Dream start for Stokes as captain - nails a review and then the number 1 batsman in the world out for a duck.
I see that at the very least Middlesex are making life difficult for Gloucestershire. They've just lost their first wicket today. So if nothing else, the Gloucestershire bowlers are having to work hard.
45 overs to get 6 wickets, it's going to be tight. Ezkinazi did his Amla impression but with a few more shots!
It helps that, without the likes of Payne and Higgins, Gloucs are almost a one-man attack in the shape of Worrall. However, I just don't trust Middlesex with the bat this season. I would still make Gloucs big favourites right now.
I'm quite happy that Middlesex are still 198 from victory. If they were say, 160 away, then I would expect them to have a go at it after tea. But, at four down, 198 is surely too many. They can't really afford to throw an early wicket away (unless they're really not bothered about the draw), and that's something they would probably need to risk by going after 198.
By my reckoning... Group One - Between Notts, Warks, Durham and Essex. Durham and Notts play each other. Notts will qualify for division one if they avoid defeat. If Notts lose, it will come down to bonus points to decide who finishes higher between Notts and Durham. Warks will qualify for division one if they beat Worcs - and a draw will almost certainly be sufficient too. If Warks lose, they will likely finish behind Notts and Durham unless Notts beat Durham. Realistically, Essex need to beat Derby, hope that Worcs beat Warks, and hope that Durham don't beat Notts - although mathematically, they is a little bit of leeway there. Warks have beaten Notts twice. Durham have beaten and drawn Warks. Notts have beaten and drawn Essex. The only match so far between Durham and Notts was a draw. So Warks will ideally want to qualify alongside Notts. Whereas if Durham can beat Notts, they won't be too fussed between Notts or Warks. Notts would ideally want Essex. Group Two - Between Somerset, Gloucs, Hants and Surrey. Somerset will qualify if they avoid defeat. Surrey's only hope is to take 23 more points than Somerset, which is nigh-on impossible. And even then, Surrey would also probably need a winner between Gloucs and Hants. If there is winner between Gloucs and Hants, they will qualify and the loser will almost certainly be out (there's a tiny chance that Gloucs could still qualify if they are the loser). A draw would almost certainly put Gloucs through, and would leave Hants needing Somerset to lose - with it then coming down to bonus points between Hants, Somerset and Surrey for the second place. Somerset will ideally want to qualify with Hants. Gloucs will ideally want to qualify with Somerset. Hants will ideally want to qualify with Gloucs. Group Three - Yorks & Lancs have both already qualified for division one. But they play each other, which has relevance when looking towards the points they will each carry forward. The first match was a Lancs win.
England slaughtered Pakistan in the 1st ODI by 9 wickets....not bad for a team containing 6 newbies. As one commentator said....basically our third team with the rest of the squad hibernating due to Covid. Good start for Stokes as captain...though I thought he was supposed to be resting his hand.
Good thing that it's all over for us in the t20, otherwise Middlesex's batsmen would be screwing us twice in two days vs Gloucs.
