Cricket / B & H Quarter-Finals: Barnett cool under pressure

Derbyshire . . . . . . . . . . . . .69-0

Somerset

KIM BARNETT, not the least likely captain to succeed Graham Gooch in a sooner-rather-than-later appointment, kept his nerve and his temper to ensure Derbyshire had a solid start to their quarter-final against Somerset reduced by rain to 20.3 overs.

Barnett and Peter Bowler, sent in when the match started at 3.0, raced away with an eye on a result that could yet be decided by scoring rates. They took 11 off Andre van Troost's first and only over and had scored 34 off nine when Andrew Caddick gave Barnett a short, fierce delivery.

Derbyshire's captain fenced at a ball that threatened his chin, Neil Burns and the slips went up for a catch behind and the umpire, John Harris, silenced the furore by ruling the delivery a bouncer, banned in one-day cricket, and signalling a no- ball. Somerset looked angry, Barnett hardly placid. There were some jeers.

Barnett admitted later that Caddick's ball had flicked his glove. He explained: 'I can understand his chagrin. I was hoping for the no-ball. It was an infringement but I don't agree with the rule. I think every bowler should be allowed one bouncer per over.'

We had time for one over from Mushtaq Ahmed before the drizzle returned, at which point the Peakite followers were perky.