Metro Bank One Day Cup – One round to go

Lots to play for as we head into the final round of matches

While Glamorgan and Warwickshire have dominated Group B, there has been a scrap for qualifying spots in Group A, led by Somerset. The West Country side have previously struggled in this competition, because of the demands on their squad made by the Hundred and have not finished higher than seventh in their group. This year they have managed to weather the loss of eleven players and look like they have secured the top spot, following a dominant win against Middlesex. They finished their group games with three successive wins, following a loss to Derbyshire by one wicket, 17-year old Harry Moore getting the Falcons home with 36 from 20 balls. Somerset then had comfortable wins against Northamptonshire by seven wickets and Worcestershire by five wickets. Even though they can still be caught by Worcestershire, Somerset have a far better net run rate, boosted by reaching Middlesex’s total inside 25 overs.

Worcestershire and Hampshire met at New Road on Sunday, the two teams sitting second and third in the table respectively, separated by net run rate. This was their penultimate game and Worcestershire were winners by eight wickets, reaching the target of 165 in 36.2 overs, to put themselves in the driving seat for a home quarter final. Hundred call ups and injuries have decimated the Worcestershire bowling and their six bowlers for this game had an average age of just over 22. While they are not guaranteed a top three spot, they have a superior net run rate to the chasing pack and should be safe unless they suffer a heavy defeat to Lancashire, who recorded their first win of the competition on Sunday.

Hampshire have dropped down to fourth place behind Durham, who beat Kent in their latest match. The Durham total of 307 was built around a debut List A century for 19-year-old Ben McKinney, another product of the Durham Academy. 104 from Harry Finch kept Kent in the hunt, but they fell seven runs short of the target. Durham will achieve a top three spot if they beat Derbyshire, who would in turn go through if they win and Hampshire lose or, should they both win, they can get their net run rate above Hampshire.

Hampshire were sitting in second place before Friday’s games, but have suffered a heavy loss to Durham, by 144 runs, as well as the loss to Worcestershire. Against Durham they were dismissed for just 113. They can still go through if they beat Middlesex in their final game and Derbyshire beat Durham and remain below the Hawks on net run rate.

Derbyshire started the competition with three wins, but have faltered in recent games, losing to Kent and Hampshire in their last two outings. They were bowled out for 152 chasing a target of 296 against Hampshire and then only managed 206 against Kent.

Things are more straight forward in Group B, where Glamorgan and Warwickshire had confirmed their place in the knock out stages with two games left to play. This occurred when Nottinghamshire lost to Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Glamorgan having taken a point each from an abandoned game the day before. Up until that point they both had 100 percent records, but Warwickshire then went down to Yorkshire. Six for 28 from George Hill helped restrict the Bears to 242/9, Rob Yates (72) the only batter to pass 38. A century from Will Luxton, finishing on 105 not out, then helped the Vikings to victory with 5.3 overs to spare, four wickets down. Warwickshire are up against Nottinghamshire in their last game, the Outlaws now out of contention following losses to Essex and Gloucestershire.

Meanwhile Glamorgan also suffered their first defeat, going down to Leicestershire who now sit in third place, one point behind Glamorgan and Warwickshire. Glamorgan had the Foxes in trouble at 59/5, four wickets to Timm van der Gugten, but were saved by a century from Peter Handscomb, backed up by Ben Cox (34) and Tom Scriven (25*). Van der Gugten finished with five for 49. Glamorgan have limited seam bowling resources and are heavily reliant on van der Gugten. The Foxes finished on a respectable 271/8 and looked to be well on top when Colin Ingram was out for a run-a-ball 68, with the score on 197/7, still needing 75 from 9.1 overs. However a belligerent 61 off 40 balls from Dan Douthwaite gave the visiting Glamorgan fans hope, but he was the last wicket to fall still nine runs short. The innings did mean that Glamorgan’s net run rate was barely affected and they remain in top spot, with Yorkshire to face in their final game. While a win for Glamorgan should see them into a home semi final Yorkshire, even with a win, look unlikely to progress given that Leicestershire and Gloucestershire meet each other and Gloucestershire have a superior net run rate. They would need a huge win against Glamorgan to get their run rate above Gloucestershire, who would also need to win.     

Leicestershire and Gloucestershire are therefore the two sides with a realistic chance of third place and face each other in their final game. Gloucestershire have enjoyed wins against Sussex and Nottinghamshire in their last two matches, the latter game dominated by an innings of 157 off 113 balls from Miles Hammond, as they chased down 333 with 20 balls to spare. Hammond is now their leading run scorer in the competition with 335 at 47.85 at a strike rate of 100.60. Gloucestershire will overtake Leicestershire if they win the final game given their superior net run rate, but are seriously handicapped by the call up to the England Lions of Ollie Price, Ajeet Singh Dale and Zaman Akhter.

As well as the win over Glamorgan, the Foxes had a comfortable victory at Scarborough against Yorkshire in a rain affected game. They were set an adjusted target of 150 from 22 overs and got home with 14 balls to spare, Lewis Hill finishing on 71 not out. They now look strong favourites for third place and could still make it to the top spot if Glamorgan and Warwickshire both lose their final game.

The final group games take place on Wednesday, 14th August, with the two quarter finals two days later and then the semi finals on Sunday, 18th August. Not much time for arrangements to be made, both for teams and supporters. The last group game of the Hundred takes place on Thursday, 15th August so it will be interesting to see how those players might be utilised in the knock out games.

Group A

Group B