365 Sporting Days

My second T20 of the season saw Essex’s second win, they’d travelled to Taunton to make 139 for 9 in the 18 available overs. Michael Pepper and Matt Critchley put on 76 for the 3rd wicket but it all went wrong after that. Pepper scored 37 from 24 and Critchley 60 from 38. But the other 9 scored 14 and under. Somerset took 14.4 overs to get the win by 6 wickets. They have the hard hitting Rilee Rossouw in their line up, he scored 67 from 29 balls.

On to happier things; Hampshire travelled to the Cloud County Ground on the back of losses at home to Middlesex and Somerset, their batting line up had backfired both times. Simon Harmer won the toss for Essex and put Hampshire in to bat. T20 is a game that needs speed from the batters. Opening bat Ben McDermott was Hants top scorer with 38, but he used up 38 balls to get those runs. Sam Cook notably had a wicket maiden when he bowled Aneurin Donald for just 5.

That brought James Vince to the crease, he lasted just 7 balls before Matt Critchley had him caught by Rossington behind the stumps. A key wicket, he’d made only 3. I do love a celebration photo and Matt was very happy!.

Ross Whiteley and Joe Weatherley gave Hants fans some hope as they put on 52 for the 4th wicket, Whiteley made 23 from 16 and Weatherely 37 from 24. But that was as good as it got for the visitors as they made just 150 from their 2o overs. They lost just 6 wickets but 15o was never going to be enough.

The Essex chase faltered at the top of the innings, Will BUttkleman was caught and bowled by Brad Wheal for just 9 and Essex were 10 for 1. Hants didn’t have much to celebrate during this match, but Wheal was rightly happy with his wicket!

Michael Pepper came in at 3, and I make no excuses for the number of photos of his innings, Adam Rossington was out for just 13 from the 8 balls he faced. But Essex had moved to 52 in the 6th over. Matt Critchley (also in lots of photos) and Pepper put in the 100 needed to win the game in just 50 balls. Both knocks were a joy to watch (sorry Hants fans). Pepper scored 75 from 42 balls and Critchley 45 from 24. Those are the sort of innings that win T20 games.

Sadly Essex’s next match against Glamorgan in Cardiff saw another away loss after being making just 113 in their 20 overs. Critchley top scored with 38 from 26 balls; he’s proving to be a good signing!