Rain and wind obliterate day one

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE ROUNDUP: Not a single ball was bowled at Taunton, Edgbaston, Chester-Le-Street, and Hove on day one of the penultimate round of matches

ECB Reporters Network | 15/09/2025 at 16:34

Taunton (day one of four): Somerset v Hampshire - no play

No play was possible on the opening day of the County Championship Division One match between Somerset and Hampshire at Taunton.

Heavy overnight rain had created a wet outfield and, although a pitch inspection was planned for 12.30pm after an early lunch, it was cancelled when the rain returned.

Tea was taken at 3.10pm, but the weather, including high winds, failed to improve sufficiently. Umpires Ben Debenham and David Millns eventually abandoned any hope of a start at 4.20pm.

More rain is forecast overnight, but the outlook is brighter for tomorrow.

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Edgbaston (day one of four): Warwickshire v Essex - no play

No play was possible due to high winds on the opening day of the County Championship match between Warwickshire and Essex at Edgbaston.

The strong winds caused the umpires to keep the players off the field due to consequent "safety concerns around players and groundstaff".

It meant frustration for spectators and players alike in Birmingham, though at least the two teams, locked in mid-table in Division One, know the weather won't cost them potentially crucial points in terms of either a championship challenge or a survival struggle. Both are out of contention for the title and out of danger from finishing in the bottom two.

Chester-Le-Street (day one of four): Durham v Worcestershire - no play

Durham and Worcestershire's basement battle in the County Championship fell victim to the rain as no play was possible on day one at the Banks Homes Riverside.

This will no doubt frustrate both sides, as the two are in desperate need of a Division One victory.

Worcestershire are bottom of the table, 44 points adrift of safety, while Durham are second bottom, six points below Hampshire and haven't won a game in the competition since May.

Both sides will return tomorrow morning, hoping that play will start on time and that their pursuit of a vital victory isn't halted further.

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Hove (day one of four): Sussex v Yorkshire - no play

No play was possible on the first day at Hove between Sussex and Yorkshire in the County Championship.

Umpires Tom Lungley and Jack Shantry carried out five pitch inspections before deciding to call it a day at 3.30pm.

The outfield had largely dried out after heavy rain on Sunday, but ground staff were unable to remove the covers on the square because of safety concerns in the 50mph winds.

With a better - and less windy - forecast for Tuesday, the hope is for a prompt start on day two.