The
greatest surprise of the week was not Ollie Pope’s selection for England’s Test
team but Northamptonshire’s seven-wicket defeat of Derbyshire, their first T20
victory of the season. Josh Cobb’s 73 not out was the key contribution,
following his maiden T20 century three days earlier against Birmingham Bears.
Callum
Ferguson also struck his first hundred in this format, 102 not out in 56 balls,
in Worcestershire’s straightforward despatch of Nottinghamshire. He was in the
runs again at Grace Road but, when he was run out on 69, the chase fizzled out
and Leicestershire claimed their first home win so far. It also prevented
Worcester going top. That accolade goes to Durham, who beat Lancashire at Old
Trafford. A brisk Alex Davies start had the home side cruising towards the
target but an inexplicable batting implosion against spinner Trevaskis cost them
the game. They met again next week.
A
few days later, they didn’t repeat the errors at Headingley, and the subsequent
37-run success over the Bears promoted them to third place in the North
division.
In
the South, Somerset recorded another 100% week, beating Hampshire, Surrey and
Sussex. Johann Myburgh announced his impending retirement this week and
Somerset will miss his T20 runs. Jamie Overton’s 4-24 at Taunton yesterday
afternoon was the latest in a series of fine white-ball performances.
Glamorgan’s
season has suddenly caught fire. They defeated the three weakest sides,
Hampshire, Essex and Middlesex, Colin Ingram marking his return from illness
with more than 200 runs. The Welsh were also given a helping hand by a Scotsman
Ruaidhri Smith. He ripped out the Middlesex top four, three of them bowled, and
took 4-6 in total. Not bad!
Top
innings of the week was Gloucestershire’s 242-4, the hapless Middlesex their
victims. Ian Cockbain scored 123 of them, consisting of 12 fours and 8 sixes.
They now sit two behind leaders Somerset with a game in hand. The western
counties are currently sitting pretty, thanks in part to Kent and Sussex
experiencing more abandonments. Last month’s clash between the neighbours was
ruined by rain and yesterday’s return match at Hove was a complete washout.
If
Canterbury has further downpours next Thursday, Somerset won’t complain, as
this would hand them the single point needed to qualify for the knockout stage.
Glamorgan’s final fixture against Surrey at Cardiff could be a tasty one and a
large Friday night crowd is anticipated. Lancashire travel to Edgbaston hoping
to confirm a place in the quarters while Durham will also probably make sure by
beating Derbyshire at Chester-le-Street.
Meanwhile,
the Western Storm have been continuing to light up the area in and around Bristol,
winning two more fixtures to lead the Kia Super League. Their top three batters
have been in superb form, and Mandhana and skipper Knight in particular.
Lancashire Thunder were also defeated by Surrey Stars, for whom South African opener
Lizelle Lee starred with the bat. Three games to go but it’s looking good for the
Storm to make another final.
Team of the
Week:
Lee (Stars),
Ferguson (Wor), Cockbain (Glo), Cobb (Nor), Ingram (Gla), Moores (Not +),
Clarke (Sur), Trevaskis (Lan), Parnell (Wor), J Overton (Som), Smith (Gla)
