TAUNTON (Somerset Sabres won the toss): Somerset Sabres (4pts) beat Middlesex Crusaders by 67 runs
GIVEN a warning over future employment by the chief executive and a motivational talk by one of their greatest cricketers, Somerset have now managed two victories in three days. This triumph over Middlesex Crusaders was decisive, well merited and initiated by one player, Jamie Cox, whose achievements with the bat this season are not in question.
The results may or may not have been inspired by a talk to the players and Kevin Shine, the coach, by Ian Botham. Cox, one of a handful of players not to be warned as to their future, struck his second century in the competition this season, making 130 off 120 balls with 14 fours and two sixes.
Keith Parsons and Wes Durston played hard-hitting innings. Also, Middlesex fielded a weakened attack, for which this was not the ground.
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Needing 284, Middlesex swiftly lost Andrew Strauss and Paul Weekes. Ed Joyce, working the ball around the square in the manner of Graham Thorpe in making a half-century off 52 balls, put on 69 with Jamie Dalrymple. Here were two highly promising young cricketers who were stymied by the requirement of more than eight runs an over.