Two of the most impressive sides in this season's One-Day Cup kept their perfect records intact on Sunday as Middlesex brushed aside Glamorgan and holders Worcestershire survived a dramatic finale to beat Hampshire by just four runs. With eight group fixtures taking place across the country, there was no shortage of entertainment — but it was these two sides that continued to set the standard.
Middlesex Demolish Glamorgan in Remarkable Fashion
If anyone needed convincing that Middlesex are genuine contenders this season, Sunday's display against Glamorgan should settle the debate. Bowling the visitors out for a paltry 66, Middlesex made light work of what little target they were set, knocking off the runs in a scarcely believable 9.1 overs. Left-armer Noah Cornwell was the standout performer with the ball, claiming a List A career-best 3-1 from 3.5 overs — figures that tell their own story about how comfortable Middlesex were throughout. They are now the only side in this year's competition to have won all three of their opening matches, and from a betting perspective, their outright odds will shorten considerably after another performance of this dominance.
Worcestershire Dig Deep Against Hampshire
Holders Worcestershire had a rather more anxious afternoon, needing the final over to seal a four-run victory over Hampshire. Where Middlesex cantered home, Worcestershire were made to work every bit of it — the hallmark, perhaps, of a side experienced enough to win matches in different ways. They join two other teams on two wins from two, keeping the top of the table competitive heading into the next round of fixtures.
Centuries from Jennings and Westley Steal the Headlines Elsewhere
Lancashire finally got their campaign up and running in emphatic style at Grace Road, where former England Test opener Keaton Jennings blazed his way to 135 from just 134 balls. His knock helped Lancashire post a formidable 383-4, and despite a spirited Leicestershire recovery — which included a 179-run fifth-wicket stand between Hamza Shaikh (91) and Ruan de Swardt (126) — the hosts fell 21 runs short. Jennings has now accumulated 199 runs across Lancashire's first two matches, which is the kind of form that should have him firmly in the conversation for higher honours. Tom Westley also chimed in with a century as Essex claimed victory, continuing his excellent List A form.
Elsewhere in Group A, Gloucestershire posted their first win of the campaign, restricting Kent to 208 before Cameron Bancroft (89 not out) and James Bracey (83) helped guide them home by six wickets in Bristol. Somerset meanwhile thrashed Warwickshire by 125 runs at Taunton, with captain Lewis Goldsworthy hitting his third List A hundred — a superb 103 — as the hosts posted 337-8. Yorkshire also enjoyed themselves, with Ben Coad taking a maiden five-wicket haul in white-ball cricket to help dismiss Sussex and secure a thumping victory.
What the Table Tells Us at This Early Stage
As a former coach, I always caution against reading too much into the early rounds, but Middlesex's level of performance is genuinely hard to ignore. Dismissing opponents for 66 and chasing in under ten overs is not luck — it reflects serious cohesion and planning. Worcestershire, for their part, have the temperament of champions. Both sides look well worth backing for their respective groups, and Middlesex in particular are emerging as credible outright favourites. The rest of the competition would do well to take notice.
