Roundup: Worcestershire relegated, Leach sends Ashes message
Rain and bad light stalked The Oval as Nottinghamshire and Surrey inched towards a denouement. There was time for Notts to add another 37 runs for the last two wickets, including a corking straight drive for four from Josh Tongue. On the next ball, though, he edged behind to Matt Fisher, who finished with 11 wickets in the match. Brett Hutton was left unbeaten on an invaluable 42 for the visitors.
Set 315 to win, Rory Burns and Dom Sibley clinked down the pavilion steps, applauded by Surrey supporters sitting through the gloom. Burns had a lucky escape when he was fumbled at slip in Tongue’s first over, and he and Sibley saw Surrey safely through to mid-afternoon, when bad light stopped play with the hosts 66-0. The destination of the title may hinge on whether Surrey can successfully chase the remaining 249 runs on day four.
Worcestershire’s relegation from Division One was confirmed when they failed to pick up a third batting point at Chester-le-Street. Gareth Roderick collected 151 as Worcestershire batted all day, frustrating a Durham side desperate for their own bonus points. Sussex and Hampshire, also in the relegation mix, had mixed days. A draw looks likely at weather-hit Hove, where John Simpson’s 66 gave Sussex a 38-run first-innings lead over Yorkshire, but Hampshire are in trouble at Taunton.
The visitors were forced to follow on against Somerset after some ripping bowling from Jack Leach, who finished with a season-best seven for 69. “I have done an Ashes tour before and it didn’t go how I would have liked, so I feel like I have got some unfinished business in Australia,” Leach said. “I would love to go as part of the current team, I love what Baz and Stokesy have created … I feel good. I believe I would be in a good place to contribute for England, but we will just have to wait and see.”
Off they troop at the Riverside to draw the curtains on today’s cricket. Rain and bad light rather spoilt things, but we’ll be back tomorrow to watch the denouement at The Oval and events round the grounds. Thanks for your company – till tomorrow, good night!
