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Gloucestershire Crush Sussex to Reach Vitality Blast Final

Gloucestershire Crush Sussex to Reach Vitality Blast Final

By September 14, 2024 0

Gloucestershire’s dominance in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured a resounding eight-wicket victory over Sussex in the second semi-final at Edgbaston. The triumph sets up a thrilling West Country showdown with local rivals Somerset in the final, giving Gloucestershire a chance to claim their first silverware in nearly a decade.

Sussex’s batting woes began early as David Payne’s swing proved too much for Daniel Hughes, who was dismissed for just one run. Matt Taylor then joined the party, claiming the wickets of Harrison Ward and James Coles to leave Sussex reeling at 35 for 4 after the powerplay.

Ollie Price and Tom Smith continued the onslaught, with Price dismissing Tom Clark and Fynn Hudson-Prentice. Smith then removed John Simpson and Ollie Robinson, leaving Sussex stranded on 64 for 7.

Jack Carson and Ollie Robinson briefly rallied, adding 37 runs, but Smith returned to dismiss Robinson and James Bracey completed a stumping to remove Tymal Mills. Payne wrapped up the innings in the 18th over, conceding just nine runs in a stellar display.

Gloucestershire’s chase was far less eventful. Despite losing Miles Hammond early, Cameron Bancroft and James Bracey put on a 54-run partnership to break the back of the chase. Bracey sealed the victory with a mighty six over long-off, securing Gloucestershire’s place in the final with 38 balls to spare.

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Gloucestershire Stun Birmingham Bears in Vitality Blast Quarter-Final

Gloucestershire Stun Birmingham Bears in Vitality Blast Quarter-Final

By September 7, 2024 0

Gloucestershire’s stunning 14-run victory over Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast quarter-final at Edgbaston was a testament to their resilience and the Bears’ inability to handle pressure.

Despite scraping into the last eight on net run rate, Gloucestershire raced to 51 without loss in the powerplay. However, they collapsed to 138 all out, with Cameron Bancroft’s 43 and Miles Hammond’s 30 the only significant contributions.

Birmingham Bears, the North Group winners, were expected to cruise to victory. But David Payne’s 4 for 23 and Ollie Price’s 3 for 32 proved too much for the home side.

Bears’ chase was hampered by Payne’s early dismissal of Alex Davies and Moeen Ali. Despite Chris Benjamin’s 33, the Bears struggled to regain momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals.

In the final over, Gloucestershire’s leading wicket-taker Payne conceded just three runs and took two wickets, sealing a memorable victory.

Gloucestershire’s triumph was built on their ability to defend a low total. Payne’s accurate bowling and Price’s clever spin variations proved too difficult for the Bears to handle.

The Bears, on the other hand, were guilty of poor shot selection and a lack of composure under pressure. Their inability to chase down a modest target exposed their vulnerability in high-pressure situations.

Gloucestershire will now face Sussex in the semi-final at Edgbaston on Saturday week, while the Bears will be left to rue their missed opportunity.

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Matt Walker to Leave Kent After Seven Years as Head Coach

Matt Walker to Leave Kent After Seven Years as Head Coach

By September 6, 2024 0

Matt Walker, the head coach of Kent’s men’s cricket team, has announced his departure at the end of the season after seven years at the helm. Walker, a former Kent player with a 16-year career, took over as head coach in 2017, replacing Jimmy Adams.

During his tenure, Walker guided Kent to limited-overs success, winning the Vitality Blast in 2021 and the One-Day Cup in 2022. He also oversaw the team’s promotion to Division One of the County Championship in 2018. However, Kent’s recent form has been disappointing, with the team languishing at the bottom of Division Two and struggling in the T20 Blast.

In a statement released by Kent, Walker expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach his home county. He highlighted the promotion to Division One and trophy successes as memorable moments, but emphasized that working with the players and coaches had been the most rewarding aspect of his time at the club.

Kent’s director of cricket, Simon Cook, praised Walker’s contributions as both a player and a coach. He noted that Walker’s name would be forever associated with recent successes at Kent Cricket.

It is understood that Kent will look externally for Walker’s successor, with Matthew Mott a potential candidate. Mott, who recently stepped down as England’s white-ball coach, has experience in county cricket, having worked at Glamorgan as head coach and head of elite performance.

Walker’s departure marks the end of an era at Kent, and the club will be hoping to find a suitable replacement who can continue the team’s progress and bring further success to Canterbury.

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Somerset's Banton Blasts Them to Vitality Blast Finals Day

Somerset’s Banton Blasts Them to Vitality Blast Finals Day

By September 6, 2024 0

Somerset’s explosive batting display, led by Tom Banton’s blistering 75 off 43 balls, propelled them to a 17-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Vitality Blast quarterfinal. The triumph secured Somerset’s place at Finals Day.

Banton’s innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring five sixes and six fours. He formed a formidable partnership with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed 63 off 43 balls, including two fours and five sixes. The duo’s 125-run stand in 11.3 overs set the tone for Somerset’s imposing total of 215 for three.

Northamptonshire’s chase was spearheaded by David Willey, who smashed 57 off 39 deliveries. Saif Zaib, Ricardo Vasconcelos, and Justin Broad also made significant contributions, but Somerset’s bowlers, led by Lewis Gregory’s three wickets for 35, proved too strong.

Willey’s early strike removed Will Smeed, but Somerset capitalized on wayward bowling from Willey and Ben Sanderson, who gifted them numerous wide deliveries. Banton’s aggressive approach, including a six off Willey and a crunching drive down the ground, set the pace for Somerset’s innings.

Kohler-Cadmore struggled initially but found his rhythm, hitting a six over long-off and two boundaries off Ashton Agar’s expensive over. He added two more sixes off Justin Broad, while Banton reached his half-century off 31 balls.

Banton’s dismissal came after a spectacular catch on the boundary, but Kohler-Cadmore continued to punish the Northamptonshire bowlers, reaching his half-century off 38 balls. He was eventually caught by Zaib at deep midwicket, but Sean Dickson and Gregory added a valuable 44-run stand in the final overs.

Northamptonshire’s chase began in persistent rain, and they lost George Bartlett early. Willey’s aggressive batting kept them in the hunt, but Vasconcelos’ dismissal and Broad’s tame return catch gave Somerset the upper hand.

Zaib and Willey kept the scoreboard ticking, but Gregory’s three wickets, including Zaib’s catch at mid-on, proved decisive. Willey’s late surge, including a six off Ball, was not enough to prevent Northamptonshire from falling 17 runs short.

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Women's Cricket in England Aligns with Men's Competitions

Women’s Cricket in England Aligns with Men’s Competitions

By September 5, 2024 0

England’s top women’s cricket teams will embark on a new era in 2025, with the introduction of the Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One-Day Cup, mirroring the competitions played by their male counterparts. This alignment aims to enhance the visibility and growth of women’s cricket in England.

The Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day will crown the T20 champions, while the Metro Bank One-Day Cup will feature semi-finals and a final. The eight teams competing in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup will represent Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Somerset, Surrey, Warwickshire, and The Blaze (representing Nottinghamshire and surrounds).

The Vitality Blast will feature eight teams: Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire), Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire Thunder, Somerset, Surrey, and The Blaze. Yorkshire will join the top flight in 2026, followed by Glamorgan in 2027.

A knockout cup competition will also be introduced in 2025, involving teams from all three tiers of the women’s domestic structure. This will provide opportunities for counties at all levels to compete against each other.

Beth Barrett-Wild, ECB director of the women’s professional game, emphasized the importance of aligning the men’s and women’s competitions: “By putting our men’s and women’s competitions and players on the same platform, we can exponentially increase the reach of the women’s domestic game and intensify the depth of feeling fans have for our women’s teams moving forwards.”

The new structure will see an investment of £8m per year into women’s domestic cricket by 2027, bringing the total annual investment to £19m. This funding is expected to increase the number of professional female players in England and Wales by 80% by 2029.

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Surrey Storm into Vitality Blast Final with Five-Wicket Win over Durham

Surrey Storm into Vitality Blast Final with Five-Wicket Win over Durham

By September 4, 2024 0

Surrey’s Dominic Sibley and Sam Curran led their team to a resounding five-wicket victory over Durham in the Vitality Blast semi-final at the Kia Oval. The duo’s blistering partnership of 95 runs in just 63 balls propelled Surrey to the final’s day.

Sibley, the former England opener, showcased his power-hitting prowess with a 48-ball 67, including two sixes and six fours. Curran, who had previously scored a century in the competition, contributed with a 34-ball 52, featuring four towering sixes.

Durham’s bowlers had initially put up a strong fight, reducing Surrey to 2 for 2 in the powerplay. However, Sibley and Curran’s counterattacking innings turned the tide in Surrey’s favor.

Earlier, Durham had posted a competitive 162 for 8, thanks to a valiant effort from Michael Jones (37), Bas De Leede (24), and Ben Raine (23). Surrey’s Dan Worrall and Reece Topley had wreaked havoc in the powerplay, claiming two wickets each.

Surrey’s chase began with a setback as Will Jacks and Laurie Evans fell cheaply. But Sibley and Rory Burns steadied the ship, with Sibley playing a more aggressive role than usual.

The introduction of spin proved costly for Surrey as Callum Parkinson dismissed Burns. However, Curran joined Sibley and the pair accelerated the run rate, hitting boundaries at will.

De Leede dropped a crucial catch of Curran, allowing the England all-rounder to continue his onslaught. Sibley reached his half-century with a majestic six, while Curran almost cleared The Oval with a massive hit off Nathan Sowter.

With only 15 runs needed, Sibley departed, but Curran and Jamie Overton saw Surrey home with 12 balls to spare.

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Ashton Agar Returns to Boost Northamptonshire for Vitality Blast Quarter-Final

Ashton Agar Returns to Boost Northamptonshire for Vitality Blast Quarter-Final

By August 23, 2024 0

Northamptonshire Steelbacks have secured the return of Australian spinner Ashton Agar for their Vitality Blast quarter-final clash against Somerset on September 5. Agar, who was signed as a replacement for Sikandar Raza during the group stage, played a pivotal role in Northants’ qualification from the North Group in second spot, helping them secure four wins out of five.

The club is also exploring the possibility of bringing back Matthew Breetzke, the South African opener who is currently Northants’ leading run-scorer in this year’s Blast with 460 runs at a strike rate of 153.84. However, head coach John Sadler emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with Cricket South Africa.

Breetzke was recently involved in South Africa’s Test tour of the West Indies but is not part of the squad currently playing a three-match T20I series. “We’re hopeful that Matt will be able to get over, but we’re not sure how that’s going to pan out,” Sadler said. “We obviously want to get him back because he’s been brilliant for us, but we’ll see how it unfolds.”

Sadler acknowledged that the situation is beyond the control of both Northants and Breetzke. “I know he’s desperate to come back, but he’s on the verge of playing for South Africa in all three formats, so that’s understandably his main driver,” Sadler said. “I also know that he so wants to come back and play for us that he’s happy to fly in, play, and fly back out, but that is a situation that we’ll have to negotiate with Cricket South Africa.”

Agar, who opted to go freelance earlier this year, will be available after completing a stint at the Global T20 Canada. His return strengthens Northants’ options ahead of the sold-out game at Wantage Road against the defending champions. “Ashton is in, he’s booked to come back, and he’s incredibly excited,” Sadler said. “He has been over at a tournament in Canada, so he’s off back home to spend some time with his family, but then he’ll be back with us, so we’re absolutely delighted with that.”

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Australian Left-Arm Pacer Ben Dwarshuis Joins Durham for Vitality Blast

Australian Left-Arm Pacer Ben Dwarshuis Joins Durham for Vitality Blast

By May 9, 2024 0

Ben Dwarshuis, the Australian left-arm fast bowler, has joined Durham for the upcoming Vitality Blast tournament. The 31-year-old replaces Scott Boland, who was ruled out for the season due to plantar fasciitis.

Dwarshuis comes to Durham after a successful Big Bash League campaign with the Sydney Sixers, where he was the leading bowler and player of the season. He claimed 17 wickets, including a match-winning 5 for 21 against the Brisbane Heat. Dwarshuis also played a key role in the Sixers’ back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021, taking 24 wickets in the latter campaign.

At the international level, Dwarshuis has represented Australia in three T20Is, claiming five wickets at an average of 22.40. He has also featured for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League and Worcestershire in the Vitality Blast.

“I am very much looking forward to joining Durham Cricket for the upcoming 2024 Vitality Blast season,” said Dwarshuis. “It will also be a great opportunity to play in front of the passionate Durham fans at the Seat Unique Riverside.”

Durham’s Director of Cricket, Marcus North, expressed his excitement about Dwarshuis’ signing. “We are thrilled to have recruited Ben for our T20 Blast season,” said North. “With the loss of Scott Boland and the T20 World Cup being played through the tournament, it was important we found the right cricketer who can play a key role for us this season.”

“Ben has a terrific record with the Sydney Sixers and is constantly up there as one of the top wicket takers in the BBL,” added North. “His white-ball cricket skills are very good, and we are pleased to have him on board.”

Dwarshuis’ left-arm option adds variety to Durham’s already strong bowling attack. He is also a capable batsman, which gives the team additional depth.

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Surrey Signs Australian Pacer Spencer Johnson for Vitality Blast

Surrey Signs Australian Pacer Spencer Johnson for Vitality Blast

By May 7, 2024 0

Surrey County Cricket Club has bolstered its Vitality Blast squad with the signing of Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson for the first eight matches of the tournament. Johnson, a left-armer, is a familiar face at The Oval, having represented Oval Invincibles in the 2023 campaign.

During his stint with Invincibles, Johnson showcased his exceptional skills, claiming five wickets, including a remarkable 3 for 1 off 20 deliveries against Manchester Originals. His impressive performance played a crucial role in Invincibles’ successful title run.

Johnson’s acquisition comes at an opportune time for Surrey, who will be without four key players due to their involvement in the T20 World Cup. Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, and Reece Topley have all been selected by England for the global event.

The Australian pacer will join Sean Abbott as Surrey’s overseas options for the Blast. The club is permitted to field a maximum of three overseas players in its squad and two in its playing XI.

“I’m thrilled to join Surrey and have some fantastic memories from playing at the Kia Oval last year,” Johnson said. “Surrey has a great squad, and I’m eager to contribute with the ball in front of the passionate crowds in south London.”

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of men’s cricket, expressed his delight at Johnson’s signing. “Spencer is a highly talented cricketer who has proven his abilities in white-ball cricket at the highest levels,” Stewart said. “He will strengthen our bowling unit during the early stages of the group stages when we have four players away at the World Cup with England.”

Despite missing out on Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, Johnson remains a highly sought-after player in the T20 circuit. He secured a lucrative deal worth AU$1.78 million (USD1.175 million) with Gujarat Titans in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

Following the Vitality Blast, Johnson will represent LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket before returning to The Oval for his Hundred stint with Invincibles. He could potentially add to his six international caps at the end of the English summer when Australia tours for three T20Is and five ODIs.

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Xavier Bartlett to Join Kent for Vitality Blast Despite CA Block

Xavier Bartlett to Join Kent for Vitality Blast Despite CA Block

By April 23, 2024 0

Xavier Bartlett, the Australian fast bowler, will join Kent for the Vitality Blast after Cricket Australia (CA) initially blocked him from playing for the county in the County Championship. Bartlett was originally signed for Kent’s first five Championship games, but CA denied him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on the eve of the season, despite handing him a central contract a week earlier.

Bartlett’s absence was a blow to Kent, who swiftly replaced him with South African bowling allrounder Beyers Swanepoel on an all-format deal. However, Kent remained hopeful that Bartlett would be able to fulfill the white-ball element of his initial deal, which amounted to at least eight Blast games. That has now been confirmed.

CA’s caution with Bartlett’s workload is understandable, particularly in first-class cricket. He played just three Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland after returning from a back stress fracture sustained during the previous English summer. He is also likely to land a deal in Major League Cricket, which begins on July 4.

While Bartlett is unlikely to make Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, he is firmly in the frame for their limited-overs tour of England in September. He will join Swanepoel and fellow Australian seamer Wes Agar as three overseas options for Kent’s Blast campaign, which begins on May 31 against Middlesex at Chelmsford. Only two of them are permitted in any given playing XI.

Kent’s director of cricket, Simon Cook, expressed his delight at securing Bartlett’s services for the Blast: “We’ve been working extremely hard with Cricket Australia to ensure that Xavier can join us in some capacity this season, and we’re really pleased to have secured his services for eight matches of our T20 campaign.”

“He is hot property at the moment and fully deserves his new central contract with Australia. I know that Spitfires supporters around the world will be extremely excited that the BBL’s top wicket-taker this Winter will be pulling on a Kent shirt this June.”

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