T20 Blast 2022 | 3rd Quarter-final | Steven Croft powers Lancashire to semifinals

It was a perfect evening for the Lancashire Lightning, who secured a place in the semi-finals of the T20 Blast 2022. They beat Essex by seven wickets in the third quarter-final on July 8 at Manchester. 

Essex won the toss and opted to bat first. The opener Adam Rossington waved his bat at everything and managed to score 25 off 19, before Luke Wood made him holed out at deep mid-wicket

Soon, Danny Lamb sent Matt Critchely (12) back to the pavilion in the first ball of the sixth over. At this point, Essex were at 45/2.

The in-form Michael Pepper and experienced Dan Lawrence tried to resurrect the innings. However, Tim David plucked a stunning catch at mid-on to dismiss Lawrence (15) off Wood. 

The next couple of wickets, Pepper (36) and Tom Westley (5) witnessed outstanding glove work from Phil Salt. Interestingly, Salt was allowed to feature in this game, despite being a part of the England squad for the T20I series against India. 

In the latter half, Paul Walter (34*) and Daniel Sams (25*) were a key to Essex in posting a respectable total of 161 on the board. For Red Roses, Wood was the pick of the bowlers with 2/28 in four overs.

In reply, Lancs lost their opener Keaton Jennings (0) in a run-out dismissal. However, the seasoned campaigners Salt and Steven Croft were up to their task to make full use of the field restrictions. 

Both the batters used their attacking approach in Sams’ first over to hit him 19 runs and laid a strong platform for the chase. 

In the ninth over of the innings, Salt hit a lofted sweep shot, which looked as if it had enough legs to reach the crowds. But, Pepper adjudged a catching opportunity brilliantly, and threw the ball to Allison near the boundary cushions at the right time to send Salt packing for 27 off 21. 

Unaffected by the dismissal, Croft delivered odd boundaries and reached his fourth half century of the Tournament. In addition, he is the leading run-getter for Lightning in the ongoing Blast season. 

Captain Dane Vilas was aggressive with his approach and hit 51 off 23, before getting dismissed by Simon Harmer. 

Then, David finished the chase in the 16th over by hitting a boundary towards the extra-cover region. On the other end, Croft remained unbeaten on 76 off 48, with five fours and four sixes. 

Lancashire Twitter account posted a video of the players celebrating the win with their dressing room dance. 

Red Roses will face their arch-rivals Yorkshire in the semi-finals on July 16 at Birmingham, which is also the Finals Day. 

Brief Scores: 

Essex- 161/5 (20)
Michael Pepper 36 (28), Paul Walter 34*(27);
Luke Wood 2/28

Lancashire- 162/3 (15.4)

Steven Croft 76* (48), Dane Vilas 51 (23);
Simon Harmer 1/29

Result: Lancashire won by 7 wickets