Down to the wire for The Martlets.

posted by John Winn

The weather has tested the patience and endurance of players, officials and spectators at Headingley this week with frustrating, frequent showers on Tuesday, cold winds on Wednesday and 19 overs lost yesterday after heavy rain at lunchtime. But it looks as though today is set fair and so is the game for thanks in large to Hampshire's remarkable comeback at Trent Bridge, Sussex know that almost certainly they will have to bat all day to preserve their first division status. And to add some pepper to what is already a tasty pot a Yorkshire victory would be their eleventh of the season and a record since two division cricket was introduced.

Given that I lived in Sussex for 28 years and was a regular attender at Hove during that time it might be expected that I would be rooting for Ed Joyce's boys, willing them to see out the day or even register their fifth victory of that season, but it is not that clear cut for there is  part of me that thinks it might just benefit the game if a promoted side (Hants) did not go straight back down again and in any case their enterprise over the last couple of days contrasts rather markedly with Sussex's defensive tactics yesterday. Where does that leave me? Uncomfortably astride the fence as usual. Let's hope that Hampshire do make the further 111 they need to deny Notts second place, perhaps as early as lunch time, so that the situation at Headingley is as uncomplicated as possible.

Sussex supporters have been thin on the ground the last three days and my confidant in chief from that part of the world has been saying for about three months now that they would go down and towards the close of play last night when Bresnan and Brooks were adding nearly fifty, one sensed that the Sussex players, aware presumably of the news from Nottingham, were similarly pessimistic.

Where will The Martlet's flag fly next season?

 



A weekend away in the Lake District prevents me from attending today so 'winter well' to those I missed yesterday although no doubt I will see some of you at Arthington before stumps are finally pulled. I am sure Yorkshire supporters will give Michael Yardy as warm a reception today as they did on Tuesday when he makes his way out to the middle for his last first class innings. If Sussex do save the day then  a gritty knock by that great servant would be a fitting way to end the season.

Finally the National Club KO final was won by Blackheatth who beat Northern by nine wickets.