It was a disappointing day for Norfolk with two defeats by Cambridgeshire which means that Norfolk finished as runners up in Group 2 to Cambridgeshire with Suffolk in third place. All three counties had ten points from five wins. The group was decided on net run rate with Cambridgeshire on plus 0.93, Norfolk plus 0.19 and Suffolk minus 0.19.
Looking at the weather forecast and the ever-darkening skies it was inevitable that rain would descend at some point, and it arrived with Norfolk struggling on 63 for 6 in game one after 8.3 overs. A tight opening spell by ex-Lancashire and Leicestershire all-rounder Wayne White saw him claim the wickets of both Norfolk openers Sam Arthurton and Freddie Fairey with 19 runs on the board.
Worse was to follow as the home side lost wickets to the spin duo of James Sykes and George Darlow as they stumbled to 63 before the heavens opened. Ethan Metcalf with 13 not out was the top scorer.
After a long delay for rain Cambridgeshire were set a modest target of 52 in eight overs under DLS. Ben Claydon ensured there were no major alarms with an unbeaten 36 as Cambs reached their victory total in 5.5 overs for the loss of two wickets. Joe Everett and Andy Hanby were the wicket takers one of which was Nikhil Gorantla who was awarded a two-year contract by Surrey on Thursday.
In the second match the visitors batted first in a game that was reduced to 16 overs per side due to the earlier rain delays. They made good progress with solid contributions from Yousuf Choudhary 33, Gorantla 38, Will Routledge 26 and captain Callum Guest 41 n.o. as they amassed an imposing 163 for 6. Hami Qadri was the pick off the Norfolk bowlers with 3 for 24 from his four overs.
Fairey got Norfolk off to a brisk start in response with two fours and two sixes in his 27 before being caught by wicket keeper Lee Thomason from the bowling of Claydon with the score on 34 after 3.3 overs. After Fairey’s departure there was only skipper Arthurton (20) who reached double figures in another dismal batting display that saw Norfolk finish up on 93 for 8 to lose by 71 runs and in the process hand the group to Cambridgeshire. Ben Clilverd with 3 for 11 and Sykes with 2 for 16 were the chief destroyers.
The batting performance by Norfolk was in stark contrast to the excellent form they had shown the previous Sunday against Suffolk and means that they will have to travel in the Super 12’s which will be played on 3rd August.