Last Eight Nearly Decided

My piece today is shorter than Chris Gayle's run up with just three Friends Provident Trophy matches to report and only two were completed. The only live match was at Leicester where Nottinghamshire won to maintain their qualification chances. I'm not exactly sure when the number of overs required for a match changed from 20 to 10 but that alteration was vital for Notts who after a rain break were left only 10 overs to bowl. Leicestershire's target was 77 but they were restricted to 67 with Ryan Sidebottom allowing only five runs from the final over. Notts scored 149 in 35.3 overs before the long rain delay, man of the match was Samit Patel who top scored with 48 not out following on the back of six wickets in his last match, he clearly looks in good all-round shape.

At The Oval already out Surrey beat already through Sussex with two former England players starring, Mark Ramprakash scored a third century of the competition while Chris Schofield took five wickets. The match was reduced to 39 overs per side and Surrey batting first scored 241 with Ramps making the major contribution. Sussex lost their form batsman Ed Joyce in the first over of the reply and despite a 58 run second wicket partnership between Joe Gatting and Chris Nash the introduction of Schofield halted the chase. The third match between Northants and Glamorgan was abandoned, both team were already out.

Tomorrow sees the final group matches and the main matters of interest lie in Groups A and B. In A three teams (Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire and Hampshire) are battling over two spots, Hampshire are at Trent Bridge while Worcs face Ireland. In B the runners-up spot behind Somerset is up for grabs with three counties (Middlesex, Warwickshire and Kent) in the running, Warks have it in their own hands knowing a win against Kent (or abandonment) will send them through, Middlesex require a narrow Kent victory will Kent will need a large win to overturn the run rate deficit. Group C is decided with Gloucestershire and Surrey going through, Group D is mathematically in the balance but Derbyshire will need to win hope already through Lancashire beat Essex and need a large swing in run rate as well.