Rain forces draw at Derby

3 July 2009

Leicestershire's Tom New was left stranded on 66 not out as rain ruled the roost at Derby

The prospect of an exciting finish at Derby was ended when heavy rain prevented any play on the final day between the hosts and Leicestershire.

Both sides had a good chance of winning the LV= County Championship Division Two match, which was delicately poised with Leicestershire 256 runs ahead at 209 for seven in their second innings.

Derbyshire would have fancied chasing up to 300 on a good pitch, but the players arrived at the County Ground to find the heatwave conditions of the previous three days had been replaced by storm clouds.

Although the rain eased shortly after midday, another downpour during the scheduled lunch interval put paid to the chances of any play.

Umpires Vanburn Holder and Nigel Cowley were left with no option but to abandon the match, and the players shook hands in front of the dressing rooms at 1.30pm.

The draw means Derbyshire remain unbeaten at home in the championship since September 2007, and they took 11 points from this match to Leicestershire’s 12.

Although the match ended in anti-climax, it was one that Leicestershire wicketkeeper Tom New will remember.

He scored two half-centuries and took six catches against the county he played for on loan last season.