middlesex 233-6
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire 169-3 Derbyshire
Dog stops play
Durham 304-5, Alex Lees 144.
⚠️ Dog stops play #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/xagDTnb9gu
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) September 28, 2024
Sam Robson flurries a century whilst around him Middlsese limp towards autumn. Middx 199-6.
Gloucestershire and Glamorgan forfeit an innnings each
Thanks for the nudge BTL. At Sophia Gardens, Gloucestershire and Glamorgan have both forfeited an innings to make a game of things.
And there goes Luke Wells’ middle stump – Jack Home’s first wicket in first-class cricket! I hope OJ woofed in appreciation.
Warwickshire 6-2….
Lewis Gregory is straining every West Country sinew to haul Somerset into second place. After a busy bash to give the bowlers a chance, he now has 3-30 in Hampshire’s 54-4, 67 needed.
Apologies, I’ve just remembered to look in my inbox. Hello Christophe Mason in gorgeous Carpentras.
“Hi Tanya. As a Worcester man based in Carpentras France, it’s heartwarming to hear your comments on the match and the state of the river, a muddy brown, normally the result of heavy rain in North Wales as I remember.
I do hope the county continues to play at New Road, it’s such an iconic ground in the shadow of the cathedral.
One would have thought dredging the river would have an impact on the flood level but I’m no expert
Anyway I’ll stay glued to your coverage until the end of the season and look forward to reading your ashes missives coming up.“
Thank you! Apparently there is a flood report due in January which will explore the options available to the club.
And I met this beautiful dog belonging to Jack Home’s family.
A lunchtime stroll round lovely New Road on the penultimate day of the season and meet OJ, a very keen spectator of her owner, Jack Home pic.twitter.com/kUku7niohp
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 28, 2024
Some gentle tales from the New Road press box – Ashley Giles has reintroduced pudding for the players once a week – today it is chocolate bread and butter pudding. And Worcestershire are in advanced discussions with television companies to produce a fly on the wall documentary of the club.
No sweet finale for Lancashire…Two wickets in two balls – Bohannon and Flintoff. Lancs 30-4.
A lap of the ground, with the knowledge that if Lancashire fail to get 250 and then Notts get three wickets, Lancashire’s fate is sealed,
Lunchtime scores
DIVISION ONE
TAUNTON: Somerset 136 and 179-9 v Hampshire 196
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham 149-1 v Kent
TRENT BRIDGE: Nottinghamshire 440-9 v Warwickshire
NEW ROAD Worcestershire 180 v Lancashire 18-2
CHELMSFORD: Essex 262-2 Surrey
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorkshire 56-1 Northamptonshire 147
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec Glloucestershire 22-1
HOVE Sussex v Middlesex 14-0
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire v52-0 Derbyshire
A century for Tom Westley
As Essex toy with the Champs, 232-1; Somerset have a lead of 110 thanks to some biffing from Gregory; Alex Lees is flaying Kent around, Durham 136-1; and Notts fail to collect a fifth batting point but pile on the runs 438-8.
Updated
A guard of honour for Joe Leach by his teammates, the sun burning down with autumnal vigour, the cathedral smiling. But the first wicket comes not in Leach’s over but Waite’s – Jennings caught by Jones above his head – an uncharacteristic swish.
Elsewhere, still no play at Hove or Grace Road. In the other Division Two games, Northants diid’t last long att Headingley – 147 all out – four for Coad three for Fisher before he departs to warmer climes. Yorks 3-0.
Glamorgan are on the charge, a hundred for Cooke, 64 for Northeast in a partnership of 171 and counting.
Worcs are 163-9 ,Van Beek’s 41 fraying Lancashire’s patience.
Apologies for the paucity of updates, computer is dead but have bought a wireless keyboard for my phone which I’m trying to work out…can tell you that the Severn is muddy brown but magnificent, and should stay in its banks the experts say. And I followed a man from the station who was carrying a battered but treasured, autograph Graeme Hick 405 bag.
Scott Read sits down and announces that this will be Lancashire’s fourth relegation since they won the title in 2011, coming back up each time: 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2024.
Arrive at New Road to see Joe Leach walk to the crease to a standing ovation!
Friday’s round-up
With the floodlights on, stewards in gloves, spectators crisply hunched and an unkind wind blowing past the East Stand, Yorkshire crept closer towards the First Division.
Yorkshire need a maximum of 10 points to be guaranteed top-flight cricket next year, and secured two of them as Northamptonshire crumbled, though with their nearest rivals Middlesex marooned at Hove, the magic number is likely to be smaller. The morning sun had shone brightly in Leeds, but troublesome damp patches caused a five-hour delay as a succession of men, including Yorkshire chair Colin Graves in a pea coat, examined them.
Once underway, Ben Coad struck in his second over, then Krish Patel had a terrific start to his Championship career with a flurry of boundaries, before being caught at second slip for 26. There were two wickets for George Hill, who was presented with his county cap on Thursday by Jonny Bairstow. Coad then added Saif Zaib to his tally, his 300th first-class wicket (each one coming in at an average under 20), to a warm ovation from the crowd and his teammates.
At Trent Bridge, 19-year-old Freddie McCann’s second Championship century, a gorgeous, plucky innings against Warwickshire, took Nottinghamshire nearer to safety. With two batting points in the bag, they need only to avoid defeat to remain in Division One. Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott ripped through the Somerset second innings at Taunton, to leave them four down and scores level. Elsewhere, the day two curtains were drawn on five games without a ball bowled.
Updated
Scores on the doors
DIVISION ONE
TAUNTON: Somerset 136 and 60-4 v Hampshire 196
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham v Kent no play Thursday or Friday
TRENT BRIDGE: Nottinghamshire 324-6 v Warwickshire
NEW ROAD Worcestershire 119-7 v Lancashire no play on Thursday or Friday
CHELMSFORD: Essex 116-1 v Surrey no play on Friday
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorkshire v Northamptonshire 117-6
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 283-4 Gloucestershire
HOVE Sussex v Middlesex no play Thursday or Friday
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire v Derbyshire no play Thursday or Friday
Preamble
Hello! Welcome to the penultimate day of the 2024 season, a suitably chilly one – 3 degrees when I got up – a breath of frost on the fields, the railway workers in gloves and hats.
I’m on my way to New Road, where Lancashire will probably be relegated at some point over the next two days. Hopefully the banks of the Severn will hold so that we can watch some cricket.
A slight issue this morning in that my computer is refusing to connect to the internet and doing this on my phone is making my eyes go peculiar – so there might be a slight delay while I seek advice from someone technical. BTL is open though, and the coffee is strong.
Updated
