Middlesex slump to heavy loss

May 4 2009

Monday's Friends Provident Trophy action saw games all over the country curtailed by rain, but Somerset needed no concessions for weather as they condemned Middlesex to an embarrassingly quick defeat.

The Panthers were rolled over for 133 in their Group B outing against Kent on Sunday and their batting was even more flimsy this time as they were skittled for just 65.

The Middlesex card contained four ducks and only one score in double figures, all-rounder Gareth Berg making 30. Peter Trego helped himself to four for 17 off 10 overs, with Ben Phillips collecting three wickets of his own.

Somerset took just 8.3 overs to win the game, Craig Kieswetter's 36no coming off 21 balls but Marcus Trescothick falling for 13 in their 66 for two.

Scotland made a competitive 227 for seven against Kent at Canterbury but the hosts snuck over the line with a four-wicket Duckworth/Lewis win.

New Scotland skipper Gavin Hamilton made 75 at the top of the order, with Cameron Borgas hitting 65 but Joe Denly made an undefeated 97 opening for the Spitfires.

Martin van Jaarsveld's 37 was the next best effort in their winning 206 for six.

In Group A, Steven Davies and Vikram Solanki notched a 138-run partnership to give Worcestershire a 10-wicket D/L win over Nottinghamshire at New Road, overtaking their opponents at the top of the table in the process.

Davies struck 11 fours in a 59-ball 82no, with Solanki in support with 49no. Mark Wagh had earlier held firm in the face of some fine new-ball bowling from Ashley Noffke (three for 37) to make 85. He had support from former England all-rounder Mark Ealham, who helped himself to a 20-ball 42no in their 188 for eight from 40 overs.

At Grace Road, Leicestershire beat Ireland by seven wickets in another weather-shortened game