Initially we had just three lads on the Kiwi County Tour for 2019, however it looks as though we have a fourth as Hamish Rutherford appeared for Worcestershire to join Logan van Beek, Matt Quinn and Lord Jeetz. Rutherford's first game for Worcs was a doozy and interestingly game just as Rutherford was named in an Aotearoa 11 consisting of 13 names (lol) for three 50-over games vs a version of an Australian team over in Aussie.

Hamish Rutherford

Worcestershire vs Leicestershire

Batting #4 for Wrocestershire, Rutherford was one of three batsmen to hit centuries as Worcs made their way to 553/6dec. Rutherford top-scored with 123 and as Leicestershire were dismissed for 302 and 233, Worcs were only required to bat once, enjoying a victory by an innings and 6 wickets.

All the action from a testing first day of Specsavers County Championship action at the FCG against Worcestershire.

The journey of Rutherford will be weird as the County Championship hits pause for the One-Day Cup that starts Thursday NZT. Rutherford appears likely to play the One-Day Cup in England and the last game prior to knockout cricket being on May 7 (Eng time), while the Aotearoa 11 games are on May 5, 7 and 9. It doesn't seem all that logical to bring a bloke who is already playing one-day cricket in England, back to Australia for three games under the idea that these Aotearoa 11 games are for World Cup lads and those on stand-by.

Surely the best thing for Rutherford is just to stay in England. Surely the best thing for any kiwi cricketer in the World Cup squad or even "back-up options for the World Cup" would be to be playing 50-over cricket in England. Ah well, NZC knows best.

Logan van Beek

Derbyshire vs Gloucestershire

Logan van Beek again showed his steady hand in chipping in with wickets for Derbyshire as they drew with Gloucs. Batting #9 again, van Beek had 7 off 38 in the first innings as Derbyshire were all out for 291, before coming back around to take 3w @ 2.25rpo in 22.2ov as the fourth bowler used.

Watch highlights of Day Three away to Gloucestershire as Tom Lace and Wayne Madsen put on an unbeaten 79 for the third wicket.

Not required in the second innings via Derby's batsmen doing a nice job in hitting 388/3dec and not more cricket was played. Van Beek now has a total of 6w @ 25.66avg/3.05rpo and that's good enough to have him 11th equal as one of eight Division Two bowlers with 6w.

Jeetan Patel

Kent vs Warwickshire

Lord Jeetz's first Kiwi County Tour appearance for the year came in an 8-wicket loss to Kent. Taking 3w @ 3.15rpo in a whopping 35.5ov, Jeetz was the best performer in a Warwickshire bowling attack that had a tough outing in conceding 504/9dec.

As we've come to expect, Jeetz showed his class with the willow in scoring 40 off 45 balls batting #10 as Warwickshire were all out for 346 and forced to follow on. Jeetz whacked a couple sixes in the process for the lols, but was then unable to save the game for the Bears as he backed it up with a 4-ball duck with Warwickshire all out for 280. Kent required 123 to win and Jeetz snared a wicket in his 5ov, taking 1w @ 5rpo as Kent strolled to victory.

The Bears captain in all three formats was speaking on the eve of Warwickshire's County Championship opener against Kent.

Matt Quinn

Surrey vs Essex

Playing alongside Peter Siddle and against Morne Morkel, Matt Quinn had a niggly couple of days in the draw between Surrey and Essex. Bowling 23 overs @ 3.86rpo without a wicket (while Siddle took 6w) in the first innings as Surrey were dismissed for 395, Quinn then chimed in with 10 runs at #11 as Essex were all out for 448.

Quinn against went wicket-less, with 3.86rpo in 15ov as Surrey declared on 324/6 to set Essex a target of 272. Only 1 over was then bowled and a draw was to be had. At the very least, Quinn is getting through overs and staying healthy.

Hit an ad to support the Kiwi County Tour.

And please support the Niche Cache was we try to build our base on Patreon. Support the underdogs as best you can, a little goes a long way.

Peace and love 27.