Cricket news round-up – 27 September: Essex does the double after fitting finale to thrilling summer

Somerset and the elements combined to make it a thrilling final day of the County Championship 2019, with Essex having to fight for the draw that sealed them the title. Elsewhere, JP Duminy hammered a 15-ball half-century against Trinbago Knight Riders, and Kyle Abbott inked a new deal with Hampshire, despite Brexit.

Essex does the double after holding off Somerset

Essex somehow defied the elements as well as Somerset to hold on to a draw and secure the County Championship title on another thrilling finals’ day to end a fine summer of cricket in the United Kingdom.

From 102 for 1 on the final day, Essex suffered a massive collapse in their first innings, to be bundled out for 141, with Jack Leach taking 5/32 to trigger the implosion. With rain ensuring there was less than an hour to go, Somerset decided to forfeit their second innings, and put Essex in to bat again, with a target of 63.

Nick Browne and Alastair Cook, however, fought through a dramatic final session, and ensured a draw that helped Essex do the double – earlier in the week, they had secured the T20 Blast title.

Duminy record fifty helps Tridents trounce Trinbago

JP Duminy scored a half-century in just 15 balls as Barbados Tridents posted 192/5 and went on to bundled out Trinbago Knight Riders, the defending champions, for 129 for a massive 63-run victory in CPL 2019.

Trinbago were No. 2 on the league table, while Barbados, suffering a poor run of form, were languishing closer to the bottom. However, Duminy’s magic helped secure a thrilling, net run-rate boosting win for the Tridents.

Apart from Duminy, who ended with a 20-ball 65, both Johnson Charles (58 off 39) and Jonathan Carter (51 off 46) scored half-centuries, before Hayden Walsh returned 19/5 to trundle Trinbago out. Duminy also returned two wickets and claimed a stunning catch to be declared Player of the Match.

Stafanie Taylor, Lauren Winfield signed up by Adelaide Strikers

Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies all-rounder, and Lauren Winfield, the England batter, have been signed up by Women’s Big Bash League side Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming season.

The additions come after the signings of the New Zealand pair of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, as the Strikers strengthened their side considerably. However, Taylor will only be available for the first two and last two matches of the season, with Winfield filling in for her in the interim.

Taylor previously played for Sydney Thunder, playing 58 matches over four years.

Kyle Abbott extends Hampshire deal

Kyle Abbott, the former South Africa paceman, has signed a new three-year deal with Hampshire, which will keep him at the club till the end of 2022.

Abbott, who returned 17 for 56 against Somerset – the fourth best bowling figures in county history – signed the deal amidst uncertainty surrounding the workings of kolpak deal following Brexit.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new three-year contract with Hampshire,” Abbott said. “We have a great bunch of players and coaching staff all striving to achieve success for the club and I look forward to contributing to winning trophies in the coming years.”