In
the 50-over final, Kent’s Joe Denly made few runs but took four wickets. His
all-round contribution in a narrow victory over Surrey was more impressive: a
rapid 102 and 3-31. Surrey were also outdone by an all-rounder earlier in the
week. They lost the London derby thanks largely to Paul Stirling’s 36-ball 66
and three wickets.
Across
both North and South divisions, Worcestershire are so far the only county to
win two matches, although no individual shone especially. It was a team effort.
Lancashire’s nine-wicket demolition of Derbyshire was the most convincing
performance of the week, thanks largely to Liam Livingstone’s century. When it
comes to big hitting, none could surpass the innings of Nottinghamshire’s Daniel
Christian; his unbeaten 113 in the win over Northants included nine sixes!
However,
for consistency, credit goes to Sam Hain, who contributed a couple of 50s for
Warwickshire, and Ben Duckett. The Northamptonshire opener just missed out on
three figures – not once but twice.
Sussex
look a useful T20 outfit, bolstered by Jofra Archer and Rashid Khan. However,
it was David Wiese who achieved the only five-for of the week, although Imran
Tahir’s 4-14 for Durham deserves a mention.
It’s
early days in the competition but so long as this weather continues, the fans
turn up and the players deliver, it could be a bumper summer for the Blast.
Team of the
Week:
Duckett
(Nor), Denly (Ken), Livingstone (Lan), Hain (War), Christian (Not), Burgess
(Sus +), Clarke (Sur), Wiese (Sus), Archer (Sus), Imran Tahir (Not), Brooks
(Yor)
