Pages

Saturday 15 August 2015

T20 Blast Quarter Finals Weds 12th Aug - Sat 15th Aug

Northants (166/3) bt Sussex (165/7) by 7 wickets 

Northants Steelbacks booked their place at the NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day for a third time with a seven-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks this evening.

David Willey starred with the bat and the ball as Sussex failed to make their home advantage count.

The visitors, who won the toss and put the Sharks into bat, struck in the second over when Olly Stone caught the hosts' captain Luke Wright off the bowling of David Willey for zero.

Mahela Jayawardene steadied the ship with a commanding 50 from 30 balls on his return to the Sussex side, but fell to a spectacular diving catch from Josh Cobb two balls later.

That wicket turned the tie as the Sharks attack quickly unravelled as George Bailey was trapped lbw for just five and Craig Cachopa was bowled by Rory Kleinveldt for 13.

Chris Nash made 53 and Will Beer struck a quick 16 in a late rally as the Sharks posted 165-7.

However, the Steelbacks were rampant in their response as Willey, who had finished with bowling figures of 3-27, knocked 100 from 40 balls, including five sixes in a single over.

Willey was dismissed the following ball, but the damage had already been done, leaving Cobb and Alex Wakely to steer the Steelbacks over the line.


Birmingham Bears (189/5) bt Essex (165/6) by 24 runs

Birmingham Bears moved into the T20 Blast semi-finals with a 24-run victory over Essex Eagles at Edgbaston.

Victory ensured the defending champions will appear at their home ground on Finals Day on Saturday, 29 August.

Birmingham recovered from a slow start to post 189-5, with Laurie Evans (50) and Chris Woakes (48no) accelerating towards the end of the 20 overs.

Essex managed 165-6 in reply, Tom Westley top-scoring with 33 off 27 balls and Ravi Bopara hitting 32.

The Bears are just two wins away from retaining their domestic T20 crown, having won the title for the first time in 2014.

England captain Alastair Cook was left out by Essex, but fellow Ashes winner Ian Bell was selected by the hosts, though he could only make seven before falling to left-armer Reece Topley (2-36).

Evans was granted some luck on his way to a half-century, first caught off a Shaun Tait no-ball when on 14 then dropped by Essex skipper Ryan ten Doeschate at cover, while all-rounder Woakes gave Birmingham's innings some late impetus with some clean hitting.


Cameos by Jesse Ryder (26), Westley and Bopara kept Essex in touch as they chased 190 to win, but their chances of victory disappeared once Bopara was bowled by off-spinner Jeetan Patel.


Hampshire 196-4 (20 overs) bt Worcs 58-2 (8.1 overs) -  BY 17 RUNS (D/L METHOD)



Hampshire reached T20 Finals Day for a sixth straight season as Worcestershire's quarter-final hopes disappeared in the gloom at New Road.

Chasing 197 to win, after James Vince's stunning century, the hosts were behind the clock on 58-2 in the ninth over when the game ended early.

Hampshire fielder Chris Wood was hit on the nose after misjudging a catch.

The umpires took the players off for bad light, eventually giving Hampshire the win on the Duckworth/Lewis method.


Even before Wood was injured trying to catch Ross Whiteley at deep extra cover, it had become apparent with light fading badly in already overcast conditions, the Worcestershire innings might not be completed.

Having earlier been invited to bat, Hampshire captain Vince led the visiting side's charge batting through the innings for an unbeaten 107.

The once-capped England one-day international hit three sixes and 13 fours in his 63-ball century.

He was well supported by Michael Carberry (43) in an opening stand of 86, while wicketkeeper Adam Wheater weighed in with 32.

Worcestershire's hopes depended largely on Moeen Ali, freed from England duty. But he departed quickly for 10, skying a catch to Wheater.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (9) was then run out by a direct hit from Wood as the skies darkened.

It briefly looked as if the balance might turn in favour of the home side when Whiteley smacked spinner Liam Dawson for straight sixes off successive balls.

But when the left-hander went for the boundary again, Wood misjudged the catch and the ball ricocheted off his hand into his nose.

The game was finally called off to the groans of the home supporters, with Worcestershire well behind the Duckworth/Lewis par score of 75.

Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell:

"It was a good pitch and we thought 175 was par. It was still gettable but we knew the light might be a problem and we needed to get in front of the Duckworth/Lewis score.

"But we lost a couple of wickets and weren't able to do that.

"Batting out there wasn't too bad, but I guess in the field it's a bit more difficult. Maybe it was a tactical drop onto nose by Woody (Chris Wood).

"It's just one of those things. The umpires are there to make a decision. They're two experienced guys and I wouldn't question what they did."

Hampshire captain James Vince:

"We were going to bowl, more because of the weather that was around, but it was a good toss to lose.

"It was nice to finally get three figures, having fallen short with 99 earlier this season, but it was more important to win.

"It means a lot getting through to Finals Day again. It's a day you don't want to miss out on. Hopefully we can go one better and win it this year."




Kent 142 (20 overs) v Lancashire 142-6 (20 overs)

Lancashire qualify as a result of losing fewer wickets


Lancashire clinched the last T20 Blast Finals Day place by losing fewer wickets after the scores were tied in their quarter-final against Kent.

Requiring just six off the final over to win, Matt Coles had England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and Steven Croft caught off consecutive balls.

James Faulkner drove the final ball for two, with three runs needed to win.


Kent were earlier bowled out for 142 and Lancashire claimed victory having lost only six wickets.

No comments:

Post a Comment