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Day Four

Morning: Storm Francis swept hard over the Midlands, and the sight of a wet outfield early on Tuesday persuaded all concerned that there was no point hanging around to resume a match that was already meandering to a stalemate. A virtual handshake and twelve points apiece sensibly settled on.

Match DRAWN

The Verdict: Frustratingly, with Somerset able to complete their win over Gloucestershire, the Pears slip back into 2nd going into the deciding game between the sides on 4th September. Another flat New Road pitch that weekend will spell the end of the competition for Worcestershire, as a draw will no longer be enough. One way or another, Worcs have to take a gamble.

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No Hundred to grace our screens in 2020, but it wouldn't be summer (or, indeed, early autumn) without some televised county cricket, and to that end, the T20 Blast commences tonight with the lights shining on many an empty ground. With Worcestershire champions in 2018 and narrow runners-up in 2019, there's a chance to make it a hat-trick of final appearances when the cream of English cricket convenes at Edgbaston on the latest-ever season closing date of 3rd October. Leading the Pears on that charge, Ed Barnard gets his first taste of county captaincy, and will have overseas opener Hamish Rutherford at his disposal. It's a weakened team overall, with Moeen Ali and Pat Brown on England duty, but there's still plenty of experience for Barney to draw on over the next five weeks.

The only question is, how much cricket are we actually likely to see? Today's fixtures will be heavily affected by a huge band of rain sweeping in from the southwest, with Worcestershire's opener against Glamorgan in Cardiff under particular threat. Autumn weather is an even bigger lottery than spring and summer, and if September and October are unkind, the Blast could well be more of a damp squib this year. But nevertheless, the effort to try and stage the competition is a welcome initiative, all the more so if the government pilot scheme to get fans back in the venues goes ahead. This evening may not bring us any action, but sooner or later it'll be good to see the sixes fly.

Probable Worcestershire XI: Rutherford, Wessels, Libby, D'Oliveira, Cox (wk), Whiteley, Barnard ©, Mitchell, Morris, Pennington, Finch

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T20 Blast, Central Group

vs Glamorgan

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

The rain eased up by early evening, but the damage was already done. With the outfield too wet to even consider a start, the teams settled on a point apiece for a lacklustre but sadly predictable beginning to the campaign.

Match ABANDONED

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Bob Willis Trophy, Central Group

vs Somerset

Day One

Morning: Somerset won the toss and elected to bat on a pleasant September Sunday at New Road with the wicket showing a tinge of greenness. Despite extravagant movement from the new ball, with the skipper beating the bat frequently and a raft of unsuccessful LBW appeals, the Pears got no reward until Tom Lammonby set off for a risky single and his partner Ben Green was beaten by a direct hit from Ed Barnard, running the opener out for 8. But despite a couple more edges and streaky shots, Somerset had the better of the session as they reached lunch without further loss on 81-1.

Afternoon: With Worcestershire desperate for a breakthrough, Dillon Pennington stepped up to the mark and bowled Lammonby for 28 via an inside edge to open the door. George Bartlett then perished the same way for 18 off the bowling of Josh Tongue, before Pennington found the outside edge of Tom Abell to have the Somerset skipper caught behind for 59. With the cat very much among the pigeons, Brett D'Oliveira found turn from the pitch to bowl Steve Davis through the gate for 9, and Ed Barnard got in on the action as he swung one away from Craig Overton, who edged to second slip for 1. At that point, Lewis Gregory counter-attacked very effectively with some big shots, and tea was taken with the game even stevens at 177-6.

Evening: Just when it looked like the seventh-wicket partnership was carrying the visitors toward a formidable score, Dolly tempted Gregory into a big flashing drive that flew straight to short third man for 37. Eddie Byrom departed shortly after, attempting to cut Pennington and being caught at point for 30, but the aggressive tail continue to wag for Somerset, who achieved a couple of batting points before Josh Davey pulled Barnard to square leg for 28, giving the Shropshireman his 200th first-class wicket, which he promptly added to by trapping Jack Leach LBW for 21, wrapping up the innings on 251. The Worcestershire openers were then obliged to face a five-over spell before close of play, but safely reached stumps on 14-0 at close, trailing by 237. The first hour tomorrow will be crucial, as the new ball has the potential to destroy the Pears top order, and with the prospect of Jack Leach bowling in the final innings on a wicket that's already turning, it's vital that Worcs get runs on the board in this first knock.

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Day Two

Morning: Resuming on 14-0 early on Monday, Daryl Mitchell opted for an aggressive approach until a very questionable LBW decision from the umpire ended his knock for 31. Progress slowed from there, but Jake Libby and Tom Fell looked good despite riding their luck now and then, and Worcestershire went in for lunch on a promising 98-1.

Afternoon: Jake Libby brought up his half-century under louring skies, and as rain forced an extended break and an early tea, the Pears sat comfortably on 121-1.

Evening: But after a lengthy delay, facing one of the best bowling attacks in the country in adverse conditions, there was always a strong possibility of a collapse, which proved to be the case as nine wickets fell for just 77 runs, leaving the hosts 200 all out. In the time remaining before bad light forced an early close, Joe Leach bowled Ben Green through the gate for a duck, and Somerset reached stumps on 16-1.