David Willey hits century as Northamptonshire advance in T20 Blast
Left-hander blasts 40-ball ton against Sussex at Hove
Thursday 13 August 2015 19:46, UK
David Willey scored the fastest T20 century by an Englishman as Northamptonshire advanced to the semi-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast with a seven-wicket win over Sussex.
Willey smashed an explosive tonf just 40 balls to lead the Steelbacks to a comfortable victory with 24 balls remaining at Hove.
Willey's incredible innings, the eighth fastest T20 century of all time, featured 10 maximums including five inside one Michael Yardy over.
Sussex side started the match poorly after losing the toss, and soon lost captain Luke Wright for a duck to the bowling of man-of-the-match Willey (3-27).
However, the Sharks recovered well from the early setback, with Mahela Jaywardene (50) and Chris Nash (53) both reaching their half centuries in quick-fire fashion.
Jayawardene looked in fine form but was brilliantly dismissed by a Josh Cobb one-handed diving catch at deep fine leg off the bowling of Azharullah (1-27).
The Sri Lankan's wicket proved to be the turning point in the Surrey innings, with Australian George Bailey also falling soon after - trapped lbw by Olly Stone (1-27).
The home side's progress was further stalled when Nash was trapped lbw whilst attempting to dig out a Rory Kleinveldt (2-28) delivery.
Craig Cachopa (13), Will Beer (16) and Matt Machan (13*) added vital runs as Surrey had to settle for 165-7 off their 20 overs - the hosts mustering just 64 runs from the final nine overs.
Northamptonshire's opening partnership of Willey and Richard Levi (24) set about chasing their modest target in confident fashion, with Willey hitting England international Chris Jordan for four boundaries in the second over of the innings.
The visitors looked to be cruising to victory at 74 for no loss before Levi fell lbw to the relatively economical Beer (2-24).
However, the dismissal did little to stem the flow of runs as Willey then smashed Yardy for five sixes and a four to add 34 from just one over.
The 25 year-old finally holed out to Bailey at deep midwicket off Tymal Mills (1-32) but by that point, the match was all but won.
Ben Duckett's late dismissal for five did little to dampen the Northamptonshire party, leaving Alex Wakely (8*) to hit the winning runs inside the 16th over.
"I started quite slowly. I didn't really pick up the pace of the wicket," said Willey.
"But then I used the wind and the short boundary to my advantage and just hit from one end.
"I missed out with a 95 [last season] so to get a 100 in a quarter-final and hopefully win the match is brilliant.
"It's been a good day all round and I'll have a few beers tonight."
Live NatWest T20 Blast Cricket
Northamptonshire now advance to the Edgbaston finals day, where they will play either the Birmingham Bears or Essex Eagles who contest Thursday's quarter final, live on Sky Sports Ashes HD.
Our T20 Blast coverage continues on Thursday night with Birmingham Bears taking on Essex Eagles, live on Sky Sports Ashes HD from 6.15pm.
