T20 Blast 2022| South Group Daily Round-Up, June 21

Defending champions Kent recorded yet another defeat in their ongoing Vitality Blast campaign while Surrey continued their dominance albeit with a scrappy win over Somerset during South Group's fixtures on Tuesday night.

Here's the daily round-up:

Surrey v Somerset, Kennington Oval, London

Match Result: Surrey won by 3 wickets

Table-toppers Surrey continued their winning streak on Tuesday night as they beat the second-placed Somerset by three wickets in a low-scoring encounter at the Kennington Oval.

Chasing 145, Surrey seemed to be in total control of the run-chase till the start of the 20th over as they had just lost 4 wickets, and Will Jacks (66* off 58) and Chris Jordan (14 off 10) were still at the crease.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, veteran Australian seamer Peter Siddle dismissed Jordan, Nico Reifer and Gus Atkinson within a space of 5 deliveries to leave Conon McKerr with the task of hitting a boundary off the last delivery.

McKerr was equal to the task as he drilled Siddle past extra-cover for a four to seal a jailbreak for his team.

Earlier, Sussex rode on an all-round performance from their bowlers- led by the fast bowling duo of Atkinson (2/36 in 4) and Mckerr (2/19 in 2.3) to restrict Somerset to 144/8 in 20.

Tom Banton (39 off 25) was the top-scorer for Somerset while Lewis Goldsworthy chipped in with a handy cameo of 27 off 19 at the death.

Defending 145, Lewis Gregory (3/25 in 4) proved to be the wrecker-in-chief for Somerset as he not only claimed three crucial middle-order wickets but also ensured that he kept things tight.

Will Jacks anchored the innings right till the end but it very nearly proved to be in a losing cause.

Brief Scores:

Somerset 144/8 (20)

Tom Banton 39 (25)

Lewis Goldsworthy 27* (19)

Conon McKerr 2/19 (2.3)

Gus Atkinson 2/36 (4)

Surrey 145/7 (20)

Will Jacks 66* (58)

Chris Jordan 14 (10)

Conor McKerr 4* (1)

Lewis Gregory 3/25 (4)

Peter Siddle 3/42 (4)

Glamorgan v Middlesex, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Match Result: Glamorgan won by 8 wickets

A brilliant performance by fast bowler Michael Hogan (3/28 in 4 overs) and a blistering 150-run opening stand between David Lloyd (67 off 36) and Sam Northeast (89 off 46) has helped Glamorgan thump Middlesex by eight wickets in Cardiff.

Max Holden's lack of intent (58 off 51 deliveries) and a devastating spell from Hogan, who prized out skipper Steven Eskinazi (7 off 6), John Simpson (15 off 11) and Luke Hollman (19 off 12), proved to be the downfall for Middlesex as they ended up with a below par total of 171/7 on what clearly was a very good batting surface.

As it turned out, given how Lloyd and Northeast batted, it wouldn't have mattered anyway, as the duo made a mockery of the Middlesex attack. Lloyd smashed 10 fours and a couple of sixes while Northeast was even more brutal; his 89 magnificent runs came with the help of 12 fours and three sixes.

The duo added 150 runs in a mere 11.5 overs, with Martin Andersson (0/45 in 2.2) bearing the maximum brunt. They were eventually dismissed by Hollman and Jason Behrendorff (1/22 in 3) but by then, they had already sealed the game.

Brief Scores:

Middlesex 171/7 (20)

Max Holden 58 (51)

Joe Cracknell 33 (26)

Martin Andersson 17 (5)

Michael Hogan 3/28 (4)

Glamorgan 172/2 (14.2)

David Lloyd 67 (36)

Sam Northeast 89 (46)

Jason Behrendorff 1/22 (3)

Gloucestershire v Kent, St. Lawrence Ground, Canterbury

Match Result: Gloucestershire won by 5 runs

Defending champions Kent Spitfires' dismal season sunk to another low on Tuesday night as they recorded their 9th defeat in 11 fixtures after they fell agonisingly short of chasing down 196, set by Gloucestershire.

Opener Joe Denly's 30-ball 31 and an equally sedate 27-ball 32 from Jordan Cox came back to bite Kent as they couldn't get past the finishing line despite brilliant efforts from Jack Leaning (37* off 18), skipper Sam Billings (26 off 13) and Alex Blake, who smashed three fours and a couple of sixes in his 24-ball 36.

In the end, Kent needed 19 runs off the last over, but Leaning could only manage 13 with the help of a four and six.

Mohammad Amir proved to be the pick of the bowlers for Gloucestershire as he not only put a tight leash on the scoring rate but also claimed the crucial wickets of Blake and Billings. Fast bowler Josh Shaw complemented Amir brilliantly as he conceded just 36 runs in 4 overs and prized out T Muyeye and Cox.

Earlier, Gloucestershire rode on blistering knocks from Chris Dent (40 off 23), Ian Cockbain (64 off 46) and Glenn Phillips, who hammered 4 sixes and a couple of fours in his 37-ball 62, to post 195/4 in 20. Leaning (1/17 in 2) and Qais Ahmed (1/27 in 4) were the pick of the bowlers for Kent.

Thanks to this win, Gloucestershire have leapfrogged Essex to claim the 3rd spot in the South Group points table. On the other hand, Kent continues languishing at the bottom of the pile.

Brief Scores:

Gloucestershire 195/4 (20)

Glenn Phillips 62* (37)

Ian Cockbain 64 (46)

Chris Dent 40 (23)

Jack Leaning 1/17 (2) 

Qais Ahmed 1/27 (4)

Kent 190/5 (20)

Jack Leaning 37* (18)

Alex Blake 36 (24)

Sam Billings 26 (13)

Mohammad Amir 2/30 (4)

Josh Shaw 2/36 (4)