Somerset v Middlesex: Friends Life T20 - Second Innings Recap
Middlesex required 144 runs for victory against Somerset in a match of the Friends Life T20, at the John Walker’s Ground, Southgate in England, on Sunday, July 10, 2011.
The hosts were in good control of the match at one stage once they were bowling. However, they conceded 40 runs off the last four overs, which shifted the momentum with Somerset.
Middlesex’s captain, Neil Dexter and Scott Newman batted well during the chase, but failed to guide their side to victory in the end. The team managed to tie the game, as they scored 143 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
The pitch was not the easiest for the batsmen, as the ball didn’t come onto the bat at a consistent pace. It was not easy to play the bog shots and the batsmen had to apply themselves in the middle to get some runs.
Wicketkeeper batsman, John Simpson opened the innings alongside Sam Robson. The latter failed to make an impression, as he was dismissed cheaply. He only managed three runs off seven balls in his short stay at the crease.
The hosts were under pressure after losing their opener early, but the innings was stabilised by Simpson and Newman. The pair put together 46 runs for the second wicket partnership, guiding their team’s total above 50.
However, the keeper batsman was unable to make most of the start he got to his innings and got out after adding 18 runs to the total from 19 deliveries with the help of a couple of boundaries.
Dexter walked out to join Newman and the pair collected 20 runs for the third wicket stand. The latter failed to convert his start into a significant innings and was dismissed after scoring 33 runs off 26 balls. He struck six boundaries in his impressive
knock.
Jamie Dalrymple was the next man to be dismissed after contributing 10 runs to the total from 12 deliveries. He was followed by Dexter, who looked threatening for the opposition, scoring 33 runs from 28 deliveries with the help of two fours and one massive
six.
Things looked bad for the hosts at that stage of the innings, as they lost five wickets for 108 runs on the board.
However, South Africa’s young all-rounder, Ryan McLaren did a terrific job in the death overs. He smashed 25 runs off 17 deliveries with the help of two massive sixes, but got out on the fourth ball of the last over.
Middlesex needed four runs off the last two balls for victory, but managed just three in the end and the match ended in a tie.
Lewis Gregory did a fabulous job with the ball, picking up three wickets for Somerset.