Saffas experienced contrasting emotions over the weekend as some helped their teams progress from the T20 Blast quarter-finals, while others fell short. Gareth Stevens reports.
Robin Peterson helped Surrey secure a three-wicket win over Worcestershire and a place in the semi-finals of the T20 Blast. The Londoners won the toss and asked Worcestershire to bat first at the Oval. The left-arm spinner took 2-12 in two overs during the disjointed innings, which finished on 141-9 after the allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Surrey lost too many wickets up front. The home supporters were starting to worry when Peterson came to crease at No 7, but an inventive 24 not out off just 12 deliveries saw the hosts home.
Elsewhere, Lancashire hosted Glamorgan at Old Trafford in their quarter-final. Glamorgan inserted Lancashire on a sporty wicket and restricted them to 137-8.
The chase got off to a good start as the Welsh county reached 100-3 after 15 overs. Jacques Rudolph, who came in at No 3, seemed to be pacing his innings perfectly. However, the match was turned on its head in the 16th over when Jordan Clark bowled a triple-wicket maiden. The match was once again in the balance and despite Rudolph’s unbeaten 67 off 49 balls, Glamorgan fell two runs short of their target.
Hampshire traveled to Nottingham for their knockout fixture. The script seemed to be going according to plan for Nottinghamshire. They won the toss, were ruthless on anything wayward from Hampshire’s bowlers and piled on 197-2 in their 20 overs. Kyle Abbott was dealt with especially severely, conceding 51 off his four overs.
It was a flat deck and Hampshire had the powerful Glen Maxwell in their side, so the target wasn’t out of their reach. It was James Vince, however, who lead the charge from the top of the order with 93 not out off 51 deliveries to see his side home by five wickets.
The semi-finals will see Surrey clash with Warwickshire, while Hampshire take on Lancashire. Both fixtures will be played on Saturday 23 August.
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