Cricket News: Vitality T20 Blast Leicestershire's two-point penalty controversy
The Foxes were due to go into Sunday's final North Group game with Yorkshire Vikings knowing that whichever side won would reach the last eight
Naveen-ul-Haq bowled two waist-high full tosses in Friday's one-run win over NorthantsLeicestershire's two-point penalty hands Yorkshire a place in the quarter-finals
Leicestershire Foxes defeated Yorkshire Vikings by 60 runs to register their fifth win on the trot, but the success went in vain. Just before the match commenced, it was revealed that the team had suffered a penalty of two points due to disciplinary offenses committed in their last fixture against Northamptonshire. This deduction of two facts made it clear that even if they won the match, they would not be able to qualify for the quarter-finals.
They scored a mammoth of 211 in 20 overs owing to skipper Colin Ackermann, who remained unbeaten at 72 in 46 balls, smashing nine boundaries. Nick Welsh, too added 46 to take the total to 211.
In response, Adam Lyth scored 52 off 25 to pace off Yorkshire's innings. But soon, the team got reduced from 81/2 to 151/9 as young spinner Reham Ahmed returned with figures of 3-17 in a four-over spell to grab hands on a 60-run win.
Somerset and Lancashire win to secure home quarter-finals
In a must-win contest to secure a spot in the quarter-finals, Somerset made 218 at a loss of 8 wickets to register a 47-run win over Surrey. Somerset opener Will Smeed and skipper Tom Abell were the top scorers as the duo shared a scintillating third-wicket stand of 165 runs in 12.3 overs. Will Smeed fall short by two runs to register his ton, whereas the skipper got dismissed at 70? Later Craig Overton stunned with his four-wicket haul to restrict Surrey to 171 with 11 balls to spare. With this win, they have fixed a home tie against Derbyshire in the Vitality Blast quarter-finals.
On the other hand, Lancashire Lightning edged North Division toppers Birmingham Bears by two wickets to enter the quarter-finals. Birmingham Bears have stacked up a total of 200-plus seven times this season, but most of the time, their top order has failed. In the start, Lancashire spinner Tom Hartley removed both the openers within three balls to get control over the Bears' innings. Adam Hose did look to anchor with Chris Benjamin and Dan Mousely, but ultimately the team got restricted to 168. Olly Stone scalped four wickets to defend the total, but it wasn't enough to dominate Lancashire. Phil Salt and Dane Vilas added good scores, but Tom Hartley's cameo to still 13 runs in the final over secured the team with the win.
Top 8 teams at the end of Group Stage of Vitality Blast
As the Group Stage of T20 Vitality Blast concluded yesterday, the top 8 teams that have fixed their spots in the quarter-finals are:
North Division: Birmingham Bears, Lancashire Lightning, Derbyshire falcons, and Yorkshire Vikings
South Division: Surrey, Somerset, Essex Eagles, Hampshire Hawks
Quarter-finals will commence from 6th July with the first clash between Surrey and Yorkshire Vikings at the Oval and conclude on 9th July at Taunton with Somerset locking horns with Derbyshire Falcons. 8th July will see two fixtures, one between Birmingham Bears and Hampshire hawks at Birmingham and the other at Manchester between Lancashire Lightning and Essex Eagles.
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