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Rain ruins Middlesex Charge

20 Twenty20 sixes
By Chris Thomas July 5 2005
Despute the best efforts of the Hove groundstaff the wet weather on the south coast was the winner as Sussex and Middlesex took one point each.

It is the second season in succession that this fixture has fallen victim to the elements following last year’s washout at Richmond.

 

Play had initially started just 15 minutes late and Middlesex had made an encouraging start to the rain-reduced 18 overs-per-side contest. After winning the toss, the visitors began brightly with Ed Smith making a breezy 17 before edging James Kirtley behind, while Owais Shah looked set to continue his fine form in the competition.

 

He had just hoisted Mark Davis over mid-wicket to bring up his twentieth six of the tournament when rain returned to curtail play further.

 

The prompt and commendable actions of the groundstaff allowed a restart at 8pm with the overs cut further to 12 per side, but Davis was only able to complete the remaining three balls of the seventh over before a heavy and persistent downpour halted proceedings for the last time.

In some ways, however, the Crusaders cannot be unhappy at a further point which takes them to the brink of qualification. Victory over Hampshire Hawks at Richmond on Wednesday will cement it, a point from that game could also be good enough, and even a defeat might still see Middlesex through depending on results elsewhere. Yet it is at least reassuring to know that, for once, the Crusaders’ destiny is in their own hands.

Please click here for the scorecard for this match

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