Rain has washed out the third day of County Championship matches across the Midlands, affecting games in Leicester, Birmingham, and Derby. Players and fans alike are sorely tired of this ongoing wet pattern. It has totally krazyed any match at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester, Edgbaston in Birmingham, and Derbyshire’s ground.
In Birmingham, Essex were 325-5 after 104 overs when rain came, preventing them from continuing their slightly improbable victory target. They took two batting points, taking them within touching distance of a highly valuable draw. This unlikely draw would secure their status in top-flight cricket for at least one more season. A crunch contest with Warwickshire at Edgbaston was unfortunately hit by rain – the second washout in three days.
The Division Two telly match between Leicestershire and Kent was sorely affected by heavy rain. Consequently, this match too was washed out for the second consecutive time in the series. The game would have had important ramifications for Leicestershire, who had managed to cement their promotion last week. Even a draw might be enough to secure an automatic qualification for winning the division.
Derbyshire’s experience against Glamorgan saw the same issues come to light, as rain forced a third consecutive washout. Glamorgan need to win this game to improve their promotion back to Division One after a 20-year long absence. Whether a win or a draw on the final day will be enough for them to secure this sought-after return.
The problems weren’t confined to these games. In Lancashire, Middlesex’s game was hugely affected by horrific weather conditions. The unending precipitation has created uncertainty about the balance of the championship’s schedule.
Even though the rain had cleared by midday at Uptonsteel County Ground, the umpires ruled that the outfield remained unplayable. In response, they declared that not a single game could start. This surprising decision and handling of the process left players wildly abandoned and fans disheartened once more.
As the County Championship progresses, teams now look ahead to the final day of play with potential outcomes still hanging in the balance. Every team covets those valuable points that make the difference between getting promoted or not. They know that they’ll take full advantage of every opportunity available to them when play returns.
Leave a Reply