Looking pretty likely that our SF opponents will be Kent. But as for Sussex's opponents, Lancs-Notts is still right in the balance.
Kent it is then. The Mulder dismissal for Leics was a big turning point, bit unlucky for him as the ball didn't seem to get up very much! https://www.leicestershireccc.co.uk/livescore/873b8818-314a-4072-899a-ac44151d6288#$$2_038_04
Just further evidence of how well we did to win our group, given that Lancs and Kent have joined us in the SFs. Steven Croft is just so good. I am slightly concerned about whether we'll be using yesterday's wicket on Tuesday. Yesterday felt like the wicket had reached the end of it's useful life - difficult and used, but still just about alright. But throw another 100 overs onto that wicket and...well...we won't be getting those 100 overs in!
Great text on the BBC site: Matt Everett: Today Liverpool scored more than South Africa against the new ball. Gotta be a record?
God knows why it's taken Manchester until the 7th game to finally select Lammonby. Not only is he a properly talented batter (as he has shown here), but also he's a left hander - which they've barely had all competition. And he's decent with the new ball in hand.
I was kind of hoping that they'd continue not to pick him tbh. Would have then pretty much guaranteed them releasing him, thereby giving Brave a chance to sign him next year.
That would be wonderful. And whilst it's safe to say that there's zero chance Phoenix would want to lose him, he's currently way down in their 5th salary band (out of 7). That's clearly too low for someone of his talent. So it's not unthinkable that Smeed might prefer to take his chances in the draft, than accept whatever salary Phoenix offer him.
The draft in general could be really interesting next year. Very strong chance that Malan, Buttler and Sam Curran will lose their main central contracts, given that none are currently in the test side. Potentially (but much less likely) Archer, Woakes and/or Mark Wood as well, due to their injury issues - but I'd be very surprised. It'll likely just be the above three (plus Burns). These are all players who didn't need to be drafted this year, and so haven't cost their sides a single penny. But without a central contract next year, they would need to take up a salaried squad place in order to be retained. And arguably every one of them could justify demanding a top salary slot - which their current side either might not be available offer, or might have to release another big game in order to accommodate them.
