While the big names ply their trade in the Hundred, the One-Day Cup allows many other county stalwarts and youngsters to make their mark. It also gives cricket a chance to reach outposts like York and Newport, Isle of Wight, which rarely or never host Championship or white-ball county cricket.
The first week has been
particularly fruitful for Hampshire, following their Blast title with three
consecutive wins in the fifty-over tournament. 19 year-old Tom Prest has been a
revelation, smacking Kent for 181 out of a team total of 396-5, a Hampshire
record. The winning margin was 163 runs, but this afternoon’s game on the Isle
of Wight against Northamptonshire was one they really should have lost. Prest
top-scored again but White and Keogh cut them down to 199 all out. Northants
were cruising in mid-innings just 24 from victory when their batting imploded dramatically.
Young Jack Campbell, born just across the Solent in Portsmouth, grabbed three
quick wickets and 177-5 became 188 all out. Northants did hold their nerve
somewhat better against Essex, pipping them by two wickets with just two balls
remaining.
Kent ‘keeper Ollie Robinson
struck the week’s only double-century, tonking the Worcestershire attack for an
unbeaten 206, including 27 fours and six sixes. Chasing 352 for victory,
Robinson’s efforts delivered the goods five overs early. Other batting
highlights were Colin Ingram’s 155 for Glamorgan and Will Fraine’s rapid 143
for Yorkshire.
In Group A, Nottinghamshire won
both their opening fixtures, including a ten-wicket trouncing of 2019 champions
Somerset, who also lost to local rivals Gloucestershire. Middlesex opener Stevie
Eskinazi was on excellent form, and Leicestershire’s South African Wiaan Mulder
carried his red-ball record into the 50-over stuff. Gloucestershire’s Jack
Taylor was probably the all-rounder of the week.
Next week, Hampshire look to
continue their run against Derbyshire and Lancashire. Nottinghamshire are
borrowing Grantham in Leicestershire for their ‘home’ clashes with Durham and
Middlesex, while the latter host the London derby against Surrey at Radlett.
With the widespread drought set to continue, let’s hope there are a few green
patches on the outfields.
Team
of the Week: Eskinazi (Mid), Fraine (Yor), Robinson (Ken +), Prest (Ham),
Mulder (Lei), Ingram (Gla), J Taylor (Glo), Kimber (Sur), Hutton (Not),
Williams (Lan), Campbell (Ham)
