Lancashire 2014: The red rose blooms once more.

[Making_Splinters]

A bizarre dismissal-croft out caught down the leg side but Roland-Jones didn't appeal because the ball brushed Croft's trousers not bat Could turn out to be a hugely costly error by the umpire.TRJ also took a wicket earlier with what looked like a no ball but there are no cameras with the side on view.

I thought if the bowler doesn't appeal for a decision it can't ever be given out.

Any member of the fielding side can appeal.

[westoelad]

Rule 14.1 of rules and regs for county championship matches on ECB website covers "unusual declarations" and is interesting reading. Captain should consult umpires,who consult ECB ,in this case David Capel, on whether the intended declaration would be deemed unsporting and hence risk a points deduction. The delaration monitor can't forbid any declaration merely advise on the likelihood of a pts deduction. Certainly if Lancs get to 300 within 110 overs they'd be perfectly entitled to declare when their 8th wkt went down imo. The key phrase is "declaring to deprive opposition of bonus pts without obvious advantage of wnning the match themselves themselves. Such a declaratio depending on the circumstances.....". Circumstances,in this instance,surely justify such a declaration.

[captaincolly]

Rule 14.1 of rules and regs for county championship matches on ECB website covers "unusual declarations" and is interesting reading. Captain should consult umpires,who consult ECB ,in this case David Capel, on whether the intended declaration would be deemed unsporting and hence risk a points deduction. The delaration monitor can't forbid any declaration merely advise on the likelihood of a pts deduction. Certainly if Lancs get to 300 within 110 overs they'd be perfectly entitled to declare when their 8th wkt went down imo. The key phrase is "declaring to deprive opposition of bonus pts without obvious advantage of wnning the match themselves themselves. Such a declaratio depending on the circumstances.....". Circumstances,in this instance,surely justify such a declaration.

I agree. 300/8 would be justifiable. As a neutral observer I was a bit annoyed that ( probably thanks to a poor umpiring decision) Lancs didn't reach 250/5 because if they had done so & wanted to declare it would have been interesting. Declaring on day 2 with around a 50 run lead and 5 wickets in hand must be very close to being deemed an extraordinary declaration. No doubt Capel was delighted when the 6th wicket went down so he didn't have to make a decision!

[Arthur Crabtree]

It would be a bit ridiculous not to allow a lot of leeway on this. And perverse for lancashire to go down because they don't manage available points in the game. It would be a bit Kafkaesque for Capel to mobilise declaration legislation. But you never know I guess. If Capel thinks he's there to intervene, maybe he will.

[captaincolly]

It would be a bit ridiculous not to allow a lot of leeway on this. And perverse for lancashire to go down because they don't manage available points in the game. It would be a bit Kafkaesque for Capel to mobilise declaration legislation. But you never know I guess. If Capel thinks he's there to intervene, maybe he will.

I was only half paying attention to the TV this afternoon so might have it wrong but think the Sky commentators said that any slightly controversial declaration would involve a discussion between Capel and the umpires followed by a call to the ECB to seek approval for whatever decision was made!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Lancs have still got to win the game. If they win by gaining the most points differential between themselves and the opposition, then who can complain?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Procter unlucky. Bad one from the umpire.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Lancs one wicket from relegation. At last a correct decision.

[Aidan11]

8 down and 9.3 overs for Middlesex to get the one wicket they need.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Unless Lancs get to 300 and declare.

[Aidan11]

This is tense.

[Aidan11]

10 runs or 1 wicket. 13 balls.

[Arthur Crabtree]

9 off 10. Leave it to the last over. Just get 2/3 off this.

[Aidan11]

8 from 7.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Sort of wanted Lancs to go down because of the Moores connection, but I'm swinging behind them now.

Six!