Roundup: Worcestershire's Leach bows out on a high
The 2024 cricket season slipped quietly away, the final day finishing with seven draws in seven games, as bad light, rain and ennui drew the curtain over the summer.
At New Road Joe Leach marched out to bat for one final time before hanging up his big boots. His 30 not out, a familiarly lusty affair, was part of a second‑innings Worcestershire fightback. At 78 for six, it had seemed possible that the relegated Lancashire might pull off a consolation victory, but Worcestershire were rescued by Matthew Waide, Adam Hose, Logan van Beek and Leach. As the clouds darkened and the umpires ushered the players in, Lancashire waited behind to clap the grand old boy off. He pulled away his helmet, wiped his eyes, saluted the crowd and pushed through the little white gate and into the future, 477 first-class wickets in his chest pocket.
Worcestershire, who went straight into their end-of-season party, can also raise a glass to finishing sixth, their highest position since the Championship became two divisions. For Lancashire, time to regroup. Their first-team coach, Dale Benkenstein, said: “You sometimes need to go down to find your feet.”
Surrey, deserved champions, belatedly received their silverware after the game at Chelmsford petered out, rain-affected and on a docile pitch. Sam Cook sent down some spin and Simon Harmer and Matt Critchley mixed it up with some medium pacers, Dom Sibley’s 127 saving Surrey’s blushes. The captain, Rory Burns, said: “A fractionally stale trophy lift after a pretty dead rubber last game.”
Sussex were presented with the Division Two trophy at Hove in front of more than a thousand shivering supporters. Tom Haines and James Coles both made centuries, but the crucial bonus point came with a no‑ball – nevertheless sparking huge celebrations. Middlesex used nine bowlers including Mark Stoneman, who will play elsewhere next season. Sussex finish the season unbeaten at home.
Promoted Yorkshire guzzled on runs at Headingley, their 726 for seven the second highest score in the club’s history, James Wharton’s 285 the joint-eighth highest first-class score for Yorkshire. There was just time for Matthew Fisher to take two Northamptonshire wickets for the final time in the white rose shirt before everyone shook hands.
Half-centuries from Jack Leaning, Joe Denly and Joey Evison helped relegated Kent to secure a draw at Durham; Sam Hain made a century in the Midlands derby from which both Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire emerged unscathed, and there was a hundred for the 40-year-old Wayne Madsen at Grace Road as Derbyshire drew with Leicestershire.
Goodbye!
Thank you all for your company, wit and wisdom from the chill of April to the chill of September. With Worcester cathedral staring across the New Road grass, it’s goodnight from me. May your winter days be warm and fruitful.
I’ll leave you with this, the one, the only, Joe Leach.
Dolly Parton serenades Joe Leach one last time. pic.twitter.com/41Uh4tMR5p
— tanya aldred (@tjaldred) September 29, 2024
Updated
Division Two Table
1 Sussex (PROMOTED) 237
2 Yorkshire (PROMOTED) 217
3 Middlesex 196
4 Northamptonshire 161
5 Leicestershire 155
6 7 Glamorgan 146
67 Gloucestershire 142
8 Derbyshire 122
Division One Table
1 Surrey (CHAMPIONS) 231
2 Hampshire 214
3 Somerset 196
4 Essex 194
5 Durham 171
6 Worcestershire 162
7 Warwickshire 159
8 Nottinghamshire 155
9 Lancashire (RELEGATED) 134
10 Kent (RELEGATED) 99
Close of play scores
TAUNTON:Hampshire 196 and 121-5 BEAT Somerset 136 and 180 by five wickets
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham 360 DRAW WITH Kent 353/8
TRENT BRIDGE: Notts 487 DRAW WITH Warwickshire 373-7
NEW ROAD Worcestershire 180 and 223-9 DRAW WITH Lancashire 177
CHELMSFORD: Surrey 267-7 DRAW WITH Essex 508-8 dec
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorks 726-7 dec DRAW WITH Northants 147 & 71-2
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec BEAT Gloucestershire 189 BY 192 RUNS
HOVE: Sussex 459-4 dec DRAW WITH Middlesex 271
GRACE ROAD Leics 280 DRAW WITH Derbys 252-3
Yorkshire DRAW with Northamptonshire
Yorkshire go up to Division One with a spring in their step, after hitting the second largest innings total in their history. James Wharton’s 285 was the fifth highest first-class score at Headingley. Bairstow joined in with some hearty hitting to finish a season where he said goodbye to England.
Headingley: Yorks 726-7 dec v Northants 147 & 71-2
Sussex DRAW with Middlesex
The Division Two Champions finish the season with a draw against nearly men Middlesex, whose promotion hopes were thwarted by the rain (and Yorkshire).
Hove: Sussex 459-4 dec v Middlesex 271
Leicestershire DRAW with Derbyshire
A damp draw
Grace Road: Leics 280 v Derbys 252-3
Durham DRAW with Kent
A creditable end to the season for relegated Kent, thanks to Leaning, Denly and Evison
Chester-le Street: Durham 360 DRAW with Kent 353/8
Essex DRAW with Surrey
Surrey (267-7) DRAW with Essex (508-8 dec)
Dom Sibley’s third hundred of the century puts a full stop on Surrey’s magnificent season. Champagne and trophy to follow.
🤝 @EssexCricket https://t.co/jxOVzdASvv pic.twitter.com/83SGGZHfhk
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) September 29, 2024
I don’t think it is possible for Northants to lose this in a session… but Yorkshire take two wickets, both to Fisher, possibly his last for the white rose. Northants 38-2.
They press on in five games, Surrey collecting another batting point for their fat stack. Surely the last – nearly time for handshakes. Twenty past four we think.
Notts DRAW with Warwickshire
TRENT BRIDGE: Notts 487 DRAW WITH Warwickshire 373-7
What could have been a relegation dog fight, turned into gentle run-accumulation. Both sides survive, with a room to improve tag stuck to their heels.
Updated
Worcestershire DRAW with Lancashire
NEW ROAD Worcestershire 180 and 223-9 DRAW WITH Lancashire 177
And the rain hammers down.
Key event
And off they go, bad light we think, Joe Leach pulling off his helmet and leading the players off, Lancashire waiting behind to clap the grand old boy off. He wipes his eyes, salutes the crowd with his bat a final time and pushes through the little white gate and into the future.
41 overs remain, but I think that’s that.
Updated
They’re still playing at New Road in a quest for this final Worcestershire wicket, but the clouds are coming in and the groundstaff are poised.
Teatime scores
TAUNTON:Hampshire 196 and 121-5 BEAT Somerset 136 and 180 by five wickets
CHESTER LE STREET: Durham 360 v Kent 310-7
TRENT BRIDGE: Nottinghamshire 487 v Warwickshire 361-7
NEW ROAD Worcestershire 180 and 221-9 v Lancashire 177
CHELMSFORD: Essex 508-8dec v Surrey 233-7
DIVISION TWO
HEADINGLEY: Yorkshire 726-7 v Northamptonshire147
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec BEAT Glloucestershire 189 BY 192 RUNS
HOVE Sussex 385-4 v Middlesex 271
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire 280 v Derbyshire 193-3
150 for Sam Hain
A second hundred for Hain on the last afternoon of the season, a bit of grotty one for Warwickshire. And the rumours are that Mark Robinson won’t survive the year.
Yorkshire past 700...
and now have their second highest innings total, and the highest score ever against Northampton. Hill 52 out, Thompson a six laden 54 not out.
Here at New Road, Worcestershire are nine down, with the lead 214. Leach a crash bang 21 not out.
Joe Leach is wasting no time here! ⏰
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) September 29, 2024
I think we're all going to miss this! 💥 pic.twitter.com/CrWWnMdmyl
Updated
CC Live! Team of the year
I’ve totted up the numbers and, after a bit of blindfolded pencil prodding for the ties, our XI is:
Burns
Elgar
Ingram
Bedingham
Banton
Simpson
Dawson
Carson
TRJ
Porter
Worrall
Dolly Parton serenades Joe Leach
A tiny piece of perfection as Joe Leach walks out to bat at New Road for the final time serenaded by the mighty Dolly’s Jolene.
And for the final time, Joe Leach heads to the crease! 👑 pic.twitter.com/sdppHQiti4
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) September 29, 2024
Worcestershire 178-8, Hose lbw for a cracking 41.
Updated
“Thanks for the lovely pic Tanya.” A pleasure Christopher in Carpentras.
“I always thought that the season always used to get off properly with the tourists playing at traditionally their first port of call, Worcestershire.
And this picture captures the atmosphere of an end of season cathedral view with morning/warning clouds of the menacing equinox.”
Such a lovely place to watch cricket. I hope it survives the coming club report and, more existentially, climate change.
This, I’ve also learnt, is the first time the Championship has ever finished on a Sunday. May god have mercy on the ECB .
Sussex win Division Two!
With a no ball! Well done fresh faced youths, enjoy Division One. Elsewhere, Yorkshire pass 600 (getting greedy now).
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
This beautiful picture was taken at 653 this morning by Tony Marsh.
It was a lovely start to the morning for the final day of the @ECB_cricket season. Day 4 at Visit Worcestershire New Road. @WorcsCCC v @lancscricket @VisitWorcs pic.twitter.com/qticPlTtVx
— Tony Marsh (@Cricpix) September 29, 2024
For those of you with access to the Telegraph- there’s a moving interview with Josh Baker’s parents.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/09/29/josh-baker-parents-life-without-our-son-worcestershire/
250 for James Wharton
What a way to finish the season! YJB has 45. Condolences to those – Jake Libby, Greens Alex and Ben, Rob Yates, Baz de Leede and Dan Mousely, whose final innings of the year have been rather more elliptical.
Sitting next to Paul Edwards for the last time this season as he composes another masterpiece. . He tells me about the Oxford Chamber music festival and I like to think my brain expands a millimetre, maybe two. It comes highly recommended, if it is anyone’s cup of tea.
In Division One, at Chelmsford, Harmer and Porter are doing their thing – Surrey 86-4. Sibley 52 not out.
Worcestershire are 48-5, Hose has just pinged Balderson for a couple of fours.
Warwicks 204-4, Hain and Barnard stuffing runs in their pockets at Trent Bridge. Warwicks 213-4.
And Kent- well they’re batting nicely in a final up yours to the season -157-4. Leaning 53, Denny 37.
Let’s wander around the grounds – all seven matches in play, which is something.
In Division two, Yorkshire are celebrating promotion in style: Wharton 175 not out, YJB has bashed three fours in his 14 not out. Yorks 412-3.
Sussex 159-2, Haines 80 not out, Alsop 28 not out.
And Leicestershire have been bundled out for 280 . Derbyshire get a bat at last.
And another – Roderick run out inelegantly. Worcs 26-3.
This country diary has an end of season elegiac feel.
“One of the (few) highlights yesterday was the announcer stating that Aneurin Bevan, rather than Aneurin Donald was playing for Derbyshire.” Mike adds. “He managed to stop himself when he came to David Lloyd’s name, though’
Kashif Ali has an airy end of season flash and is caught behind. Worcestershire 6-2.
Hello there Mike Daniels, in a chilly Grace Road.
“A cool and gloomy day for the end of the season here and the heater is on full blast here in the scorebox.
“End of season rumours floating around Leicestershire’s financial situation and what that may entail for next season (Rachel Reeves has nothing on some of the members here) as well as the absence of Rishi Patel from this game, although Sol Budinger batted as if either the penny has dropped for him or his contract is up for renewal”
Every single fielder, including Phillip as he walks back to his mark , has hands in their pockets.
While no- one was quite ready, Libby is caught and bowled by Phillip off the first ball of the day. Phillip has been a really decent addition to Lancashire’s side in the last month – enthusiastic, hardworking and quicker than he looks.
Lancashire looked quite chirpy this morning in practice, what’s done is done and now they can look ahead. Good luck to them, could be a tough ride.
This was a relaxed Dale Benkenstein last night:
“We’ve chatted a few times leading into this game and the last game (against Somerset) gave us a glimmer of hope.
“But over six months of cricket, we said at the start that it is a marathon and consistency is really important and we just haven’t been able to put consistent performances together.
“There are a few reasons for it but the bottom line is you are expected to go out there and perform and we are in this position because we haven’t consistently performed well.
“You come in as a new coach and a new coaching team and you are trying to learn quite a lot of things in a short space of time.
“The history of the club, you always know it is a very ambitious and strong club and when you are bringing in young lads, and there are debuts being made, and there are some good senior players in the team, you are expecting them to be at a decent level.
“I do think the first division has got some very experienced teams and when you do just lose a little bit of experience in key areas….the difference in what we have seen this year is we probably didn’t realise what a difference your Crofty’s and Dane (Vilas) has made, not just on the field but what they also give off the field.”
Saturday’s round 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.
Updated
Scores on the doors
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 Northamptonshire147
SOPHIA GARDENS Glamorgan 381-4dec BEAT Glloucestershire 189 BY 192 RUNS
HOVE Sussex 112-2 v Middlesex 271
GRACE ROAD Leicestershire264-8 v Derbyshire
Preamble
Good morning one last time! The bells of Worcester cathedral are intertwined with the thwack of bat on ball – what a perfect way to end the season.
