Alex Hales Steals the Show

Nottinghamshire’s openers were again in fine fettle this week. Riki Wessels passed 35 in each of his three innings but when he carried his bat for just 41 at home to Durham, he was completely overshadowed by his opening partner. Alex Hales hammered nine sixes on his way towards a potential record-equalling T20 century. Going for another huge hit off his thirtieth delivery to match Chris Gayle’s world record, he could only sky James Weighell into the ‘keeper’s gloves. However, it was job done for the Outlaws, breaking the previous best for Powerplay runs (106) and reaching the 185 target with 43 balls remaining. Notts also smashed more than 200 against Leicestershire only for the weather to prevent any reply and deny them the chance to more clear of the rest in the North group. Credit is also due to Samit Patel’s impressive consistency with his off-spin: 2-27, 2-26 and 2-23. As for Hales, I don't agree with the suggestion that such form should propel him back into the Test team, but he must be a shoo-in for any T20 international squad.

Northamptonshire also notched their sixth win of the competition. Ben Duckett’s unbeaten 92 against Worcestershire was the individual highlight but they came mighty close to overhauling Warwickshire on Tuesday. Skipper Alex Wakely had them in his sights but was run out from the last ball with three needed for victory.

Struggling Durham won the North-East derby in a thriller at Chester-le-Street. Paul Collingwood plundered 88 off 57 deliveries but Willey and Patterson frustrated his team-mates and 157 wasn’t a frightening target for Yorkshire. However, the visitors also struggled, with McCarthy and Coughlin each taking three wickets. Needing ten off the last over, they could scramble just eight, thus losing by a single run.

Scoring wasn’t as high further south. Glamorgan’s narrow victory over Surrey ensured they remained top of the league. They were unfortunate not to triumph in the Severn derby, too. Michael Hogan produced a brilliant five-wicket burst in his last two overs to restrict Gloucestershire to 150-9. Unfortunately for the Welsh, they were undone by a poor start when batting before the rain wiped out the last 15 overs. Duckworth-Lewis did the rest. Somerset also lost to their local rivals at Bristol but lead them by a single point with five to play.

The South group is so tight, anything could happen in the next fortnight. Just six points separate top and bottom, so Essex need not be too downhearted right now. However, they face a tricky trip to Bristol next Sunday. On the same day, the Somerset-Glamorgan clash could well have a major influence on who progresses to the quarter-finals. On Friday, Headingley hopes for a bumper night as Roses rivals Lancashire are in town while, down at Trent Bridge, Warwickshire’s bowlers will have to get rid of Hales and Wessels early on if they want to have a reasonable chance of overhauling Notts at the top of the North division.

Team of the Week: Wessels (Not), Hales (Not), Nash (Sus), Madsen (Der), Rossington (Nor +), Bailey (Ham), Patel (Not), Shahid Afridi (Ham), T Curran (Sur), Gleeson (Nor), Hogan (Gla)