Mark Wallace takes Glamorgan to victory in a low scoring game against Middlesex: Friends Life T20
Glamorgan overcame Middlesex by four wickets in a low scoring game of the Friends Life T20, at the Old Deer Park, Richmond, in England, on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.
The hosts were bowled out for 102 runs in 19.1 overs and failed to defend the total. Although Glamorgan chased the target relatively easily in the end, they did have a few problems, losing six wickets during the process.
Mark Wallace was the top scorer in the match, scoring an unbeaten 40 runs, guiding his side to victory.
Toss was won by the Middlesex captain, Neil Dexter, who expected the pitch to assist the batsmen and decided to bat first. However, the decision proved to be wrong, as batting was extremely difficult in the middle.
The hosts lost two quick wickets for just 23 runs on the board, as Paul Stirling and Steven Crook were sent back to the pavilion after adding just nine and five runs to their respective innings.
Things were controlled by Chris Rogers and Dexter, who collected 35 runs for the third wicket partnership. They didn’t find batting difficult and played aggressively. However, both failed to carry onto the start to their innings and were dismissed for 30
and 11 respectively.
The lower-order batsmen were unable to cope with the pressure and wickets kept on falling at regular intervals in the Middlesex innings. Jamie Dalrymple was only the third other batsman in the team, reaching double figures. He managed 10 runs off 13 balls
before being dismissed.
Middlesex’s below par performance came to an end in the final over of the innings, as all batsmen went back to the hut for 102 runs and five balls remaining.
Dean Cosker did a terrific job for his side, picking up three wickets for just 11 runs in his four-over spell. He was given solid support by former England off-spinner, Robert Croft, who also took three wickets in the match.
Glamorgan lost opener, Mark Cosgrove, on the very first ball of the innings, but a 30-run stand between Alviro Petersen and Jim Allenby put the team in control. However, the latter got out after that and was followed by Luke Wright, who got dismissed on
the very next ball.
Petersen played sensible cricket, scoring 39 runs off 32 deliveries with the help of six fours, but it was an unbeaten 40 from Wallace which guided the team to victory. The visitors reached 104 in 17.1 overs, losing six batsmen.
South Africa’s all-rounder, Ryan McLaren, did a great job, picking up three wickets for just seven runs, but his effort went in vain.