Glamorgan miss out on T20 Blast last eight with defeat to Gloucestershire
Saturday 25 July 2015 00:07, UK
Heavy rain across the country played havoc with the final round of Natwest T20 Blast fixtures, without only two of the eight games able to be played.
One of those saw Glamorgan fail to take advantage of Essex's clash with Kent being a wash out as Gloucestershire claimed an eight-wicket victory at Sophia Gardens.
With Essex stuck in the pavilion, Glamorgan knew they could leapfrog them and qualify for the quarter-finals, but in a contest reduced to five overs, the evening was lit up by a brilliant bowling display from Gloucestershire's attack as James Fuller bowled a maiden and Benny Howell conceded just one run from his over in helping restrict the hosts to 45-1.
In reply, Chris Dent led the charge with an unbeaten 28 off 11 balls and Gloucestershire, who knew they could not reach the last eight, eased to a match-winning 51-2 with seven balls to spare.
That left Essex celebrating without a ball bowled at Chelmsford, where the game was finally called off at 8.25pm after persistent rain throughout most of the day.
Their fourth-place finish in the group means Essex will now travel to Edgbaston where they will meet Birmingham, who featured in the only other game to take place as they fell to an eight-wicket defeat to Yorkshire at Headingley.
Already assured of a home quarter-final place, the Bears laboured to 145 all out - a total which acting captain Alex Lees made sure was well within Yorkshire's grasp by striking a measured 63 off 47 balls while featuring in a second-wicket stand of 104 with Jack Leaning.
Once Lees had gone, Leaning continued on his way to his maiden T20 half-century and he was unbeaten on 60 when Yorkshire, who had no chance of reaching the knockout phase, crossed the line with three balls remaining.
A Wantage Road washout secured Northamptonshire's place in the quarter-finals. Heavy rain in Northampton rendered any play impossible and the official abandonment was issued by umpires Martin Bodenham and Michael Gough at 6.45pm.
For Durham, the fixture was academic with no chance to qualify for the knock-out stage
A point for Northamptonshire took them to 16 points in the North Group and with further washouts at New Road and Grace Road, there was no opportunity for Lancashire and Nottinghamshire to overhaul them.
However, Lancashire Lightning were confirmed as quarter-finalists despite no play in their final fixture against North Group runners-up Worcestershire at New Road.
Closest rivals Notts Outlaws suffered a similar setback in their game against Leicestershire Foxes at Grace Road and with both counties taking one point, Lancashire go into the last eight for the 10th time in 13 seasons.
Earlier, Sussex secured their place in the last eight after their match against Surrey at the Kia Oval was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Umpires Rob Bailey and David Millns made the decision two hours before the scheduled 6.30pm start as persistent heavy rain, which had started at 8.30am, continued to fall.
Somerset and Middlesex were also unable to play, although both sides had been out of contention for qualification.
Quarter-final draw (matches to be played from August 12-15):
Sussex v Northamptonshire
Birmingham Bears v Essex
Worcestershire v Hampshire
Kent v Lancashire
