Friday, September 19th, 2014

County Need Six More Points To Lift Division Two Title

County Need Six More Points To Lift Division Two Title

Worcestershire need a maximum of six more points to capture the LV County Championship Division Two title.

The county have a lead of 18 points over nearest rivals Hampshire going into their final match of the season against Essex at Chelmsford which begins next Tuesday.

Hampshire could only secure a draw from their game in hand this week against Kent at the Ageas Bowl.

Their final fixture of the campaign is against Glamorgan at the Swalec Stadium.

Worcestershire would still be crowned champions even if they finished level on points with Hampshire by virtue of having won more games.

Skipper Daryl Mitchell's side have already won eight times – including against Essex at home – while the most victories Hampshire can secure is seven.

There will be plenty at stake at Chelmsford as Essex are also still in the hunt to claim a place back in Division One should Hampshire slip up.

Worcestershire assistant coach and bowling coach Matt Mason said: "It was nice to be promoted with a game to spare.

"But there is still plenty to play for down there at Chelmsford because the guys would like to go up as champions.

"That would give them huge confidence as well so we will be going down there playing with a little bit of freedom no doubt which might work in our favour.

"We'd like to turn Essex over down there, for sure."

LV County Championship

Division Two

Played Won Lost Drawn Batting Bowling Deducted Points

1 Worcestershire 15 8 2 5 37 45 0.0 235.0

2 Hampshire 15 6 1 8 46 35 0.0 217.0

3 Essex 15 6 2 7 34 42 0.0 207.0

4 Surrey 16 4 5 7 43 44 3.0 183.0

5 Kent 15 4 5 6 35 39 0.0 168.0

6 Derbyshire 15 5 5 5 24 38 0.0 167.0

7 Glamorgan 15 3 5 7 29 38 0.0 150.0

8 Gloucestershire 15 3 5 7 28 33 0.0 144.0

9 Leicestershire 15 0 9 6 36 39 0.0 105.0