Kieran Noema-Barnett kept me company on the Kiwi County Tour bus after making a token appearance for Gloucestershire last round. He wasn't picked for Gloucs' game against Hampshire yesterday and Matt Quinn was also missing for Essex's game as well. That was great for me as I got talk cricket while the rest of the lads were busy and there was plenty to discuss as our bloke who is about to head off to join the Blackcaps isn't doing so well, while the bloke who continues to be overlooked for ODI duty simply continues to be the mantis.

Jeetan Patel

Warwickshire vs Nottinghamshire (May 5, England Time)

Guess what!? Another loss for Warwickshire and another game in which Lord Jeetz didn't take a wicket. Nottinghamshire were first to bat and worked their way to 303/6 off 50 overs, with Jeetan Patel taking the new-ball for Warwickshire. This is somewhat significant in an Aotearoa context and Jeetz could feature with the new-ball during the Champions Trophy.

Jeetz bowled 10 overs for 37 runs without a wicket and I'm not highlighting the correlation between Lord Jeetz going wicket-less and Warwickshire losing to be a dick to Jeetz, I'm merely highlighting just how influential Jeetz is to his County. That's then reflected in Jeetz being the most economical Warwickshire bowler, conceding just 3.7rpo while none of his comrades ducked below 5.50rpo as Notts scored at 6.06rpo.

Jonathan Trott hit a century and Ian Bell hit 51, but these two former England internationals couldn't help Warwickshire chase down their target of 304 and were instead stranded on 293/9 off their 50 overs. Jeetz was run-out for 2 off 3 balls.

Warwickshire vs Lancashire (May 7)

If Lord Jeetz is taking wickets, but getting smacked around for 5.33rpo, Warwickshire will also lose. That was the case against Lancashire as Jeetz did take 3/48 off 9 overs but those 3 wickets were Lancashire's No.6, 7 and No.8 batsmen and when Jeetz took his first wicket, Lancashire were already on 347/6. So while Jeetz was amongst the wickets in this game, there's context around those wickets.

Lancashire smoked 351/8 off their 50 overs at a casual 7.02rpo and Warwickshire did manage to put up a respectable 325 all out off 48.3 overs. Jeetz was dismissed for 2 off 3 balls again and right now, I am a bit concerned by the fact that Jeetz isn't dominating England's one-day circuit as he once did, right before the Champions Trophy.

James Franklin 

Surrey vs Middlesex (May 5)

James Franklin also suffered defeat on May 5th and didn't really do a whole lot himself. Batting first, Middlesex made 243/9 off their 50 overs and Franklin came in at No.7 to score 35 which was the third-highest score for Middlesex. 

As Surrey chased down their target of 244 in the 46th over, Franklin didn't even use himself at the bowling crease despite his bowlers only taking 3 wickets and no bowler conceding less than 4rpo. Kumar Sangakkara hit 59 for Surrey, his second half-century in four Royal London One-Day Cup innings and sometimes Wellington batsman Scott Borthwick also chipped in with 45 for Surrey.

Kent vs Middlesex (May 7)

Captain Franklin must have learned his lesson as he gave himself the ball and took 2/26 off 6 overs @ 4.33rpo, helping Middlesex dismiss Kent for 200 in 46 overs. Franklin dismissed two top-six batsmen and his wickets came in the middle stanza (20-30th over) just as Kent had a few batsmen established at the crease.

Middlesex couldn't make the most of a impressive bowling performance though and were themselves skittled for 154 in 46 overs, chasing 201 to win. Franklin did manage to top-score with 33 off 62 balls which was nice, however he'd be pretty filthy that he did get out after laying a nice platform for himself, putting himself in a position to ensure that Middlesex were victorious. 

Neil Wagner

Glamorgan vs Essex (May 7)

No Matt Quinn for this game, but Neil Wagner held things down rather well for the Kiwi County Tour. Glamorgan were first to bat and Wagner again took the new-ball, once again taking wickets for fun as he finished with 4/58 off his 10 overs @ 5.80rpo. 

Wagner sent both of Glamorgan's openers back to the sheds inside the first 8 overs, although Glamorgan then rebuilt their innings and worked their way to 281/7. 

Chasing 282 to win, Wagner was left not out on 3, unable to steer Essex to victory and they fell a single run short. Maybe if Quinn was there he would have done better than No.11 Jamie Porter who faced the last ball and couldn't do anything with it, ah well.

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