Sussex v Middx rained off for a second day. Surely Middlesex won’t be able to force a win inside two days? Going up …
Not unless they try and contrive a result with declarations and forfeits, which would mean they wouldn't get the bonus points required anyway. They'll have to rely on the ECB finding something to punish us for...
Game over in 2nd Div, Sussex got a 2nd day abandoned and it'd not be in Sussex's interest to force a result as they could still technically lose the title to us. Shame really that a potentially interesting end to the season comes down to the weather, but if you're playing 3 matches in Sept then what do you expect, chances of getting rain last week of Sept in particular must be high historically
Sussex need 5 points to be champions, they're not going to negotiate any result when they get 6 for the draw. Yorkies start bowling in 5 minutes. Hopefully 3 bowling points not far off.
Well, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone have enjoyed themselves today. England hit 28 off last over to post 312/5, which feels big in a 39 over game.
That's shocking from the 3rd umpire. Nothing behind the line but he could see something, not sure what
an almost england-esque collapse from aus there! 68 for the first wicket and then lost 10 for 58. partnerships: 68, 7, 5, 11, 2, 3, 23, 3, 0, 4.
And ****ershire relegated. If a **** gassy lager brand did Saturdays etc etc. Just wish I could be in two places at once!
Lovely to see us back where we belong, despite the ECBs best efforts. The 2nd Division has really accelerated players like Wharton, Liston, Hill and co. We will hopefully be a lot better team for it. Shame we lose Fisher as he’s a local lad, no doubt if he stays away from injury he will smash it at Surrey. A shrewd overseas opening bowler and we should be ok next season.
Congratulations to Yorkshire! They managed to draw a few games early season when they totally dominated, so thoroughly deserved. I wonder if it was coincidence that their fantastic run in coincided with YJB’s return to the side? Presumably he will be available most of next season and wanting to prove that he should still be in the England set up (while probably not getting there).
kamindu mendis ended 182no out of sri lanka's 602/5 dec. that takes him to 1004 test runs in his 8th game at an average of 91.27. new zealand were so overcome that they were all out for 88. they're having another try and they're now 199/5 needing 315 to avoid an innings defeat.
Looks like he is some bat. Nice to see an upturn in Sri Lanka’s fortunes. One of my bucket lists has always been to watch a test there, which has always appealed more than the more obvious destinations. With the troubles there and their slump, it hasn’t seemed quite as appealing more recently.
Having done The Caribbean twice, SA and India, Sri Lanka is next on my bucket list. Autumn 2026 I believe. Made it to Headingley for the last day of the summer. Hopefully Yorkshire can celebrate promotion with a win.
yorkshire have batted on today and james wharton extended his score from an overnight 162no, his second first-class 100, and while forcing the pace has gone for 285. they added around 170 in 27 overs before lunch. yorkshire are 589/4 with johnny bairstow on 76no. I'm assuming a declaration is on its way, giving them 3 or 4 hours to bowl at northants. to overhaul sussex at the top would require a sussex defeat, and that's not going to happen. ben coad currently has 56 wickets, the most in division 2, at a miserly 15.80, and might get to add some more before the day's out.
now 260 for 8. too many batting fails today. more than 10 overs left and we're not going to get them all used. the run rate's been good, but we needed to last 50 overs.
