Steven Finn takes 4-24 to keep Middlesex hopes alive with win over Gloucestershire
Wednesday 16 August 2017 08:14, UK
Luis Reece put Derbyshire Falcons on the brink of the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals with 66 from 49 balls in a three-wicket win over the Durham Jets.
Reece scored his fourth T20 half-century as the Falcons chased down 162 with three balls to spare, to go second in the North Group with two matches to play.
Stuart Poynter had made his competition-best unbeaten 61 from 32 balls as the Jets recovered to 161-7 in Derby, but Reece then played a decisive role to turn the game.
The Falcons lost Billy Godleman in the second over despite replays showing James Weighell was perilously close to a no-ball, and after Matt Critchley pulled Chris Rushworth for six he miscued to mid-wicket to reduce the home side to 33 for two in the fifth over.
As one of the leading batsmen in the competition, Wayne Madsen's wicket looked an important one and he moved smoothly to 24 but then swung Ryan Pringle to wide long-on.
Reece, badly dropped at deep cover on 21, pulled Keaton Jennings for six but the Jets were building pressure which told when Alex Hughes top-edged a pull in the 15th over.
Reece took two fours from Weighell as 16 came from the 16th over, Matt Henry pulled Usman Arshad for six, and although wickets fell in the closing overs, the home side did just enough.
Elsewhere, in the South Group, Middlesex were led to victory over Gloucestershire by 61 runs at Uxbridge after Steve Finn produced a display of fast and aggressive bowling to keep alive his side's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast.
Finn had figures of 4-24, his best in the competition, and he was well supported by Tim Southee, who took three for nine from three overs.
