Vitality T20 Blast 2022: Match Highlights

SOUTH GROUP

Kent Spitfires vs Sussex Sharks

Former champions Kent Spitfires registered their third win of the season by defeating Sussex by six wickets.

Kent restricted Sussex to 158 as the bowlers chipped in wickets at regular intervals, disabling Sussex from building good partnerships. Ali Orr top-scored 36 off 25. Harrison Ward and Delray Rawlins added valuable 33 and 28 runs, respectively. However, a late cameo from George Garton, scoring 31 off 16, took the total to 158.

Opener Joe Denly led Kent's chase, scoring 58 in 39 balls. Skipper Sam Billings remained unbeaten at 43 alongside George Linde's 24 off 19 to cross the line in 18.5 overs with six wickets remaining. Despite the win, the team languishes at the bottom of the table.

Glamorgan vs Somerset

Somerset defeated Glamorgan by 16 runs in a rain-affected game to remain in the knockout race. The game was reduced to 7 overs for each side due to inclement weather. 

Somerset saw a poor start as they were reduced to 15/4 by third over. Later, they were rescued by skipper Tom Abell's 14-ball 26, Tom Lammonby's 18 off nine and Ben Green's unbeaten 17 off 6 to post the total of 75/6 in 7 overs. 

In contrast to Somerset, the Glamorgan inning got a decent start with Colin Ingram scoring an unbeaten 37 off 19, but he was the lone man standing, as all other batters fell cheaply for Somerset's bowlers. Thus, they restricted Glamorgan to 59/5 in 7 overs and sealed a 16-run win.

Essex Eagles vs Surrey

Surrey suffered a second loss on the trot as they still kept hold of the top spot. Essex Eagles defeated Surrey by 43 runs to climb to the third spot. 

While bowling first, Surrey got their early breakthrough in the form of Adam Rossington (4). Michael Pepper stitched a 69-run partnership with Feroze Khushi (23). However, Sunil Narine dismissed both of them. Paul Walter emerged top-scorer by smashing 49 off 33 before losing his wicket to Reece Topley. Reece Topley returned with 4-0-37-4. Simon Harmer chipped in 29 off 15 in the end, to take the total to 198 at a loss of 7 wickets.

In response, Surrey never got going in the chase game. They lost Jason Roy in the first over. Will Jacks (26), Jamie Smith (30) and Rory Burns (37) did start well but failed to capitalise and go beyond to chase the high total. Chris Jordan also added 17-ball 34 but could not make it to the end as the team finished at 155/9 in 20 overs. Aaron Beard returned with a terrific figure of 4-29 whereas Simon Harmer took two wickets. 

Gloucestershire vs Hampshire Hawks

Hampshire defeated Gloucestershire, denting their chance of progression as their bowlers did a stellar job to grab a 9-run win. 

Hampshire built a target of 179, riding on the back of Ben McDermott's 38-ball 50. The batter failed to get support from the other end as wickets kept on falling. Ryan Higgins took three wickets to destroy the middle-order. James Fuller's 14-ball 22 and Liam Dawson's 20 off 13 helped add to the total. 

Early wickets and a poor start resulted in Gloucestershire being reduced to 64/5. James Bracey (40), Jack Taylor (37) and Benny Howell (34*) kept Gloucestershire in the chase towards the end, but they fell short by a few runs.