Finally finally finally. They’ve killed off this day of cricket without a ball bowled. Somerset need another 286 tomorrow for maximum batting points and Sussex need to take 7 wickets so that’s probably what will happen. Thanks for your company today – let’s try again tomorrow
The 2.30 inspection has been moved to 3.30. Cricket is stupid.
I notice that they’ve given up the ghost in Southampton. Here in Hove we’re still sitting here waiting for something to happen. I don’t quite know what but sitting here we are.
PLay has been abandoned at the Ageas Bowl
UPDATE: ☔️ #SUSvSOM
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) September 16, 2015
Graham Hardcastle writes from the Ageas Bowl
It’s absolutely hosing down at the Ageas Bowl now, where I’d be amazed if we get any more play today. For the majority of the last couple of hours, it has been steady without being too heavy. In the last 15 minutes, however, it has come on really strong and the covers are soaked. Usually in these situations, you can see one brave soul sat in the stands expecting more play. Not on this occasion.
Prospects of play here are remote. But away from the field of play there was a members forum this morning and naturally one of the key questions was about what Sussex’s position on the reduction in championship matches. Press aren’t allowed into the forum but with a bit of digging it seems that they copped out of answering and said they’d write to members setting out their position. Hmmmmm.
Graham Hardcastle reports from the Ageas Bowl
I’m not quite as technical as Lizzy when it comes to looking at weather radars. My expertise with elements goes as far as suggesting it will either stop raining or it won’t. Rocket science, I know! At the moment, it looks as if it won’t.
The full covers are on and Sky have resorted to showing a re-run of Hampshire’s Friends Provident Trophy final win over Sussex in 2009, in which Dominic Cork, part of their commentary team here this week, starred. At least the rain has given us an early opportunity to tuck into the peach and pear crumble on offer in the media room for lunch. Excellent!
The news from Hove is that there is no news. We’re going to have some lunch and then see what happens. My radar says that a load of stuff is coming up from northern France.
Meanwhile, I’ve been watching PMQs. Jeremy Corbyn is a cricket fan apparently. Disappointingly he didn’t mention that in the chamber though.
Graham Hardcastle reports from the Ageas Bowl
It is now raining at the Ageas Bowl. Not hard, but the suggestion is that there is far more to come later in the day. So that earlier suggestion of Gale’s that he would be open to setting up a run chase tomorrow may yet come into play.
By Graham Hardcastle, at the Ageas Bowl
We are off for bad light here, with Yorkshire at 97-4 in the 42nd over. The hosts have added 15 runs in seven overs and four balls bowled with the floodlights on. This could be a lengthy delay. When we do resume, Alex Lees will do so on 37 and Tim Bresnan 12. Fidel Edwards and Ryan McLaren, in particular, have probed with the ball this morning.
A weather report from Sussex v Somerset
The weather has set in here at Hove and it is, how shall we put this, persisting down. It’s coming from the East and might clear later but play before lunch here seems unlikely.
Graham Hardcastle writes from the Ageas Bowl
Good morning from a dry Ageas Bowl. Such was the strength of suggestion that we would get a rained off day today, I even asked Andrew Gale at close last night, if it came to it, would he be interested in contriving a run chase at some point during tomorrow’s fourth day with his side at 82-4 in reply to 400-9 declared.
“We’ll cross that bridge when it comes,” said the Yorkshire captain. “We’re certainly not against that because we’ve got nothing to lose. We’ve got it wrapped up and they need the points. I’d certainly back us to chase a score down.”
Anyway, not surprisingly, I’ve turned up at the ground this morning to find no sign of rain and the sun trying to poke through the clouds. Gale’s side are under the cosh in this game, admitting his players have taken their foot off the gas since winning the Championship title last week. Hampshire, on the other hand, have their tails up.
Well a very good morning and welcome to the county blog. The predicted weather Armageddon doesn’t seem to have materialised although a quick look at the radar suggests it is on its way.
Graham Hardcastle is at Southampton where it seems Yorkshire’s party hangover is an extended one and Hampshire have got themselves into a strong position thanks to Liam Dawson. Here at Hove, we might start on time although it’s gloomy and the covers aren’t totally off yet. When we do resume, Somerset will be looking to bat and bat and bat – the bonus points are the name of the game here.
Elsewhere, we await news of Zafar Ansari’s appointments with the specialists after his injury. If you’re at all squeamish I recommend you don’t google open dislocation – it’s not pleasant.
Grab yourself a brew and a dunky biscuit, sit back and let us guide you through the cricket.
Morning all,
Today we are back with Lizzy Ammon in Hove for Sussex v Somerset and Graham Hardcastle in Southampton for Hampshire v Yorkshire. Here are their reports from last night:
Sussex v Somerset
Michael Yardy ‘a bit emotional’ after century for Sussex
In among all the angst, anger and disappointment sport can bring, sometimes it throws up a bit of romance. This was the case at Hove as Michael Yardy scored his 23rd first-class century on his final appearance at his home ground before he retires at the end of the season.
Liam Dawson century puts Hampshire in control
A race for bonus points that started at snail’s pace in Hampshire’s first innings had a thrilling crescendo during the second afternoon as both sides benefited by claiming the maximum haul. Should Hampshire’s fight against relegation prove successful, there will be many who look back on a passage of play that saw them score 77 runs in 6.5 overs as a defining moment. Gareth Berg hit six boundaries in a nine-ball unbeaten 27.
Enjoy the cricket
