ICC 2005 online One Day league: Bulletin 1
Administration
The simple idea of arranging an online cricket game as proved an administrative disaster as league boss Bigglesworth struggles to make sure everyone plays their matches. "It's been hard", Hubert said, "We've seen some great early action, but I need more dedication."
Disaster for treva
The main story of the opening two games is Somerset's bad luck at the death. In their opening game against Warwickshire, a Nick Knight 81 looked in vain as Richard Johnson's 4 wickets restricted the Bears to 233. In reply, a quickfire 44 by aaron laraman looked to be guiding Somerset to victory, but a lower order collapse meant 6 were needed off the last over with one wicket in hand. Only one came and Somerset for 4 short.
it got worse against Yorkshire as with Aaron Laraman again the star, finishing with 88 not out, only scored one off the last five balls to leave the Sabres two runs short this time. Laraman looks the star man for the Sabres, and it can't be long before they get a win.
Good news for the Bears
After that amazing win over Somerset in week 1, the side hosted Essex in Week 2. 3 wickets apiece for Ronnie Irani and Danish kaneria left Warwickshire reeling, but a great last wicket partnership between Ashley Giles and neil Carter guided the Bears to 223 all out. It didn't look enough though, as Will Jefferson's 75 seemed to be taking essex (slowly) to their target. But a collapse, and tight bowling from Carter and heath Streak meant Essex close 30 short.
Lancs take early Roses lead
Week 1 saw the first Roses match of the new season, and it proved to be a comfortable start for the Lightning. Battting first, they posted 279, 60's from Andrew Crook and Stuart Law leaving a massive target for the Phoenix to chase. They were never really in it as England star Andrew Flintoff took 5-38 to bowl Yorkshire out for 183, despite good knocks from Hammett and Seth.
Rain the winner on the South Coast
Terrible early season weather in Sussex has left the Hove ground saturated, and Pinchinator's Sussex yet to complete a match. The Sharks had reduced Essex to 86 for 9 when the rain came in week 1, and with no cnace of any play the match had to be abandoned. The bad weather continued in Week 2, as the match against Lancashire was called off without a ball bowled.
The KO Cup awaits
This week sees the Qualifying for the KO Cup competition, with essex taking on Warwickshire again, and Somerset making the long trip up north to Yorkshire. the big match in Week 3 sees the two unbeaten sides of Warwickshire and Lancashire taking each other on.
Results
Week 1
Warwickshire 238-8 (Knight 81, Troughton 56, Johnson 4-33)
Somerset 234-9 (Wood 44, Laraman 44)
Warwickshire(4 pts) win by 4 runs
Lancashire 279 (Crook 63, Law 62)
Yorkshire 183 (Hammett 44, Flintoff 5-38)
Lancashire(4 pts) win by 96 runs
Essex 86-9
Sussex DNB
match Abandoned-2 pts each
Week 2
Warwickshire 223 (Irani 3-27, Kaneria 3-37)
Essex 193-7 (Jefferson 75, A Flower 42)
Warwickshire(4 pts) win by 30 runs
Yorkshire 247 (Ryder 71, Seth 54, Bond 3-41)
Somerset 245-8 (Laraman 88*, Arlott 3-40, Chai 3-45)
Yorkshire (4pts) win by 2 runs
Sussex v Lancashire
Match Abandoned-2 pts each
Table
Pos Team Pld W L T Ab Pts NRR
1 Warwickshire 2 2 0 0 0 8 0.34
2 Lancashire 2 1 0 0 1 6 1.92
3 Sussex 2 0 0 0 2 4 0.00
4 Yorkshire 2 1 1 0 0 4 -0.94
5 Essex 2 0 1 0 1 2 -0.6
6 Somerset 2 0 2 0 0 0 -0.06
