Writing this as the rain continues to pour down on Cardiff and the thermometer reads 15 degrees, it is hard to think about cricket. Yet, with the domestic season more than halfway through, the T20 tournament reaches the end of the qualifying stage.
Much has been made of the weather, yet it is only really in the Midlands/Wales/West group which has suffered a debilitating succession of 'No Results', many of the complete washouts. Indeed, five of Glamorgan's nine fixtures have been ruined by the weather. If you're glass is half full, yet negative about the Dragons' ability to win anything, you'd say that's five points gained. On the other hand, maybe they could have won those five and by now would be standing proud at the top of the table. In reality, they languish in fifth place behind Worcestershire, Somerset, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire with no chance of progressing. The perennial runners-up have had to make do without big names yet are still hopeful of reaching the quarter-finals. Whoever wins in their tie with Worcestershire will go through. However, the Bears and Gladiators could both advance by winnig their games tomorrow. It could all go down to net run rate and, of course, the weather!
In the North group, it's already cut and dried. Yorkshire have 14 points, with six victories, while Nottinghamshire are in second place despite having four NRs. Durham are three points adrift but perhaps may just about continue in the competition as one of the best third-placers.
The South East of the country has a much better climate and has lost only three matches to the weather, even while most of the UK was drenched yesterday evening. Sussex are the only side unbeaten so far, and are certain of a knockout place. Hampshire have 12 points and should join them, even if they lose to closest rivals Essex tomorrow afternoon. Sussex batting has been excellent, topping 200 three times, although only Luke Wright has aggregated more than 200 individual runs for them. Surrey have lost no games to the weather but maybe wish they had. Despite a great line-up, they have lost seven out of nine, althiugh Tom Maynard's recent death unsurprisingly left them short of energy in staging a late fightback.
Big signings Herschelle Gibbs, Phil Hughes and Cameron White have performed well but probably only Hughes will get the chance to add to his 277 in six games, as Worcestershire prepare for the Somerset game. Top of the runs table is Lancashire's less renowned Steven Croft with 292. James Hildreth has the only century of the competition to date.
Mitch Starc's left-arm pace has earned more wickets than any other bowler in the tournament, with 16, two ahead of Essex teenager Reece Topley. The Aussie has a much better economy rate than the consistent Topley, but Surrey spinner Gareth Batty has the meanest figures of any top wicket-taker, conceding fewer than five an over across all nine matches. Perhaps the biggest name of them all, Muttiah Muralitharan, has continued to stem the flow in the five fixtures played for Gloucestershire, yet has only four wickets to his name.
So who will win the competition? Impossible to predict, of course. It's Twenty20! Last year's shock champions Leicestershire have had a disaster in 2012 so past success is no guide to future trophies. Sussex and Yorkshire are in the hottest form at present but it's all down to who does better on the day in Cardiff next month. I had also better check the rules on what happens when rain washes out Finals Day!! Let's hope it is decided on the cricket pitch, and for my sanity's sake, Somerset finally get the luck their consistency and talent deserves!
