Leicestershire up, Notts win sets up Surrey showdown
After 22 years of trudging around Division Two, including a famous period of 993 days without a win between September 2012 and June 2015, and eight wooden spoons, Leicestershire can celebrate promotion. That First Division status was confirmed through the combination of a soggy draw with Gloucestershire at Grace Road and a soggy draw between the chasing pack Middlesex and Derbyshire at Lord’s, didn’t matter either to the stoical supporters who hung around on the damp green Grace Road benches, or to the delighted players.
“This isn’t just a six-month thing, it’s been a few years in the making,” said acting captain, Ian Holland, as the team popped champagne on the balcony “Credit to [director of cricket] Claude Henderson, to the coaching staff, to [outgoing chief executive] Sean Jarvis and the people in the office getting things right. The players have been able to go out and play the way we have this year because things are right. It’s a great feeling.”
Leicestershire already have six wins in their locker and have played fun and at times thrilling cricket, topped by a fabulous season for Rehan Ahmed, who has flambéed five hundreds. “Rehan [has been] amazing, but so many people have stood up,” said Holland. “I have to mention Pete Handscomb. He’s been amazing with the way he’s captained, his calmness around the group has been incredible.”
Elsewhere, Nottinghamshire scrambled to a three-wicket victory at New Road, despite some incisive Worcestershire bowling on a tricky pitch. When Ben Slater nibbled behind at Tom Taylor, Notts were in deep trouble at 83 for six. But the lower order saved the day, New Road old boy Josh Tongue off-driving the winning runs to lift Notts just one point behind leaders Surrey, who they play in a heavyweight bout at the Oval in the penultimate round of the season next week.
“These are the games you play for,” said Nottinghamshire’s head coach, Peter Moores. “This is what you net for. You want to feel that it’s on the line and if you can get over that line it’s a brilliant feeling.” Elsewhere, rain-affected draws ruled the roost.
Updated
Final scores
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 457-8dec DRAW with Durham 333 and 173-7
Taunton: Somerset 441-6dec DRAW with Yorkshire 134-9
The Oval: Surrey 246 and 391-8dec DRAW with Warwickshire 248 and 105-1
Hove: Sussex 122 and 84-3 DRAW with Hampshire 226 and 173
New Road: Nottinghamshire 207 and 136-7 BEAT Worcestershire 182 and 160 by three wickets.
DIVISION TWO
Canterbury: Kent 293 and 293 DRAW with Lancashire 284 and 138-3
Grace Road: Leicestershire 342 and 93-1 DRAW with Gloucestershire 482 and 175-3dec
Lord’s: Middlesex 298 DRAW with Derbyshire 283 and 153-4
Northampton: Northants 413-9dec DRAW with Glamorgan 467 and 241-7
