Lancashire curse the rain again as Worcestershire clash ends in draw

Just 71.3 overs are possible across the four days at Worcester in Lancashire's third rain-affected match of the season

Worcester (fourth day of four): Worcestershire 98 v Lancashire 110-3

Scorecard

Heavy overnight rain led to the inevitable abandonment of Worcestershire’s Specsavers County Championship clash with Lancashire at Blackfinch New Road today.

Only 71.3 overs were bowled out of a possible 384 during the four days.

Ground-staff carried out mopping-up operations after a brief break in the downpours.

But the rain returned and left umpires Rob Bailey and Mark Newell with no choice but to call the game off shortly after lunch at 1.45pm.

Leaders Lancashire had to be content with eight points and Worcestershire six points.

The unbeaten visitors had dominated the short periods of play that were possible.

They bowled Worcestershire out for 98 on the first day and then replied with 110 for 3 when play was able to resume on the third day.

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For Lancashire it was more frustration with the elements after the rain-affected matches with Gloucestershire at Cheltenham and Leicestershire at Old Trafford.

But they remain unbeaten after six games heading into Monday’s encounter with Derbyshire.

Worcestershire will reflect on another below-par batting performance.

First Team Coach Alex Gidman had rejigged the batting order in dropping George Rhodes and Tom Fell, recalling Josh Dell and promoting Ed Barnard up the order.

But, although encountering some high-quality bowling from Jimmy Anderson and Graham Onions, the shot selection of some of their batsmen was also questionable.

Worcestershire will now look to end a three-game sequence without a win with another home clash against Sussex starting on Monday.

Courtesy of the ECB reporters network

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