A draw at Edgbaston
Stumps out of the ground tells me it’s a draw. Middlesex finish with nine points to Warwickshire’s eight. It means Yorkshire have trimmed the deficit at the top of the table by one, with Middlesex leading by four now, with three to play (including that finale between the two sides at Lord’s in the final round). Sorry not more to report, just under an hour of play and the one wicket to fall. Right, off to speak to the captains …
Gah, just short of an hour played at Edgbaston and the umpires have offered the batsmen the light. And sure enough, they stroll off. Floodlights are pretty strong to be fair, with four shadows around each player. Middlesex captain James Franklin has had a long chat with the officials before trudging off himself. Warwickshire 120 for four.
A draw at Southampton
Done and dusted.
The rain has now hit the Ageas Bowl
It’s a pretty miserable scene with the full covers on and no sign of the overhead conditions getting any brighter. I fear that might be it for the day and a draw. If it’s a draw at Edgbaston as well, the gap between the leading pair would be four points with three games remaining.
A wicket at Edgbaston, where nightwatchman Chris Wright has been pinned lbw by Ollie Rayner. The off-spinner went around the wicket and got one to pitch in line and straighten. Warwickshire 89 for four. Middlesex, needing another six, can only bowl their spinners due to bad light and Ravi Patel has got a couple to beat the outside edge of Ian Bell’s bat and just had a close lbw turned down. Nervy times for the hosts and, one suspects, Yorkshiremen around the country.
Jack Brooks has kept Yorkshire’s hopes of victory alive with three wickets in 12 balls, although bad light has forced the players off for an early tea with Hampshire at 84-4 from 31.4 overs. There are 38.2 remaining, in theory.
Hampshire have lost four wickets in all since they started their chase of 298 immediately after lunch. Hampshire were 50-1 before Brooks intervened. He had Tom Alsop caught at short-leg, Jimmy Adams caught at second slip for 30 and then England batsman James Vince caught at first slip for 16.
Updated
Good news from Edgbaston
Play is due to get under way at 3.45pm with 36 overs to be bowled. The covers are off and while the sun is yet to be seen in Birmingham today, the overcast skies don’t look too moody at present. Middlesex need seven wickets …
I was just penning a post saying it seems to have gone a bit flat here at the Ageas Bowl, with a lack of intensity in play. But just as I was about to press send, Jack Brooks has made the breakthrough by getting Tom Alsop caught at square-leg to leave the score at 50-2 in the 25th over.
There is still a heck of a lot to do for Yorkshire to claim the win, or Hampshire for that matter in the face of a 298 target in 70, but at least the visitors have ended a 42-run stand between Alsop and Jimmy Adams.
Updated
Two more abandonments come at Emirates Riverside and the County Ground, Derby, respectively. Durham and Nottinghamshire have had to settle for a draw without a ball bowled on day four, while it is the same in Division Two between Derbyshire and Gloucestershire.
Here, Hampshire are 26-1 in the 10th over of 70 to be bowled.
The Hampshire chase of 298 from 70 overs is under way after that hour-long rain delay, including lunch. Although I can’t imagine we will get through the day unscathed, the skies do look reasonably settled. The hosts are now 8-1 in the third over, with Ryan Sidebottom striking to get Will Smith lbw as he played to leg.
Updated
Yorkshire declare
Yorkshire have declared, setting Hampshire 298 in a minimum of 72 overs. But it’s raining now.
Lancashire and Somerset has already been called off as a draw at Emirates Old Trafford following a lunchtime inspection by the umpires. Both sides finished with 10 points apiece, and the Red Rose are still looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone with two to play. Somerset are firmly ensconced in mid-table with three to play.
Yorkshire are 235-5, a lead of 294 with 75 overs remaining. They have just lost Tim Bresnan trying to pull Andy Carter. Jake Lehmann and Andrew Hodd are now at the crease.
Yorkshire are currently 217-4 in the 60th over, a lead of 276 with 79 overs remaining. Gary Ballance has fallen, chopped on to Gareth Berg, who has now claimed 200 first-class wickets.
The Ballance wicket has just halted Yorkshire’s momentum, with Jake Lehmann unbeaten on 29 and Tim Bresnan on 17. The light has already been checked by the umpires, and we’re hearing reports that rain is not too far away.
After a slow start to the day, Yorkshire are motoring now. Gary Ballance has gone beyond 50 during an eventful last 10 minutes which has seen him hit four fours in 10 balls and be dropped at first slip on 57. He has 68 out of 177-3, with the lead at 236 with 88 overs remaining.
Morning from Edgbaston where, I am sorry to say, the outlook is rather bleak. The rain is falling, the clouds are set thick from one horizon to the other and a game that saw Middlesex hunting a further seven wickets on the final day in their push for a first title since 1993 is now looking destined for a soggy draw. They will, presumably, be hoping the red splodge on the rain radar arrives in Southampton soon and prevents Yorkshire from leapfrogging them at the top of the table.
As an aside, was disappointed to see commentator David Lloyd say on Twitter that there will be no second County Championship match on Sky this season. Middlesex v Yorkshire at Lord’s in the final round anyone?
— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) September 3, 2016
Updated
We have delayed starts around the country everywhere but here at the Ageas Bowl, where Brad Wheal has just got Andrew Gale caught behind without addition to his overnight 19. In fact, Yorkshire haven’t added to their 202 lead in the first eight balls of the day.
Updated
Good morning all
As I type, the sun’s out and we’re all set for a start on time at the Ageas Bowl, although rain is expected at some point later today, making a positive result for either side a long shot.
Champions Yorkshire are obviously the most likely winners given they lead by 202 with eight second-innings wickets in hand, but Hampshire may not be completely out of this just yet depending on how adventurous their visitors want to be. Andrew Gale suggested on Friday night there was no need at this stage to take too many risks, but he did also say: “I haven’t really thought about it yet. I’ll sleep on it.” Maybe he’s changed his mind. I hope his hotel fire alarm didn’t wake him up at 5.15am like mine did …
If I were Yorkshire, I’d be aiming to set about 320 in 70 overs.
It sounds like rain is expected around the rest of the country as well today, so leaders Middlesex, five points clear of Yorkshire heading into this week’s fixtures, may yet be denied a win against Warwickshire at Edgbaston despite their position of strength. Warwickshire, chasing 338, are 74-3 ahead of day four.
Notts need 300 more to beat Durham at the Riverside having lost first-innings centurion Jake Libby to Graham Onions in the day’s last over, while Lancashire and Somerset at Old Trafford is heading for a high-scoring draw whatever the weather.
There is only one fixture still to be concluded in Division Two after Essex, Kent and Northamptonshire all wrapped up three-day wins on Friday. Gloucestershire will resume on 10-0 chasing 272 in a match of no consequence to the promotion race.
Updated
