Rain Halts Play in Lancashire vs Nottinghamshire Match

Lancashire 344 for 8 (Jennings 183, James 3-53) vs Nottinghamshire - no play on day two

James Anderson’s preparation for his farewell Test at Lord’s faced a setback as rain washed out the entire second day of the Vitality County Championship match between Lancashire and Nottinghamshire in Southport.

Despite early showers, umpires Martin Saggers and Tom Lungley initially planned for Lancashire to resume their first innings at 12:30 PM. However, persistent rain thwarted these plans, and play was officially called off at 4:05 PM.

The abandonment disappointed spectators who had travelled to Trafalgar Road hoping to see Anderson bowl in his first and potentially last game of the season for Lancashire. Anderson is set to play his 188th and final Test match against the West Indies at Lord’s starting July 10. Though he had expressed interest in continuing his county career, England’s director of cricket, Rob Key, confirmed that Anderson will remain with the England team after the Lord’s Test to take on a new role as a fast-bowling mentor.

If play resumes on Tuesday, Lancashire will continue their innings at 344 for eight, with skipper Keaton Jennings not out on 188.

In the nine games played at Southport since first-class cricket returned to the ground in 2011 after a 12-year hiatus, this is only the second time in 31 days that play has been completely abandoned.