Rilee Rossouw struck an unbeaten 45 against Gloucestershire to send Hampshire into third in the Natwest T20 Blast South Group.
Gloucestershire vs Hampshire
Looking for their fourth win of the campaign, which would send them into the top three, Hampshire took on Gloucestershire in a rain-affected match in Bristol. In what has been a quiet tournament by Rilee Rossouw‘s standards, the 27-year-old, opening for his side, produced his best performance of the campaign, as his 27-ball 45 helped them to a 24-run victory D/L-method.
Gloucestershire gave themselves a good chance of victory, thanks to Michael Klinger’s 101 off 58 balls. The 37-year-old Australian carried the side to 174-5 in the 19-over match. It wasn’t a good outing for Kyle Abbott, who conceded 45 runs off his three overs.
Rossouw and James Vince (42) were on fire, as they amassed 85 in eight overs to keep their side well above the par score. They were on 121-3 off 11.4 overs by the time the rain came, which was enough to hand them the victory.
Worcestershire vs Northamptonshire
Rossouw wasn’t the only Saffa on fire in the T20 Blast at the top of the order, as Richard Levi struck 47 off 31 balls to help Northants to a comfortable seven-wicket win against Worcestershire in Northampton on Friday night.
Levi has only played three matches in the tournament so far, but he’s been in unbelievable form, smacking 41, 88 and 47 so far. The victory sent the defending champions up to second in the North Group, one point behind Yorkshire.
Worcestershire were bowled out for 158, with Rory Kleinveldt spearheading proceedings. The burly bowling all-rounder took figures of 3-25 from his four overs, as well as effecting the run-out, which ended the innings on the last ball.
The run chase was a straightforward one for the hosts, as Adam Rossington and Levi piled on 83 from just 6.5 overs, with Rossington the first to fall for 42 off 20 balls. Alex Wakely then provided the finishing touch once Levi departed for 47, scoring 46 from 28 to get them over the line with 2.3 overs left.
Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
