T20 Blast Recap: Weather affects schedule but excitement in two-standing fixtures

There was plenty of drama across the Vitality T20 Blast schedule as rain affected fixtures nationwide.

Four matches were abandoned without a bowl being bowled as supporters and players alike were left frustrated by the conditions; meanwhile, Glamorgan reached 96-8 from 15.3 overs before their tie at Gloucestershire was abandoned with no result due to the weather.

Fixtures at Durham and Essex took place, however, and they proved to be entertaining ones as the Jets beat the Northampshire Steelbacks by just seven runs and Cameron Delport hit an astonishing 129 to crush Surrey by 52 runs.

Gloucestershire (N/A), Glamorgan (96-8). No Result

With both suffering loses in their opening games of the T20 blast, Friday night’s match represented a crucial opportunity to start winning ways. Gloucestershire won the toss and inserted Glamorgan in with the bat in front of a full house at the Festival venue.

Despite getting off to a good start where they reached 43 runs for the loss of just one wicket, the visitors soon started to feel the heat when two fell for just one run with Benny Howell striking with his first ball. However, the English summer intervened and the player’s trudged off for a 45 minute break. It was only a light shower and no overs were lost.

Following the resumption, the first ball caused drama when Billy Root pushed for a single at extra cover. Fielding captain Michael linger hurled the ball in at the keeper’s end and ran out Root’s partner, Owen Morgan to leave Glamorgan 44-4. With the overheads threatening, the Welsh side collapsed, clawing themsleves to 96 for eight. Howell ripped through the Glamorgan line-up taking five for 18 in his four overs.

Sadly for Howell and his team-mates, the heavens intervened yet again. Fortunately for the batting outfit, it continued to rain and at 5pm the umpires decided that no more play would be possible as the game ended in a No Result and the two teams took home a point apiece.

Hampshire Royals (N/A), Sussex Sharks (N/A) No Result

In the opening game of their respective T20 Blast campaigns, Hampshire hosted Sussex in the ‘El Classicoast’ Derby.

After performing poorly in last year’s competition where the Royals languished near the bottom of the south group, James Vince and his men were looking to make a fast start to this year’s proceedings when they hosted south coast rivals the Sussex Sharks.

Following consistent rain all day at the Ageas Bowl and in Southampton, the toss was put back an hour and the match was reduced to 14 overs per side.

The visitors won the toss and inserted Hampshire into bat. However, almost as if you couldn’t write it, rain once again intervened just as the two Hampshire openers were about to enter the field of play. The covers came on and the future of the match was looking dubious.

The rain and the gloom across the ground was insistent and 40 minutes later the umpires were left with no choice but to abandon the game without a ball being bowled. Disappointing day for all parties concerned.

 Durham Lions (148-4), v Northants Steelbacks (141-9). Durham win by seven runs

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With the home crowd at Chester Le-Street buoyant after watching their local lads Ben Stokes and Mark Wood play a starring role in England’s cricket World Cup triumph, Durham started aggressively with the bat. Opener D’Arcy Short got the Lions off to a measured start on what was a tricky batting surface, particularly with the overhead conditions playing a prominent role. The Aussie Short made 46 before being dismissed by Graeme White.

Fellow opener Scott Steel also chipped in with a useful 37 as the home side set the Steelbacks a challenging total on a sluggish pitch.

D’Arcy Short then played a role with the ball, taking 2-19 in his four overs. Despite Northants opener Adam Rossington getting his side off to ta flyer with 47 of 31 balls, he was unable to be supported by the rest of the top order, with four of them scoring 13 runs combined. Rob Keogh offered resistance with the bat late on with a quick-fire 30 but wasn’t enough for the visitors to get over the line.

Head onto the next page to find out how Surrey got on at Essex and which two Northern group fixtures were affected by the weather.