But if Gloucs were to have their final match also called off, that would leave them on a PPG of exactly 1 (ie 6 points from 6 games). And that makes the PPG scenario easy to deal with, because anyone with more than 8 points from their 8 games would have a PPG of more than 1. And that would include us, if we were to beat Kent and Durham to reach 9 points. Not that I can see us beating Durham, mind you. (Essex just taking a fifth wicket against them helps us.)
NRR goes from 0.313 to 0.415 Closes the NRR gap nicely to Worcs, but still a huge NRR gap to Durham as things stand.
Assuming Essex beat Sussex on Tuesday, it's looking increasingly likely that it'll be Worcs and Lancs that we'll have to jump ahead of to secure 3rd place in the group. That's with Durham and Essex being the top 2, whichever way round. That would take us to beat Durham (not especially likely as they're in good form) and, importantly, Essex to win at Old Trafford. It would be handy if Durham could beat Worcs, otherwise it would come down to NRR with us against the Pears. Plus Covid can help us out by ensuring that Gloucs don't get the chance to try to sneak in ahead of us, since 8/7 would beat our 9/8.
If Sussex did beat Essex on Tues then we'd be guaranteed to finish above one of Lancs or Essex (assuming they actually played their game, not a no result) if we beat Durham. Then the worst that could happen (discounting Gloucs for now) is it coming down to NRR between us and Worcs. There's so many permutations still, but we're still in with a decent shout, as long as we beat Durham. However, that's going to be easier said than done.
It is frustrating that the simplicity of the PPG system means that a win for Gloucs vs Kent on Thursday is worth more points to them than a win for us vs Durham.
If there's a confirmed positive test in the camp then surely the game on Thurs can't go ahead as the majority of the players will still be self-isolating?
Although I guess if the Gloucs game does go ahead (and isn't rained off), then we would probably need Worcs to beat Durham. Hoping that patched up Kent side to do us a favour would be unrealistic (same as Sussex against Essex). If the game is played, Gloucs surely win it - meaning it would be impossible for us to finish above them. Therefore, in addition to Lancs and Worcs, we would also need to overtake Durham. And the only way would be possible is if Worcs beat Durham, we beat Durham, and we somehow pip them both on NRR in a three-way tie on 9 points.
Now that we're finally getting a game, I'm really not sure who I want to win. A win for Rockets probably ends our chances of winning the group and going straight into the final. A win for Oval puts them level with us, with an almost guaranteed two points to come next for them vs Spirit, and a potential de facto QF between us and them in the final round. Neither result suits us.
That’s got to be the best total so far, ball for ball. Equivalent of 192 off 100. I like this 65 ball format, could catch on.
VDG must have won some sort of prize draw to get himself a 100 contract. He's easily one of the most expensive bowlers going around, for Glamorgan. Gregory would have been far better off bowling those 10 balls himself. Could have even allowed them to play an extra batter.
He’s hardly bowled a ball so far, which is strange as he often opens or is first change for Somerset.