Today's Manchester Weather

[Parson Henry]

Clouds..in the sky..

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Rain adds to Lancashire anxiety
County Championship D1, Old Trafford (no play on day two, rain): Durham 255-4 v Lancashire
Match scorecard

The weather could put the final nail in the coffin of Lancashire's inadequate title bid.

Perennial failures Lancashire were again frustrated in their penultimate Championship game of the season.

Heavy rain drenched the outfield on Thursday and prevented any play taking place on day two against Durham.

The visitors made 255-4 in 109 overs on Wednesday, meaning Lancs have only 21 more overs to take five wickets and the final two bowling bonus points.

Mushy inspired Sussex have 220 points (15 games) and Lancs 201 (14), with 22 on offer per game - 14 for a win and eight bonus.

Lancashire have not won a County Championship title outright since 1934 and the northern whingers that comprise their membership have long cited the weather as one of the reasons.

When Lancs were runners-up to Sussex in 2003 chairman "Fat" Jack Simmons made tongue-in-cheek comments about the club relocating to the south coast but then realised that just made him sound like a jealous twat.

Lancashire have been saved from defeat in six of their games this season that have already been affected by the weather compared with their title rivals who have had to earn all their points fair and square.

 

[Parson Henry]

Updated Lancs Squad Photo

i

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Play has resumed and Glen Chapple has been brought onto bowl...

 

[Parson Henry]

Play has resumed and Glen Chapple has been brought onto bowl...

 

[Moshe Gariani]

 

[El Presidente]

Even by local standards it has hammered it down today. This is of course fantastic news, except that the roof on my extenstion was supposed to be going up today, and it ain't looking too healthy through the hole in the kitchen ceiling that I am currently looking thru

 

[Parson Henry]

Even by local standards it has hammered it down today. This is of course fantastic news, except that the roof on my extenstion was supposed to be going up today, and it ain't looking too healthy through the hole in the kitchen ceiling that I am currently looking thru

Would you have gone to watch the cricket?

 

[Trigger]

I sea the Seagulls are now having a drink of rain and a peck of the grass...

 

[Timbo]

If they get one more days full play they can have no complaints. We only had two days play available against Durham and still won.

 

[Pevenseagull]

I am SO HAPPY

 

[Pevenseagull]

If they get one more days full play they can have no complaints. We only had two days play available against Durham and still won.

SHABASH

 

[Brovion]

So what do we want to happen? If Durham declare then Lancs can't get maximum bowling points, on the other hand we don't want the two teams to try and contrive a result. I think I'd rather Durham batted on even if it means Lancs eventually getting maximum bowling points.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

So what do we want to happen? If Durham declare then Lancs can't get maximum bowling points, on the other hand we don't want the two teams to try and contrive a result. I think I'd rather Durham batted on even if it means Lancs eventually getting maximum bowling points.

Lancs can only get bonus points for the next 21 overs anyway, so they would be unlikely to get 5 more wickets, unless Durham were after quick runs.

Personally I would like Durham to bat and bat and bat and bat, until Saturday afternoon, leaving no time for Lancs to get any batting points.

 

[aftershavedave]

Lancs can only get bonus points for the next 21 overs anyway, so they would be unlikely to get 5 more wickets, unless Durham were after quick runs.

Personally I would like Durham to bat and bat and bat and bat, until Saturday afternoon, leaving no time for Lancs to get any batting points.

must be the right answer

 

[Simster]

So what do we want to happen? If Durham declare then Lancs can't get maximum bowling points, on the other hand we don't want the two teams to try and contrive a result. I think I'd rather Durham batted on even if it means Lancs eventually getting maximum bowling points.

I think they will contrive a result. Durham need a win to ensure safety, Lancs need a win to stand a realistic chance of taking the title. I reckon Durham will bat and bat, two innings will be forfeited and Lancashire will be asked to overhaul Durham's first innings total and forfeit the 5 potential batting points...

 

[Northstander]

YOU CAN SEE MY WORK FROM THERE!

 

[CHAPPERS]

YOU CAN SEE MY WORK FROM THERE!

So it was YOU soaking the outfield all day. That's dedication for ya.

 

[Northstander]

 

[Mr Blobby]

YOU CAN SEE MY WORK FROM THERE!

I've got a mate who works over looking the ground. Some firm of accountants I think it is. He drinks in the Quadrant quite a lot!