NATIONAL COUNTIES SHOWCASE REVIEW - DAY 2

Hertfordshire felt the backlash from Middlesex’s defeat by Berkshire on Sunday as they were beaten by 174 runs in their Showcase match at the West Herts club in Watford. 

Middlesex, still smarting from losing by six wickets to Berkshire on Sunday, fielded a more experienced side against Hertfordshire and they took control with an opening stand of 201 in 28 overs between Steve Eskinazi and former England left-hander Mark Stoneman. 

Stoneman fell to the seam of former Essex man Kishen Velani but Eskinazi rattled to 160 from 113 balls before he became the first of three wickets for Tanveer Sikandar. 

Joe Cracknell followed up his century against Berkshire with a quickfire half-century to take Middlesex to 392 for eight in their 50 overs. 

Hertfordshire were spirited in response with opener James Chatfield making 42, Charlie Scott, a former Middlesex Academy player, 32 and Sikandar rounding off his day with 63 from 76 balls. 

Devon opener James Horler took the opportunity to showcase his talent in the six wickets defeat by Somerset at Bovey Tracey. 

Horler made 83 from 110 balls but Elliot Hamilton was the only other batter to top 20 and Devon were dismissed for 181 with four overs unused. 

Leg-spinner Max Waller, who has played National Counties cricket for Dorset, took four for 29 and was the pick of an attack that included former Devon seamer Ben Green. 

Pace bowler Kaz Szymanski interrupted Somerset’s progress by taking the wickets of openers Steve Davies and Australian Test player Matt Renshaw. 

But Scotland international Andy Umeed and the experienced James Hildreth took Somerset to the brink of victory with fluent half centuries in a third wicket partnership of 102. 

Showcase matches 

Bovey Tracey: Devon 181 (James Horler 83, Max Waller 4-29), Somerset 182-4 (Andy Umeed 57 not out, James Hildreth 57). Somerset won by six wickets. 

West Herts CC: Middlesex 392-8 (Steve Eskinazi 160, Mark Stoneman 67, Joe Cracknell 57 not out), Hertfordshire 218 (Tanveer Sikander 63). Middlesex won by 174 runs