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On the third day of their last 2024 campaign match at Visit Worcestershire New Road against Worcestershire, Lancashire’s relegation from Division One of the Vitality County Championship was confirmed.
Following their 180-run innings against the home team, Lancashire were bowled out for 177 in 55.1 overs.
Relegation opponents Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire secured enough points from their encounter at Trent Bridge to ensure their own safety, sealing their fate.
After coming so close to winning the title as runners-up in 2022 and then finishing fourth a year ago, Lancashire’s decline has been swift.
Their team has changed from two years ago due to injuries, call-ups to franchise cricket, and player departures.
For the first time in its history, the Red Rose County has lost three straight games and four innings in a season.
Since they last won the championship in 2011, they have been relegated from the top division four times: in 2012, 2014, 2018, and now in 2024.
With one game remaining, Worcestershire had already assured their own safety and were now aiming for a top six finish.
After they were back on 119 for 7, Matthew Waite struck four sixes and two fours in his superb half-century off just 37 balls.
Logan van Beek provided him with unwavering support throughout a fluid partnership of 84 from 15 overs.
After Waite (60) attempted a pull over midwicket but gloved the ball to Keaton Jennings at second slip, he was eventually dismissed by Anderson Phillip.
In his final game before calling it quits, Joe Leach was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd as he made his approach to the wicket. However, he only managed two before being bowled off the inside edge, giving Phillip his fifth wicket.
Play was abandoned at 5.10 p.m., one over into Worcestershire’s second innings, due to bad light.