Match report day 4: Warwicks v Lancs in Championship 2004

Match report day 4: Warwicks v Lancs in Championship 2004 by Neil Adams

Scorecard:	Warwickshire v Lancashire
Other links:	Day 1, Day 2, Day 3

Summary of day 4

As expected before the start of play, this match finished as a dull, damp draw shortly after 2.30pm. A brief shower before the start of play resulted in a ten minute delay to the days proceedings. By the time the players took to the field, bright sunshine greeted them, and remained until the luncheon interval.

Lancashire only added 3 runs to their overnight score of 505 for 8. Peter Martin (2) was bowled by Pretorius (508-9), and Gary Keedy was caught behind for no score with just his second ball. Lancashire's lead was just 9 runs.

Warwickshire wiped out the lead in just the third over of the innings. Knight and Wagh scored at 4 runs per over without any significant difficulties. In the 12th over, John Wood induced an edge from Mark Wagh (18) and was easily caught by Stuart Law at first slip (46-1). Ian Bell (1) was caught behind by Hegg from the bowling of Gary Keedy in the following over, as he rocked back to play a cut shot through the covers (47-2). Trott hit a boundary from his first ball faced to post the fifty. At lunch the score was 73 for 2 from 22 overs. Unfortunately, the storm clouds were already gathering in the distance.

Only 73 balls play was possible in the afternoon before heavy rain fell. The cloud formation was not very promising - no break in the slate grey sky. Needless to say, the umpires elected to call a halt to proceedings shortly afterwards. Lancashire stopped a run of 5 successive defeats and collected 12 points, while Warwickshire collected 11 points and remained at the top of the table.

Key Notes of the Day

Play delayed by 10 minutes due to rain between 10.20am and 10.45am - play eventually started at 11.15am -
Normal start time of 11.05am due to Sky cameras
Martin bowled Pretorius 2 - (Clipped top of off stump) - 508 for 9 in the 1356th over - Wood 13*
Keedy caught Frost bowled Pretorius 0 (Second ball) - 508 all out in the 135th over - Wood 13* - 11.25am - Lead by 9
9 for 0 in the 3rd over - Scores level - 11.45am - Knight 4* Wagh 5*
Wagh caught Law bowled Wood 18 (First slip) - 46 for 1 in the 12th over - Knight 28*
Bell caught Hegg bowled Keedy 1 - 47 for 2 in the 13th over - Knight 28*
51 for 2 in the 13th over - Knight 28* Trott 4*
Lunch - 73 for 2 from 22 overs - Knight 358 Trott 17*
100 for 2 in the 28th over + 50 partnership - Knight 49* Trott 26* - Dark clouds overhead
50 Knight from 83 balls (8 x 4) - 101 for 2 in the 29th over - Trott 30*
2.25pm - rain stop play - 124 for 2 in the 36th over - Knight 67* Trott 38*
Match abandoned as a draw
Warwickshire 11 points, Lancashire 12 points