Lancashire 214 and 219 for 4 (Bohannon 92, Balderson 91) lead Nottinghamshire 249 (Hameed 97) by 184 runs

You’ll should be a confirmed anti-monarchist to show up at Trent Bridge on a wretched day like this: the coronation of King Charles III pointedly shunned in favour of a bedraggled County Championship match that appeared prone to be rained off by lunchtime solely to totter again into life when least anticipated.

Threats to the realm these spectators, dotted round largely abandoned stands in rebellious little teams, with each probability there have been crumpled paperbacks of Milton’s Paradise Misplaced of their knapsacks, hid beneath a slice of republican quiche. Lucky, some would say, to not be bundled off into white vans.

Trent Bridge formally did every thing by the e-book, in fact. They sang the nationwide anthem when Queen Elizabeth II died and, as historical past took its course, they sang God Save the King to mark the succession, each groups with chests thrust out with pleasure. County golf equipment have vied loyally up to now week to advertise their hyperlink with royalty, nevertheless tenuous. Nottinghamshire’s prize possession is a photograph of Prince Philip bowling within the nets in 1949, one royal who actually did have an affinity with the sport.

That goodwill fleetingly gave the impression to be reciprocated when Charles formally promised to be a “courageous advocate of these in want” shortly earlier than the change of swords. Effectively, any individual has to attempt to save the Championship, and a newly-crowned king, with an insatiable urge for food for custom, is in nearly as good a place as anybody.

What cricket there was noticed Lancashire prolong their in a single day lead of 63 to 184 with the second-wicket pair, George Balderson and Josh Bohannon, each closing in on a whole lot throughout an ominously warmish morning of thickening cloud solely to perish 5 hours later. When the umpires did lead the groups off at lunchtime, like a few malcontents anticipating the rain earlier than it had truly occurred, Lancashire’s head coach, Glen Chapple, leant over the balcony, arms quizzically outstretched. The implication was that each ball, each minute, was very important.Watch out what you want for, nevertheless. At 5 previous 5, the gamers trooped out below…..

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