There is just one weekend to go in the Vitality Blast 2023 group stages, with the North Group in particular providing huge intrigue in terms of quarter final qualification. Indeed, the South Group is not signed and sealed just yet, with Kent and Essex likely competing for the final berth.
Middlesex have had a well-documented disaster of a season, but their first win will live long in the memory. Having lost all ten of their opening 2023 Blast matches, they faced the daunting prospect of heading to London rivals Surrey to face their star-studded lineup.
Things could not have seemed any more daunting at the break after the first innings, with Surrey racking up yet another mammoth total, this time slapping 252-7 against the inexperienced Middlesex attack. In fact, the home side were rocketing along at 177-0 midway through the 13th over before Laurie Evans departed.
Embed from Getty ImagesStunningly, Middlesex seemed to be well on their way before Joe Cracknell was run out with the score 90-1 midway through the seventh. Star duo Stephen Eskinazi and Max Holden then continued to take the attack to the Surrey bowling attack, one that would not look out of place on the franchise circuit.
Eskinazi departed with 110 still needed off 53 balls, but a partnership of 105 between Holden and Ryan Higgins saw the winless visitors to within ten runs of victory when the latter departed with seven balls remaining. Jack Davies smoked 11 off his three deliveries to seal the most remarkable of victories for Middlesex with four balls to spare.
Who is likely to qualify for Vitality Blast 2023 quarter finals?
State of play in the Vitality Blast 2023 North Group
Birmingham top the North Group with two matches to play and are four points clear of second; indeed, they are four points clear of third and fourth as well. Lancashire, Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire occupy the final three quarter final berths.
Despite looking set to qualify with games to spare, Notts have been drawn into a tense last couple of matches. Yorkshire are a point behind, though they have just one game to go. That is the same for Northamptonshire, though they are two points behind fourth but with the second-best net run rate in the group.
Derbyshire have a slim outside possibility of qualification as they sit three points adrift on 11. Yorkshire's final group match is a huge Roses clash with Lancashire at Old Trafford, with the latter facing Northants after that.
State of play in the Vitality Blast 2023 South Group
Somerset have stormed to the summit of the South Group and need just one win to secure top spot, having already claimed a home quarter final. Surrey, their closest challengers, must win both their remaining matches to stand a chance of topping the table, though one win should be enough to secure a home quarter final of their own given their superior net run rate. As fate would have it, the teams' next fixture is against each other at The Oval.
Defending champions Hampshire still have work to do if they are to make it back-to-back titles. They are one of three teams on 14 points, along with Kent and Essex. It will be two of those three who will make the quarters. Hampshire would seem to have the easier path, hosting Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.
Kent and Essex have to go to Somerset and Surrey respectively on the final matchday, with Essex playing host to basement side Middlesex next while Kent are at home to Sussex. Kent's superior net run rate could well come to their rescue, though that would only come into play should the pair match each other's final two results.
Vitality Blast 2023 results: match-by-match mini reviews
Match 71 - Worcestershire vs Birmingham Bears
Birmingham Bears secured a top-two spot in the Vitality Blast North Group, defeating Worcestershire Rapids by 21 runs. Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell's late hitting set a challenging target. Usama Mir took 3 for 22 for the Rapids. Brett D'Oliveira scored his first T20 half-century of the season, but the Rapids struggled against the Bears' spinners.
After winning their first four games, Worcestershire suffered their fourth consecutive loss, denting their qualification hopes. Birmingham Bears made early breakthroughs in the Rapids' batting lineup, while Worcestershire found it difficult to score against the spinners. The Bears emerged as comfortable winners.
Match 72 - Middlesex vs Kent
Max Holden's superb century led Middlesex in a valiant chase against Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast. Holden's unbeaten 121 from 59 balls kept Middlesex's hopes alive, but they fell short of Kent's record Lord's t20 total. Kent secured their second consecutive South Group win, posting 228-3 with Daniel Bell-Drummond (66) and Joe Denly (73*) leading the charge.
Despite Middlesex's equal sixth-best Blast total, they suffered their ninth straight defeat, remaining without a point. Holden's courageous effort wasn't enough as Middlesex could only manage ten runs in the final over, well short of the 24 needed for victory.
Match 73 - Somerset vs Surrey
Sam Curran starred with five wickets as Surrey emerged victorious by 28 runs against Somerset in the battle of the top two teams in the Vitality Blast South Group at Taunton. After winning the toss, Surrey posted 195 for 9, with Will Jacks smashing 60 off 43 balls and Chris Jordan contributing a blistering unbeaten 36 off just 12 deliveries.
Embed from Getty ImagesSomerset were restricted to 167-9 in their chase, with Tom Banton top-scoring with 54. Curran finished with figures of 5-26, supported by Jordan's 2-31. The win solidified Surrey's position at the top of the group.
Match 74 - Northamptonshire vs Lancashire
Steven Croft played a sensational innings, smashing his first-ever t20 century to lead Lancashire Lightning to a commanding total of 204-7 against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road. Croft's remarkable knock included seven sixes and five fours, and he combined with Daryl Mitchell for a formidable 146-run partnership in just 12 overs.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite Ben Sanderson's early breakthroughs, removing Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, Croft and Mitchell's aggressive batting propelled Lancashire to a formidable score. In response, Northamptonshire struggled to keep up with the required run rate and eventually fell short by 35 runs. Chris Lynn provided some resistance with a quickfire 21, but it was not enough to secure victory.
Tom Taylor and AJ Tye entertained the crowd with a late flurry of boundaries, but Lancashire's total proved too challenging. With this win, Lancashire solidified their playoff aspirations, while Northamptonshire suffered their sixth defeat of the campaign.
Match 75 - Yorkshire vs Leicestershire
Dawid Malan's superb knock of 79 off 45 balls propelled Yorkshire to a record-equalling sixth consecutive t20 win as they chased down Leicestershire's target of 196 with eight wickets and 11 balls to spare at Headingley. Adam Lyth also played a pivotal role with his season's best of 90 off 50 deliveries, as the left-handed duo set a club record opening partnership of 158 runs.
Despite Louis Kimber's unbeaten 59, Leicestershire's total proved inadequate against Yorkshire's dominant batting display. This victory puts Yorkshire in a strong position for quarter-finals qualification in the Vitality Blast.
Match 76 - Durham vs Derbyshire
Durham and Derbyshire Falcons played out an exhilarating tie in their Vitality Blast encounter at Seat Unique Riverside. Brydon Carse's career-best 58 helped Durham reach 178 in their innings, but a collapse in the latter stages limited their total.
In response, Luis Reece's aggressive 58 set Derbyshire on course for victory, but Wayne Parnell's three wickets brought Durham back into the game. Ultimately, Haider Ali held his nerve and struck a boundary off the final ball to secure a tie for the Falcons, earning them a valuable point. The match was filled with twists and turns, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
Match 77 - Sussex vs Hampshire
Sussex Sharks pulled off a surprising victory over Hampshire Hawks in a thrilling Vitality Blast match at Hove. Oli Carter and Bradley Currie emerged as the unexpected heroes for Sussex, securing only their third win of the season. Carter's explosive 64 off 33 balls, including six fours and four sixes, propelled Sussex to a competitive total.
However, Hampshire stumbled in their chase, losing early wickets and finding themselves at 24 for 4. Despite a valiant effort from Liam Dawson, who scored 59, Hampshire fell short by six runs. Currie, making his debut, shone with three wickets and a remarkable catch. Sussex's bowlers held their nerve, sealing a memorable victory.
Match 78 - Essex vs Glamorgan
Feroze Khushi showcased his potential as Essex secured their fourth consecutive victory in the Vitality Blast by defeating Glamorgan by four wickets. Khushi, a product of the academy, played a blistering innings of 61 off just 37 balls, including four towering sixes.
His performance positions him as a strong contender to fill the void left by Dan Lawrence, who will be joining Surrey next season. Paul Walter also contributed with 43 runs, while Matt Critchley and Daniel Sams ensured a comfortable chase with ample balls remaining. Glamorgan's Kiran Carlson provided a solid start but lost momentum as Essex took control in the middle overs.
Despite a late surge from Timm van der Gugten, Glamorgan could only manage a total of 175 for 6. Essex faced an early setback, losing three wickets in the powerplay, but Khushi's heroics and valuable contributions from Sams and Critchley secured victory for the Eagles.
Match 79 - Gloucestershire vs Kent
Daniel Bell-Drummond played a match-winning innings as Kent secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in the Vitality Blast. Chasing a target of 138, Bell-Drummond remained unbeaten on 56 off 49 balls and formed an unbroken partnership of 61 runs with Jordan Cox (31*) to guide Kent to victory with three overs to spare.
Gloucestershire started well with Miles Hammond scoring a quickfire 30, but then suffered a collapse, losing nine wickets for just 86 runs. Kent's seamers, Michael Hogan, Kane Richardson and Grant Stewart, along with off-spinner Jack Leaning, picked up crucial wickets to restrict Gloucestershire to a below-par total.
With this win, Kent extended their winning streak to three matches, while Gloucestershire's hopes of reaching the knockout stages took a hit as they suffered their fifth loss in eight matches.
Match 80 - Northamptonshire vs Nottinghamshire
Ben Sanderson's three-wicket haul led Northamptonshire to a resounding 78-run victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws in the Vitality Blast match. Sanderson removed opener Alex Hales for a duck early on, following his success against Jos Buttler in the previous game. Nottinghamshire struggled to maintain the required run rate and lost wickets at regular intervals.
Northamptonshire set a target of 177, with Ricardo Vasconcelos scoring 51. Despite captain Steven Mullaney's effort of 31, Nottinghamshire fell well short. Sanderson, along with Taylor and Freddie Heldreich, bowled effectively to restrict their opponents. Sanderson finished with figures of 3-29, sealing Northamptonshire's dominant win.
Match 81 - Leicestershire vs Worcestershire
Worcestershire Rapids breathed life into their Vitality Blast campaign with a convincing six-wicket win over Leicestershire Foxes. After dismissing the home side for a paltry 112, with Usama Mir taking a career-best 4-22, Rapids captain Brett D'Oliveira's unbeaten 51 guided his team to victory in the 17th over.
Peter Handscomb's 36 and Rishi Patel's 27 were the only notable contributions for the Foxes as their innings fell apart. Despite losing a few wickets in the chase, Worcestershire maintained control and comfortably secured the win with 22 balls to spare, boosting their chances of a top-four finish.
Match 82 - Derbyshire vs Yorkshire
The winning streak of Yorkshire Vikings came crashing to a halt as they suffered a crushing 144-run defeat at the hands of Derbyshire Falcons in the Vitality Blast North Group match at Chesterfield. Falcons' batsmen dominated the game with Haider Ali scoring 59 off 41 balls, followed by Leus du Plooy's unbeaten 66 off 32 balls and Brooke Guest's quickfire 39 not out.
They propelled the Falcons to a massive total of 212-4. Yorkshire's chase never got going as they slumped to 29-5 in the powerplay and were eventually bowled out for just 68 in the 12th over. It was a comprehensive victory for the Falcons, their biggest-ever in t20 cricket, as they continued their winning streak over the Vikings at Chesterfield.
Match 83 - Lancashire vs Durham
Lancashire Lightning secured their third consecutive victory in the Vitality Blast thanks to an all-round performance by Luke Wells, who scored a half-century and claimed two wickets. In a rain-affected match at Old Trafford, Lancashire posted a total of 195-7, with Wells contributing 56 and Daryl Mitchell adding an elegant 60.
Durham started strongly in their chase, courtesy of a brilliant opening partnership of 125 runs between Alex Lees and Michael Jones. However, rain interrupted the game with three overs remaining, and Durham fell short by seven runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Lancashire's win was a result of their disciplined bowling and crucial partnerships.
Match 84 - Surrey vs Hampshire
Hampshire Hawks showcased their dominance with a resounding nine-wicket victory over South Group leaders Surrey in the Vitality Blast at the Kia Oval. Led by John Turner's impressive bowling figures of 3-17, Hampshire bowled out Surrey for a meagre 124 in 19.2 overs, with Nathan Ellis and Chris Wood also collecting three wickets apiece.
In the chase, Ben McDermott's aggressive 50 off 38 balls and James Vince's unbeaten 62 off 40 balls led Hampshire to an emphatic win with an opening partnership of 92 runs. This victory marked Hampshire's first-ever t20 win against Surrey in nine attempts, solidifying their bid for a quarter-final spot. Surrey's struggles were evident as they lost wickets early on and failed to defend their total.
Match 85 - Middlesex vs Essex
Essex Eagles continued their winning streak in the Vitality Blast with a convincing victory over Middlesex at Lord's. In a high-scoring encounter, three Essex players recorded their highest scores of the tournament. Dan Lawrence returned with a powerful knock of 53 off 30 balls, followed by Michael Pepper's explosive innings of 64 from 34 deliveries.
Daniel Sams unleashed a brutal assault, smashing 67 off just 24 balls. Essex posted a formidable total of 237-6, surpassing the previous record at Lord's. Middlesex struggled in their chase and, with rain interrupting play, they fell short, remaining winless in the South Group.
Match 86 - Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire
Glamorgan secured a 32-run victory over Gloucestershire in the Vitality Blast, ending their winless streak. Sam Northeast's half-century and a solid bowling performance propelled Glamorgan to their fifth win of the season, boosting their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Despite a slow start, Glamorgan posted a challenging total of 183-5, with contributions from Billy Root, Chris Cooke and Timm van der Gugten. Gloucestershire showed promise in their chase but suffered a collapse, losing five wickets for 15 runs towards the end.
This win puts Glamorgan on par with Hampshire with 10 points, while Gloucestershire remains on six points, needing improved results to advance.
Match 87 - Essex vs Somerset
Somerset displayed a batting masterclass in their Vitality Blast match against Essex, solidifying their position at the top of the South Group with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory. Tom Banton, Will Smeed, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell,and Sean Dickson combined for an exceptional team batting performance, hitting a total of 16 sixes.
Despite Paul Walter's impressive 51 and Robin Das' career-best 72 for Essex, Somerset ended their opponents' five-game winning streak by comfortably chasing down the target of 186 with 21 balls to spare. This win propelled Somerset two points clear at the top of the group, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
Match 88 - Worcestershire vs Lancashire
Despite Jos Buttler's impressive innings, Lancashire Lightning suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Worcestershire Rapids in the Vitality Blast. Buttler's 74 off 54, including two sixes and five fours, helped his team recover from a precarious position of 38-4. However, Lancashire could only manage a total of 164-8, with Pat Brown taking three wickets for Worcestershire.
Mitchell Santner then played a vital role, smashing 49 off 27, while Jack Haynes contributed a decisive 63 off 43 to guide Worcestershire to victory with 14 balls to spare. The win moved Worcestershire level on 12 points with Lancashire in the North Group standings.
Match 89 - Yorkshire vs Northamptonshire
David Willey's return to Headingley proved fruitful as his Northamptonshire side delivered a blow to Yorkshire Vikings' quarter-final aspirations. Defending a total of 180-6, Northamptonshire bowled out Yorkshire for a paltry 102. Pacer Tom Taylor starred with a career-best 5-28, well supported by Willey's all-round performance.
Yorkshire faltered early, slipping to 22-4 and failing to recover. Taylor's crucial strikes, along with contributions from Ben Sanderson and Andrew Tye, ensured Northamptonshire's emphatic 78-run victory. The result dropped Yorkshire out of the top four qualifying positions, while Northamptonshire kept their hopes alive with their fifth win in the tournament.
Match 90 - Surrey vs Glamorgan
Surrey dominated their match against understrength Glamorgan, securing an 81-run victory and their fifth win in six Vitality Blast South Group games. Will Jacks led the charge with a top score of 69, supported by contributions from Laurie Evans and Sunil Narine.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Curran brothers, Sam and Tom, unleashed a brutal assault in the closing overs, propelling Surrey to their highest t20 score at the Kia Oval. Glamorgan, despite debuting three players due to injuries, could only manage 157-8 in response.
Surrey's comprehensive win keeps them in contention for the knockout stages, while Glamorgan still have a chance with four games remaining.
Match 91 - Durham vs Birmingham Bears
In a thrilling encounter at Chester-le-Street, Jacob Bethell displayed nerves of steel in the final over to guide Birmingham Bears to a two-wicket victory over Durham, securing their position at the top of the Vitality Blast North Group. After winning the toss, the Bears' bowlers, particularly Hasan Ali and Danny Briggs, restricted Durham to 146-5, despite fifties from Ollie Robinson and Ashton Turner.
Birmingham's chase got off to an explosive start with Alex Davies and Rob Yates, but Nathan Sowter and Ben Raine's wickets caused a momentum shift. However, Bethell's composed batting in the final over, smashing a six and a four, led Birmingham to a quarter-final berth and a thrilling win.
Match 92 - Gloucestershire vs Hampshire
In a rain-affected match at Nevil Road, Gloucestershire secured an eight-wicket victory over Hampshire on the DLS Method, keeping their slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast alive. Hampshire, after being put in to bat, recovered from a shaky position of 114-6 to reach a respectable total of 158-7, thanks to an unbeaten 41 off 25 balls from Ross Whiteley.
Tom Smith was the pick of the bowlers for Gloucestershire, taking 3-26. In the chase, Ben Wells and Ben Charlesworth formed an explosive unbeaten partnership of 55 for the third wicket, guiding Gloucestershire to victory with five balls to spare.
Wells scored a superb 43 off 22, while Charlesworth contributed 29 off 15 deliveries. The win kept Gloucestershire's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive, while Hampshire missed an opportunity to extend their lead over Glamorgan.
Match 93 - Leicestershire vs Nottinghamshire
The Nottinghamshire Outlaws secured a commanding 22-run victory over the Leicestershire Foxes in the Vitality Blast. Opting to bat first, the Outlaws made a blazing start, led by Joe Clarke's explosive 72 off 41 balls, including three sixes.
Despite a strong bowling comeback from the Foxes, with Tom Scriven taking a career-best 4-21, the Outlaws reached 165-8. Chasing the target, the Foxes struggled to keep up the required run rate, finishing at 143-7. Steven Mullaney starred with the ball, taking 3-18.
The win puts the Outlaws in a strong position for the quarter-finals while the Foxes remain at the bottom of the group.
Match 94 - Sussex vs Kent
Kent Spitfires extended their winning streak in the Vitality Blast with a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks. Jordan Cox played a pivotal role, smashing an unbeaten 82 off just 44 deliveries, supported by Jack Leaning's 28 not out. Chasing 170, Kent stumbled early but Cox's partnership of 70 with Daniel Bell-Drummond turned the tide.
Embed from Getty ImagesCox's blistering innings included five sixes, with two consecutive sixes sealing the win. Sussex had posted 169-7, led by Ravi Bopara's fluent 53. However, their innings lost momentum due to excellent death bowling by Michael Hogan and Wes Agar. Kent's triumph keeps their Blast ambitions alive.
Match 95 - Glamorgan vs Somerset
Somerset claimed a dominant victory over Glamorgan in their Vitality Blast clash, solidifying their position at the top of the South Group. Despite notable batting performances by Kiran Carlson and Timm van der Gugten, Glamorgan's total of 171 proved insufficient as Somerset cruised to an eight-wicket win with 17 balls remaining.
Craig Overton and Jack Brooks both took three wickets to stifle Glamorgan's innings. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Will Smeed then shone with half-centuries, guiding Somerset to a comfortable victory.
This triumph placed Somerset ahead of Surrey in the Blast standings, positioning them well for a home quarter-final. Glamorgan face an uphill battle to secure a spot in the knockout stages, likely needing victories in all of their remaining matches.
Match 96 - Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire
Derbyshire Falcons captain Leus du Plooy played a crucial unbeaten innings of 40 runs from 23 balls to keep their Vitality Blast quarter-final hopes alive with a victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks. Despite a slight wobble at 112-4, du Plooy guided the Falcons to a win with four deliveries to spare.
Zaman Khan's impressive bowling performance of 3-26 restricted the Steelbacks to 156-8. This result moved Derbyshire up to sixth place in the North Group, just one point away from the quarter-final positions. A solid team effort and du Plooy's leadership played a vital role in their victory.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 97 - Worcestershire vs Nottinghamshire
Worcestershire Rapids secured their third consecutive victory and stayed on track for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with a five-wicket win over Nottinghamshire Outlaws at New Road. The Outlaws struggled to score freely and were limited to 139 for 8 due to an excellent bowling performance by the Rapids, with Dillon Pennington, Mitchell Santner, Brett D'Oliveira and Usama Mir taking crucial wickets.
In their chase, Worcestershire faced some challenges against the spinners but found momentum through D'Oliveira's early contribution and a solid partnership between Ed Pollock and Adam Hose. The Rapids reached the target with nine balls to spare, placing them level on points with the Outlaws in the North Group standings.
Match 98 - Yorkshire vs Birmingham Bears
Birmingham Bears took a significant step towards the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with a tense four-run victory over struggling Yorkshire Vikings. Batting first, Birmingham posted 180-7, led by Rob Yates' 66 and Chris Benjamin's 45. Yorkshire's fielding was sloppy, dropping crucial catches and allowing the Bears to reach a competitive total.
In their chase, Yorkshire got off to a good start but lost wickets at crucial moments, failing to capitalize on promising starts from Dawid Malan and Adam Lyth. Despite a late surge from Jordan Thompson and Matthew Revis, Birmingham's Dan Mousley's brilliant bowling spell of 4-28 proved decisive, securing the win for the Bears.
Match 99 - Surrey vs Middlesex
In an electrifying Vitality Blast London derby, Middlesex achieved a remarkable seven-wicket victory with four balls to spare against Surrey in front of over 20,000 spectators at the Kia Oval. Stephen Eskinazi and Max Holden were the heroes for Middlesex as they chased down a record-breaking target of 253.
Eskinazi blazed his way to 73 off just 39 balls, while Joe Cracknell contributed a quickfire 36. Holden took charge with an unbeaten 68 from 35 deliveries, forming a crucial partnership of 105 runs with Ryan Higgins, who played a brilliant innings of 48 off 24.
Middlesex's stunning chase, which included the highest successful run chase in Blast history and the second-highest in t20 matches worldwide, ended their 15-match losing streak in t20 games.
Earlier, Surrey's Will Jacks provided fireworks with his explosive knock of 96 from only 45 balls, including seven sixes, five of which came off the first five balls of the 11th over; the England international could only finish with a single. However, Middlesex's incredible response overshadowed Jacks' heroics and secured a remarkable victory.
Match 100 - Gloucestershire vs Sussex
In a dominant display, Sussex Sharks cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in a one-sided Vitality Blast match in Bristol. Harrison Ward played a brutal innings, smashing 51 runs off just 27 balls, including five sixes and two fours.
He formed a match-winning opening partnership of 83 runs with Tom Clark as Sussex chased down the target of 141 with 6.4 overs to spare. Aristidis Karvelas and Shadab Khan wreaked havoc with the ball for Sussex, taking four wickets each. Gloucestershire's batting faltered, and they were bowled out for 140 in 19.2 overs.
Grant Roelofsen top-scored with 41 for Gloucestershire, but their efforts were in vain as they suffered their seventh defeat in 11 games, effectively ending their chances of reaching the quarter-finals. With this victory, Sussex moved level on points with Gloucestershire in the lower reaches of the table.
Match 101 - Essex vs Kent
Joe Denly joined James Vince and Luke Wright in surpassing 5,000 runs in the Vitality Blast, as his explosive innings of 76 off 32 balls propelled Kent Spitfires to their fifth consecutive victory. Denly's knock, which included his 39th t20 half-century, took him to a total of 5,050 runs in the competition, placing him just behind Vince in the all-time run-scoring list.
His partnership of 110 runs with Daniel Bell-Drummond, who scored his fifth fifty of the tournament, formed the backbone of Kent's successful chase of 184, reaching the target with nine balls to spare. Despite Dan Lawrence's 52, Essex suffered their second heavy defeat in a week, jeopardizing their chances of advancing from the group stage.
Feroze Khushi, Michael Pepper, and Robin Das were dismissed in the powerplay, leaving Essex at 55-3. Lawrence and Matt Critchley staged a recovery with a 57-run partnership, but quick wickets in succession halted their progress. Simon Harmer and Will Buttleman provided a late flourish with a 40-run partnership off just 16 balls, but three wickets fell in the final over, preventing Essex from posting a formidable total.
Match 102 - Somerset vs Gloucestershire
Will Smeed played a pivotal role once again as Somerset defeated Gloucestershire by four wickets in the Vitality Blast. After being put in to bat, Gloucestershire recovered from a shaky start to post 186-8, with Grant Roelofsen top-scoring with 52. Somerset's Matt Henry was impressive with the ball, taking 2-8.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the chase, Will Smeed continued his blistering form, smashing 78 off just 42 deliveries, including five sixes and seven fours. Supported by Ben Green (37) and Kasey Aldridge (32*), Somerset reached the target with nine balls to spare, securing a home quarter-final and their position as group leaders.
Match 103 - Kent vs Middlesex
Kent Spitfires secured a dominant 55-run victory over Middlesex in the Vitality Blast, thanks to a brilliant 111 from Daniel Bell-Drummond and a hat-trick from Grant Stewart. Bell-Drummond's outstanding innings included four sixes and propelled Kent to a formidable total of 228-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn response, Middlesex faltered and were bowled out for 173, with Luke Hollman top-scoring with 48. George Linde and Joey Evison also played key roles, each claiming three wickets. Kent's win keeps their momentum going, and they now have a strong chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Match 104 - Leicestershire vs Northamptonshire
Leicestershire suffered a crushing 92-run defeat against Northamptonshire in their final home fixture of the Vitality Blast. Chris Lynn and Saif Zaib led the charge for Northamptonshire with quickfire innings of 62 and 55 respectively, propelling their team to a formidable total of 210 for 7.
Leicestershire's response fell short as they were bowled out for 118, with Ben Sanderson taking three wickets and David Willey, Andrew Tye, and Justin Broad each claiming two. The defeat marked the end of a tumultuous few days for Leicestershire, as they faced off-field issues with the departure of their head coach Paul Nixon.
Match 105 - Birmingham Bears vs Worcestershire
Birmingham Bears secured a spot in the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with an impressive 53-run victory over Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston. Opting to bat first, the Bears posted a formidable total of 228-4, fuelled by half-centuries from Rob Yates, Dan Mousley, and a quickfire 44 off 20 balls from Glenn Maxwell.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn response, the Rapids managed 175-9, with Mitchell Santner top-scoring with 56. Mousley, in addition to his batting heroics, shone with the ball, claiming 4-41. The win puts the Bears in a strong position to secure a home tie in the knockout stage, while the Rapids remain in contention for qualification.
Match 106 - Lancashire vs Derbyshire
Jos Buttler, the England captain, played a sensational innings of 83 runs off just 36 balls to lead Lancashire Lightning to a crucial 27-run victory over Derbyshire Falcons in the Vitality Blast. Buttler's knock included six sixes and formed a devastating partnership of 101 runs with fellow England player Liam Livingstone, who contributed 47 not out.
Despite a rain delay of 80 minutes, Lancashire managed to post a daunting total of 177-4 in 15 overs. In response, Derbyshire Falcons could only muster 150-7, with Harry Came's 45 being the only noteworthy contribution.
The loss pushed Derbyshire down to seventh place in the standings, while Lancashire improved their chances of reaching the quarter-finals, sitting in second place in the North Group. Buttler also reached a personal milestone during his innings, becoming the ninth player to score 10,000 runs in t20 cricket.
Match 107 - Durham vs Yorkshire
Durham and Yorkshire shared the spoils after rain meant that no result was possible. Durham started strongly, with Ben Raine dismissing Adam Lyth for just one. Dawid Malan could only muster eight off 16 balls with captain Shan Masood finishing unbeaten alongside him on 35 from 27 before the rain signalled the end of the match, with Yorkshire 49-1 one ball into the ninth over.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatch 108 - Glamorgan vs Sussex
Sussex secured a comfortable 20-run victory over Glamorgan in the Vitality Blast, with Shadab Khan playing a crucial role with the bat to set up the win. After a shaky start, Sussex recovered well to post a challenging total of 182-6, thanks to Shadab's impressive innings.
Michael Burgess and James Coles also made valuable contributions to steer Sussex's middle order. Glamorgan's batting effort heavily relied on Cam Fletcher, who scored a well-made 57 off 40 balls, but lacked support from the rest of the team.
Sussex's bowlers delivered a professional performance, limiting Glamorgan and sealing the victory. Both teams still have a slim chance of qualifying for the knockout stages, but it will be challenging due to the net run rate advantage held by other teams in the South Group.
Match 109 - Hampshire vs Essex
James Vince continued to haunt Essex as his seventh fifty of the tournament propelled defending champions Hampshire Hawks to their highest-ever Vitality Blast chase. Feroze Khushi and Dan Lawrence set the stage with a blazing 127-run opening stand, posting 209-7.
In response, Vince's 76, along with contributions from James Fuller and Benny Howell, secured a four-wicket victory for Hampshire. Essex suffered their third consecutive defeat and now share 14 points with Hawks. However, the net run rate advantage held by other teams in the South Group makes it difficult for either side to qualify for the knockout stages.
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