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Derbyshire’s collapse from 114 to 0 to 179 for 6 proved terminal as they lost their third game in five

ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2024Adam Lyth celebrated becoming the first Yorkshire batter to reach 4,000 T20 runs in style by hitting a superb 51-ball 84 in a nine-wicket win as they routinely chased 180 to beat Derbyshire in the Vitality Blast at Headingley.Yorkshire should have been pursuing many more, but the Falcons stuttered from 114 without loss at the start of the 11th over to 179 for 6. Opener Aneurin Donald blasted a brilliant 84 off 41 and England’s Joe Root claimed 2 for 20 from three overs of off-spin.Veteran opener Lyth, in his 164th county appearance, brought up the county milestone early in the chase as Yorkshire continued their bright start to the North Group with a third win in four games.Lyth was expertly supported by Dawid Malan in a 14.4-over opening stand of 137. The latter finished unbeaten on 79 off 48, sealing victory with 11 balls left.Derbyshire, who have now lost three from five, raced away having been inserted, with Donald taking the lion’s share of 22 off Matthew Revis in the fifth over. He ended it with two fours and two leg-side sixes.The Falcons finished the six-over powerplay at 70 without loss and put a much-changed Vikings attack under serious pressure.The hosts are suffering from a number of seam bowling injuries and earlier this weekend announced the loan signing of Surrey quick Conor McKerr on a five-game deal. It was, therefore, a surprise when he was left out of this fixture.Donald continued his assault at a notoriously batter-friendly venue. And, ultimately, Derbyshire were under par as a result of the true conditions.Fellow opener David Lloyd wasn’t quite the silent opening partner but not far off. When Derbyshire reached 100 in the ninth over, he had 30 to Donald’s 69. But the Falcons had their wings clipped.Jordan Thompson had Lloyd caught at deep midwicket for 41 to make the initial breakthrough, Dom Bess bowled Wayne Madsen and Samit Patel was caught at short third off Matthew Revis – 131 for 3 in the 13th over.Donald was starved of the strike and followed, caught at deep cover off debutant seamer Ben Cliff – his maiden wicket. Ross Whiteley then hoisted Root to deep backward square-leg. The same bowler had Brooke Guest caught at deep midwicket in the last.Derbyshire found or cleared the boundary 16 times in the first half of the innings but only four times in the second. It proved costly and best highlighted their struggles.Rain delayed this fixture by 15 minutes, and it was preceded by a minute’s silence in honour of local Rugby League legend Rob Burrow, who died a week ago. Burrow first made his name with Leeds Rhinos on the other side of Headingley.On the cricket field, Lyth also has legendary status. And the 36-year-old proved why when he set about the chase. Like Donald, he was similarly dominant against the new ball.By the time he reached his fifty off 33 balls with three sixes, his 28th for Yorkshire, the Vikings were well on course at 82 without loss in the ninth over. One of those sixes was handsomely hoisted over cover off Daryn Dupavillon’s seam.The rest of Lyth’s four sixes were slog-swept or pulled leg-side, just as Malan did with two en-route to a fine fifty off 37 balls. By the time Lyth was caught at long-off off Dupavillon, Yorkshire needed 43 and Derbyshire’s horse had bolted.

Trio will interview the candidates in line for a place in the new selection panel for men’s cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Dec-2022The BCCI has set up a Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising former India players Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik to interview the candidates in line for a place in the new selection panel for men’s cricket.The old one remains in place but only as a temporary measure. All of its members were effectively sacked by the BCCI in the aftermath of India’s T20 World Cup exit. However, it is learnt that the chief Chetan Sharma has once again put his name up for consideration.Related

• Lots of contenders but little opportunity as India ring in the changes

• Monga: An Indian selector has a crucial role, but few want to do it

• Mongia, Maninder, Ratra, Das apply for India selector post

• BCCI sacks senior men's selection committee

The CAC was last in action to appoint Rahul Dravid as the India head coach a year ago. Madan Lal (chief), Naik and RP Singh had been appointed in that CAC in January 2020 for an initial one year term. Their work began with the appointment of a selection committee as well. But Lal turned 70 last year and had to leave his position because as per the BCCI constitution those over 70 cannot be part of any committee. RP Singh then left the committee because he joined the Mumbai Indians set-up as a talent scout.Malhotra, who will turn 66 in January, was the president of the Indian Cricketers’ Association until October 2022 and was succeeded by Aunshuman Gaekwad. Malhotra, a former middle-order batter, played seven Tests and 20 ODIs from 1982 to 1986 and had coached the Bengal team in domestic cricket from 2013 to 2015.Paranjape, 50, played four ODIs for India in 1998 and was himself in the selection panel which he now has to pick, until early 2017.Naik, 44, was a wicketkeeper-batter who played two Tests, 46 ODIs, and 31 T20Is from 2002 to 2013.The first CAC was appointed in 2015 and had three high-profile names in Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. They were to be consulted on all major decisions in Indian cricket, such as appointing the head coach and team director. In 2019, they were all served notices for alleged conflict of interest for for serving as IPL franchises’ support staff members as well as being on the CAC.Once they quit, Kapil Dev became the next high-profile name to take over the CAC, along with Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy. But those three also stepped down after being served notices for alleged conflict of interest by the BCCI ethics officer.

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Oct-20232:53

Have England failed to plan well for this World Cup?

—Fixtures | Squads | Points table | Tournament Index

Top Story: England’s title defence suffers another crushing blow as Sri Lanka coast to victory

England’s World Cup defence is not dead yet. And more’s the pity, to judge by this latest hollow-eyed display from Jos Buttler’s ex-worldbeaters. The humiliations are coming so thick and fast that they are losing their shock factor but, suffice to say, this latest crushing loss – by eight wickets and in just 59 overs of the match’s 100 – was neither the largest nor the most shocking of an abject campaign.It was, however, the one that confirmed beyond any lingering doubt that this team of genuine England greats no longer has any miracles left within its dressing-room. The match-up was nominally eighth versus ninth in the tournament standings, but by the time Pathum Nissanka had slammed Sri Lanka’s winning six over long-on with a massive 148 balls remaining, you were left to wonder whether this England team, in this miserable mood, could even have matched their conquerors’ achievement of making out of the qualifying tournament in July that did for the likes of West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland.Click here to read the full report

Match analysis: England’s lurching between attack and defence leaves them in no man’s land

There was more gloom heading Jos Buttler’s way who once again fell for a low score•Associated Press

The light at the end of the tunnel was a train. England have spent the last four weeks travelling around India talking about responding to setbacks and awaiting the statement performance that has never arrived. If their defeats to New Zealand, Afghanistan and South Africa were bad, this might have been the worst of the lot.The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was a venue that should have suited England perfectly. In the first of five effective must-win games, they chose to bat first on a flat pitch with short boundaries, rattled along to 44 for 0 after six overs and could finally afford to dream big: would 350 be enough to flatten Sri Lanka, or should they eye 400?Click here to read the full analysis from Matt Roller in Bengaluru

Must Watch: Shane Bond on England’s unwillingness to adapt

2:23

Bond: England showing no willingness to adapt

News headlines

• Jos Buttler said that England’s performance at the World Cup has been “a huge disappointment” and “a shock to everyone” within their set-up, after an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru left them on the brink of elimination with four group games remaining.
• Shakib Al Hasan returned to Bangladesh’s World Cup camp in Kolkata on Thursday evening, cutting short his three-day Dhaka trip to two days. Shakib had gone to Dhaka on October 25 to have a nets session with his childhood mentor Nazmul Abedeen Fahim.

Match preview

Pakistan vs South Africa, Chennai (2pm IST; 8.30am GMT; 7.30pm AEDT2:59

Bavuma: There is a temptation to chase in Chennai

As one campaign unravels, another gathers full steam. It’s a familiar theme for Pakistan and South Africa across much of ICC tournament history. While South Africa have often looked among the most formidable sides in the early stages of these tournaments, Pakistan stutter and stall until they’ve left themselves with no margin for error, and then they roar into life. This fixture, timed to coincide with that point of crossroads in the World Cup group stages, gives that narrative the extra thrust for South Africa to be that little bit warier, and Pakistan slightly more optimistic.But South Africa are looking to make history at this World Cup, while Pakistan are in danger of being consigned to it. The ferocious brilliance of South Africa has combined with clinical effectiveness, lending that side a steel and ruthlessness they have often been accused of lacking. The team might always look a batter light with Marco Jansen in at seven, but with nearly all of the top six in such glistening form, no side bar Netherlands have been able to burrow their way deeper into that line-up until explosive damage has already been done.Click here for the full previewTeam newsPakistan: (likely) 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Imam-ul-Haq/Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Usama Mir, 9 Mohammad Wasim Jnr, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Haris RaufSouth Africa: (likely) 1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Tabraiz Shamsi, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Lungi Ngidi/Lizaad Williams

Analysis: How Heinrich Klaasen bosses spin with a destructive quasi-pull

A rendition of the pull that has brought Heinrich Klaasen so much success against spin•ICC/Getty Images

When is a pull no longer a pull? If you’re the kind of person who spends an unhealthy amount of time dwelling on the precise meanings of cricketing terms, you might find yourself pondering this when you watch Heinrich Klaasen play the pull.Defined most simply, the pull is a horizontal-bat shot hit across the line of a short-pitched ball. Klaasen’s pull, particularly against spin bowling, routinely fails to check all three of those boxes.Read the full analysis from Karthik Krishnaswamy

Chris Woakes says tourists expect livelier surfaces with Pakistan 1-0 down in series

Matt Roller11-Oct-2024England are bracing to play on “result wickets” for the remaining two Tests of their tour to Pakistan after winning by an innings on a lifeless pitch. The groundstaff in Multan, which will also stage the second Test of the series, were watering a fresh strip barely an hour after England completed their win on Friday, which will be prepared over the next three days.Shan Masood has spoken repeatedly about wanting to play on pitches that bring his fast bowlers into play since his appointment as captain, but there was nothing for them to work with as England racked up 823 for 7 in Multan. Pakistan need to win both Tests to secure a first home series win since February 2021 and England believe they may gamble on a green pitch.”There was talk about green surfaces,” Chris Woakes said. “I suppose it did have a tinge of green on day one, but it just got better and better. The ball is firmly in their court. When it’s a home series and it’s only three matches, and you lose the first, you’d like to think that the next two are going to be result wickets, whether that be green or turners. We’ll see.”Related

• Pakistan, a graveyard for Test bowlers – in numbers

• Masood scathing in criticism of bowlers but not batters after Multan humiliation

• Leach four-for consigns Pakistan to historic innings defeat

• Stats – Rare England innings win in Asia, Pakistan losing streak continues

• PCB restructures selection committee by picking Aleem Dar, Aaqib, Azhar

Tony Hemming, the PCB’s Australian head curator, is due to meet with a revamped selection panel on Saturday in Multan, along with Masood and coach Jason Gillespie. Pakistan’s squad for the second Test will be finalised after that meeting.Masood played down the role of the pitch, instead blaming his bowlers. “We take discussion of the pitch too seriously,” he said. “You play a pitch for your squad and your strategy, but you can’t control every aspect of the pitch… What England showed us is you can find a way: they took 20 wickets on this pitch, so you can’t say it’s impossible to take 20 wickets on this pitch.”England hope to welcome Ben Stokes back into their side for the second Test after he missed the first due to his hamstring injury. He stepped up his rehabilitation this week, doing fitness work on every day of the Test, starting to bowl off a full run-up during intervals, and having several long batting sessions in the nets behind the media centre.Ollie Pope, who stood in as captain for a fourth successive Test, was optimistic about Stokes’ chances of playing next week. “I know he’s been training really well this week, and he’s as keen as ever to get playing again, so fingers crossed for everyone that he’s all good… He has had a good week training, but I will be ready if not.”If Stokes does return, England could face a selection dilemma depending on his availability to bowl – and the nature of the surface. The most likely change would involve him replacing one of their three seamers, but they could feasibly leave out one of their two spinners – most likely Shoaib Bashir – and instead give Joe Root a greater role with the ball.Chris Woakes took two wickets in his first overseas Test since 2022•Getty Images

For Woakes, this was a successful return to playing away from home after two successive winters without going on a Test tour. He finished with match figures of 2 for 110 but took one important wicket in each innings: Babar Azam in the first, whom he trapped lbw with the second new ball, and Abdullah Shafique, who lost his off stump to the first ball of the second.”I probably didn’t think I was going to get another opportunity to do this,” Woakes said. “In a way, I’d probably given up on it. But when you get the backing of the dressing room, of Ben and Baz [McCullum], you feel 10 feet tall and like you can go out there and win games of cricket for England. I’m never going to average 25 in these conditions but I don’t think many would.”Thankfully in this Test match, I’ve been able to make a couple of breakthroughs with the new ball on a wicket which was offering pretty much bugger all, so I’m pretty pleased I contributed. There are going to be periods in these conditions where you do have to hold and you’re working for the guys at the other end.”

Experienced coach rewarded after leading Renegades to first WBBL title last season

Alex Malcolm18-Jun-2025Melbourne Renegades title-winning coach Simon Helmot has re-signed for a further three years after helping the club claim their first-ever WBBL trophy last season.Helmot has vast experience in the men’s game across international, domestic and franchise cricket, and took the job as Renegades’ WBBL coach four years ago. Despite an indifferent first three seasons, he helped the club claim a title last season, forging a strong bond with the group and skipper Sophie Molineux.”Last season was an incredibly special one for our playing group and staff, and I’m thrilled to be continuing as head coach,” Helmot said.Related

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“Winning a title is never easy, which makes being part of this group all the more special. Led brilliantly by our general manager, James Rosengarten, and our captain, Sophie Molineux, achieving what we did was incredibly rewarding.”We’ve got a great core group of players and people who are passionate about the club, and who are fully invested into achieving more. I’m excited by what we can do next.”Renegades have re-signed West Indies star allrounder Hayley Matthews for next season ahead of Thursday’s WBBL overseas draft but are still to lock away Molineux and fellow Australia star Georgia Wareham who are both currently uncontracted. Renegades have poached up-and-coming Victoria allrounder Tess Flintoff from Melbourne Stars but have lost Victoria duo Ella Hayward and Georgia Prestwidge to their cross-town rivals.Renegades have also signed former Victoria and South Australia fast bowler Rob Cassell as an assistant coach for the BBL team under head coach Cameron White. Cassell has also been appointed as Victoria’s men’s bowling coach under head coach Chris Rogers, taking over the role vacated by Adam Griffith, who was appointed as Australia’s national fast bowling coach earlier this year.Cassell has moved to Victoria from Tasmania where he was the bowling coach for the men’s program and is highly regarded, having done some brief secondments with Australia’s men’s team under Andrew McDonald in recent years when senior bowling coach Daniel Vettori has been absent.

A prolonged dip in form has meant Bangladesh’s most capped T20I player can no longer be assured of his place

Mohammad Isam12-Sep-2022The biggest question going around in Dhaka right now is whether Mahmudullah will make it into Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup team. The selectors are expected to announce the 15-member squad on September 15, shortly after the BCB president Nazmul Hassan gives his approval. Before the announcement, the board has arranged a three-day training camp for the new technical consultant, S Sriram, to look at the talent at his disposal.On Monday, the first day of the camp, team director Khaled Mahmud said they are yet to take a call on Mahmudullah. He made 52 runs at 106.12 strike rate in the Asia Cup, having made just 99 runs in six T20s earlier this year. Gone are the days of Mahmudullah being the designated hitter for Bangladesh in the death overs. He has looked a shadow of the player he once was between 2016 to 2018.”(Mahmudullah) Riyad is an important part of our white-ball cricket,” Mahmud said. “There has been no decision on him. We will take a decision when we sit down to do the team, whether we need him in the squad or not. I can say that Riyad is still important for us. It is good to have discussions on whether Riyad will get the chance or not. We also can’t say that Riyad isn’t an automatic choice. We have to take everything into consideration.”Mahmud suggested that Mahmudullah’s experience – he is Bangladesh’s most capped T20I player – will not give him an advantage at the selection table. Mushfiqur Rahim, a senior player similarly under pressure to score regularly in T20Is, retired shortly after the Asia Cup, citing his need to give more time to Tests and ODIs. But it was quite clear that Mushfiqur knew his time was up in T20Is.Mahmud, considered Mahmudullah’s mentor from his early days, said that they were not getting the best out of him right now. “At the end of the day, we will consider the best interest of the Bangladesh team. We are not going to see someone differently just because he is more experienced. We definitely value his service, like the other experienced players. Riyad is trying hard, but we are not getting what we expect from him. He is scoring a run-a-ball 27, for instance.”But Riyad has been our match-winner,” Mahmud said. “He made centuries in the 2015 World Cup. He had a big partnership with Shakib [Al Hasan] in the 2017 Champions Trophy. He has won matches single-handedly too. We can’t say no to him all of a sudden, but the team is bigger than the individual. We have called up a lot of players [to the camp], but not all are called up for selection.”Bangladesh’s thinking of a side without Mushfiqur and probably Mahmudullah comes from their confidence in the return of Litton Das, Nurul Hasan and Yasir Ali from various injuries. It is reportedly hoped that the return of this trio could solve their middle and top order problems that have plagued them for more than 12 months.

West Indies, who had threatened to take a bigger lead at various stages of their second innings, folded for 193 after tea on the third day

Tristan Lavalette27-Jan-20241:53

McGlashan: There could yet be some nervy moments for Australia

Stumps Steven Smith made a positive start to Australia’s chase of 216, but a shorthanded West Indies attack hit back late on day three to breathe life anew into the second Test at the Gabba. Australia reached stumps at 60 for 2 and need a further 156 runs to claim a sweep of the home Test summer. But this unpredictable contest may have more twists and turns with heavy showers forecast on days four and five due to the after-effects of Cyclone Kirrily.New-ball bowlers Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph started sluggishly and failed to make the most of favourable conditions under lights. Australia rattled off 24 runs before opener Usman Khawaja tickled Alzarri Joseph down the leg side.West Indies’ hopes of ending a two-decade Test drought against Australia were further raised when Justin Greaves squared up Marnus Labuschagne, whose edge was brilliantly snaffled by Kevin Sinclair in the slips. Sinclair – not for the first time in his debut Test – celebrated by crossing his arms after he rose from the turf.Smith and Cameron Green survived a probing examination before stumps. Green was all at sea and struck on the pads by Greaves, but West Indies were unsuccessful in their review. He then edged the next delivery in front of second slip.In contrast, Smith looked technically sound and hit the ball crisply to finish unbeaten on 33 from 56 balls.Kavem Hodge was brilliantly run out by Travis Head from forward short-leg•AFP/Getty Images

It was a resilient effort from West Indies, who were without quick Shamar Joseph after he was struck on the toe on his right foot by an inswinging yorker from Mitchell Starc. It was initially given out lbw but Starc had overstepped. He had to retire hurt to end a West Indies second innings that fell away.They had moved to 148 for 4, with a lead of 170, when the in-form Kavem Hodge hit to Travis Head at forward short-leg and took a couple of steps forward with the stroke, and Head quickly flicked the ball at the stumps. A desperate Hodge dove back but his bat was in the air when the ball hit the stumps in what might prove a match-turning moment.It followed a trend where West Indies lost wickets almost out of nowhere and were left to rue four of their top six batters scoring between 29 and 41 but not kicking on.No. 3 Kirk McKenzie, who drove well during his stay, top-scored with 41 and along with Alick Athanaze played attractively and threatened substantial scores before they both fell to Nathan Lyon either side of the dinner break.Australia’s attack toiled in oppressive conditions, but managed to conjure breakthroughs at crucial junctures much like they did when challenged against Pakistan earlier in the summer.Nathan Lyon had a big job to do as the quicks suffered in the heat•AFP/Getty Images

With the quicks feeling the effects of the hot and humid weather, Lyon was relied upon and he threatened on a ground he has a terrific record at. Bowling quicker than usual, Lyon produced sharp turn and bounce to finish with 3 for 42 from 22 overs.After a frenetic day two, the match returned to normalcy as the surface settled and West Indies eyed batting long. Resuming at 13 for 1, West Indies needed to survive the new ball onslaught and reached the 25-over mark, after which batting has proven easier, relatively unscathed.But the surface did not offer as much zip as it did late on day two when Australia had declared 22 runs behind and Josh Hazlewood had sent back Tagenarine Chanderpaul.McKenzie motored along to thwart Australia’s pace attack. In contrast, skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was anchored to the crease and scored just six runs off his first 33 balls before whacking Starc uppishly through the covers for his first boundary of the innings.The batters defied probing hard-length bowling from Pat Cummins and notched a half-century stand before Brathwaite chipped Green to cover.Kirk McKenzie played a flurry of check-drives down the ground•Getty Images

McKenzie slowed down and on his 50th delivery, he missed an attempted sweep to be trapped lbw on Lyon’s second delivery. McKenzie decided to review, having been hit high on his back leg, but ball tracking showed it to be clipping the off bail and the decision was upheld.Athanaze, who has had limited impact in the series, showed glimpses of why he is highly rated with several attractive strokes and combined well with Hodge after dinner to rattle Australia.Australia’s frustrations boiled over when Mitchell Marsh made a hash of a fielding attempt leading to Lyon, the bowler, gesticulating in annoyance.But Lyon’s mood soon brightened when he dismissed Athanaze on 35 after tossing up a delivery that was edged to slip, where Smith took a sharp catch.It was a relief for Smith, who had earlier in the innings dropped Athanaze and Brathwaite, as West Indies fell away before their late fightback left the match delicately poised.

He played 16 Test matches for Australia between 1966 and 1970

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jul-2023Former Australia and New South Wales wicketkeeper Brian Taber has died at the age of 83.Taber, who played 16 Test matches for Australia between 1966 and 1970, passed away on Friday.He made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg where he claimed seven catches and a stumping. He would go on to also face England, India and West Indies during his career.His highest Test score of 48 came against West Indies at Sydney in 1969 in a match Australia won by 382 runs.Taber was widely regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers to represent Australia and was renowned for his impeccable glovework and calm demeanour behind the stumps.In his domestic career, he played more than 100 games for New South Wales and is a member of the state’s Hall of Fame.After finishing playing, he held various roles within the game, including NSW coach and selector and manager of the Australian Under-19 men’s team.”Brian’s vast popularity among former team-mates, and all those fortunate enough to have known him, is just one indication of the impact he had on our game,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.”Brian had a passion for the development of young players, and it is fitting that the Player of the Tournament at the Men’s National Under-19 Championships will continue to receive the Brian Taber Medal.”Cricket NSW CEO, Lee Germon, said: “His contribution to Australian cricket was immense, as a player, coach, manager and selector. Tabsy was universally loved for both his skill as a wicketkeeper and his character as a person. He was such a nice, genuine guy and he will be greatly missed by all.”

Opener slams 66 off 32 and then picks up 2 for 25 to put home side top of North Group

ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2024Lancashire 176 for 8 (Wells 66, Hasan 3-47) beat Birmingham Bears 168 for 6 (Hain 59, Wells 2-25) by eight runsEarly pacesetters Lancashire Lightning beat Birmingham Bears at fortress Emirates Old Trafford to stay top of the embryonic Vitality Blast North Group table, with Luke Wells to the fore.Lightning just defended a 177 target to win by eight runs, sealing their third victory in four games as Wells opened with a career best-equalling 66 off 32 balls, then returned 2 for 25 with his legspinners and added two catches.Bears missed the chance to leapfrog their hosts to the group’s summit, losing for the first time in three matches as they replied to 176 for 8 with 168 for 6 despite Sam Hain’s 59 off 44.Lancashire are now unbeaten in 23 group fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford since the end of summer 2020, excluding matches where not a ball was bowled. Surrey did, however, win here in last summer’s quarter-final.Wells clattered five early sixes before bowling Chris Benjamin to put the skids under Birmingham at 56 for 3 in the seventh over of their chase.The tall left-hander, playing his 48th T20 match, lit up the first half of Lancashire’s innings with his flurry of sixes, including three successively over midwicket off Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali at the start of fourth over, which went for 27.That gave Lightning, invited to bat on a used pitch, valuable momentum at 47 for 1 having only taken eight runs from the first two overs.Wells only scored one off his first six balls yet reached his fifty off 22, taking Lancashire to 73 for 1 after six.He dominated an 80-run stand inside six overs with captain Keaton Jennings from 18 for 1 in the third over. But Bears fought back superbly with four wickets for 30, starting with Jennings stumped off a leg-side wide from left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott.As spin put the squeeze on, Lintott also had Wells stumped by captain Alex Davies to finish with 2 for 29, while Danny Briggs got Tom Bruce and a brilliant George Garton throw running in from deep midwicket ran out Matty Hurst – Lancashire 128 for 5 in the 14th.Hasan returned to get three wickets in the final over – Steven Croft, Chris Green and Luke Wood caught in the deep – as the hosts lost momentum.But their score was still very competitive courtesy of Wells’ early fireworks, which felt like the exception rather than the norm on this sluggish surface.Lightning quicks Mitchell Stanley and Luke Wood removed openers Davies and Rob Yates caught at third and deep square-leg respectively in the space of three balls to leave Bears 23 for 2 in the third over. Benjamin was then bowled trying to slog sweep Wells, and Bears were struggling.They reached 76 for 3 after 10 overs, needing 101 more. England fringe quick Saqib Mahmood, playing his first T20 match in just over a year following injury, then had Dan Mousley caught at long-leg by action-man Wells – 76 for 4 in the 11th.Bears then hit back, as they had done with the ball. Hain and Jacob Bethell shared 62 inside seven overs, the latter contributing 33 before falling caught behind off Wells.At 138 for 5 in the 17th, Bears needed 39. But Hain, with a season’s best score in all formats to his name, then drilled Wood to Wells at mid-off – 147 for 6 with 11 balls left. That proved decisive, leaving Mahmood defending 24 off the last.

Sparkling innings from replacement keeper turns close game for home side

ECB Media16-Aug-2025Trent Rockets 145 for 6 (Moores 55, Banton 49) beat Southern Brave 140 for 4 (du Plooy 55, Stoinis 2-18) by four wicketsA brilliant innings on his home county ground by Tom Moores saw Trent Rockets to a four-wicket win over Southern Brave in the Hundred men’s competition.Moores, making his first appearance in this year’s competition having only just arrived as an emergency wicketkeeper replacement, hit 55 in a partnership of 76 with Tom Banton as Rockets got home with four balls to spare.Rockets chose to bowl first on a slow surface and struck early when James Vince was bowled by one that ran across him from David Willey.Jason Roy and Leus du Plooy began to get to terms with the surface, Roy scooping Marcus Stoinis’s first ball for four. Left-hander du Plooy then slog swept Callum Parkinson for six and smashed Lockie Ferguson for a maximum over long-off.Stoinis returned to bowl Roy for 23, but du Plooy kept his own momentum going, switch-hitting Calvin Harrison into the stands and bringing up his half-century with another six off Parkinson.The game then was forced to pause for a while, the players leaving the field as Adam Hose received medical treatment after a nasty slip on the leg-side boundary. Trent Rockets later confirmed Hose had dislocated his ankle and been taken to hospital for further assessment.When play resumed, Brave looked to accelerate through Michael Bracewell and James Coles. Coles struck Ferguson for two boundaries in the final set to see the Brave reach 140 for 4, a competitive total on this Trent Bridge surface.Trent Rockets came flying out of the blocks – Banton hit the first two balls of the chase for four and then reverse-swept Coles for six from the fourth.Jordan Thompson picked up Joe Root for 6, before Jofra Archer was pulled for fours by both Banton and Rehan Ahmed as Rockets closed the powerplay on 41 for 1.Rehan then went well caught by Roy off Tymal Mills and Max Holden followed, caught by Archer off Danny Briggs. Bracewell removed Willey with his first ball but was later deposited over midwicket for the first of Moores’ five sixes, the left-hander’s arrival shifting the momentum of the match.Mills picked up his 50th wicket in the Hundred, but it came too late as Rockets reached their target.Moores, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “It was a little bit slow at times but ultimately I felt it was a pretty good wicket. It was a nice win.”It’s great to bat with Tom [Banton], he was keeping me nice and calm and we just tried to bat together really and bounce off each other. We score in different areas so we complemented each other well.”The way I play, I’m always trying to take it to the bowler if I can. It’s always nice to do it in front of a home crowd and I thought the boys stuck at it really well after a tough thing in the field that happened to Adam [Hose] and we hope he’s all right.”