NCL Division 1: 15th June

NCL1: Warwickshire thrash Essex in Bell super show.


In one of the most one sided games of the season so far, Warwickshire recorded their second win of the season away against Essex. After winning the toss and deciding to field, Essex made an early breakthrough with Scott Brant having Nick Knight caught behind with the score on 21. This brought youngster Ian Bell to the crease and he and Trott (59) took hold of the game adding 173 for the second wicket in quick time. Bell was particularly brutal going on to score 125 in just 109 balls, in an innings which included 14 4's and 3 6's. After he was dismissed Penney (36*) and Wagg (32) added fast runs at the end of the innings leaving Warwickshire on an imposing 307/5.


In reply Essex got off to a terrible start, and tight bowling from Neil Carter and Waqar Younis tied the runs down and when Ian Bell dismissed Andy Flower, Essex were 43-4. Some clean hitting from Essex, Napier in particular scoring a 29-ball 52, meant they were able to restore some respectability to the score. The huge Warwickshire total was never threatened however, and they were bowled out in just 28 overs for 182. When Bell took the last wicket, it left him with figures of 5/41 completing a memorable day for him.

Warwickshire: 307/5, Bell 125, Trott 59
Essex: 182/10, Napier 52, Bell 5/41, carter 2/19


At Worcester, Leicestershire managed a 2-wicket victory over the hosts. After winning the toss and batting first Worcestershire made a decent start, with Stephen Peters making 50, ably supported by Kadeer Ali (24) and Ben Smith (37). However tight bowling during the middle and towards the end of the innings meant that they were only able to mount a final score of 193/7 from their 45 overs, with Brad Hodge being the pick of the bowlers with 3/34.


In reply Leicestershire got off to a terrible start, and when Hodge was dismissed by Mason (3/26) it left them reeling at 19-3. However an excellent partnership between Phil Defreitas (68) and Darren Maddy (56) followed putting Leicester back on track for victory. However an inspired bowling spell from David Leatherdale (4/41) left the match finely balanced at 172-8. Ward was able to steer the Midlands side home however with an unbeaten 31 with just over 2 overs to spare.


Worcestershire: 193/7, Peters 50, Hodge 3/34
Leicestershire: 198/8, Defreitas 68, Maddy 56, Leatherdale 4/41, Mason 3/26


In a perfectly timed run chase, Gloucestershire were able to see off the challenge of Kent at Beckenham. After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Kent made poor start.3 early wickets left them in trouble at 10/3, although a partnership of 58 between Walker and Symonds started the recovery. Symonds ended up with 56 before being run out and Geraint Jones made an unbeaten 74 of just 78 balls to give Kent a respectable 222/8.


Chasing, Gloucester made good progress with all the top 4 making starts, none were able to go on and make a big score. At 128/4 Matt Windows was joined by Alex Gidman and the pair made an excellent stand of 95 to see their side home with 3 overs to spare, with Windows unbeaten on 58 and Gidman making 49.


Kent: 222/8, Symonds 56, Jones 74, Smith 2/31
Gloucestershire: 223/4, Windows 58*, Gidman 49*, Symonds 2/39


Written by Chris

Posted by Richard