A look back at how the final events of the county championship unfolded, and how it was won.

Warwickshire raise their eighth county championship to an overcast, but overjoyed Edjbaston.
But lets cast are minds back to a day prior to this photographed trophy list, and travel north towards Liverpool cricket club where and out ground became the in ground.
It was cold, blustury, gloomy and due to the distanced nature of the ground to Manchester most of Lancashire's supporters had headed home for the day. But the cricket at Liverpool Cricket club was far from over. Lancashire fans would have left happy, flicking on radio Manchester to listen to their side notch off the remaining 28 runs required to win and put themselves top of division one when up stepped Mason Crane to deliver a floated leggy which grabes the edge of Danny Lambs's bat and is taken well at second slip. It is a seemingly token wicket as Lancashire should stroll home to the target as Luke Wood strolls to the crease. However, this is not the case. A bat pad catch of the bowling of Mason Crane removes Wood, and after hesistation it is again the hand of Mason Crane which does for Bailey except this occasion it is for a run out. So, young Jake Blatherwick strides to the crease and his captain Dane Villas puts the sides on level scores. One run will do it for Lancashire, the game is over, or is it? Liam Dawson left arm offies are often noted as part timey and average however on this occasion they are cut throat and deadly dismiss Blatherwick for a dot putting Hampshire one wicket away from a tie! Oh! How the game has changed! But, one more twist is in store, it is the bowling of Dawson in, full straight and... "He sweeps, he sweeps for four!" The unmistakable commentary words as captain Dane Villas sweeps to an unbeaten 47 and his team to victory and a certain spot in the Bob Willis trophy, but as champions? Well, over to you Warwickshire...

Warwickshire are 100 odd for one overnight, they don't lead by too many and require a t20 like innings to propel them to a lead suitable enough to dismiss Smerset and take the County Championship. Rob Yates wastes no time in getting going and has a flurry of other partners at the other end helping him along at a quick rate. He gets to 138 not out as he side declares setting their southern rivals 273 to win. Somerset show sighns of eagerness towards chasing the total and set about putting away some energetic boundaries, but led by Bresnan and Woakes wickets begin to tumble. 2-down 3-down four-down, could it be? Middle order defiance kicks in but more positive bowling means Somerset must survive the final session with only three wickets in hand. Its Oveton first to go, bowled by Woakes FOW: 90-7, next to go is Leach who is also bowled by Woakes, FOW: 106-8, now they are tumbling this could be all over soon, Gregory goes! Gregory Goes! the last reconisible batter for Somerset and their last hope goes for 31 to the bowling of Miles, FOW: 149-9. One more to get, One more to get, and they've got him, they've got him. It is Norwell now! Getting Brooks caught buy his captain Rhodes with the score 154, Warwickshire have done it! They have done it! The championship is theirs for the eighth time! They sit merrily upon the top of the table buy a clear 3.5 points and the Championship is theirs! What a day, what a game, what a matchweek, what a divisional round, what a championship, what a season! Warwickshire champions. Whoever said red ball is dead is living in some denial spiral!

Where to next?
Well, this bisare, endless season is living up to its name because the red ball domestic season is not over yet. Meeting at Lords on the 28 of SEptember and playing through to the 2 of October is the top to finishing sides of the county championship divisional stage division one, who were Lancashire and Warewickshire. For Lancashire that elusive red ball trophy is there for the taking, but for flying high Warwickshire the trophy is yet another stepping stone to cementing their position as one of the County Championships greatest ever teams. Be sure to check in on the youtube live stream to watch what promises to be yet another thrilling match in what has been an increduble season, I will see you then!

Commenti