Friends Provident T20: Hampshire’s 45 run win over Sussex takes it to the quarter-finals
Hampshire rode on Neil McKenzie’s whirlwind 67 runs off just 49 balls to power through into the quarterfinals of the Friends Provident T20 Cup being played at the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sussex-c852 was a must win game for Hampshire to progress to the knockout stage. Former South African cricketer Neil McKenzie did just that for Hampshire as his 67 run innings took the side to a formidable total of 195 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. A disciplined bowling from Hampshire did not let Sussex break free as it could only score 150 runs all out with one over to spare. Chris Nash with 32 off 28 balls was the leading run scorer for Sussex.
Sussex Captain Michael Yardy won the toss decided to field first. Hampshire’s start was a bit rickety as it lost its two wickets, Abdul Razzaq and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yasir-Arafat-c98241, leaving Hampshire struggling at 24 for 2. Vince’s 8 minutes stay at the crease added only five runs to the team’s total.
Vince’s dismissal allowed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Kirtley-c1648 straight into the hands of Luke Wright. He scored 30 runs off 24 balls. Adam’s 34 minutes stay at the crease entertained the paltry crowd with three boundaries and two huge sixes. After Adam’s departure, McKenzie and Michael Carberry slaughtered the Sussex bowlers with beautiful boundaries and sixes to all corners of the park. The fourth wicket partnership between McKenzie and Carberry added 65 runs to the team’s total. However, things took a u-turn as Carberry was run out in the 16th over, leaving Hampshire at 133 for 4 on the board. He played a pugnacious innings of 36 runs from 21 deliveries including three boundaries and two sixes.
Carberrey’s departure took the aggressive http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sean-Ervine-c2471 to the crease and in partnership with a fluent McKenzie the duo played a flurry of sweetly-timed shots. Both players led Hampshire in a steady manner to a competitive 195. Ervine slaughtered the Sussex attack with two boundaries and three sixes to amass 32 runs of just 12 balls before getting run out from a Dwayne Smith throw. Neil McKenzie played an unbeaten 67 off 49 balls, entertaining the audience with nine fours and a six. As a result, Hampshire setup an imposing target of 196 runs to win for Sussex.
Michael Yardy came up with a number of bowling changes against Hampshire but none of the Sussex bowlers was successful in stopping the batting blitz. 8 bowlers were tried with Luke Wright being the most expensive of the lot who conceded runs at an economy of 10.66 in three overs.
Sussex got off to a steady start, with the opening duo of Luke Wright and Matt Prior scoring 34 runs in four overs. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Chris-Wood-c1254 brought the breakthrough for Hampshire when he sent Luke Wright back for 26 edging to Michael Bates in the fifth over. His 26 runs came through 18 deliveries including five boundaries as well. Sussex were further dented when Prior and the captain Michael Yardy went back to the pavilion in successive overs. Prior scored 10 runs of 10 balls before nicking Razzaq straight into the hands of McKenzie, while Yardy did not even open his account and was run out after taking a slapdash and needless run.
Middle order batsmen http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hampshire-c789 bundled out Sussex for 150 runs in the penultimate over, winning the match with 45 runs. McKenzie’s 67 off 49 bagged him the man-of-the-match award.
Hampshire will face http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warwickshire-c862 in the first quarterfinal of the Friends Provident T20 Cup at Birmingham on July 26.
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