Renshaw runs lift Somerset to the top

Excuse me while I attempt to bring my feet fluttering back to earth but it has been a giddy day or two on the cricketing fields of England and Scotland. First there were the pictures of stony-faced Root, Hales, Ali, Rashid et al having been dealt a maiden ODI defeat by the likes of Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod, Mark Watt and George Munsey in front of 6,000 disbelieving fans in Edinburgh. England may well go on to defeat Australia but the Scots can always boast of beating the world’s number one 50-over cricket nation. Next was the sight of Sarah Taylor adding another century to her effortless wicketkeeping for England against South Africa. Now the best of all: Somerset going top of the County Championship!

We’ve done it before, of course. Somerset’s problem for 120 years is never being in that position at the end of the season. With injuries and England call-ups, we ought to be at the opposite end of the table but I shall enjoy the moment while I can. Having forced the previous leading side Nottinghamshire to follow on, Tom Abell’s side must have contemplated wrapping things up inside three days. However, the Notts batting was far more resilient second time around and, with Tom Moores completing his first Championship century, they ended up setting Somerset a tricky 248 to win on the final day. I needn’t have worried. Matt Renshaw took his match aggregate to 167 and Stephen Davies and Abell compiled one of their useful fifth-wicket stands to clinch victory.

They lead the table by a single point from Surrey, who pounded Hampshire by an innings at Southampton. Rory Burns top-scored with 151 before his attack bowled the home side out twice. Rikki Clarke claimed a five-for while Morne Morkel’s debut featured two typically miserly blasts with the ball. It doesn’t get easier for Somerset because they now face a trip to The Oval and a potential dive down the table should Essex beat Notts.

The champions advanced to third having dealt Lancashire a five-wicket defeat at Old Trafford. Last year’s stars Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer were again in fine fettle, garnering seven wickets apiece. Essex may be missing captain Ryan Ten Doeschate next week after he was punished for another disciplinary indiscretion with a one-match ban.

In Division Two, Ian Bell became the first Warwickshire player to score two hundreds in a match since – er – he last did it in 2004. Strange to think he hadn’t reached three figures in red-ball cricket for two years then does it twice in a few days. Helped by Jonathan Trott and solid bowling support, Warwickshire outclassed Glamorgan to more twenty-four points clear. Kent remain second but, having amassed almost 600 in the first innings and Matt Henry proceeding to take 6-58, they must be disappointed not to have taken maximum points at Bristol. Instead, Gloucestershire fought back with Dent and van Buuren and secured a draw.

Leicestershire must be feeling dizzy in third place but they were worthy winners over Northamptonshire who can’t seem to score runs. Zak Chappell’s first-innings 6-44 and an excellent performance from medium-pacer Ben Raine, eclipsing his opening partner Mohammed Abbas, helped set up a six-wicket success. 

At Chester-le-Street, Durham contrived to beat Derbyshire despite being skittled for 96 on the opening morning, when Duanne Olivier nabbed 5-20. The inexperienced Gareth Harte’s 114 started to reverse fortunes while the very experienced Chris Rushworth completed the comeback with 5-46. 

As in Division One, next week sees first playing second so, if Warwickshire defeat Kent, Durham could enter the promotion zone should they overcome Sussex at Arundel. With no money and their best batsmen pilfered by the big boys, Durham will be relieved and proud of such an improvement. Northants will host Gloucestershire and harbour hopes of securing a first Championship triumph of 2018.

Team of the Week: 

Renshaw (Som), Burns (Sur), Bell (War), Denly (Ken), Khawaja (Gla), Davies (Som +), van Buuren (Glo), Raine (Lei), Harmer (Ess), Olivier (Der), Rushworth (Dur)

Coetzer and Bangladesh join the World Cup record breakers

The 2015 World Cup has served up so many batting records I'm losing count. With Gayle's 200, AB De Villiers' fastest 150, all the 400+ totals and record partnerships, the statistics are mounting up to suggest in some people's minds that this competition is the best ever. No, it's just the tournament with the worst balance of bat and ball.

All the records seem to be made by batsmen. I'm not denying that crowds enjoy watching the likes of world superstars Brendan McCullum, David Warner and Kumar Sangakkara strike fours and sixes around the park but it seems like innings of 300 of becoming the norm and 400 is no longer the rarity it was even four years ago. Personally I'd rather see a 250-250 thriller than one side set a target of 400 which even the top teams would struggle to approach. That means bowlers taking wickets and it's not only Broad and Anderson failing to do so with disappointing regularity.

Economy rates are also affected by the constant tinkering of rules, bat and ball technology and the apparent shrinking of playing areas towards the square itself. Watching highlights of previous World Cups reminded me that the boundary used to be the advertising boards immediately in front of Row A. Now the 'rope' is routinely placed about 5 metres beyond spectators and don't tell me it's for the fielders' safety.

So far there have been only seven five-fors, which makes Tim Southee's 7-33 against England and Mitch Starc's 6-28 against the Black Caps even more outstanding. Even Steve Finn's five wickets against the Aussies came at the expense of 71 runs, hardly something to celebrate.

Anyway, some batting performances are to be applauded. Yesterday's magnificent 156 was not only a personal List A career best for Kyle Coetzer but also out-did any previous innings by an Associate nation player. Such a shame that Scotland could not capitalise on their best total and register that elusive first World Cup victory. That they failed was on account of a wonderful run chase by Bangladesh.

I was surprised that Tamim Iqbal's 95 was Bangladesh's highest in a World Cup but further swift fifties by Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib al Hasan took them across the 319 target line with eleven balls to spare at Nelson. Suddenly it's not impossible that Bangladesh could reach the quarter-finals. If they do, it will almost certainly be at the expense of England, who must beat them on Monday to remain in the hunt.

And then there's Australia. The hosts and pre-tournament favourites will want to beat Sri Lanka because if Bangladesh triumph at Adelaide next week they will have to beat the Scots to progress. Defeat is unthinkable but the ultimate shock would thrill millions. Ireland were brought down to earth this week and if they lose to Zimbabwe at the weekend, the prospects of another Associate side reaching the knock-outs will recede further. They will need to overcome Pakistan to give themselves a chance, unless the West Indies fail to beat UAE. Even if they win, it could be down to net run rate.

The Windies' plunge down the rankings saddens me but for the good of global cricket I'd love it if one of the non-Test nations makes the last eight. In reality that means Ireland. Ah, a man can dream...!

Melbourne belongs to India

When I sat amongst 10,000+ India fans at Sophia Gardens for the 2013 Champions Trophy opener against South Africa, I realised what a joyous occasion an international cricket match can be. Watching highlights of the World Cup encounter between the same nations at the MCG I can barely imagine what it must have felt like amongst an exuberant and victorious crowd of 84,000.

As in that game in Cardiff, India batted first, Shikhar Dhawan struck a wonderful hundred and SA's run chase fell short. However, this time, the result was rarely in doubt. While Sharma fell early, the Delhi left-hander contributed two century partnerships, with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, with Wayne Parnell suffering a real pounding. Even Dale Steyn could only scratch his head and offer a rueful smile as his best efforts were met by some outrageous shot-making all around the wicket.

A target of 300 is invariably too much for any side batting second at the MCG but with the likes of AB De Villiers, Hashim Amla, David Miller and Faf Du Plessis anything is possible, especially against an Indian attack associated with ordinariness. Nevertheless MS Dhoni and his masters have forged a new-found togetherness and for once the bowlers delivered. Shami and Mohit Sharma never let the frontline batsmen get going, then the spinners ensured that there was to be no mid-innings acceleration.

The bowlers were supported by some magnificent fielding, with De Villiers and Miller beaten to the crease by two superb throws. The long tail failed to wag and India wrapped things up almost ten overs early. Now not only India but the rest of the cricket world can begin to believe that Dhoni's men can defend their crown.

Meanwhile, England gained their first win of the campaign but an easy victory over the might of Scotland merely papers over the cracks. Moeen Ali's 128 showed what the Worcestershire star can do but Ian Bell's fifty was too slow against such an attack. Much as I have been an admirer of Bell for the decade, he needs to up the strike rate when England meet the big boys. Still, at least he did score more than Root, Balance, Buttler and Taylor put together. Morgan produced six much-needed boundaries but the big winners were England's seamers. Finn's economy rate was under 3, a vast improvement on the 24.5 in the NZ humiliation.

So while England and India now look set to reach the knockout stage, what will this defeat do for South Africa. It doesn't mean they can't chase a good total, but it will give Pakistan, the West Indies and even Ireland extra hope, particularly if they win the toss.