In this week’s South division fixtures, Somerset showed hey meant business. Although undone by a Sam Billings century at Canterbury, they bounded back by accumulating 241-5 at home to Hampshire a few days later. Tom Abell (96 not out) and Sean Dickson (65) shared a stand of 144 before Ben Green proved it wasn’t a featherbed wicket by taking 5-29. On Tuesday, it was all about the seam bowlers, Aussie Riley Meredith (4-12) leading the way as Middlesex were skittled for 78. Not quite England v Oman, but it did Somerset’s net run rate a world of good.
Sussex also won twice, scoring over 200 on each occasion. Daniel Hughes reached 65 twice as they defeated Surrey and Gloucestershire. Middlesex broke their duck with a last-over victory over Kent, for whom Zak Crawley is struggling for runs. Not so Ollie Pope, who was left high and dry on 99 in Surrey’s loss against Sussex.
In the North group, Nottinghamshire remain pointless after five games. going down to Derbyshire and table-toppers Lancashire, who also edged their contest against Birmingham Bears. Derbyshire were involved in tow of the most one-sided encounters of the week. Ross Whitely smashed a 16-ball 46 not out and grabbed three wickets in a 96-run drubbing of neighbours Notts, but struggled against Yorkshire at Headingley. Adam Lyth (84) and Dawid Malan (79 not out) were rarely troubled in their pursuit of 180.
Lots to play for in the coming weeks, and almost any county could progress to then knockouts, even Nottinghamshire, but hey may require the luck of a United States to do so!
Team of the Week:- Wells (Lan), Hughes (Sus), Bedingham (Dur), Abell
(Som), Pope (Sur), Billings (Ken +), Coles (Sus), Whitely (Der), Raine (Dur), Green
(Som), Rehan Ahmed (Lei)
