The group
stage runners-up and third placers met in the sort-of-quarter-finals at Taunton
and Headingley. Somerset scored an impressive 405 but unfortunately for them,
it w in pursuit of a stunning 429-9 racked up by Nottinghamshire, who had
passed 400 twice in last year’s competition. Even without Hales, their batting
in limited overs has enormous potential, and most delivered last week.
Brendon
Taylor thrashed 154 in 97 balls, followed by a rapid 62 in the semi-final a few
days later. Riki Wessels and Samit Patel knocked half-centuries but only Somerset’s
reliable Dean Elgar managed a decent innings (91) in response. The late-order
did their best with cameo hitting but were bowled out 24 runs and two overs
short.
Surrey also
claimed an away win by the same margin. That man Kumar Sangakkara passed three
figures yet again in that beautifully fluent style that is his hallmark.
When it came
to the semis, Surrey were even more emphatic. England discard Jason Roy rediscovered
some form with 92 and wicketkeeper struck a second successive score of 86,
ahead of the Sri Lankan legend’s 72-ball 73. In a week where county attack were
being taken apart, all credit – albeit grudgingly! – to Gareth Batty, who took
5-40 as Worcestershire crumbled.
At
Chelmsford, Alastair Cook achieved a third century in the competition this
summer for Essex, and at more than a run a ball. His face may not fit the current
template for power and aggression but often it’s mastery of the basic which can
be so effective in the 50-over game, and Cook is undoubtedly a master batsman. His
skipper Ryan Ten Doeschate also produced another of his 102 not outs And yet it wasn’t enough. A brilliant partnership
of 185 between Samit Patel, sweating in the sunshine, and the ebullient Steve
Mullaney, took them to the brink of the huge 374 target before Mullaney was caught
behind off Wagner on 111. Patel took his side over the finishing line six
deliveries later.
It all sets
up an enthralling final next month.
Team of the
Week: Cook (Ess), Wessels (Not), Sangakkara (Sur), Patel (Not), B Taylor (Not),
Mullaney (Not), Foakes (Sur +), Gregory (Som), Batty (Sur), Azeem Rafiq (Yor),
Porter (Ess)
