Benny Blitz In Vain As Hampshire Edge Thriller
20 June 2014
A brilliant late blitz from Benny Howell wasn’t enough to save Gloucestershire from a two-run defeat by Hampshire in the NatWest T20 Blast game at Southampton.
The former Hampshire batsman smashed 50 off 21 balls, with 2 fours and 4 sixes as his side replied to a total of 180-6.
But there was too little support from the earlier batsmen, Alex Gidman’s 37 opening the innings the next best score.
Gidman and Michael Klinger (17) put on 61 for the first wicket off 8.1 overs. But Gloucestershire ultimately paid for a middle order collapse that saw them slide to 121-7 at one point.
Tom Smith (30 not out of 13 balls) helped Howell ensure a thrilling finish, hitting boundaries off the first three balls of the final over, bowled by Kyle Abbott, which began with 20 needed to win.
But Howell was run out, attempting a second run off the penultimate delivery, and Graeme McCarter walked out needing to hit a six off the final ball to win.
He managed three with the aid of an overthrow, but Gloucestershire fell tantilisingly short and slipped to their fourth defeat in the competition this season.
The home side’s total was built around 69 not out from Jimmy Adams, well supported by James Vince (39) and Glenn Maxwell (30).
David Payne was the pick of the Gloucestershire attack with 2-25 from his four overs, while Howell claimed 1-21 from three.
Reflecting on his side's narrow defeat, Howell said: "It was disappointing. We were behind the asking rate throughout the innings and I just tried to hit as many boundaries as I could.
"We lost wickets in clusters and at important stages. Coming back to the Ageas Bowl I was just pleased with the way I scored runs in the fashion I did. I just could not get us over the line."
For more details on the match at Southampton click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
