So were Somerset on Sunday when we set Derbyshire 317 to win, and lost by 1 wicket. Better today, taking just 24 overs to beat Northants by 7 wickets.
Our NRR has gone from being 0.212 behind Derby, to 0.934 ahead. That might be very important over the course of the next week.
Looking like it will be three from four to qualify. (Middlesex and Durham aren't totally out of it, but they'd each likely need to win all three games.) Matches still to come: DERBY v Kent, Durham v HANTS, SOMERSET v WORCS, Middlesex v SOMERSET, WORCS v HANTS, Durham v DERBY, Middlesex v HANTS.
Hampshire are now second in the table, a gnat's todger behind Somerset on run rate (1.066 for Somerset, 1.065 for Hampshire), and Hampshire have played one fewer games.
I thought Turner had turned a corner recently. But two above waist-height full tosses with his first two balls, and he's not allowed to bowl again. Suspect they might be the only two balls he bowls for Rockets this season.
We could probably get a Butcher, but a Candlestick maker may be more tricky... (Hey, it's been a long day)
We were short with the bat, but I think the big moment was Du Plooy's bad drop. Cox was only on, I think, 11 at the time. Could have been different if we'd taken that, and got Sam to the crease whilst the ball was still moving. Our middle order continues to be very poor though. That drop summed up Du Plooy's day, and his tournament. Their middle order destroyed Hosein. Our middle order, mainly though Du Plooy, allowed Jacks to bowl 1-1 off 5. Vince can't do all the batting himself, especially in those middle overs. Pollard keeps on coming in too early, due to the wickets falling above him.
Durham 187 - 7 42 Overs Durham 257 all out H 40 - 2 8.4 Overs H 55 - 3 13 Overs H 60 - 5 15.5 Overs. Only going to go one way! H 73 - 6 17 Overs H 113 all out. Pathetic.
