Hampshire reach quarter finals despite Essex defeat
By Connor Steel
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS guaranteed themselves a position in the ‘Vitality Blast Quarter Finals’ despite a defeat from their final’ South Group’ encounter against Essex Eagles last Thursday night (July 17); eventually falling to a four wicket loss in the last over of an exciting match-up that saw over four hundred runs scored at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
The Hawks started quick after being put into bat and immediately took advantage of the ‘narrow boundary ropes’ within this Chelmsford ground, which were exploited by Tom Prest and Toby Albert during their powerplay period. Their young duo ended their first six overs on 53-0 with only Mohammad Amir showing ‘real resistance’ from the early bowling spell.
Essex fought back via the next two overs as Prest (41) was LBW to Luc Benkenstein and Joe Weatherley holed out for six to leave this score on 63-2; although this brought Hilton Cartwright into this match. He blasted the ball for all angles and hit five maximums alongside three sublime boundaries to score 53 runs in a partnership of 94 before being caught.
Benny Howell (2) was the ‘next victim’ for Hampshire to leave them 178-4; a total which increased to 198 when Albert’s innings was ended on eighty four as he fired one to cover point after hitting five straight boundaries with just 6 balls left. James Fuller soon added twenty-runs from four boundaries in this final over before departing; the Hawks ending 220-6.
Paul Walter and Michael Pepper made a fast start to the Essex response as they took nineteen runs off Sonny Baker’s first over as they hit 33-0 in just fourteen balls; which was to be the end of their pairing as Chris Wood removed Walter. It soon became 39-2 as Scott Currie dismissed Pepper (23), thus bringing Jordan Cox to the crease for the fourth over.
The Essex batsman was in terrifying form as he blasted 19 off Fuller’s opening six balls, before hitting another forty-six runs off just two overs from Howell including many boundaries to reach the fifty. It wasn’t all one way traffic however as Charlie Allison and Benkenstein were dismissed via Liam Dawson, whilst Matt Critchley fell off Baker between this pair.
Cox continued to dominate the bowlers despite the cluster of wickets and reached his sublime hundred in 47 balls, but the result was uncertain as Noah Than became Wood’s next victim to leave Essex on 176-6. Further boundaries came as Simon Harmer was dropped over the rope before Cox (139*) added two successive maximums to seal this success.
Hampshire have finished third in their group after all Friday’s fixtures with thirty points from 14 matches; which included seven wins, one tie, and six defeats during this stage of the competition. Their quarter finals opponents have also been confirmed as being Durham away and this is due to take place at The Banks Homes Riverside on Friday, September 5.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (3BX3B10): Toby Albert slams the ball away for quick runs during the Hawk’s Essex encounter.
