Somerset Secures Knockout Spot as Riley Meredith Rips Through Middlesex Somerset Secures Knockout Spot as Riley Meredith Rips Through Middlesex
Somerset Secures Knockout Spot as Riley Meredith Rips Through Middlesex

August 12, 2024

Somerset Secures Knockout Spot as Riley Meredith Rips Through Middlesex

Wednesday’s remaining results will decide if Somerset advances straight to the semi-finals. Somerset 138 for 2 (Rew 53*) defeated Middlesex 135 (Meredith 4-27) by eight wickets. Riley Meredith once again dismantled Middlesex’s batting order at Lord’s, helping Somerset secure an eight-wicket victory and a spot in the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

Meredith, who had claimed 4 for 12 in Somerset’s T20 Blast victory at Lord’s in June, once again tormented Middlesex with figures of 4 for 27, as the hosts were dismissed for just 135, leaving 63 balls unplayed. This marked only the second time he had taken four or more wickets in List A cricket.

His efforts were bolstered by new-ball partner Josh Davey (1 for 20), who, together with Meredith, left Middlesex reeling at 39 for 4 by the end of the powerplay. England spinner Jack Leach later chipped in with two wickets. Still, only Martin Andersson (34) and Luke Hollman, who remained unbeaten on 38, offered sustained resistance.

James Rew (53 not out) and Lewis Goldsworthy (41 not out) effortlessly guided Somerset to victory, sharing an unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 81. They completed the chase with 23 overs to spare, knocking Middlesex out of the competition.

Somerset’s sixth win in eight group matches likely secures their direct passage to the semi-finals. However, their fate will hinge on other upcoming results.

Middlesex, who had won three of their last four matches, quickly found themselves in trouble after being put into bat. Meredith wasted no time, striking in his fourth delivery to trap youngster Nathan Fernandes for a single, setting the stage for the collapse.

Joe Cracknell, who had set career-best scores in his last two games, met an unfortunate end when he was run out after a collision with bowler Josh Davey while attempting a quick single to short mid-on, leading to George Thomas’ direct hit.

While that was a self-inflicted setback, it wasn’t long before Meredith retook center stage, dismissing Mark Stoneman, who had started brightly with four boundaries. Meredith delivered a vicious delivery that zipped between bat and pad, uprooting the off stump.

Somerset’s Bowling Dominance and Clinical Chase

Davey then wrapped up the powerplay carnage by bowling Sam Robson off the inside edge. Even when the new-ball duo stepped aside, the pressure remained relentless, with Ben Green inducing an edge from Jack Davies that was safely pouched by Rew.

At 46 for 6, Middlesex looked in danger of failing to surpass the 78 they had managed against Somerset in the Blast two months earlier. However, some crisp driving from Martin Andersson and a sixth-wicket partnership of 46 with Luke Hollman helped them move past that figure.

Meredith extinguished any remaining hopes of a Middlesex revival by switching to the Pavilion End and dismissing Anderson leg-before with the first delivery of his second spell right after the drinks break.

While Luke Hollman hit the only six of the innings, launching a ball from Jack Leach into the Mound Stand, wickets continued to fall around him. A standout moment in the visitors’ exceptional fielding display was Sean Dickson’s stunning catch to remove Henry Brookes.

Thomas was lucky not to be run out on seven as Somerset began their chase. Still, he failed to capitalize on the reprieve and was expertly stumped by Davies off Ethan Bamber just four runs later. Davies also stumped Somerset’s leading run-scorer, Andrew Umeed, for 22.

Despite these setbacks, Lewis Goldsworthy anchored Somerset’s innings. James Rew accelerated towards the target, bringing up his fifty in style with a towering six off Hollman, finishing the chase confidently.

Sports Psychologist to Assist India at Women’s T20 World Cup Training Camp

This week, a substantial squad of Indian cricket prospects, excluding those participating in the Women’s Hundred or Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), will gather at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for the first two fitness and conditioning camps. This camp is part of their preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled from October 3 to 20. The second camp is set to be held in early September.

The Indian team will have no international fixtures between now and the start of the Women’s T20 World Cup, even though the India A team is currently in Australia for a multi-format series. Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh will miss the first of the two camps, as they are participating in the Hundred in England, while Jemimah Rodrigues will be making her debut in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2024 with the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Thewicketinsider understands that the camp will initially focus on fielding and fitness during the first week. It will then shift to specific skills such as spot bowling and range hitting. Additionally, the BCCI has enlisted a sports psychologist to conduct sessions for the team, addressing a repeated request from captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The aim is to support players in discussing their challenges and managing pressure and mental fatigue.

The World Cup squad will regroup in early September for an intensive skill-based camp, marking their final preparation for the tournament. India will aim to secure their first World Cup title, having come close but faltering under pressure in previous finals and semi-finals, most notably against Australia in 2020 and 2022.

Shreyanka Patil, who sustained a finger injury during the Women’s Asia Cup last month, is expected to fully recover in time for the World Cup and will participate in the conditioning camp. There is cautious optimism about Yastika Bhatia’s progress as she continues her rehabilitation at the NCA from a posterior cruciate ligament injury in her left knee.

Bhatia’s absence has prompted the team management to experiment with different options for the No. 3 position. D Hemalatha and Uma Chetry, who debuted at the Asia Cup, are being tested. Bhatia last played a T20I during the Bangladesh tour in April.

Selectors are leaning toward a spin-heavy squad. However, given the security issues in Bangladesh due to civil unrest, the uncertain situation regarding the host venue will also highlight the importance of the pace bowling unit.

Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar have been vital players recently. Arundhati Reddy is making a solid case for a regular spot due to her standout performances for Kerala in domestic cricket and the Delhi Capitals in the WPL. Other pace options under consideration include Meghna Singh, currently on tour in Australia, and Titas Sadhu.

Troy Cooley, the former Australian fast bowler and current bowling consultant at the NCA, will intensively train the pace bowlers. Additionally, the group is set to participate in a few intra-squad matches in September as part of their final preparations before the World Cup.


author
Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.