Wood: Practice paid off

Hampshire bowler happy to take on final over responsibility

Last updated: 25th August 2012  

Wood: Practice paid off

Chris Wood: Had been practising death bowling

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Hampshire bowler Chris Wood says that he was well prepared for the final over which sealed the Royals' victory in the Friends Life t20 final against Yorkshire.

The 22-year-old held his nerve to take three wickets while only conceding three runs in the last over of the match as Yorkshire fell 10 runs short of Hampshire's 150-6.

And after the victory Wood, who was part of a Hampshire team that took their second 20-over title in three years, said that he had been practicing his death bowling extensively this season.

"It is unbelievable. To be here three years in a row was a revelation in itself and to take two wins is unbelievable and we will have a jolly good night," Wood told Sky Sports.

"All year I have been practising that yorker at the death. I backed myself and it came off tonight."

Wood (3-21) and 21-year-old Danny Briggs (1-27) took the plaudits, with batsman Neil McKenzie being full of praise for the young pair.

"The guys played fabulously, there was some great death bowling at the end there - all the guys put in a great effort," he said.

"They (Wood and Briggs) may be youngsters but have been with the squad last three or four years.

Youngsters

"One (Briggs) has played for England and the other one, he could be if he keeps carrying on. They are youngsters but have great experience."

Yorkshire's David Miller was named man of the match after his unbeaten 72 from 46 kept his side in with a chance of victory and Hampshire opener Jimmy Adams, who himself made 43, admitted that he thought the South African could lead his side to victory.

"David Miller played and incredible innings, when he was on strike I feared the worst," he said.

"I thought 150 was competitive. Obviously you want as many as you can get but 150 gives us a really good chance.

"It is about time I had some runs this year. It would been nice to make few more, but I set a reasonable platform for us to have a go at the end."

Coming so close was little consolation to Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale, who vowed that his side would return stronger.

He added: "(We're) gutted to fall at the last over. It was a great knock by David Miller, it was a fantastic effort.

"I thought they were gettable, batting has been our strength. We have come a long way in Twenty20 cricket, the lads have shown class, we are a young side, developing and we will improve."

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