Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, two teams facing relegation concerns, played out a rain-affected first day of their Vitality County Championship clash at Trent Bridge. With Lancashire’s progress in Worcester looming over the match, both sides were eager to secure points to avoid the drop.
Warwickshire, winning the toss, made the most of the limited overs possible. Olly Hannon-Dalby and Ed Barnard shared the wickets, dismissing Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater to leave Nottinghamshire struggling at 33 for 2.
The conditions were challenging throughout, with the pitch affected by recent rain. Warwickshire’s bowlers found consistent movement, making batting difficult for Nottinghamshire.
Meanwhile, in Worcester, Lancashire’s strong start put pressure on Nottinghamshire. The Red Rose claimed seven wickets before the close, leaving them on the verge of securing the full three bowling points.
Nottinghamshire’s hopes of reaching 300 and claiming two batting points now seem slim. If Lancashire takes only the three bowling points but still wins in Worcester, Nottinghamshire will need to draw to avoid relegation.
Warwickshire’s safety is also at stake, but a better forecast for the remaining days of the match offers hope. Both teams have a long way to go before their fates are decided.
