The return of fifty-over county cricket saw Warwickshire continuing the success of their Twenty20 counterparts, the Birmingham Bears. In the first week, they were involved in two contrasting contests. The Chelmsford crowd witnessed a 652-run cracker, as Essex hustled to 324-7 only for all-rounder Ed Barnard to crack an unbeaten 173 and Michael Burgess a rapid 59 to sew up the match with fourteen balls to spare. They despatched the One Day Cup holder Leicestershire with greater ease. This time it was Barnard the bowler, taking 4-21 as the home side were swept aside for just 88.
Leicester did at least win a rain-affected tie against Nottinghamshire but in Group A, it was Worcestershire who achieved the highest score of the week, 371-3, against Middlesex. Garth Roderick (115) and Ed Pollock (180 not out) put on 259 for the first wicket, well above what all Middlesex could rack up between them. An unfamiliar Worcester attack, featuring debutants Harry Darley and Tommy Sturgess, contributed to a stonking 183-run win.
Derbyshire triumphed twice in Group A. An unlikely all-round performance by Zak Chappell for their two-wicket victory against Northants. He took 4-39, then, batting at nine, thumped 94 not out, including a century-stand with Ross Whitely (65). Three days later, it was their opening batsmen who shone. Harry Came’s maiden List A century particularly caught the eye.
Elsewhere, there were tons for the experienced Hampshire ‘keeper Ben Brown and Notts opener Ben Slater, but kudos, too, for the young seam bowler, Eddie Jack. The 18-year-old England international took 4-29 for Hampshire against Northamptonshire, wrapping it up by 71 runs.
Team of the Week:- Pollock (Wor), Barnard (War), Came (Der), Umeed
(Som), Bohannon (Lan), Brown (Ham +), De Leede (Dur), Chappell (Lei), Douthwaite
(Gla), J White (Nor), Jack (Ham)
