County Cricket Round-Up - 27th July 2013

County Cricket Round-Up - 27th July 2013West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell was in devastating form for Worcestershire. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte. Picture Supplied by Action Images

An Andre Russell-inspired Worcestershire put a severe dent in Somerset’s hopes of reaching the Friends Life t20 quarter-finals at New Road. Russell hit 77 not out off only 42 ball as the home side overhauled Somerset’s imposing total of 188 for four with just two balls to spare. Somerset must have fancied their chances of restricting Worcestershire after reducing them to 83 for four, but Russell and new-signing Ross Whiteley (43 off 30 balls) added 88 in just 54 balls for the fifth-wicket.

Somerset’s impressive total had been built on the back of a second-wicket stand of 97 between Peter Trego and Craig Kieswetter. Chris Jones was sent packing in the opening over by Jack Shantry (2-25), but Kieswetter and Trego added 99 in 59 balls. Trego finally departed for 62 off only 31 balls, with Kieswetter falling just before the end for 80 off 56 deliveries.

Rory Hamilton-Brown and James Taylor added 106 to help Sussex recover from 33 for three on the second day against the Australians at Hove. Jackson Bird took two early wickets after the tourists had declared their first innings closed at 366 for five.

However, Rory Hamilton-Brown took a liking to the Australian spinners Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon and bludgeoned 73 off only 51 balls to completely dominate his stand with Taylor. Agar evetually had him caught but Taylor remained and is undefeated with a watchful 64 off 146 balls. Sussex closed on 228 for five. Full report

Tomorrow’s Fixtures: (FLt20 games all start at 1440 BST)
North Group, FLt20, Durham v Derbyshire at Chester-le-Street
The equation for both sides is simple heading into the game. They must win and hope that both Glamorgan and Warwickshire lose their final matches in the Midlands/Wales/West Group to sneak in as one of the best third placed sides. Durham also have the added hope that if Essex lose their final match then that could also save them if they win this match.

Durham squad: Mark Stoneman (captain), Phil Mustard, Scott Borthwick, Ben Stokes, Will Smith, Gordon Muchall, Gareth Breese, Ryan Pringle, Michael Richardson, Graham Onions, Chris Rushworth, Mark Wood, Usman Arshad.

Derbyshire need to win and win big to improve their poor net run rate. They are likely to name an unchanged squad with Albie Morkel again unavailable due to Caribbean Premier League commitments.

North, FLt20, Leicestershire v Yorkshire at Grace Road
Both Leicestershire and Yorkshire are out of the reckoning for a last eight spot and are likely to give opportunities to some fringe players.

North, FLt20, Nottinghamshire v Lancashire at Trent Bridge
Both teams are already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, but a win for either would guarantee them a home one. The Outlaws have named an unchanged 13-man squad, with Ajmal Shahzad and Sam Wood hoping to break into the starting eleven.

Nottinghamshire squad: Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Riki Wessels, Samit Patel, David Hussey (captain), Chris Read, Steven Mullaney, Graeme White, Ian Butler, Jake Ball, Harry Gurney, Ajmal Shahzad, Sam Wood.

Weather Forecast: Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with patchy cloud and occasional showers. Temperatures will peak at between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius.

© Cricket World 2013

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