Ending a 10-game losing streak, Middlesex shocked every cricket fan with their brutal striking as the team scripted history by chasing down 253 in a T20 Vitality Blast game against Surrey. It was the highest run chase in the tournament’s history and the second-highest in T20s behind South Africa’s 259-run chase against West Indies in March 2023.
Surrey who lost the toss and were put in to bat had an excellent opening partnership. Will Jacks smashed 96 off 45, including five consecutive sixes, while Laurie Evans hit 85 off 37 putting on a 177-run partnership in just 13 overs. The duo were ably supported by Jamie Overton and Chris Jordan who provided finishing touches to their innings enabling Middlesex to post a formidable total of 252 for the loss of 7 wickets.
Coming to the chase, captain Stephen Eskinazi led from the front with the bat, scoring 73 off just 39 balls, including one six and 13 boundaries. Max Holden also smashed an unbeaten 68 off 35 deliveries, while Ryan Higgins and Joe Cracknell chipped in with 48 (24) and 36 (16), respectively to win the match for their team with 4 balls to spare.
The chase was a memorable one as Middlesex who were on a 14-game unbeaten streak in the T20 Blast; managed to get a W against their name in the points table. Their last win came against Kent on June 19 last year. They finished the 2022 season on a four-match losing streak.
In other news, Royal Challengers Bangalore star Will Jacks created a record of his own when he smashed five consecutive sixes off leg-spinner Luke Hollman. Jacks hit Hollman for five consecutive sixes in the 11th over and was set to hit the final ball off the over for a six too. But couldn’t quite strike the ball well.
