Somerset Win Big but Lightning also Strike Twice

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)

Somerset clean sweep, Glamorgan make hay

Can’t believe I am saying this but Somerset are actually getting me quite excited about the Blast. Three more wins this week extended their 100% record to six. Of course, it could all still go horribly wrong and even if we make the knockouts, a quarter-final defeat by then wickets is a strong possibility. The batters didn’t see much action, and it was the bowling which inflicted the greatest damage upon Kent, Middlesex and Essex. In particular, the 25-year-old Devonian seamer, Ben Green, mopped up ten wickets, including 4-20 against Middlesex who have been as abject as Somerset have been supreme. 

Surrey stand second in the South table, but it took a last-ball single from Jamie Smith to clinch the points in Canterbury on Sunday. Glamorgan supporters enjoyed plenty of runs this week, twice passing 200. It was the old double-act of Colin Ingram and Chris Cooke who were in superb form, especially in harness. Each of them amassed 200 runs from the three fixtures, Cooke’s unbeaten 113 off just 51 balls against Middlesex the highlight. In that game, the pair plundered 187 in a 79-ball partnership, with Helm and Higgins consistently conceding boundaries. 

Hampshire picked up two resounding victories, against Essex and Sussex. In the latter, opposing skipper Ravi Bopara arrived at the Ageas Bowl too late to play but unfortunately home captain James Vince was present, correct and able to extend his week’s run tally beyond 260. He now has more than 20,000 runs for his county, a record he shares with Derbyshire’s Wayne Madsen, whose dismissal for ‘only’ 44 against Yorkshire was the first time he had failed to make 50 in this year’s competition.

In the North division, Worcestershire’s perfect start to the Blast was ruined by Northamptonshire, who pipped them at New Road by six wickets with only two balls remaining. That result notwithstanding, Brett D’Oliveira and Pat Brown were in good form this week. Whilst mediocre in the Championship, Yorkshire claimed three successive T20 wins, Dawid Malan exceeding 80 on each occasion. He top-scored in the Roses clash with Lancashire at Headingley, despite the arrival from India of Jos Buttler. The England star, one of many in the Lancs line-up, failed to arrest a decline in fortunes. 

Another former T20 icon, Alex Hales, achieved just one half-century for Nottinghamshire, easily outscored by fellow opener Joe Clarke and Colin Munro. The latter pair were instrumental in the crucial triumph over former leaders the Birmingham Bears, firing fifteen sixes between them. 

In the next few days, Worcestershire travel to both Yorkshire and Lancashire while Somerset’s winning streak will be sorely tested at Hampshire and local rivals Gloucestershire. 

Team of the Week:- Clarke (Not), Vince (Ham), D Malan (Yor), Madsen (Der), Ingram (Gla), Cooke (Gla), Dawson (Ham), Narine (Sur), Payne (Glo), Sama (Ess), Green (Som)