The two South Africans helped set winning totals, from the top of the order, for their respective counties in the latest round of the T20 Blast. GARETH STEVENS reports.
Hashim Amla scored 55 and anchored the innings as Surrey posted 165-5 at Sofia Gardens in Cardiff. Jacques Rudolph didn’t trouble the scorers opening the batting in Glamorgan’s reply.
Robin Peterson claimed 1-31 in his four overs during the middle of the innings, keeping a lid on the scoring rate. His spell helped restrict the hosts to 148-8 and resigned the Welsh club to a 17-run defeat.
Hampshire beat Gloucestershire by 2 runs in a nail-biting encounter at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The hosts batted first and set an imposing 180-6 in their allotted overs.
Gloucestershire stayed positive throughout the chase, falling agonisingly short. Kyle Abbott had an off night, conceding 46 off his four overs without tasting success. He will be relieved that his team still managed to pull off the win as his form temporarily abandoned him.
Lancashire beat Northamptonshire by 53 runs at Old Trafford in Manchester, on the back of contributions from Ashwell Prince at the crease and in the field. The former Warriors batsman got Lancashire off to a great start with 43 off 33 balls. The platform allowed the middle order to play with freedom, which they did, reaching 187-3.
Prince’s involvement in the outcome of the match wasn’t over, however. He ran out Richard Levi for just two in the second over by means of a direct hit from the covers. The early exit of Northamptonshire’s big hitter prevented the visitors from gaining any momentum in their chase. They stumbled to 134 all out and a humbling defeat.
Lancashire have won six out of eight games and are making a strong push for a play-off position. They are becoming the dark horse of this year’s T20 Blast.
Nottinghamshire beat Derbyshire by 27 runs at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The hosts made first use of a great wicket and piled on the runs, finishing on 206-5.
Wayne Madsen showed some fight in the chase, smashing 65 off 36 balls, but it wasn’t enough to match the 95 not out off 51 balls that Riki Wessels struck to set up the impenetrable target. The son of former Proteas captain, Kepler Wessels, is having a golden summer and will look to ride the crest of the wave for as long as possible in this congested county season.
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