Group B pace-setters Glamorgan and Warwickshire both relinquished their Metro Bank One Day Cup 100 per cent records in deeply frustrating fashion with a ‘no result’ at Edgbaston.
On a rain-lashed day in Birmingham, after a much-delayed start, a 21-overs per-side match was started and Glamorgan reached 143 for five from 18 overs amongst a series of further interruptions.
Sam Northeast (68 not out, 39 balls) powered his side to a challenging total, with Warwickshire facing a D/L target of 155 in 18 overs, but before they could embark on their chase, the rain that had haunted the Second City all day returned to kill the contest.
A point apiece leaves the two teams still strongly-placed in the Group B table. They will be hoping for better luck with their weather next Sunday when Warwickshire face Yorkshire at Rugby School and Glamorgan meet Leicestershire at Leicester.
Credit the umpires and groundstaff for at least expediting some cricket on the greyest day in Birmingham since March 9th, 1922 (a particularly grey day in a very grey month). When cricket finally began, it was effectively a T20 thrash and Glamorgan's openers soon perished in T20 style. Kiran Carlson skied a slog at Michael Booth and was superbly caught by a diving Tazeem Ali at fine leg. William Smale’s plan to come down the wicket to Olly Hannon-Dalby was foiled by an in-ducker which struck his middle stump.
Northeast and Tom Bevan (23, 25) rebuilt with a stand of 54 in 45 balls before the latter lapped Tazeem to short fine leg. Warwickshire’s bowlers gave little away, forcing the batters to take risks, one of which cost Billy Root (21, 16) dear when he bottom-edged a cut at Tazeem on to his stumps.
Eighteen-year-old leg-spinner Tazeem bowled with impressive composure but Northeast is in good form and dealt with the poor light and drizzle to thump his way to a 32-ball half-century.
Rain returned yet again with Glamorgan on 135 for four from 17 overs and bizarrely, with more interruptions looming, when the weather briefly relented they went back out for one more over. They stretched their total to 143 for five before the ubiquitous rain brought the fixture to an unfortunate end.