Rain, drama, and a relentless seam attack—day three of the Rothesay County Championship clash between Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire at New Road had it all, but left the outcome tantalizingly unresolved. As the third day drew to a close on September 10, 2025, Nottinghamshire stood just 96 runs away from a crucial victory, but the weather and a spirited Worcestershire resistance ensured the contest is still very much alive heading into the final day.
Worcestershire began the day under thick, grey skies at 93-5, with Gareth Roderick and Ethan Brookes tasked with the daunting job of rebuilding against a Nottinghamshire side hungry for points. The overnight pair showed admirable grit, navigating a stern examination from the visitors’ seamers. Roderick, in particular, was a picture of discipline, driving with precision and rotating the strike when possible. Brookes, for his part, dug in for a 77-ball stay, helping Worcestershire inch past 100 in the opening hour.
The partnership, Worcestershire’s most promising of the innings, lasted 26 overs and added 52 runs, offering a glimmer of hope to the home faithful. But the resistance was finally broken when Brookes miscued a wide delivery from Lyndon James, sending a catch to the cover fielder. The wicket was a turning point, with James striking again immediately to pin Matthew Waite lbw, leaving Worcestershire teetering at 120-7.
Tom Taylor survived the hat-trick ball, but misfortune struck soon after. A low-bouncing delivery from Dillon Pennington trapped Taylor lbw for 11, before Josh Tongue claimed his fourth wicket by having Ben Allison caught at slip. The hosts’ hopes of setting a testing target rested with Roderick, who remained unbeaten on a fighting 37 from 116 balls. But the innings was wrapped up when James bowled Khurram Shahzad, completing a five-wicket haul and passing the milestone of 100 first-class wickets—a remarkable achievement for the Nottinghamshire all-rounder.
Worcestershire’s total of 160 left Nottinghamshire needing just 136 for victory. Yet, as has been the story of this round of matches, the weather had other ideas. Rain and bad light repeatedly interrupted proceedings, with only six overs possible between lunch and tea. When play did resume, Tom Taylor provided a bolt of hope for Worcestershire by bowling Haseeb Hameed for nought—his second duck of the match, a rare pair for the Nottinghamshire captain.
That early breakthrough left Nottinghamshire at 0-1, but Ben Slater and Freddie McCann weathered the storm—both literal and metaphorical. McCann, showing no signs of nerves in the gloom, played a series of crisp shots while Slater was content to accumulate quietly. The pair guided Nottinghamshire to 40-1 before the umpires finally called a halt for bad light and rain at around 5:30pm. The visitors now require just 96 more runs, with nine wickets still in hand, to seal what could be a season-defining win.
For Worcestershire, the day was one of frustration and fleeting opportunity. Their bowlers, led by Taylor, who notched his 48th Division One wicket of the season, have shown fight, but the batting frailties under pressure have left them with a mountain to climb. Roderick’s unbeaten 37 was the standout, his defiance at the crease earning praise from commentators and fans alike. According to the ECB Reporters’ Network, "Roderick was left unbeaten on 37 from 116 balls," a testament to his patience and resolve in trying conditions.
Nottinghamshire’s bowling, on the other hand, was the story of the day. Lyndon James’ figures of 5-35 were complemented by Josh Tongue’s 4-52, giving the pair combined match figures of 7-111. Their relentless accuracy and ability to exploit a seamer-friendly pitch kept the pressure firmly on the home side. James’ five-for was his third in first-class cricket, and the milestone of 100 wickets was celebrated by teammates and supporters alike. As reported by the ECB, "Lyndon James took 5-35, passing 100 first-class wickets in the process."
The rain-affected nature of the match has been a recurring theme across the country, with matches at Taunton, The Oval, and elsewhere also suffering delays and interruptions. At New Road, the stop-start rhythm tested the patience of players and spectators, but the handful of die-hard fans who braved the elements were treated to a gripping contest. As Tanya Aldred noted, "A handful of doughty souls with amazing staying power sit in the stands," a nod to the loyal supporters who refused to let the weather dampen their spirits.
Looking ahead, the final day promises high drama. With Nottinghamshire closing in on victory, the spotlight will be on Worcestershire’s bowlers to conjure up something special. The pitch has offered assistance to the seamers, and with the weather forecast still uncertain, nothing can be taken for granted. The Nottinghamshire camp, led by Haseeb Hameed, will be eager to wrap up proceedings swiftly and keep their title hopes alive ahead of a crucial fixture against leaders Surrey next week.
Worcestershire, meanwhile, will hope for early wickets and perhaps a twist of fate from the weather gods. The margin for error is slim, but cricket has a habit of springing surprises—especially when the elements are in play. The resilience shown by Roderick and Brookes in the morning session will serve as inspiration, but it will take a collective effort to turn the tide.
The wider context of the County Championship adds another layer of intrigue. Nottinghamshire started the round just nine points behind Surrey, and a win here would keep them firmly in the hunt for the title. For Worcestershire, every point is precious as they look to climb the table and secure their Division One status.
Elsewhere in the Championship, standout performances abounded despite the weather. Saif Zaib’s sixth century of the season for Northamptonshire, Matt Critchley’s ton for Essex, and Shan Masood’s debut hundred for Leicestershire all captured the imagination of fans. But at New Road, it’s the battle between bat and ball—and the battle against the elements—that has defined the contest.
As the teams prepare for what could be a decisive final day, all eyes will be on the skies and the scoreboard. Will Nottinghamshire’s seamers finish the job, or can Worcestershire script a late comeback? With just 96 runs separating the visitors from a vital win and the weather forecast still unsettled, this County Championship clash remains on a knife edge.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion at New Road. One thing’s for certain: rain or shine, there’s plenty of cricketing drama still to unfold.
