COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, New Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Hampshire 383, Worcestershire 159 and 102-4 (Hants 7pts, Worcestershire 3pts)
9-12 September 2009

Rhodes has vowed to take Worcestershire back up for a third time

Worcestershire's relegation to Division Two was finally confirmed after they failed to take a single batting point against Hampshire at New Road.

Dismissed for 159 after losing seven wickets for 81 between lunch and tea, they then followed on 224 behind.

And, after closing the second day on 102-4, Steve Rhodes' men now face a 10th defeat in 14 games.

For Hampshire, a much-needed first win in eight games would considerably ease their own relegation worries.

But, after twice following relegation from the top flight by bouncing straight back up, Worcestershire coach Rhodes has already vowed that they can make it three promotions in five seasons.

"We have proved that we are quite good at bobbing up and down from second division to first division," said Rhodes. "And it's obviously going to be our aim next year."

Already, Rhodes' job has been made harder by the loss of two of his England international contingent, Surrey-bound wicketkeeper Steven Davies and off-spinner Gareth Batty.

In addition, injury-hit former Ashes 2005 hero Simon Jones was considered too much of a gamble to be handed another contract, although that has not stopped Hampshire and his former county Glamorgan vying for his services.

And two more, paceman Kabir Ali and England Lions opener Stephen Moore, will probably be on their way too.

The air of impending doom was certainly etched all over another miserable batting performance at New Road.

We've had some dismal batting performances Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes

Building on the first-day 161-run stand between Jimmy Adams and Nic Pothas, Hampshire drove home their advantage by reaching 383.

And Worcestershire seemed to be cruising along in an opening stand of 70 by Moore and Daryl Mitchell.

But seven wickets went down between lunch and tea to leave them following on 224 behind.

With Sussex having earlier taken a bowling point at Hove, being bowled out for less than 200 and not picking up any batting points finally ensured relegation at New Road.

And, with confidence further shattered after losing all 10 wickets within 39 overs, Worcestershire were in no state to hold off Dominic Cork second time around when he ripped out three wickets for one run in 13 deliveries with the new ball.

The only bright spot on a grim day at New Road was a dramatic improvement in Moeen Ali's career bowling figures.

After taking just three Championship wickets in four seasons with his occasional off-breaks, Moeen took the remaining two wickets to earn figures of 4-29, Cork being last out, caught at long-on for 43.

But there was no papering over the cracks for Rhodes.

"Our cricket in the four-day form this season has been disappointing," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"We've not been able to bowl sides out and we've not been able to control opposition batsmen because of the way we've bowled.

"You've got to add to that the fact that we've had some dismal batting performances. The collapses have hit us very badly."

But Worcestershire are still in contention for the Pro40 crown if they win their last two games, starting with Somerset on Monday evening (1640 BST). And, with that in mind, Rhodes remains positive.

At least we are still challenging on the one-day front Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton

"Our preparations for next year are well under way," he added.

"You don't stop in my job, it's 24-7. The text messages come in, the agents come in and there are phone calls from overseas at all sorts of odd times.

"The planning goes on for all 12 months of the year. And it's already started."

As to Rhodes' own future, despite the obvious mutterings among the members at times like this, the long-serving former Worcestershire and England wicketkeeper appears to have the continued backing of the New Road board.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton added: "It's desperately disappointing.

"With a squad of 20 players, 10 of whom have played international Lions or under-19 cricket, we felt we could compete in four-day cricket and challenge for titles in one-day cricket.

"The four-day game has not gone well. I don't have the reasons or the answers for that. I'm not a cricketer.

"But at least we are still challenging on the one-day front."

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