Hampshire’s relegation destiny was left on a knife-edge as dangerous gentle stopped play of their essential Rothesay County Championship conflict with Surrey, with the sport agonisingly near a conclusion.
Strugglers Hampshire have been 148-9 when the umpires led the groups off early, with only one wicket left in hand and the profitable line 33 runs away.
Surrey have been utilizing two spinners on the time, with India’s Rahul Chahar trying so as to add to figures of 7-45 as he made a splash on his one-match contract, however the officers resisted the temptation to let the sport play out.
Hampshire will likely be demoted to Division Two in the event that they lose on day 4 and Durham keep away from defeat to Yorkshire. A draw appears the likeliest lead to that match, with dangerous gentle interruptions slowing progress at Headingley.
The White Rose lead by 116 on 465-9 however might want to take wickets in a rush on Saturday to push Durham to the brink.
Nottinghamshire rejoice in fashion
Earlier, newly topped champions Nottinghamshire celebrated in fashion, wrapping up a 10-wicket victory over Warwickshire in three days to kick off their 2025 title celebration at Trent Bridge.
Their bowlers made quick work of the Bears’ batting line-up, rolling them over for simply 133 as Mohammad Abbas, Brett Hutton and Dillon Pennington completed with three wickets every. Lyndon James additionally chipped in with the scalp of top-scorer Sam Hain.
With a primary championship pennant in 15 years already secured on Thursday, they wanted simply 18 to notch up their seventh win of the season and openers Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater reeled them off in fewer than 4 overs.
Skipper Hameed completed issues off in stylish trend, kneeling to stroke a boundary by the covers earlier than lifting the trophy.
Ollie Robinson fired Sussex to a three-wicket win over relegated Worcestershire, taking his second five-for of the match to shut with match figures of 11-142.
Together with his ongoing England exile that means he was by no means in competition for this week’s Ashes squad, Robinson confirmed he nonetheless has what it takes to trigger havoc in home cricket by choosing up three of the Pears’ remaining 4 wickets as they posted 287 all out.
Seven Sussex batters have been dismissed in simply over 15 overs as they made heavy climate of chasing 61, Tom Taylor taking 4-22 to stay prime of the top-flight’s wicket-taking checklist.
At Chelmsford, Essex left themselves a slender chase of 95 after bowling out Somerset for 99. Craig Overton, one other seamer who’s at present surplus to England’s necessities, claimed 6-88 to convey up his five hundredth first-class wicket.
In Division Two, champions Leicestershire have been shaping as much as finish a advantageous marketing campaign on a profitable notice after leaving Northamptonshire 120-5 chasing a notional 501.
Glamorgan’s promotion 12 months resulted in defeat at Sophia Gardens, although, with Lancashire easing residence by seven wickets as they reeled in 133 in solely 20 overs.
Derbyshire require 5 wickets on day 4 to finish an innings win over Kent, who’re nonetheless 291 adrift at 136-5. Gloucestershire additionally adopted on in opposition to Middlesex at Lord’s, closing 309 behind on 39-1.
