Sounded like a tight game at Old Trafford
. Steven Croft hit the last ball to win that for me but the rain helped Hampshire so Gloucestershire lost. I don't mind that though as Hampshire won
. Slight loss on the day though. -7.66pts for the competition going into tomorrow.
3 for me tomorrow.
10pts Glamorgan to beat Worcestershire 11/8 Boylesports
Glamorgan come into this match at New Road in good form having beaten Gloucestershire in the Championship last week before beating Somerset in the FP Trophy yesterday. Worcestershire seemd to have Northants on the ropes in the Championship only to let them away with a draw. They were thrashed by Gloucestershire in their only completed FP match.
Worcestershire will have an injury doubt over Kabir Ali for this match. He was originally named in the 12 man squad for this match but he was unable to bowl at Northampton on Saturday due to injury. Simon Jones is also in the 12 man squad. Worcestershire have a good batting lineup on paper although it's not shown up yet in this tournament but their bowling without Ali is woeful as we saw on Saturday when Northants helped themselves to 400 on the 4th day.
Glamorgan will pin their hopes around their bowlers mostly. They will be led by Jason Gillespie who was very economical yesterday. Alex Wharf is an ex-England international while in Dalrymple, Croft and Cosker they have a 3 prong spin attack should they wish to go that way. David Hemp's in good form with the bat, this time last year Jamie Dalrymple was in England's world cup squad and Matthew Maynard's son Tom is an exciting prospect with the bat.
Maynard was a superb one day player and he'll know what is needed for his side to become a good one day side. They signed well in the summer and have a good mix of youth, experience and touches of quality thrown in. Worcestershire are a weird bunch at the minute but their bowling is just cannon fodder. Glamorgan look the stronger side overall and I'll go with them to make it a weekend double on the road.
10pts Sussex to beat Middlesex 10/11 Boylesports
Even though this is only Sussex's 3rd match in this competition they are pretty much in last chance saloon. They simply have to win here having suffered two losses already. Middlesex won their 1st two but one of those was a tad streaky against Kent before Surrey turned them over yesterday.
Sussex will open with Matt Prior alongside Chris Nash and the usual middle order of Yardy, Adams and Goodwin has quality written all over it. Luke Wright will float somewhere in that order too and he's due to come off with a decent score in this competition soon. James Kirtley is in with the ball alongside Martin-Jenkins while Yardy will provide a spin option in the absence of Mushtaq.
Middlesex have a young bowling lineup which may be a problem as the season goes on. Tim Murtagh has come on leaps and bounds since he left Surrey and Steve Finn will be really good but he's still learning the one day nuances. Gareth Berg and Daniel Evans are two more youngsters. The batting is strong although Berg batted 6 against Surrey which would be a cause for concern. Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah will hope to remind the England selectors of their form.
Traditionally in recent seasons winning at Hove has been almost impossible and I expect Middlesex to find it tough too. Sussex have to win to get back in the mix in the South/East group and with Middlesex's bowling have a young look to it I'll take the winners of this tournament in 2006 to get their campaign started here.
Now one for the TV game.
5pts ew J.Kemp Top Kent Batsman 6/1 Boylesports (1/4 1,2,3)
Justin Kemp finally made his comeback for Kent yesterday at Hove and produced a match winning knock of 68 not out. He's generally a guy who goes well on quick wickets and if he gets going the boundaries at The Oval won't be anywhere near big enough. I can't really understand why Kemp's such a big price, captain Rob Key hasn't really got going yet this season and other than Denly and van Jaarsveld Kent go in with all rounders and bits and pieces players. Kemp will bat at number 4 and at 6/1 looks an each way bet to nothing.