T20 Blast round-up: Bears, Hawks and Sharks reach quarter-finals
- Published
Chris Benjamin (right) struck a half-century on his Birmingham debut
Birmingham Bears, Hampshire Hawks and Sussex Sharks sealed quarter-final spots with victories on the final day of T20 Blast group-stage action.
The Bears and Hawks cruised to wins over Northamptonshire and Glamorgan, while Sussex beat Kent, who missed a whole squad through Covid protocol.
Leicestershire's Josh Inglis made a sensational century to deny Worcestershire a last-eight place.
Somerset dashed Gloucestershire's hopes too to seal a home quarter-final.
Surrey, who had already played their last group-stage game on Friday, also narrowly missed out.
Leicestershire's Josh Inglis made a stunning 118 not out off 61 balls with 10 fours and eight sixes
Bears and Hampshire get job done early
Both Birmingham Bears and Hampshire had anxious waits after claiming victories earlier in the day.
D'Arcy Short (69) top scored for the Hawks as they comfortably chased down Glamorgan's total of 184-4 despite Australian Marnus Labuschagne striking 78 from 47 balls for the visitors.
Hampshire now face a trip to Notts Outlaws.
Birmingham debutant Chris Benjamin made an unbeaten 60 off 34 deliveries as they reached 191-6 against Northants, who made 177-8 in reply.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The Bears started the day behind Worcestershire in the North Group standings after beating them at Edgbaston on Friday night. But they booked a last eight date with Kent after the Rapids lost to Leicestershire on Sunday evening.
Worcestershire set the Foxes a competitive 170 to win at Grace Road, but the hosts easily chased it down, as Inglis hit a stunning 118 not out off 61 balls, with 10 fours and eight sixes.
Hampshire, who came from nowhere after winning their final five matches, sneaked into the top four of the South Group thanks to Gloucestershire's failure at Taunton.
Tom Lammonby was run out for 90 in the final over as Somerset posted 183-7. In response, Gloucestershire fell 23 runs short on 160-6.
The hosts secured a home last-eight tie against Lancashire, who had reached the knockouts with a win over Yorkshire on Saturday.
Brydon Carse left the field with an ear injury after bowling just three deliveries
Sussex through and Notts make 221
Sussex knew victory would be enough to see them through - and duly produced a dominant performance against Kent.
The South Group leaders were limited to 130-7 at Canterbury, with Sussex and England paceman Jofra Archer bowling three overs in his first competitive match since May as he recovers from an elbow injury.
The Sharks cruised to 134-6 in their innings, winning by four wickets to set up an away tie with Yorkshire.
North Group winners Nottinghamshire went big in a 78-run success over Durham after Ben Duckett's 74 off 41 balls helped the hosts to 221-4 at Trent Bridge.
But Durham's newly capped England fast bowler Brydon Carse required seven stitches after getting hit in the ear by a powerful low blow from Alex Hales.
Outlaws spinner Calvin Harrison had earlier taken 4-36 to help bowl out their opponents for 143.
There was also a rare victory for Middlesex, who edged Essex by nine runs with former England bowler Steven Finn taking 3-25.
Sunday's results
North Group:
Birmingham Bears (191-6 ) beat Northamptonshire Steelbacks (177-8) by 14 runs
Notts Outlaws (221-4) beat Durham (143) by 78 runs
Leicestershire Foxes (171-3) beat Worcestershire Rapids (169-6) by seven wickets
South Group:
Essex Eagles (160-9) lost to Middlesex (169-5) by nine runs
Hampshire Hawks (187-4) beat Glamorgan (184-4) by six wickets
Kent Spitfires (130-7) lost to Sussex (134-6) by four wickets
Somerset (183-7) beat Gloucestershire (160-6) by 23 runs
What's next?
The T20 Blast quarter-finals will take place from 24 to 27 August, with Finals Day on 18 September.
The first of them, Yorkshire's home tie with Sussex, has been switched to Chester-le-Street, as there is a clash of dates with the third Test with India, which is to start at Emerald Headingley the following day.
Lancashire were forced to do the same thing in 2019 when there was a Test match taking place at Old Trafford.
Quarter-final dates:
24 August: Yorkshire v Sussex (Emirates Riverside,18:30 BST)
25 August: Notts v Hampshire (Trent Bridge, 19:00 BST)
26 August: Somerset v Lancashire (Taunton, 19:00 BST)
27 August: Kent v Birmingham Bears Canterbury, 19:00 BST).
Attention in domestic cricket now turns to The Hundred which begins on Wednesday 21 July when the Oval Invincibles Women host the Manchester Originals Women (live on BBC Two).
How to be a teenager and an elite athlete: Hear from one of the youngest participants at Tokyo 2020
Have You Heard George's Podcast?: George the Poet is back with season three of his award-winning podcast
