Looks like Salt putting his foot down towards the end of Lancs' chase has grabbed them that home QF. Without that (or without Derby adding a few late ones), they'd have been coming down to the Bowl.
Turner has snuck in ahead of Sowter to finish with the best economy rate of the group stage (minimum 10 overs bowled). He also currently has the best average as well (minimum 10 overs bowled). He's only 18th on the list of wicket takers, but then again he's only played 9 matches. Everyone above him has played either 13 or 14, except for Henry.
I've heard that Sky had already locked in their two live matches as being the ones for Birmingham and Somerset, even before today. Partly because Sky are already onsite at both grounds this weekend; and partly because they were the two home venues which were confirmed prior to today.
I'm quite happy with the way this is going. I could see Essex giving Birmingham a good game (subject to Lawrence not being needed by England - ie if Pope isn't fit), whereas I'm not sure Kent would (especially given all their injuries).
Interesting that 7 of the 8 qualifiers for the T20 knockout phase play in División 1 of the County Championship!
Not often that the best eight sides on paper all make the QFs. But I think that probably is the case this year. Hopefully it'll mean there are no horribly one-sided QFs (usually involving Derby). At the very least, I don't see an overwhelmingly clear favourite in any of them.
Deliberately! Just brilliant from Somerset, a record-breaking Group stage, but it won’t mean a thing if we don’t win it.
