With our win today we are mathematically 1 point from safety. As I said in the match thread, I’ve called it, we’re safe. Of course I cannot legislate for slow over rates or draconian FTECB punishments but I’m confident enough that today was the day we secured our place in the top tier for another year.
Worcestershire have almost secured their place too, they need a maximum of 8 points and given all the heartache they suffered at the start of the season, predominantly off the field, I don’t think there will be anyone in the country who isn’t pleased that they’ve got something to smile about today. They’ve been on a brilliant run, kickstarted by our charity back in July
.
Somerset and Surrey look to be playing out a draw at Cyderabad, which would leave Somerset 24 points behind Surrey with two games left.
Surrey host us and travel to Essex, while Somerset travel to Lancashire and host Hampshire.
It isn’t over, but you wouldn’t expect Surrey being overhauled.
In terms of relegation, Kent are valliantly hanging on for a draw at home to Hampfrica, but that would still leave them 37 points from safety with 48 left to play for, it’s highly unlikely that they survive but they do play Notts at home next week so they could throw a massive spanner in the works. Lancashire are at home to Somerset and trail Notts by 11 points, it’s possible they win both their remaining games and still go down, but given both of those have only won 3 games between them all season it would be some sort of miracle if they did!
Interestingly, both Nottinghamshire and Lancashire were dispatched by us by an innings in our last two home fixtures and I have to say I thought Lancashire atleast seemed to keep it together more than Nottinghamshire did. Notts seemed beaten on Day 1 and considering the way they’ve capitulated in their most recent game at Essex I can’t imagine morale is very high in their ranks at present.
I think all in all if I had a say, I’d rather see Lancashire survive but the odds don’t favour them.
In Division Two, Middlesex absolutely shit the bed in their game at home to Gloucestershire, for the best part of 3 days they were in total control and then when trying to set up a target lost four wickets for 1 run which leaving a lead of 233 which was always far too small a total to defend.
Sussex are seemingly romping to the title, with a 21 point lead over Yorkshire, who are 15 ahead of Middlesex. I was disappointed with Middlesex losing because had they won they’d have been 1 point ahead of Yorkshire in 2nd and from a neutrals perspective that would’ve made for a tremendous last couple of weeks. Sussex could still miss out of course, but it’s looking likely to being one of Yorkshire or Middlesex to go up with them.
Leicestershire are still alive, but at 37 points less than Yorkshire, they need snookers.
All in all, it makes for a fantastic last couple of weeks of the season. The concern for every team involved is that the weather prevents them from getting the results they need, but we’re into the silly season somewhat, where all kinds of declarations and run chases could be happening in order for teams to force their way towards glory or out of trouble.
Apologies for war and peace, but it’s an exciting prospect for a badger like me
.
Worcestershire have almost secured their place too, they need a maximum of 8 points and given all the heartache they suffered at the start of the season, predominantly off the field, I don’t think there will be anyone in the country who isn’t pleased that they’ve got something to smile about today. They’ve been on a brilliant run, kickstarted by our charity back in July
.Somerset and Surrey look to be playing out a draw at Cyderabad, which would leave Somerset 24 points behind Surrey with two games left.
Surrey host us and travel to Essex, while Somerset travel to Lancashire and host Hampshire.
It isn’t over, but you wouldn’t expect Surrey being overhauled.
In terms of relegation, Kent are valliantly hanging on for a draw at home to Hampfrica, but that would still leave them 37 points from safety with 48 left to play for, it’s highly unlikely that they survive but they do play Notts at home next week so they could throw a massive spanner in the works. Lancashire are at home to Somerset and trail Notts by 11 points, it’s possible they win both their remaining games and still go down, but given both of those have only won 3 games between them all season it would be some sort of miracle if they did!
Interestingly, both Nottinghamshire and Lancashire were dispatched by us by an innings in our last two home fixtures and I have to say I thought Lancashire atleast seemed to keep it together more than Nottinghamshire did. Notts seemed beaten on Day 1 and considering the way they’ve capitulated in their most recent game at Essex I can’t imagine morale is very high in their ranks at present.
I think all in all if I had a say, I’d rather see Lancashire survive but the odds don’t favour them.
In Division Two, Middlesex absolutely shit the bed in their game at home to Gloucestershire, for the best part of 3 days they were in total control and then when trying to set up a target lost four wickets for 1 run which leaving a lead of 233 which was always far too small a total to defend.
Sussex are seemingly romping to the title, with a 21 point lead over Yorkshire, who are 15 ahead of Middlesex. I was disappointed with Middlesex losing because had they won they’d have been 1 point ahead of Yorkshire in 2nd and from a neutrals perspective that would’ve made for a tremendous last couple of weeks. Sussex could still miss out of course, but it’s looking likely to being one of Yorkshire or Middlesex to go up with them.
Leicestershire are still alive, but at 37 points less than Yorkshire, they need snookers.
All in all, it makes for a fantastic last couple of weeks of the season. The concern for every team involved is that the weather prevents them from getting the results they need, but we’re into the silly season somewhat, where all kinds of declarations and run chases could be happening in order for teams to force their way towards glory or out of trouble.
Apologies for war and peace, but it’s an exciting prospect for a badger like me
.
