Somerset face tough test
September 04, 2011 08:17:34 UK
Sunday sees the Clydesdale Bank 40 semi-finals take place and Somerset, having been humiliated by Hampshire in the LV Championship after their captain was injured in the final qualifying game in this tournament, will need to be on top form to repel Durham.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul frustrated Yorkshire.The Northern part of the country's only representatives in the last four are 1.72 to win the match but it will be ironic if the weather at Taunton which has blighted the home side's season helps them progress. Somerset can be backed at 2.10.
The other game at the Oval will see the hosts entertain Sussex, boosted by their commanding win over Northamptonshire which gives them hope of promotion in the four-day competition. If they can beat a Sussex side who were blitzed by Durham they could easily have a magical end to the season. Chris Adams has had a testing time since joining Surrey and it will be ironic but no surprise if this game starts to lead his current side out of the wilderness.
Surrey are at 1.66 while Sussex are at 2.20.
Meanwhile, Yorkshire's efforts to fashion a win out of their high scoring game with Warwickshire failed to come to fruition as Shivnarine Chanderpaul supported by skipper Jamie Troughton proved immovable. The pair may even have managed to take the home side close to their target but bad light ended the contest.
Warwickshire are now three points ahead of former leaders Lancashire whilst they trail Durham by seven points. Durham have one game left whilst their two rivals have two matches to play. Somerset also have two matches remaining but their chance of lifting a first title appears to have gone and their main involvement now will be in deciding the fate of Yorkshire.
The game at Leeds this week will see the Tykes needing to win to have any hope of survival. Should Yorkshire achieve that result the focus will turn to Worcester where the other two sides still not safe from the drop clash. Bottom side Hampshire have an outside chance of leaping above all three of these rivals but must beat Lancashire at Aigburth and then dent Warwickshire's ambitions at Southampton to have a realistic chance to survive. They and Yorkshire look odds on to be travelling to new venues next season.
In Division Two Middlesex look certain to claim promotion and are strong favourites for the title and Surrey can now attain more points than any other county in this league. Their victory over Northamptonshire will add to the angst of the Wantage Road supporters who are upset by the new pricing system for next season. The balcony members will be less prepared to put up with the increase if promotion is not secured.
Surrey must beat Essex and Derbyshire with full bonus points to be certain of elevation and as both have seen their own hopes dashed this may be possible. Northants face Gloucestershire in their final game and John Bracewell's side still have a mathematical chance at this stage.
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