2020: Loye powers Lancs to finals

Southampton: Hampshire v Lancashire
Loye and Chapple outsmart Hawks

The Rose Bowl looked a fitting stage for the new Twenty20 format which has revolutionised county cricket up and down the United Kingdom, but the pitch arguably had the final say in an ultimately disappointing game of cricket.

On winning the toss, Lancashire's Carl Hooper admitted being unsure of what a par score would be on a pitch that looked helpful to the bowlers. He therefore inserted Hampshire into bat, and immediately Glenn Chapple produced an outstanding over, combining pace with movement, and Carl Hooper's hunch looked to be a good one.

The opening Chapple spell set the tone for the rest of the Hampshire innings. Only Michael Clarke and Dimi Mascarenhas could lay bat onto ball with any real intent, and after a flurry of wickets at the top of the order, they were forced to consolidate.

120 was a total Hampshire could feel confident bowling at, especially with Shane Warne back in their ranks. The crowd waited for the showdown between Warne and Hooper, but Mal Loye and Stephen Crooke had different ideas. They attacked the bowling with gusto, favouring the mid wicket boundary for the majority of their runs, and by the time Warne came on to bowl, to rapturous applause, the match had been all but sealed for Lancashire, who look likely to go all the way to the final.

Hampshire 120-9
M Clarke 36, Chapple 2-14
Lancashire 121-1
Loye 64*, Crooke 27

Cardiff: Glamorgan v Warwickshire
Hemp saves Dragons

Glamorgan steamrollered into the finals day after a commanding performance from David Hemp against his former club in Cardiff today.

Set 159 to win, Glamorgan lost both openers, Maynard and Thomas for no score, however a partnership of 118 between Hemp and Matt Elliott ensured victory with an over to spare.

Warwickshire's floundering first innings was rescued by a powerful innings by Graham Wagg, and a fifty from Brad Hogg.

Glamorgan look like the form team in one day domestic cricket, as they attend the Twenty20 finals day, as well as being top of the Totesport National League Division one.

Warwickshire 158-7
Hogg 54, Thomas 3-32
Glamorgan 161-5
Hemp 74, Elliott 48, Carter 2-25

Leicester: Leicestershire v Essex
Maddy fireworks inspire Foxes

Darren Maddy struck a spectacular 84 from 48 deliveries to send the Leicestershire foxes into the finals day.

His innings included 12 fours and three sixes, as well as a part in hitting James Middlebrooke for a seventeen run over.

It meant that Leicestershire set the Essex Eagles a tough 181 for victory. Although a fine partnership from Andy Flower and Paul Grayson got them within touching distance, they were always behind the rate. Leicestershire openers Cleary and Otis Gibson sharing five wickets.

Leicestershire 180-6
Maddy 84, Stevens 39, Gough 2-29

Brit Oval: Surrey v Worcestershire
Surrey still unbeaten after Hollioake heroics

Surrey preserve their Twenty20 unbeaten record, and will go into the finals day as the team to beat.

They were pushed by a confident Worcestershire outfit, who at one stage had the home side floundering at 99-6.

A typically brash Hollioake innings of 45 which included 2 fours and 3 sixes saved Surrey’s blushes and gave them a defendable total. Not only was he the match top scorer, but he put in a commanding performance with the ball, taking three wickets.

Opener Vikram Solanki top scored in the Worcestershire reply, however they fell fourteen runs short of their target, with captain Graeme Hick left to reflect on how they let the champions off the hook.

Surrey 145-7
Hollioake 45, Malik 3-23, Hall 2-32
Worcestershire 131-8
Solanki 33, Hollioake 3-31



Posted by RichardHi