Somerset threaten winter clearout

National League Division Two
Latest table

Lancashire 129 for 8 v Somerset at Old Trafford - Match abandoned
Scorecard
Somerset's rainy draw under the Old Trafford floodlights was totally eclipsed by a dark announcement from their chief executive. Peter Anderson described his side's performances this season as "shambolic and embarrassing" and threatened to sack up to 10 players at the end of the summer.

Anderson announced he would soon be to writing to the playing staff to make his dissatisfaction clear. "Some will be getting letters warning them that we're not satisfied", he said, before adding an ominous postscript: "I'm advised that in cricket, as in other forms of employment, it's necessary to issue warnings before you can dismiss people."

Anderson's comments followed a crisis meeting held in the aftermath of last week's County Championship defeat against Northamptonshire. During the meeting, senior management at the club issued the assembled players with a stark warning - improve or you're out. "Performances have been shambolic and embarrassing," said Anderson. "It's not being beaten that concerns me so much as the manner of defeat and the apparent lack of enthusiasm in the side."

But typical Manchester weather denied Somerset's players the chance to make immediate amends. After Lancashire reached 129 for 8 in 20 overs in an interrupted innings, the rain returned and Somerset never had chance to begin their reply. Following a delayed start, Lancashire's innings was twice reduced - from 29 overs to 24, then finally to 20 - as rain butted in. The innings stuttered along and only Stuart Law injected any urgency, hitting a crisp 32 from 21 balls.

Duckworth-Lewis calculations left Somerset a revised target of 139 but before they could begin their innings the showers returned. Lancashire's chances of pulling clear at the top of the Second Division of the National League gurgled down the drain, with two points taking them level with Northamptonshire. Somerset, meanwhile, remained bottom.