It hurts in Herts as Cheshire humbled

KO Trophy Group 4: Cheshire 68 (19.4 overs), Hertfordshire 71-0 (13.4 overs). Hertfordshire won by 10 wickets Scorecard

It was a rude awakening for the 2024 KO Trophy finalists as Cheshire slumped to a ten wicket defeat against Hertfordshire at Hitchin in their first group game..

Their 63 all out completed a new unwanted record recording their lowest ever 50 over score, comfortably inside the 83 against Shropshire at Oswestry in 2002. Hertfordshire wrapped things up by 1.30pm in the Sunday sunshine.

Despite missing a couple of regulars, Sam Perry's side looked to have batting quality in depth but it all went wrong from the off.

Harry Dearden chopped on, Sam Perry was bowled and Alex Money run out to leave Cheshire with three in-form batters in the hutch and just two on the board.

Worse was to follow as debutant George Lavelle drove to cover to make it 9-4 before a mini recovery from Aaron Soni (17) and another first-timer, Max Law (10) moved the score to 40.

Cheshire could then only muster a further 23 runs to be dismissed in less than 20 overs. Kevin Carroll was the third batter to make double figures (10) with extras on 12.

 The wickets were spread across five Hertfordshire bowlers with Jack Plom taking 3-20.

It then took Dominic Chatfield (31) and Archie Harrison (35) just 13.4 overs to see the hosts home with six Cheshire bowlers trying their luck.

Not the best starters in recent times, misjudgement and application appeared more culpable than any wicket misdemeanors, but the side do have an early chance to bounce back as they travel to Wiltshire next weekend (4 May).