Cricket: Weather is only winner as chance of exciting finish is washed away

ONCE again, the weather denied us the potential of another engrossing final day's play at the County Ground.

Three weeks after the Leicestershire fixture was washed out when all results were possible at the end of the third day, Derbyshire's LV County Championship game against Middlesex suffered a similar fate yesterday.

That was a pity because, even though the whole of the first day was lost to the rain, both sides showed every willingness to make a game of it and when Derbyshire dangled a rather large carrot under Middlesex's noses, a close contest was in prospect.

With a lead of 159 overnight, Derbyshire allowed themselves the first session to get that advantage up to a total they could feel comfortable with, while at the same time allowing enough time to bowl their opponents out.

Middlesex were also in need of points to help them get away from the bottom of Division Two.

They had indicated a willingness to chase whatever score they were presented with in however short a time and can only have been delighted by being set a sporting 280 to win in 68 overs.

Derbyshire declared on 258-7 after Wayne Madsen and Dan Redfern took their third-wicket stand to 69 in the morning to maintain the home side's control on the timing of their early exit.

Madsen, who had a fine home debut, scored 71 and Redfern 43. Wickets were sacrificed willingly the closer we came to lunch but it was a good session for the batting side.

The declaration was on the generous side, from Derbyshire's perspective – little more than 4.1 per over on a wicket that had become an easier batting surface – and Middlesex set out with purpose.

However, their target became stiffer when a heavy shower knocked another 18 overs out of the equation before they had the chance to put a run on the board and suddenly the asking rate was 5.7.

Undeterred, Nick Compton evoked the spirit of his grandfather and did all he could to deny Derbyshire the early wickets they needed.

There was no recklessness about his attacking play but he and Sam Robson put on 86 for the first wicket in 20 overs.

Derbyshire surely did not believe it would take them so long to claim their first wicket as they put attacking fields in place and they may have been starting to fear Middlesex could take the initiative as Owais Shah strode to the middle to replace Robson, who was run out for 29 by smart work from Chris Rogers.

Shah showed what he was capable of with his unbeaten 129 in the first innings and pushed up the scoring-rate from the start as he raced to 23 off 13 balls.

With Compton on 62 and 159 more needed in 26 overs, another heavy shower blew in and this time there was no chance of getting back on the field, which was a real shame.

Both teams deserve credit for their intentions but there was only one winner this time.